Cyberculture dan Engagement Komunitas Virtual: Studi Netnografi pada Pemain Valorant Indonesia di Media Sosial Instagram

Abstract

The advancement of digital technology has fostered the emergence of virtual communities that utilize social media as a space for interaction and the shaping of digital culture. One such active community is the Indonesian Valorant player community on Instagram. This study aims to analyze the formation of cyberculture within the Indonesian Valorant player community on Instagram, identify the characteristics of the virtual community—including participatory culture, digital identity, and engagement—and explain the interrelationships among these concepts. The study employs a qualitative approach using the netnography method, drawing on the framework of Robert V. Kozinets. Data were collected through non-participant observation of posts and comment sections on the Instagram accounts @valorant and @valorantid, digital documentation, and in-depth interviews with informants selected via purposive sampling. Data analysis involved data reduction, data presentation, interpretation, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that cyberculture within the Indonesian Valorant player community is formed through active interaction on Instagram, such as the use of game-specific terminology, discussions regarding game updates, content creation, and member participation in various digital activities.