A little over a year ago we reported on a research study underway into the link between avatars and body image. That research has been continuing ever since and the initial results were inconclusive. PhD student Jon-Paul Cacioli wants to delve a little deeper on a few things, so there's a follow-up survey for any male over the age of 18 who has an avatar in a virtual world. … [Read more...] about Avatars and body image: further research participants needed
The Archive
The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
1. PC World (USA) - Companies Explore Private Virtual Worlds. "Meetings, conferences and training programs in a 3D virtual world such as Second Life can be more engaging and productive than traditional online sessions and phone calls, and much less expensive than face-to-face meetings requiring travel. But some companies aren't willing to take on the security and compliance … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
UWA’s third machinima challenge: what a field
The University of Western Australia's active presence in Second Life continues with a vengeance. I was lucky enough to be asked to be on the judging panel for the MachinimUWA III: Journeys competition. The panel this time includes director Peter Greenaway and you can view the full list of judges at the bottom of this post. Fifty pieces of machinima were submitted, with the … [Read more...] about UWA’s third machinima challenge: what a field
First quarter 2011 results for Second Life: steady sailing
Linden Lab late last week released their user metrics and Second Life economy analysis for the first quarter of 2011. Every time I cover this I'm reminded of how much more substantive these statistics used to be, but here's what we've got to work with now: New user registrations: stagnant to a minor decline. Although, as Tateru Nino notes, if you don't read the graph carefully … [Read more...] about First quarter 2011 results for Second Life: steady sailing
The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
1. New York Times (USA) - Keyboards First. Then Grenades. "Brig. Gen. Harold J. Greene only has to look around his house to realize the challenges the Army faces in engaging young soldiers. His children, he says, are always “buried in a cellphone or an iPad.” General Greene, a senior official in the Army’s research and development engineering command, is among a cadre of … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news