the rise of virtual worlds

Presenter: Dorette Steenkamp (@metaMeerkat on Twitter)

Brief Overview of Virtual Worlds and particularly Second Life(R)

~ adopting virtual worlds early

and dealing with teething & digital diapers ~

What are virtual worlds?

Online environments that have game-like immersion

and social media functions

without game-like goals or rules.

At the heart is a sense of presence with others

at the same time and in the same place (with an

ability to grow/adapt to community needs).

Courtesy: Jennifer Ragan-Fore, of ISTEquoting Giff Constable, of Electric Sheep

I am an avatar

I am (also) an avatar

I have an avatar

I have friends who are avatars

What is an avatar?

Digital Identity

Why does it matter to have an avatar?

You

r Organ

isation

’s B

rand

or R

epu

tation

~ Advocacy for Uthango’s development aims in Africa ~

~ Investment to Address Information Poverty via Virtual Worlds ~

Kingston University UKDelaware College USA

USC Centre for Public DiplomacyUN Workgroup on Internet Governance

~ Advocacy for Uthango’s development aims in Africa ~

~ Investment to Address Information Poverty via Virtual Worlds ~

Eolus Environmental Exhibition with IBM/Philips

[e]bizikele with Hippo Technologies and RDV Animations (Muse Isle)

~ Advocacy for Uthango’s development aims in Africa ~

~ Investment to Address Information Poverty via Virtual Worlds ~

Annual Africa Day with Orange Telecoms (France)

African-based events promotion

~ Mandela Day inSL (@ Virtual Africa) ~

Gar

tner

Hyp

e C

ycle

of

Emer

gin

g Te

chn

olo

gies

20

08

The model for 100 years has been pretty simple: Target wealthy people or foundations or corporations, interrupt them with unanticipated, impersonal, irrelevant messages they don't want to get, delivered over and over and over again until they give you money or help...That model worked really well for a long...It's important to understand there's nothing wrong with this, because the ends do justify the means. The problem is that that's not working so well any more. - Seth Godin

Benefits Challenges

Networking Bandwidth Access

Experiential Learning Possibilities Hardware Requirements

3D-format Creation of Models Euro-centric Development

Information-sharing & Advocacy Perception of VWs as ‘Games’

High Entertainment value Limited Understanding of Potential

Immersive, Fun and Flexible Unrealistic Expectations

Global Intercultural Dialogue

Cost-Effective Marketing

Approval by Linden Lab as Community Gateway

Workshops in November 2009:

“Online Ambassadors and Digital Nomads”

Assist other organisations, businesses and professionals to establish in Second Life and develop a meaningful strategy

Secure investment capital for expansion, and further research and development into application of virtual worlds

Shout-Out for Old Mutual for making our participation at SangoNet 2009 Conferences possible, and showing a keen interest in our efforts...

Thank you for your Interest

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newmedia@uthango.org

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