16
16/12/12 3D Virtual Worlds List 1/16 arianeb.com/more3Dworlds.htm I try to keep up with the latest in 3D virtual worlds, but new stuff keeps popping up all the time, so no doubt I will miss stuff. I'm posting a page to keep track of it all. Just a definition. A 3D Virtual World contains the following traits: 1. Its a Massively Multiplayer Online Game. 2. It renders in 3D (ruling out the literally hundreds of 2D flash virtual worlds like Club Penguin and Gaia Online). 3. It allows for multiple types of activities, primarily non-competitive social ones. (ruling out the dozens of MMORPG games as well as single activity games). 3D Virtual Worlds should also feature: Customizable avatars, customizable 3D residences, user created clothing, user created scriptable objects, Text/Speech/Gesture communication, Internet integration, multiplayer game launching capabilities. I covered this in more detail in "What is a Metaverse? " Note: Just because it is listed here does not mean I endorse it. I'm trying to make a list as complete as possible. There are some old and lame games on the list. There are also some new ones with potential, but not ready for prime time yet. There are also some special interest worlds that should have appeal for some. Do a little research before you actually join any of these games. The List: Active Worlds Operated By: Activeworlds Inc Built By: Activeworlds Inc Status: Developed 1994 Open since 1997 Customization: Land building is a primary activity. Simple customizable avatars. User Created Content: Yes Notes: Oldest still in existence. No in world economy, everything in world is free. Website: http://www.activeworlds.com/ Blue Mars

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1/16arianeb.com/more3Dworlds.htm

I try to keep up with the latest in 3D virtual worlds, but new stuff keeps popping up all the time, so no doubt I will miss stuff. I'm posting a page to keep track ofit all.

Just a definition. A 3D Virtual World contains the following traits: 1. Its a Massively Multiplayer Online Game. 2. It renders in 3D (ruling out the literally hundredsof 2D flash virtual worlds like Club Penguin and Gaia Online). 3. It allows for multiple types of activities, primarily non-competitive social ones. (ruling out thedozens of MMORPG games as well as single activity games).

3D Virtual Worlds should also feature: Customizable avatars, customizable 3D residences, user created clothing, user created scriptable objects,Text/Speech/Gesture communication, Internet integration, multiplayer game launching capabilities. I covered this in more detail in "What is a Metaverse?"

Note: Just because it is listed here does not mean I endorse it. I'm trying to make a list as complete as possible. There are some old and lame games on thelist. There are also some new ones with potential, but not ready for prime time yet. There are also some special interest worlds that should have appeal forsome. Do a little research before you actually join any of these games.

The List:

Active Worlds

Operated By: Activeworlds Inc Built By: Activeworlds IncStatus: Developed 1994 Open since 1997Customization: Land building is a primary activity. Simple customizable avatars.User Created Content: YesNotes: Oldest still in existence. No in world economy, everything in world is free.Website: http://www.activeworlds.com/

Blue Mars

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Operated By: Avatar RealityBuilt By: Avatar Reality using the CryEngine2Status: Open Beta since September 2, 2009Customization: Avatar and Real Estate customization via purchasesUser Created Content: object and clothing submissions via development program and approval processNotes: Set in a futuristic world on a terraformed planet Mars. Avatars created by e-frontier (makers of Poser).Update: Recently Blue Mars has stopped development of the PC version, in order to focus on iOS mobile version.Because the PC version never got out of beta and was very incomplete, it is likely it will be dropped soon.Website: http://bluemars.com/

My Review: A Quick Peek at Blue Mars

Cloud Party

Operated By: Cloud Party, Inc.Built By: Cloud Party, Inc.Status: Open Beta since June 2012Customization: Avatar customization, object uploadsUser Created Content: yes, avatars, objects, scriptingNotes: Designed primary as a Facebook game https://www.facebook.com/CloudParty it can also be launched at http://its.cloudpartytime.comCurrently only works in Firefox and Google Chrome, and you must have the latest versions of those browsers. Website: http://www.cloudpartytime.com/

