What are Virtual Worlds?

J.P. AllenUniversity of San Francisco

blog.jpedia.org

Virtual Worlds are computer-based simulated environments

that users inhabit

and interact in through avatars

avatars - representing users in a Virtual World

What can you do in Virtual Worlds?

chat

meet

learn

work as a group

create, buy, and sell items

own and develop territory

visit wonders

and the usual adult stuff...

Successful Virtual Worlds

Open-Endedusers create themselves Social Worlds

users connect with others

Game Worldsusers play

Second Life

World of Warcraft

CyWorld

CyWorld minirooms

Virtual Worlds -trends to look for

open worlds, public grids -the tools to build your own worlds

virtual workspaces

better graphics performance

serious gaming

casual gaming

the return of Virtual Reality?

To learn more about Virtual Worlds

• PBS: Your guide to virtual worldshttp://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2007/10/digging_deeperyour_guide_to_vi.html

• MacArthur Foundation: Virtual worlds tourhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMOqI3hH9Gs

slides available at blog.jpedia.org