Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
(iAlja Writer)
An Introduction to
Virtual Worlds
Second Life and Beyond
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Virtual worlds
defined
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A virtual world is a computer-based
simulated environment intended for its
users to inhabit and interact via avatars.
Wikipedia
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Virtual worlds:
evolving from
‣ social networks
‣ online games
‣ simulations
Second Life
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Second Life is one of the most talked about
non-gaming virtual worlds right now...
‣ SL development
‣ SL “central bank”
‣ SL “law” makers and enforcers
‣ financed by users purchasing
virtual land on LL servers
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... but it’s the residents that
make the world come alive!
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User Stats
> 5 million unique residents
> 1,5 million logged in the last 60 days
≈ 40 000 users in-world at any time
> 90 000 premium residents
Demographics
all users must be over 18*
average age 33
43 % female users
active users: 44 % EU, 26 % USA
* teens from the age 13 to 17 can use a more secure version of SL: Teen Second Life
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Residents have different
tools within Second Life...
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Communication tools
in private
(Instant Messages -IM)
- or -
in public verbally
(places or group IM)
(text or/and voice chat)
- and -
non-verbally
(visual appearance, proxemics,
gestures and animations)
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Tools for travel
You can walk
and fly...
... or teleport
anywhere in an instant!
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Tools for creating and
shaping the world
//pic
‣ 3D prim building
‣ Linden Scripting Language
‣ texture, sound and animation import
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Berkman Sandbox
Abbots Aerodrome
Virtual Morocco
Second Life
Second House of Sweden
is a user-created world! Teaching
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Little Roma International Spaceflight Museum
“You create it, you own it.”
US$ L$
(1 US$ ≈ 270 L$)
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Real companies
in Second Life
Nissan Altima Island
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Living a Second Life:
Education
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Harvard Law School
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Second Life residents can attend a number of
(often free) educational events:
‣ conferences,
‣ lectures,
‣ discussions,
‣ interviews,
‣ book readings, ....
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Living a Second Life:
Politics
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Residents (and political parties/groups)
use Second Life to express their
political views
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French elections
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USA elections
Candidates’ headquarters:
Politics
+
business:
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Living a Second Life:
Media
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SL has high media coverage
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... and its own media
News sites:
TV channels:
Magazines:
News agency:
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Living a Second Life:
Art & Architecture
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Second Life hosts different art
exhibitions...
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Multimedia installation
Architecture
Machinima
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for artistic expression
Living a Second Life:
Sports & Leisure
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Residents also spend their time
doing sports...
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... keep track of and experience
real-life sports events...
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... or just
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have fun with their friends.
Virtual beyond
Second Life
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Second Life is just
the tip of the iceberg
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... and many more!
By the end of 2011, 80 % of active Internet
users (and Fortune 500 enterprises) will have a
“second life”, but not necessarily in Second Life.
April 2007, Gartner Inc.
80 %
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interested?
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The best way to learn
about virtual worlds
is to try one!
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see you in-world!
Created by:
Alja Sulčič
(SL iAlja Writer)
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Disclaimer
All the logos and trademarks that appear in this presentation are the property of their respective
owners, who are not affiliated with the author. The views expressed by the author are her own
and do not represent the views of the trademark owners.
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