Club Cooee

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Operated By: Cooee GmbH (Germany)Built By: Cooee GmbHStatus: Open Beta since January 2009Customization: Avatar customizationUser Created Content: NoneNotes: Another 3D Chat Client designed primarily for teensWebsite: http://www.clubcooee.com/

Football Superstars

Operated By: Cyber Sports Ltd (UK)Built By: Monumental GamesStatus: Open since November 2008Customization: Avatar customizationUser Created Content: NoneNotes: Sort of a Football (Soccer) MMORPG but with a social virtual world aspect outside of playing games.Website: http://footballsuperstars.com/

Free Realms

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Operated By: Sony Online GamesBuilt By: SonyStatus: Opened April 2009 Customization: Avatar customization, buildingUser Created Content: NoneNotes: 3D fantasy virtual world designed primarily for kids and teens. Multiple activities including racing, pets, RPG quests, in world games.Mostly free, though more content opens up with payment.Website: http://www.freerealms.com/

My Review: A Quick Peek at Free Realms

Frenzoo

Operated By: Frenzoo.com (Hong Kong)Built By: Based on the Unity EngineStatus: Early BetaCustomization: Avatar and room customization, animation and others coming soonUser Created Content: Yes, can import 3D models, in game fashion design.Notes: Built by a few Second Life people. Primarily a 3D chat world at the moment, looking to expand beyond that.Website: http://www.frenzoo.com/

FriendsHangout

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Operated By: Evolver.com (Canada) / Friendshangout.com (US Florida)Avatars By: Darwin Dimensions Inc.Worlds By: unity3d.com and arteria3d.comStatus: Open beta since May 2009Customization: Avatar customization through evolver.com, friendshangout offers custom world creation.User Created Content: Evolver has custom clothing (for a fee), friendshangout allows custom 3D model uploading.Notes: Friends hangout is a 3D Chat Virtual World using avatars created with Evolver.com. Autodesk has acquired Evolver and evolver.com is shutting down, not sure what that means to friendshangoutWebsite: http://friendshangout.com

My Review: What if you built an awesome 3D Virtual World and nobody came?

Gojiyo

Operated By: The Godrej Group (India)Built By: Sine Wave Company Based on the Unity EngineStatus: Open Beta since 2010Customization: Avatar customizationUser Created Content: NoNotes: Primarily marketed to an Indian audienceWebsite: http://gojiyo.com/

HiPiHi

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Operated By: HiPiHi (China)Built By: HiPiHiStatus: BetaCustomization: n/aUser Created Content: n/aNotes: Open ended platform, often called the Chinese Second LifeWebsite: http://www.hipihi.com/index_en.html

IMVU

Operated By: IMVU inc.Created By: Will Harvey (also primary creator of There)Status: Open Beta since 2004, Officially out of beta June 2008Customization: Avatar and room customization via purchased itemsUser Created Content: Room, clothing, and animations via submission Notes: Designed as a 3D chat client, no free movement or explorable areas. Animations are triggered by interacting with objects.Has its own social network system. Now with voice.Website: http://www.imvu.com/

My Reviews: A Quick Peek at IMVU, The Oldest Noob in IMVU

Kaneva

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Operated By: Kaneva inc.Created By: Christopher Klause (founder of ISS)Status: Open Beta since 2007Customization: Limited avatar customization. Clothes and furniture can be purchased at the mallUser Created Content: Limited to wall hanging pictures.Notes: Has a closely integrated social network system. Free apartment to decorate.Website: http://www.kaneva.com/

Meet-Me

Operated By: Co-Core Inc (Japan)Built By: Co-Core IncStatus: Beta restricted to JapanCustomization: n/aUser Created Content: n/aNotes: Home of Toyota MetapolisWebsite: http://www.meet-me.jp/ ( translated by Google )

