analytics for virtual worlds

Analytics in Virtual Worlds

Hilary MasonSL: Ann Enigma

Johnson & Wales University

Virtual World Analytics

how effective is this interaction?

what about this one?

what’s possible here?

system architecture

sensor

sensor

sensor

Second Life Web Gateway Database

collect data

data

view data

aggregate metrics

space-centered visualizations

What is this person doing?

What is this person doing?

user-centered metrics

Models of user behavior allow humans to understand how people are using virtual worlds.

Currently, we can model: dancing, chatting, listening (to a presentation), shopping, creating content

group-centered metrics

qualitative metrics

• Integrate surveys/polls• Commenting system(optionally integrates withblogs)• Visual surveys (each clickcounts)• Position-based polling

experiential assessment

What’sNEXT?

Can we generalize?

similar metrics on many platforms

Open Standards

Standards willallow us to drawconclusions across worlds and acrossplatforms.

social media needs metrics, too

In 2008 we’ll see an Explosion in Virtual Worlds Platforms

join in!

thank you!

Creative Commons

Hilary Mason Ann Enigma

hmason@jwu.eduhttp://www.3greeneggs.com

http://www.jwuiml.org