1. CNET (USA) - WebGL powers 3D virtual world on the Web. "One of the obstacles to Second Life popularity is the fact that people must install specific software to visit the site. One of the promises of a 3D technology called WebGL is that such worlds could be drawn directly in a browser. Now a company called Katalabs, formed by a number of Stanford researchers, has done just … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
The Archive
Merged realities – events and issues for virtual worlds
1. Daden in the UK have released a paper - 'The Future of Virtual Worlds", which puts forward some interesting forecasts and issues. I disagree with some of the timelines in particular (I think forecasting out to 2050 for anything is at best fanciful) but it's certainly a document that could start some useful debates. You can download it here. 2. Composer and conductor Eric … [Read more...] about Merged realities – events and issues for virtual worlds
Interview – Treet TV’s Wiz Nordberg and Texas Timtam
Treet TV are ground-breakers and Australia-based ones at that. I've been following them since mid-2007 (original profile here) when they were the Second Life Cable Network (SLCN), and they've been plugging away ever since, growing to arguably the world's most credible and prolific virtual world TV production outfit. I say plugging away because even though they have a pretty … [Read more...] about Interview – Treet TV’s Wiz Nordberg and Texas Timtam
World of Warcraft’s Cataclysm: lessons for virtual worlds
I've covered my experiences with World of Warcraft a couple of times here, and I've now been playing for more than three years. Even if you don't play, you may have heard that Blizzard Entertainment are about to release the third expansion / fourth instalment for World of Warcraft, called Cataclysm. It's a fairly standard formula now for MMOs - release an expansion every couple … [Read more...] about World of Warcraft’s Cataclysm: lessons for virtual worlds
The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
1. Gizmag (USA) - Play robot moves effortlessly between real and virtual worlds. "In an increasingly tech-centric world, keeping kids interested in learning can be an uphill battle. With teaching that involves play recently attracting some powerful supportive voices, students from MIT's Media Lab have developed a system which merges technology and play to stimulate young minds. … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news