Moove

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Operated By: Moove (Germany)Built By: MooveStatus: 3D version released in 2001Customization: Limited avatar customization, room fully customizableUser Created Content: Clothes and texturesNotes: Older program hence older graphics engine. Your "room" is stored on your own computer. If you visit someoneelse's room you download their room from their computer. There is no central virtual world to visit.Website: http://moove.com/

NuVera Online

Operated By: Nitrous Butterfly LLCBuilt By: Nitrous Butterfly LLC based on the Unity engineStatus: No longer beta as of Jan 2012Customization: Limited avatar customization, room fully customizableUser Created Content: Developer program for textures and 3D objects.Notes: Its primarily a social world for adults, with no teens and kids allowed.Website: http://nuveraonline.com/

My Review: 3D Virtual World News and a Quick Peak at NuVera

Onverse

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Operated By: Onverse (Arizona)Built By: Onverse using the Torque Game EngineStatus: Open beta in June 2009Platform: Windows, Mac, and Linux availableCustomization: Limited avatar and room customization furnishings obtained via currency awards and currency purchaseUser Created Content: noneNotes: Simple low end, low resource 3D virtual world. Also has social networking website.Website: http://onverse.com/

My Review: A Quick Peek at Onverse

OSGrid (and other OpenSim based grids)

Operated By: OSGrid.org and othersBuilt By: Open source development with major contributions by IBM, based on technology by Linden Labs Status: Project started in 2007Customization: Completely customizable avatars, Host land at home or on a web serverUser Created Content: Textures, Animations, and Scripts instantly uploadableNotes: OpenSimulator is a 3D Virtual World platform anyone can use to create a Second Life like virtual world. OSGrid is the largest of over 300 public grid that hosts and links thousands of individual regions to explore.Website: http://osgrid.org/ and http://opensimulator.org/

Other Major OpenSimulator based grids (in order of approximate size):

Avination

InWorldz

Kitely

The New World Grid

Avatar Hangout

ReactionGrid

3rd Rock Grid

Nexxtlife

FrancoGrid

Your Alternative Life

SpotOn 3D

German Grid

Virtyou

Alpha Towne

Metropolis

VirtuaLife

ScienceSim

Wilder Westen

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Jokaydia

Craft-World

Virtual RP

UFS Grid

Twisted Sky

SIM World

Unica Universe

MyOpenGrid

Role Play Worlds

3DMee

Tertiary Grid

Heritage Key

My Review: Open Sim Grids

Playstation 3 Home

Operated By: SonyBuilt By: Sony Computer EntertainmentStatus: Open beta in December 2008Platform: Playstation 3 owners only Customization: Limited avatar and room customization furnishings obtained via game awardsUser Created Content: wall pictures only, possibly moreNotes: Designed to be a central meeting place for Playstation 3 owners. Meet in world then launch other multiplayer games to play.Website: http://www.us.playstation.com/PSN/Home

My Review: A First Look at Playstation 3 Home

Red Light Center

Operated By: Global Reach Inc.Built By: Worlds.comStatus: Out of beta since 2007Customization: Limited avatar customizationUser Created Content: noneNotes: Primary focus is on adult content and online sex. VIP membership allows access to porn content.Has its own social network system at Utherverse.comWebsite: http://www.redlightcenter.com/

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My Reviews: A Quick Peek at Red Light CenterHow are the Virtual Worlds Doing?

Associated Worlds:Rude VirtualVirtual Vancouver The Virtual World Web

ResLive

Operated By: Another Dimension Media LtdBuilt By: Sine Wave Company on a Unity3D engineStatus: Open Beta since 2010Customization: Limited customizable avatarsNotes: Designed primarily as a 3D Venue for live concerts and music.Website: http://www.reslive.com/

Second Life

Operated By: Linden Labs. (California)Built By: Linden Labs Status: Open to public since June 2003Customization: Completely customizable avatars, Land via purchase or rent allows building space.User Created Content: Textures, Animations, and Scripts instantly uploadable with small fee.Notes: Largest 3DVW in both membership and activity. Over 20 million accounts, over 700,000 unique visitors monthly, and over 1800 sq. km of land.Website: http://secondlife.com/

My Page dedicated to Second Life: Second Life Tips and Scripts

There Inc.

