Virtual Social Worlds

The VBI Project: A Virtual Social World Presented by Mark D. Puterbaugh Warner Memorial Library Eastern University ACRL Fall Virtual Institute November 9, 2006

Why should we do this? World of Warcraft Reports over 7 million users world wide

Why should we do this? Maple Story Claims over 43 million users world wide

Why should we do this? Second Life Claims over 800,000 users world wide

What is a Virtual World?

A virtual world is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface. Virtual worlds are also called "digital worlds," "simulated worlds" and "MMOG's “

Betsy Book, Virtual World Review http://www.virtualworldsreview.com

Features of a Virtual World

Shared Space

Graphical User Interface

Immediacy

Interactivity

Persistence

Socialization/Community

Betsy Books identifies 6 features of a Virtual World

Shared Space:

The virtual environment allows for many users to share the experience simultaneously.

Graphical User Interface:

A virtual world is an extension of the virtual desktop metaphor, users experience “space visually.” The environments can be expressed by a 2D cartoon type world or fully “immersive” 3D universe.

Immediacy

Most of the interaction is in real time!

Persistence

The virtual world exists whether the user is present or not.

However, unlike the “real” world, if a virtual tree falls…. Hmmm….

Socialization/Community

Betsy Books says, “the world allows and encourages the formation of in-world social groups like teams, guilds, clubs, cliques, housemates, neighborhoods, etc.”

I say, “It’s a place to meet others and have fun hanging out on-line!!!!”

Types of Virtual Social Worlds

Gaming

EverQuest ( http://eqplayers.station.sony.com )

Lineage ( http://www.lineage2.co.kr/ )

Maple Story ( http://www.mapleglobal.com/ )

Online Communities

Activeworlds ( http://www.activeworlds.com )

Second Life ( http://secondlife.com/ )

There ( http://www.there.com )

Distance Learning (Education)

Adobe Atmosphere ( http://www.atmospherians.com/directory )

Activeworlds ( http://www.activeworlds.com/ )

Entertainment Universe

Education Universe

Second Life ( http://secondlife.com/ )

VBI Project

Object:

1. To provide instruction and information to students and faculty in the use of the research resources available in Eastern University's Warner Memorial Library within a virtual 3-D environment.

2. To provide instruction and information in the use of web-based research databases and other resources available in the Warner Library.

Phase I

Created a virtual tour of the library resources using an interaction between AW world and the web browser. The virtual world presented a walk-through map of the library highlighting areas important to the Eastern University's community.

Phase II