Sex Between Frames: An exploration of online and tabletop erotic role play

Abstract

The University of ManchesterAshley Marie Laura BrownDoctor of Social SciencesSex Between Frames: An exploration of online and tabletop erotic role play2013This thesis fills a gap in knowledge about sexuality and gaming by investigating erotic role play in tabletop and massive multiplayer online role playing communities. In particular, erotic role play is examined to discover what affordances, if any, it provides participants with which to experiment and express alternate sexual behaviour by abstracting it from the ethical codes and frameworks found in the everyday, out-of-game world. Commonly held stereotypes about erotic role players and binary separations between 'virtual' and 'real' sexualities are challenged and overturned. This is done through the use of ethnographic methodologies, interviews and focus groups with a total of 17 participants. The thesis presents an in-depth study of erotic role play and its effects on sexual discourse and practice. Through frame analysis, theory on play and games, and discourse theory, this thesis finds that erotic role play is used as a way to experience and express alternate pleasures, which may or may not be sexual in nature. This is done through participants' abstraction from their primary social frame and entrance into a diegetic frame wherein risks to the self, be they physical or emotional, are perceived as being manageable. This thesis provides evidence of the use of virtual or imaginary environments to experience alternate economies of pleasure through self-subjection to alternate ethical frameworks.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2013
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Sue Heath (Supervisor) & Graeme Kirkpatrick (Supervisor)