1. Want to win 140-thousand Linden dollars? Then make a machinima and submit it to the University of Western Australia's competition. 2. Veteran platform OLIVE has announced new pricing and a perpetual licensing model. 3. The dynamos at ReactionGrid have launched Jibe, a web-based world based on the increasingly popular Unity3D engine. 4. Frenzoo are now offering 3D chat … [Read more...] about Merged realities – events and issues for virtual worlds
General News
The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
1. BBC (UK) - View from the end of the world. "Taking a journey to the end of the world might not be for everyone, but in the virtual spaces of gaming and online environments, it's not as dangerous as it might seem. Robert Overweg in the Netherlands has been capturing virtual spaces since 2007 and his latest project has produced some of the most eerie and unexpected pictures … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
1. The Guardian (UK) - Ten years of virtual worlds: Habbo hits a decade. "Virtual worlds might have been an entertaining diversion for big media a couple of years back, but for a massive swathe of web users these are a powerful and important part of their online lives. Far from being a flash in the pan, sites like Habbo Hotel can claim both longevity and profitability - both … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
True names: identity, safety and Blizzard’s Real ID
Identity is a perennial sort of a topic, and Activision-Blizzard’s Real ID programme has brought it back into the limelight. Unless you’ve been hanging out under a rock (which would, you know, be fine – especially from a sun-protection perspective) you’ve probably heard about A-B’s programme which is the first phase of tagging your time in Blizzard games (like World of Warcraft … [Read more...] about True names: identity, safety and Blizzard’s Real ID
Opportunity cost: not to be underestimated
Here's a true story: Like a lot of players, I have a Level 2 character in World of Warcraft that exists purely as a banking / auction house conduit (bank alt). I have another character that is leveling one of their professions and they needed a particular item sold for a measly one silver, 18 copper from one of the vendors right across from the auction house where my bank alt … [Read more...] about Opportunity cost: not to be underestimated