Cheating in Virtual Realities – Is It REALLY ‘Cheating’?

Years ago, the prospect of being able to live a second life in a virtual world was the stuff of science fiction.

Today, though, we have that luxury in abundance. Not only is VR technology now bringing truly immersive experiences into our homes, but online alternative-worlds allow us to build our ideal existence without the restraints of the everyday world. Take a look at Second Life.

This massive virtual world may have been created more than 13 years ago (building a community of more than 1m in its first decade), but it’s still going strong. As of summer 2016, there had been more than 46m unique sign-ups for Second Life, while between 10 and 12K people register every day.

It’s not hard to see why. You can create your own avatar, interact with virtual environments, meet other players, communicate vocally – you’re free to build an entirely different life. Its makers are very keen to stress that it’s no game, though: this is an ongoing experience, with no objective-based structure or end goal. Like ‘real’ life, it just ‘is’.

Not only is this an escape for many people looking to embrace experiences outside their standard reality, it’s also a powerful way to meet new people and build relationships with those you might otherwise struggle to encounter offline. You can also choose what type of virtual lifestyle you have: there are three different classifications to control the amount of freedom people enjoy in Second Life.

While the General setting is ideal for younger members, with no nudity or extreme violence, the Moderate allows for some swearing, violence, and nudity. Adult, though, is the setting for anyone looking for top-level violence or sexual activity.

Virtual Sex

Naturally, people use Second Life as a way to form relationships. Online marriages are not uncommon, while sex is also available (with age verification, to avoid minors engaging in inappropriate activities). The first couple to meet via Second Life and stay married, Booperkit Moseley and Shukran Fahid, have had children and enjoyed a long relationship since, while other ‘real-world’ partnerships have flourished since.

Of course, the social aspect of Second Life gives married and attached people the chance to engage with others in a virtual world. They can make themselves look however they like, they can adopt a personality different to their own – they can have sex with more people than they ever could in the real world without having to create excuses and sneak around.

However, is this really ‘cheating’? Is an affair in a virtual environment, with no physical contact, the same as having intercourse with a flesh-and-blood person? This is a complex area. While there’s no actual sex, the emotional attachment between two or more people may well feel very real – and this may well lead to more issues than mere physical intimacy.

Of course, while people may well have affairs in Second Life and choose to meet their virtual partners offline, some disappointment may well be inevitable. After all, when you build an avatar in Second Life, you’re usually crafting a representation of you as you’d like to be, or focusing on your strongest features. If you’re prone to making yourself look more muscular, what’s to stop a partner doing the same?

With that in mind, is it fair to expect the ‘real’ person to be all that they are in the virtual world? This philosophical quandary is less complex than it might seem, at first. After all, when you’re having an affair with someone in the flesh, its easy to become a better version of yourself, and be the person you want to be but may not feel free enough in everyday life. It’s liberating.

Having Your Cake and Eating it Too

Of course, for people trapped in stale, unhappy marriages, or for those who are happily single, does Second Life’s virtual freedom pose a more exciting alternative? You can meet new people constantly, you can have online (and offline) sex with multiple partners, all without having to commit or ‘settle’. Not everyone likes to get involved in long-term relationships, so the chance to enjoy virtual flirting and sex without responsibility could be the perfect choice.

As virtual worlds continue to evolve and grow more immersive, people will always use them for meeting new partners, whether they’re already attached or not. Victoria Milan is an online dating network for people in marriages and relationships to arrange discrete hookups, conducting affairs without the complexities of Second Life. While virtual worlds may have numerous benefits, it still requires commitment: you have to maintain your avatar and handle the system.

With Victoria Milan, you register, upload your profile picture, and find ideal partners in your area for no-strings adult fun – it’s that simple. It’s the ideal solution for anyone looking to escape a sexless marriage, a stale relationship, or just rediscover their passion!