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Virtual Cultures in Pandemic Time

124 mins

The Plot

Since March 2020, Draxtor has been following UC Irvine Department of Anthropology researchers Tom Boellstorff, Evan Conaway, Chandra Middleton and Sandy Wenger around Animal Crossing and Second Life to find out how the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping online interaction. In the film, protagonists from all over the world open up about their anxieties and everyday challenges during the last two years, and share what virtual worlds and social games mean to them in the context of a global health crisis. Many hours of mixed reality interviews, group discussions in Second Life and a comprehensive survey filled out by over 4000 players/residents provide the basis for a sprawling narrative. What emerges through participant observation is a mosaic of impressions, voices and worlds belonging to people from all walks of life, who are actively engaging in community building in the digital realm as they are trying to make sense of a new age dominated by uncertainty and physical isolation.

Cast and Crew

Draxtor

Draxtor

Themself

Tom Boellstorff

Tom Boellstorff

Themself

Evan Conaway

Evan Conaway

Themself

Chanda Middleton

Chanda Middleton

Themself

Sandy Wenger

Sandy Wenger

Themself

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