Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Perkembangan teknologi digital telah mengubah cara manusia dalam berinteraksi dan membentuk komunitas. Interaksi sosial informal yang dahulu dominan terjadi di ruang fisik kini dapat berlangsung dalam ruang virtual. Penelitian ini membahas game Indo Voice di platform Roblox sebagai ruang virtual yang berpotensi menghadirkan pengalaman third place bagi pemainnya. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pola interaksi dan aktivitas sosial pada game Indo Voice dalam kaitannya sebagai third place, serta mengidentifikasi faktor-faktor yang menjadikan Indo Voice dipahami sebagai third place. Penelitian ini menggunakan teori third place dari Ray Oldenburg sebagai landasan, yang menekankan pada keberadaan ruang yang netral, egaliter, percakapan sebagai aktivitas utama, aksesibel, keberadaan regulars, suasana santai, dan perasaan layaknya rumah kedua. Metode yang digunakan adalah penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan blended netnoghraphy, sementara data diperoleh melalui observasi partisipan dalam permainan dan wawancara mendalam yang dipilih secara purposive. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa interaksi di Indo Voice berlangsung spontan, santai, dan cenderung informal melalui percakapan ringan dan candaan antar pemain. Pemain memaknai Indo Voice sebagai ruang berekspresi tanpa judgement, aksesibel dan inklusif, membangun relasi serta sebagai ruang sosial alternatif ketika first place dan second place tidak mampu memenuhi kebutuhan sosial pemain dan ruang nongkrong fisik yang tidak selalu dapat dijangkau.

Kata Kunci: Indo Voice, Roblox, Virtual Third Place, Ruang Virtual

The development of digital technology has changed the way humans interact and form communities. Informal social interactions that previously predominantly occurred in physical spaces can now take place in virtual spaces. This study examines the game Indo Voice on the Roblox platform as a virtual space that has the potential to provide a third place experience for its players. The purpose of this study is to determine the patterns of interaction and social activities in the game Indo Voice in relation to its third place, and to identify the factors that make Indo Voice understood as a third place. This study uses Ray Oldenburg's third place theory as a foundation, which emphasizes the existence of a neutral, egalitarian space, conversation as the main activity, accessibility, the presence of regulars, a playful atmosphere, and a feeling of being like a home away from home. The method used is qualitative research with a blended netnography approach, while data is obtained through participant observation in the game and in-depth interviews selected purposively. The results show that interactions in Indo Voice are spontaneous, relaxed, and tend to be informal through light conversation and jokes between players. Players perceive Indo Voice as a space for expression without judgment, accessible and inclusive, building relationships and as an alternative social space when first and second places are unable to meet the social needs of players and physical hangout spaces are not always accessible. Keyword: Indo Voice, Roblox, Virtual Third Place, Virtual Space