If you've followed the exploits of Linden Lab's former CEO and current Chairman over the past year or so, you'll know he's been off creating something new. The New York Times has run a profile on that venture, Coffee and Power. That venture seems interesting enough and leverages heavily the virtual currency model used for Second Life, in this case to purchase or receive … [Read more...] about Philip Rosedale spruiks new venture, talks down Second Life?
General News
‘3D Virtual Campus Tours’ gains traction
I had a note from Andrew Hughes, Adjunct Instructor at the University of Cincinatti and head honcho of Designing Digitally Inc, on the success to date of their 3D Virtual Campus Tours product. Mirror worlds are of course well established and were one of the original ways universities and business have utilised virtual worlds. Universities in particular are an obvious market, … [Read more...] about ‘3D Virtual Campus Tours’ gains traction
Will Wright joins Linden Lab Board of Directors (and a quick Sims Social review)
I had to have a bit of a smile when I saw Tateru Nino's story on The Sims' creator Will Wright joining the Linden Lab board. Over the past week I've been playing The Sims Social, the Facebook-based version of the game. I'd argue it's actually one of the least social versions of the game in that there is no live interaction with your Facebook friends and it's a flurry of more … [Read more...] about Will Wright joins Linden Lab Board of Directors (and a quick Sims Social review)
The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
1. Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Study's the name of the game. "Inside a school laboratory, students gather around the bench for today's lesson: how to create a chemical reaction. Yet instead of turning to their worksheets, these young investigators try some role play. Each budding scientist dons a lab coat and begins to experiment until - voila! - beakers erupt all over … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
On the fly 3D surface reconstruction: KinectFusion
Microsoft's Kinect is rightfully getting a lot of attention from researchers. One snippet that caught my attention is a collaboration between Microsoft and a number of UK and Canada-based researchers. The result is KinectFusion. Have a look for yourself: The implications for virtual worlds are fairly obvious. The thing that particularly struck me is the dynamic capability … [Read more...] about On the fly 3D surface reconstruction: KinectFusion