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Operated By: Makena (California)Built By: There Inc.Status: First opened 2003 to 2010, limited reopen 2011, officially reopened May 2012Customization: Customizable avatars, Houses and Land via purchasable lots.User Created Content: textures, clothes, objects, furniture, vehiclesNotes: Monthly fee required. Once the largest 3D Virtual World, was closed for financial reasons, buta strong fan base brought it back. Seems a little dated today, but still has the best vehicles in the metaverse.Website: http://there.com/

My Page dedicated to There: There Magic

3D Chat

Operated By: 3D Chat LLCBuilt By: GolemLabs Studios using Gamebryo EngineStatus: Open beta since July 2010Customization: Customizable avatars and apartmentsUser Created Content: noneNotes: Adult oriented virtual world requires credit card for ID verification.Website: http://www.3dchat.com/

3D Sex

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Operated By: Virtual Encounters Inc.Built By: VWW Gaming Engine?Status: Open since 2012Customization: Limited avatar customizationUser Created Content: noneNotes: Primary focus is on adult content and online sex. VIP membership allowsaccess to porn content. As far as I can tell it is not associated with VWW/Utherverse,but uses the same gaming engine and business model.Website: http://www.3dsex.com/

Twinity

Operated By: Metaversum (Germany)Built By: MetaversumStatus: Open Beta as of Sept 2008Customization: Facial avatar customization including skins from photo feature. Fully customizable rooms via purchasable furniture and texturesUser Created Content: Retexture walls, furniture and clothing, more coming soon.Notes: Strong web integration. You can hang a fully operational webpage on your wall. Only the third social virtual world to have voice feature.Has its own social network systemWebsite: http://twinity.com/en

My Reviews: A Quick Peek At Twinity

vSide

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Operated By: Exit Reality (Australia)Built By: Doppelganger Inc. based on the Torque Game EngineStatus: Reopened under new ownershipCustomization: Limited avatar customizationUser Created Content: Clothing and other various items via submissionNotes: This teen oriented world has been shuffled around. Once operated by AOL, now by an Australian Virtual World company.The original owners shut down in July 2009, but sold all assets to other companies. The new owner Exit Reality have it up and running again. Website: http://www.vside.com/

3D "Outside the Box" Exploring:

As a footnote, I want to mention a few sites that are almost 3D Virtual Worlds but are a little bit outside of the box. These websites are multiplayer and have 3Delements, but communications and navigation are a bit non-traditional.

3B Rooms

Status: Open since 2007Notes: Build 3D rooms with web pages as walls, click on walls to go to website. It also has chat capabilities. Beyond that it does not do anything else, hence Icannot call it a true 3D Virtual World.Website: http://3b.net/

Empire of Sports

Status: Open since December 2008Notes: Multiple sports games against real players from around the world. Keep a common avatar between them.Website: http://empireofsports.com/

Entropia Universe

Status: Open since 2003Notes: For all intents and purposes, this is an MMORPG, but it has enough 3D Virtual World elements that it is often mistaken as such. Its free to start, butprogress in the game requires real world money.Website: http://www.entropiauniverse.com/

EveryScape

Status: BetaNotes: Uses "street finder" like technology to navigate the real world via photographs. Includes interiors of buildings as well. You can tag locations with notes orbuy advertising space at popular locations.Website: http://www.everyscape.com/

Exit Reality

Status: OpenNotes: Takes a standard 2D social network profile page, and converts it to a 3D space. Operates in your browser via plugin. Pictures turn into wall hangingpictures, embedded music turns into jukeboxes, embedded videos turn into TVs, and online friends turn into people you can chat with.Website: http://www.exitreality.com/

