In this presentation, I discuss how fans of Cyberpunk 2077 uses YouTube as a platform to make deep-dives content about the game characters, how the game mirror’s the real world and capitalism.
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Hi Aliah,
Firstly, I LOVEEEE your conference presentation paper! As someone who plays the game as well, but in more of a casual way (and have yet to finish it….), this was such an interesting case study to follow! Here are my questions that I’ve structured personally for you, but take this as somewhat of me, someone who is also a fan of the game, being curious, instead of asking you strictly for educational purposes since I really want to see your personal yet academically critical input on this!
1. You mentioned fans of Cyberpunk 2077 must continue engaging with the fandom to maintain their visibility to prevent the community from disappearing within the Internet space (timestamp 6:30). Even if fans came back to the fandom to discuss new episodes of the game, new real-world events that echo the game’s themes, or new critiques of capitalism, do you think this engagement is authentic? Does the Cyberpunk 2077 fandom feel the pressure to actively participate in discussions that may help with the visibility of the community? Or does this create some sort of artificial authenticity that surrounds the fandom with the intention of SOLELY keeping the community alive?
2. Going back to your points regarding networked fandom public, and how active consumers (YouTube commenters) engage under all Cyberpunk 2077 content creators’ comment sections. To what extent do you think these commenters participating in online interaction are able to form communities and connections? Do you think commenting on these YouTubers’ videos alone enables the opportunity for them to develop a deeper connection that creates community, if yes, how so? Or do they just serve as a way for the YouTubers to gain temporary engagement from like-minded fans of the deep-dive videos by letting the commenters share their personal interpretations/debates of the game below YouTube’s comment section feature?
3. Although you form a solid argument and analysis between the parallels found in K-pop and Harry Potter fanbases in terms of activism, do you think the Cyberpunk 2077 fanbase is at the same surface level as these 2 fandoms in terms of discussing political and societal matters that allow them to form a deeper connection and community?
I’m asking this as you didn’t provide as many details or real-life examples for Cyberpunk 2077’s case that talks about corporate power, wealth inequality, and worker exploitation that can be found in the real world (timestamp 7:43); whereas you gave many real-life examples for K-pop fans such as organising against Trump rallies and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
All in all, I had a blast watching your presentation start to finish! Keep up with the good work and I look forward to chatting with you soon,
Adeela
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