As Linden Lab CEO, Rod Humble has made an impression in his first few months. He very much needed to given the challenges faced, but I'm actually encouraged by the wider view he seems to be taking on the impact virtual environments can have on all of us. Speaking at what I'm assuming is a recent event , Humble covered a fairly wide gamut on games, games as art-forms and the … [Read more...] about Rod Humble: unfortunately we’re in The Promised Land
Op-ed
3D and kids: we just don’t know
One of the more interesting issues over the past year has been around 3D at consumer level. Whether it's 3D TVs or handheld 3D gaming, there's a significantly ramped up debate on potential issues around the technologies. An example is this story covering Nintendo's warning on excessive use of its 3DS handheld gaming device. The company has rightly been transparent, even if only … [Read more...] about 3D and kids: we just don’t know
Virtual worlds predictions for 2011
It's time to get out the crystal ball again. I thought I'd take a slightly different approach this year by tackling ten fairly broad themes and identifying appropriate specifics under each. I tried to cover all of the main issues though the field is so large now as to ensure any roundup like this won't be complete. Hopefully there'll be a better success rate than last year. As … [Read more...] about Virtual worlds predictions for 2011
2010 virtual worlds predictions review
It's that time of the year again: looking back over the predictions made a year ago and seeing how right or wrong we were. We managed 7 out of 10 correct in 2009, so let's see how it goes: Prediction 1: OpenSim will continue or even improve on its growth trajectory – the momentum will continue, although a handful of larger grids are likely to have the lion’s share of that … [Read more...] about 2010 virtual worlds predictions review
Second Life and gambling: reversal on the horizon?
Tateru Nino never fails to have her nose to the ground on Linden Lab developments. Her latest scoop is in relation to gambling, with her in-depth post alleging a return to gambling on the cards for 2011. Essentially a partnership with a gambling company is potentially under consideration by the Linden Lab board. If this does come to pass, it'll obviously engender some debate. … [Read more...] about Second Life and gambling: reversal on the horizon?