My Review: A Quick Peek at Exit Reality

GeoSim Philly

Status: Beta since 2007Notes: A very detailed "mirror world" of downtown Philadelphia, made by a company based in Israel. Originally appeared in the main list, may soon again asavatars are forthcoming.Website: http://www.geosimphilly.com/

Google Earth

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Status: Open since 2006Notes: A 3D representation of the world via satellite. People can mark locations, tag photographs, tag videos, build 3D buildings to place on the world.Website: http://earth.google.com

My Review: Google Earth 5 is Awesome

Koinup

Status: OpenNotes: This is a social network designed to showcase art and video made within 3D worlds. Website: http://www.koinup.com/

My Review: Social Networks for Virtual World Avatars

Meez

Status: Creating 3D avatars since 2006, opened non-3D virtual world Meez Nation in May 2008Notes: I first wrote about this site in 2006. They recently opened up a virtual world based on these characters you create.Website: http://www.meez.com/

Near™

Status: Beta since 2009Notes: A detailed "mirror world" of the main shopping area of London (the "west end") as a way to shop online in 3D.Website: http://www.nearglobal.com/

Photosynth

Status: Released to public in 2008Notes: Takes a large number of still photos of the same object and mashes them together into a 3D representationWebsite: http://photosynth.com/

Protosphere

Status: DemoNotes: Designed primarily for long distance collaboration in business uses.Website: http://protonmedia.com/

3rd Planet

Status: Open Beta in 2011Notes: A virtual tourism website using 3D interaction to visit real world tourist locations.Website: http://www.3rdplanet.com/

Teleplace

Status: Open in 2007 as Qwak, changed name to Teleplace in 2009Notes: A program for private 3D interaction, primarily for business use.Website: http://www.teleplace.com/

Wild Style City

Status: Open 2009Notes: Make your own public grafitti on "streetview" maps. Demo project of Earthmine, Inc.Website: http://wildstylecity.com/wsc/

Worlds.com

Status: Open since 1994Notes: The company that started 3D Virtual World Development. They no longer maintain any virtual worlds, except for some demo worlds you can downloadand explore.Their focus these days is third party development and licensing. They created Red Light Center and Prototerra mentioned above.Website: http://worlds.com/

Content Creators:

As a second footnote, I want to list some companies that are independently creating content and platforms for other 3D Virtual worlds. If you follow the 3D websdevelopment, keep an eye on these companies:

3Di Japan

3DXplorer

Arteria

Assemblive

Avaya

Aziva

DigiMi

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Electric Sheep Company

Eon Reality

SAIC (Formerly Forterra)

Icarus Studios

Millions of Us

Mycosm

N-Sided

New Media Consortium

Oddcast

Open Cobalt

Open Wonderland

RealXtend

Rezzable

Rivers Run Red

Second Interest

Second Places

Sine Wave Company

Sirikata

Tipodean

Trilogy Studios

Vastpark

VenueGen

In Development:

As a third footnote, I am listing sites that have stuff in the development chain, but relatively little information:

http://3djays.com/

http://huzutech.com/

http://khronos.org/webgl/

http://jibemicro.reactiongrid.com/pathfinderlester/webplayer.html

http://micazook.com/

http://moondus.com/

http://polarheroes.com/

http://realifeplus.com/

http://sunglass.io/

In Memorium:

The Sims Online 2003 - 2007Virtual Lower East Side 2007 - 2008Google Lively 2008 - 2008Virtual MTV 2004 - 2009Cybertown 1998 - 2006? (Technically still open, but has gone on unsupported for 7 years)Novoking 2008 - 2009 Website dead for months, no newsAmazing Worlds 2009 - 2009? Website deadVivaty 2008 - 2010 Assets sold to Microsoft, could return on XBox LivePrototerra 2000-2010 Website is deadJust Leap In 2008 - ? Website is deadVie The Game 2010-2012 Never really got out of beta