IMVU- Virtual vs Reality
In the world of IMVU, which is a virtual reality, people can design their own character however they want too. This gives people freedom to dress and look however they want too. When someone logs into IMVU for the first time they can see like a virtual Instagram. After that, they can explore the different chat rooms where you can interact with others, engage into conversations with people and get private DM’s from people who ask to get you know more. You can also move your avatar around the room and each arrow that you click will make your avatar move around.
In the Book, Coming of Age in Second Life, the author, Tom Boellstroff, stated, “The metaphors also highlights how humans can now use computer programs to create worlds that are both “virtual” and “real.” (pg.244, Boellstroff) In the public forum of IMVU, I found the conversation of Virtual Relationships where one user stated, “Some have been successful in getting married on here and creating families of where there’s no real attachment involved; just an ongoing roleplaying sims. Not everyone is successful in interacting with others. There are even individuals or groups of individuals that make going into public rooms unsafe and regrettable experience.” People in IMVU can create these chat / dance rooms where people can meet and interact with others. People could be looking for someone to chat with or get to know on IMVU. When looking thru with what others say about IMVU a lot of people keep stating that IMVU is like a social media site that you can make new friends.
Maybe it’s the society that we rather make online friends, than friends in real-life.
