En-roling and De-roling in Virtual Worlds

Though there is a significant body of work on subjectivities in virtual worlds, relatively little has been written on the transitions into and out of these subjectivities. To address this lack, this chapter considers processes of ‘en-roling’ and ‘de-roling’ from our being in virtual environments. The first refers to those practices, experiences, and activities by which the user forms an understanding of—and internalizes—a particular subjectivity in relation to the virtual world. The second indicates techniques through which subjects ‘disrobe’ themselves from their role in the virtual environment. This chapter draws comparisons between engaging with virtual worlds and the mechanisms of transition between subjectivities used in a range of other cultural practices—including dramatherapy and psychodrama, liminal rites, and live-action role-playing.