Virtual Worlds Introduction Second Life And Beyond

Alja Sulčič (iAlja Writer)

An Introduction to

Virtual Worlds Second Life and Beyond http://ialja.blogspot.com

Virtual worlds defined

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A virtual world is a computer-based simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit and interact via avatars. Wikipedia

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Virtual worlds: evolving from ‣ social networks ‣ online games ‣ simulations

... towards a 3D Web? http://ialja.blogspot.com

World of Warcraft is a very popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMOG)

that takes place in a

fantasy virtual world... http://ialja.blogspot.com

... but there are also

more realistic virtual worlds, which don’t focus on gaming. These virtual worlds can be used as effective real-life

communication, business, education and social tools. http://ialja.blogspot.com

... let’s see http://ialja.blogspot.com

why and how!

Living a

Second Life http://ialja.blogspot.com

Second Life

is one of the most talked about non-gaming virtual worlds right now...

... let’s see http://ialja.blogspot.com

how it works!

Users download the Second Life client to enter the virtual world http://ialja.blogspot.com

Client/Server architecture

open source client connects to Second Life servers... The

... that do most of the maths for the client. http://ialja.blogspot.com

Makers of Second Life Second Life servers are hosted by one company: ‣ ‣ ‣ ‣ http://ialja.blogspot.com

SL development SL “central bank” SL “law” makers and enforcers financed by users purchasing virtual land on LL servers

... but it’s the residents that make the world come alive! http://ialja.blogspot.com

User Stats

> 5 million unique residents > 1,5 million logged in the last 60 days ≈ 40 000 users in-world at any time > 90 000 premium residents

Demographics all users must be over 18* average age 33 43 % female users active users: 44 % EU, 26 % USA * teens from the age 13 to 17 can use a more secure version of SL: Teen Second Life http://ialja.blogspot.com

Residents have different tools within Second Life... http://ialja.blogspot.com

Communication tools in

private

(Instant Messages -IM)

- or -

in

public

(places or group IM)

verbally

(text or/and voice chat)

- and -

non-verbally

(visual appearance, proxemics, gestures and animations) http://ialja.blogspot.com

Tools for travel You can walk and fly...

... or teleport anywhere in an instant! http://ialja.blogspot.com

Tools for creating and shaping the world //pic

‣ 3D prim building ‣ Linden Scripting Language ‣ texture, sound and animation import http://ialja.blogspot.com

Berkman Sandbox Abbots Aerodrome Virtual Morocco

Second House of Sweden

http://ialja.blogspot.com Little Roma

Second Life is a user-created world!

Teaching

International Spaceflight Museum

“You create it, you own it.”

... users retain full IP rights over content they create in Second Life http://ialja.blogspot.com

... but what can we do with our Second Life? http://ialja.blogspot.com

Living a Second Life:

Business http://ialja.blogspot.com

Linden Dollars Second Life currency real money trading (RMT)

US$ (1 US$

≈

L$ 270 L$)

L$ can be used on the web or in-world http://ialja.blogspot.com

Business opportunities (for individuals and companies)

‣ selling virtual goods (C2C, B2C, B2B), ‣ building communities, ‣ costumer support, ‣ training & research, ‣ public relations, ‣ marketing, ‣ events, ... ‣ gambling http://ialja.blogspot.com

Economy stats (June 2007)

> 400 residents had a monthly income over 2 000 US$ > 300 000 residents spent money in-world Lindex Virtual Currency Exchange almost 7 million US$ exchanged

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Real companies in Second Life Nissan Altima Island

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Living a Second Life:

Education http://ialja.blogspot.com

Harvard Law School

Many educational institutions already have their virtual

Ohio University http://ialja.blogspot.com

NMC Campus

campuses

There are courses being taught within Second Life on a

variety of subjects:

Learning about cell structure within a 3D cell model

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‣ ‣ ‣ ‣ ‣ ‣ ‣

programming, natural sciences, economics, law, foreign languages, literature, art, ...

Second Life residents can attend a number of (often free)

educational events: ‣ ‣ ‣ ‣ ‣

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conferences, lectures, discussions, interviews, book readings, ....

Living a Second Life:

Politics http://ialja.blogspot.com

Residents (and political parties/groups) use Second Life to express their

political views

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French elections National Front HQ:

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Contra National Front:

USA elections Candidates’ headquarters: Politics + business:

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Living a Second Life:

Media http://ialja.blogspot.com

SL has high media coverage

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... and its own media News sites: TV channels: Magazines: News agency:

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Living a Second Life:

Art & Architecture http://ialja.blogspot.com

Second Life hosts different art

exhibitions...

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Multimedia installation

Architecture Machinima

... and is a playground for http://ialja.blogspot.com

artistic expression

Living a Second Life:

Sports & Leisure http://ialja.blogspot.com

Residents also spend their time doing

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sports...

... keep track of and experience real-life

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sports events...

... or just http://ialja.blogspot.com

have fun

with their friends.

Virtual beyond Second Life

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Second Life is just the tip of the iceberg

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... and many more!

By the end of 2011, 80 % of active Internet users (and Fortune 500 enterprises) will have a “second life”, but not necessarily in Second Life.

80 %

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April 2007, Gartner Inc.

interested? http://ialja.blogspot.com

The best way to learn about virtual worlds is to

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try one!

see you in-world! Created by: Alja Sulčič (SL iAlja Writer) http://ialja.blogspot.com

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Disclaimer All the logos and trademarks that appear in this presentation are the property of their respective owners, who are not affiliated with the author. The views expressed by the author are her own and do not represent the views of the trademark owners.