Power Play in Mineplex

 Power Play in Mineplex

By Riley Ernst

It is strange to contemplate the power, complete strangers have over us in many aspects of our lives, yet we accept this as it is and rarely think about it. In the virtual network of Mineplex there is a variety of different ways that power is exercised. Firstly is the monolithic and distant but intimately overreaching power of the server's admin, much like Shelly Turkle's idea of the panopticon and the over reaching powers of the internet wizards outlined in (1995 p.247) . Although their power seems totalitarian(Kuttainen2015) when it is considered we are content to carry on, this power is so distanced it seems unimportant. John Allen explains power does no exist but has to be exercised, and by the treat of banning and so on the admin keep authority(2003 p.2) over people's actions in this space. 
http://www.mineplex.com/shop
Another interesting power play demonstrated in Mineplex is seduction, as you can buy modes that will in some ways will exalt you above others playing the same games.

References
 Allen, J. (2003). Lost geographies of power. Malden, MA.: Blackwell.

 Kuttainen, V. (2015). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, Lecture 2: Power. [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu.edu.au

Turkle, S. (1995). Life on the screen: Identity in the age of the internet. New York: Simon & Schuster.