50
An Introduction to Virtual Worlds Second Life and Beyond Alja Sulčič (iAlja Writer)

Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

An introductory presentation about virtual worlds that focuses on Second Life.

Citation preview

Page 1: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

An Introduction to

Virtual WorldsSecond Life and Beyond

Alja Sulčič(iAlja Writer)

Page 2: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Virtual worldsdefined

Page 3: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

A virtual world is a computer-based simulated environment intended for its

users to inhabit and interact via avatars.Wikipedia

Page 4: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Virtual worlds:

... towards a 3D Web?

evolving from‣ social networks‣ online games‣ simulations

Page 5: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

is a very popular massively multiplayer

online role-playing game (MMOG)

that takes place in a

fantasy virtual world...

World of Warcraft

Page 6: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

... but there are also

more realistic virtual worlds, which don’t focus on gaming.

These virtual worlds can be used as effective real-life

communication, business,

education and social tools.

Page 7: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

... let’s see why and how!

Page 8: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Living a

Second Life

Page 9: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Second Life is one of the most talked about non-gaming virtual worlds right now...

... let’s see how it works!

Page 10: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Users download the Second Life client to enter the virtual world

Page 11: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

... that do most of the maths for the client.

The open source client connects

to Second Life servers...

Client/Server architecture

Page 12: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

‣ SL development‣ SL “central bank”‣ SL “law” makers and enforcers‣ financed by users purchasing

virtual land on LL servers

Second Life servers are hosted by one company:

Makers of Second Life

Page 13: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

... but it’s the residents that make the world come alive!

Page 14: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

> 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

all users must be over 18*average age 33

43 % female usersactive users: 44 % EU, 26 % USA

User Stats

Demographics

* teens from the age 13 to 17 can use a more secure version of SL: Teen Second Life

Page 15: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Residents have different tools within Second Life...

Page 16: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

in private (Instant Messages -IM)

- or - in public

(places or group IM) verbally (text or/and voice chat)

- and -non-verbally

(visual appearance, proxemics, gestures and animations)

Communication tools

Page 17: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Tools for travelYou can walk and fly...

... or teleport anywhere in an instant!

Page 18: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Tools for creating and shaping the world

//pic

‣3D prim building‣Linden Scripting Language‣ texture, sound and animation import

Page 19: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Second Life is a user-created world!

Virtual Morocco

Second House of Sweden

Little Roma International Spaceflight Museum

Abbots Aerodrome

Teaching

Berkman Sandbox

Page 20: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

“You create it, you own it.”

... users retain full IP rights over content they create in Second Life

Page 21: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

... but what can we do with our Second Life?

Page 22: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Living a Second Life:

Business

Page 23: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

US$ L$

Linden DollarsSecond Life currency

(1 US$ ≈ 270 L$)

real money trading (RMT)

L$ can be used on the

web or in-world

Page 24: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

‣ selling virtual goods (C2C, B2C, B2B),

‣ building communities,‣ costumer support,‣ training & research,‣ public relations,‣ marketing, ‣ events, ...‣ gambling

Business opportunities(for individuals and companies)

Page 25: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

> 400 residents had a monthly income over 2 000 US$

> 300 000 residents spent money in-world

Economy stats (June 2007)

almost 7 million US$ exchanged

Lindex Virtual Currency Exchange

Page 26: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Real companies in Second Life

Nissan Altima Island

Page 27: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Living a Second Life:

Education

Page 28: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Many educational institutions already

have their virtual campuses

Ohio University

Harvard Law School

NMC Campus

Page 29: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

‣ programming,‣ natural sciences,‣ economics,‣ law,‣ foreign languages,‣ literature,‣ art, ...

There are courses being taught within Second Life on a

variety of subjects:

Learning about cell structure within a 3D cell model

Page 30: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Second Life residents can attend a number of

(often free) educational events:

‣ conferences,‣ lectures,‣ discussions,‣ interviews,‣ book readings, ....

Page 31: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Living a Second Life:

Politics

Page 32: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Residents (and political parties/groups) use Second Life to express their

political views

Page 33: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

National Front HQ: Contra National Front:

French elections

Page 34: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Candidates’ headquarters:

Politics+

business:

USA elections

Page 35: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Living a Second Life:

Media

Page 36: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

SL has high media coverage

Page 37: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

... and its own media

TV channels:

Magazines:

News sites:

News agency:

Page 38: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Living a Second Life:

Art & Architecture

Page 39: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Second Life hosts different art

exhibitions...

Page 40: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

... and is a playground

for artistic expression

ArchitectureMachinima

Multimedia installation

Page 41: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Living a Second Life:

Sports & Leisure

Page 42: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Residents also spend their time

doing sports...

Page 43: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

... keep track of and experience

real-life sports events...

Page 44: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

... or just have fun with their friends.

Page 45: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Virtual beyondSecond Life

Page 46: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

Second Life is just the tip of the iceberg

... and many more!

Page 47: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

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 %

Page 48: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

interested?

Page 49: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

The best way to learn about virtual worlds

is to try one!

Page 50: Virtual Worlds Introduction: Second Life and Beyond

http://ialja.blogspot.com

see you in-world!

Created by: Alja Sulčič

(SL iAlja Writer)http://ialja.blogspot.com

DisclaimerAll 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.