Psychologist explains the phenomenon of ‘Minecraft’ and its success

‘A Minecraft movie‘He has caused a stir among fans of the video game that gave rise to the film, generating participatory behavior in the movie theaters similar to the one that was lived in his day with’The Rocky Horror Picture Show‘. But what makes this movie unleashed so much enthusiasm among the spectators? According to the psychologist Lynn Zubernisthe behavior exhibited by the young fans of ‘A Minecraft movie‘It can be understood through concepts such as belonging to a group, collective emotionality and parasocial relationships. Zubernis has explained how this phenomenon can be compared to the experience that fans of the cult musical ‘lived’The Rocky Horror Picture Show‘In the 1970s.

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Why is the ‘Minecraft’ fans behavior so similar to ‘The Rocky Horror’?

The psychologist emphasizes that the behavior of the fans of ‘A Minecraft movie’, who shout phrases like “Chickn Jockey!” When a zombie mounted on a chicken appears, it is a clear example of what is known as Participatory fandom. These types of reactions are not only limited to watching the film, but expand to direct interaction with the plot and other members of the audience.

Zubernis compares this dynamic with what happened in the midnight projections of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show‘, where the spectators not only saw the film, but became part of it, interacting with the characters and throwing objects such as bread and spray. In both cases, fans do not only seek to consume the content, but to live it in a collective space, which reinforces their identity within that group.

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The psychologist explains that this type of interactions can be very satisfactory for young people, as they feel part of a community. “Belonging to a fanatic group gives them a sense of identity and self-esteem, something crucial for the development of adolescents and pre-adolescents,” says Zubernis. The fact that fans share common references, such as the winks to the game and their favorite characters, makes them “members of a special community”, something that feeds the desire to celebrate those moments euphorically, without worrying about the consequences for those who are not so involved in that shared experience.

What is behind the emotional phenomenon in ‘Minecraft’ projections?

According to the psychologist, the enthusiasm shown by fans of ‘A Minecraft movie‘It has to do with what in psychology is known as Emotional contagion. This phenomenon, which is observed in concerts or sporting events, occurs when the emotions of individuals are amplified by being surrounded by other people with the same emotions. “When a person feels excited in an atmosphere of fans, these emotions tend to spread, creating an atmosphere full of collective energy,” explains Zubernis. This type of environments intensifies the emotional experience of each individual, taking them to a state of shared joy that, in some cases, can lead to more extreme behaviors, such as the launch of popcorn or screams of emotion.

The film presents moments that are truly iconic for video game fans, such as references to Twitch and popular youtubers, which deepens the emotional connection. Zubernis also points out that the phenomenon of parasocial relationships plays an important role: “Fans develop an emotional bond with the characters of ‘Minecraft‘, which makes them feel that they are interacting with them in a real way when they see them on the screen. ”This emotional closeness with fictional characters increases fans satisfaction when seeing those characters in the cinema, which triggers a more intense emotional response.

How do social networks amplify fans enthusiasm?

The impact of social networks, especially Tiktokit has also been key in the viralization of this behavior. The fans videos throwing popcorn and celebrating key moments of the film quickly became viral, creating a feedback cycle where other fans tried to overcome those reactions.

Zubernis points out that social networks amplify this phenomenon because fans can see and emulate behaviors that generate greater emotional response. “What began as a small interaction in a cinema, expands to a global community thanks to platforms such as Tiktokwhere the videos of these behaviors are shared and celebrated, ”adds the psychologist.

This type of viralization, where fans try to match or overcome the most intense reactions of others, reflects how social networks have redefined the way fans participate in cinema and pop culture in general. “Now, it is not only about enjoying the film, but also being part of a global trend, of showing that you are a true fan,” concludes Zubernis.

In short, the behavior of fans of ‘A Minecraft movie‘It is a reflection of the complex emotional dynamics that are generated when individuals feel part of a community. As with ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’this phenomenon demonstrates how cinema can be much more than a simple passive experience; It can become an interactive event that fosters the sense of belonging and collective emotional expression.

With information from Psychology Today.

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