Spiritual Enlightenment in Virtual Worlds. Designing a Religion Site in Second Life

Table of Contents

• Acknowledgements
• Abstract

Objectives and Key Themes

This dissertation explores the potential of virtual worlds, specifically Second Life, to facilitate spiritual enlightenment. It investigates the design principles for creating a religious site within this virtual environment, drawing upon Christian Theology, narratology, and ludology. The research seeks to answer questions regarding the significance of Second Life features for spiritual enlightenment and the design patterns of "religious sites" within this platform.

• The role of virtual worlds in spiritual exploration
• Design principles for religious sites in Second Life
• The significance of Second Life features for spiritual enlightenment
• Exploring the potential for "sacred" spaces within virtual environments
• The integration of storytelling, mapping, affectiveness, and virtual rituals in religious site design

Chapter Summaries

The dissertation focuses on the design of a religious site in Second Life, analyzing its potential for spiritual enlightenment. The study examines the specific features of Second Life that contribute to this potential, including animation, audio-visual elements, and interactive environments. These features are then incorporated into a set of design principles, namely Storytelling, Mapping, Affectiveness, and Virtual Ritual, which guide the development of religious sites within the virtual world.

Keywords

This dissertation explores the intersection of religion, virtual worlds, and game design. Key terms and concepts include Ludology, Narratology, Religion, Second Life, Virtual Worlds, and the design of "religious sites" within virtual environments. The research focuses on the potential for spiritual enlightenment through the use of these virtual spaces and their unique features.