Ruoxu Tang
@loookwendyGrowing up, I played various video games such as Animal Crossing, Travel Frogs, and Otome games. I would go on adventures with them. We share not only happiness but also sadness. Over time, I formed a parasocial, or one-sided, relationship with the NPCs (non-player characters) in the game, which have become significant to my life. They have empowered not only the “me” in the game, but also my reality. By societal standards, these relationships are considered “unreal” and “intangible,” however I believe that they are true and valid. I aim to explore the process of how these parasocial relationships form and the ways in which they can validate relationships and connections.
Through research, critique, and play, I examine the interplay between the “real” and the “virtual.” My thesis explores the motivation behind why and how parasocial relationships form in our search for both human connection and a sense of self. I address the tendency to seek emotional fulfillment beyond the physical world and explore how relationships in video games can replace a longing for human connection.
I aim to create an experience of knowing, understanding, and forming a parasocial relationship in video games through illustration, digital posters, and installation to capture the essence of this journey in a way that is both engaging and heartfelt. My project advocates for challenging societal perceptions and encourages individuals to better understand parasocial relationships in digital games. As we navigate uncharted territories in an evolving landscape, this study fosters an understanding of the unique role each digital influence plays on the human experience, transcending the boundaries between the “real” and the “virtual.”
[Recover].ai*, 2023, Risograph,
11 x 17 in.
11 x 17 in.
Touch Fish, 2024, Risograph,
11 x 17
11 x 17