Pola Interaksi Sosial Dan Aktivitas Bermain Game Roblox Di Kalangan Mahasiswa Angkatan 2022 Di Universitas Medan Area

Abstract

Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pola interaksi sosial serta faktor yang memotivasi mahasiswa angkatan 2022 Universitas Medan Area dalam berinteraksi saat bermain Roblox. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Roblox tidak hanya dimanfaatkan sebagai media hiburan, tetapi juga sebagai ruang interaksi sosial digital. Pola interaksi yang terbentuk meliputi interaksi asosiatif seperti kerja sama, koordinasi tim, dan adaptasi, serta interaksi disosiatif berupa kompetisi dan konflik ringan selama permainan. Aktivitas bermain mahasiswa didominasi komunikasi real-time, kerja tim, role play, serta partisipasi dalam komunitas virtual. Interaksi dimediasi simbol digital seperti avatar, chat teks, voice chat, intonasi suara, dan emoji. Faktor pendorong interaksi meliputi kebutuhan hiburan, perluasan relasi, rasa solidaritas, serta konstruksi identitas diri. Temuan ini menegaskan Roblox berperan penting dalam membentuk pola komunikasi dan dinamika hubungan sosial mahasiswa di era digital. This study aims to analyze social interaction patterns and the factors that motivate students from the class of 2022 at Medan Area University to interact while playing Roblox. The study used a descriptive qualitative approach through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The results show that Roblox is not only used as a medium for entertainment but also as a space for digital social interaction. The interaction patterns formed include associative interactions such as cooperation, team coordination, and adaptation, as well as dissociative interactions such as competition and mild conflict during gameplay. Student gaming activities are dominated by real-time communication, teamwork, role-play, and participation in virtual communities. Interactions are mediated by digital symbols such as avatars, text chat, voice chat, voice intonation, and emojis. Factors driving interaction include the need for entertainment, expanding relationships, a sense of solidarity, and the construction of self-identity. These findings confirm Roblox's important role in shaping communication patterns and the dynamics of students' social relationships in the digital era.