Virtual Worlds


The Utility of Virtual Worlds

Companies in Second Life

Indusgeeks


 

Virtual Worlds

What are Virtual Worlds?
Virtual worlds are descendants of the Massively Multi-User Online Role-Playing
Games but much more advanced and useful. They are essentially 3-D online
shared spaces. We believe that they are the next step in the evolution of the
Internet.


What is Second Life?
Second Life is the most popular and advanced virtual world. It is entirely created and owned by its residents.  It gives its users simple tools to build their world.  As the Second Life tag says - Your world.  Your imagination.
So, instead of a game developed by a corporation, the entire world has been built by its users, Wiki style!  It is just like building the Internet one website at a time, except in 3-D.


How many people are in Virtual Worlds?
A recent estimate puts the number of Virtual Worlds’ users at 465 Million. Gartner (link) estimates that by 2012, as many as 80% of active Internet users will in Virtual Worlds.


Are Virtual Worlds just 3D websites?
No. Virtual worlds like Second Life are much more than just pretty 3-D Web sites. They add exciting new elements to the Internet experience.


What do Virtual Worlds add to the Internet experience?
Presence: A sense of presence connects you to your Avatar and lets you feel that you are there in a space with other people.

Economy: Virtual worlds like Second Life, There and Entropia Universe have currencies that are directly linked to the US dollar and other world currencies, enabling real commerce to take place over virtual platforms.

Real Time: Virtual Worlds create a feeling of shared space and time, making them ideal for Events.

And of course these worlds are online and persistent so they can be accessed by anyone, anytime and from anywhere in the world.


What do you mean by ‘Presence’ in Virtual Worlds?
If you log into Second Life, you will see the sense of connect you feel to you avatar. To see your avatar in a space is to feel that you are there. You feel that you are in a space with other people, and the things that your avatar owns are your things.
This sense of Presence makes Second Life a powerful medium for conveying emotions.
Why just email family back home when you can sit down with them in a digital version of your office or home? You can talk to them as well in Second Life. Text-based interaction simply cannot compare with such an experience.


What is the size of the Virtual World economy?
The annual revenues of Virtual Worlds and MMOGs in 2006 hit a whopping USD 2.2 Billion in 2006. This figure is expected to grow to USD 5.9 Billion in 2012.
The annual GDP of Second Life has grown from USD 64 Million in 2006 to an estimated USD 600 Million in 2007.


The Utility of Virtual Worlds

Why can you do in Virtual Worlds?
Virtual Worlds like Second Life  allow you to do everything that the 2D Internet does- browse, chat, interact while making the experience more fun, interactive and displaying the world in 3-D.
Consider shopping in virtual worlds – it can be a social activity as in the real world. Friends can browse a store together; get help from the virtual manager in real time.


What do Businesses and Organizations use Virtual Worlds for?
Virtual Worlds are an incredible tool for organizations. Some uses are:

Virtual Conferences and Meetings: Global organizations can create a virtual meeting ground for executives and employees spread across the globe at minimal cost. PowerPoint presentations, audio and visul data can easily be streamed into this environment.

Product Development and Testing: It is easy and cheap to create simulations of systems, prototypes of products, mock-ups of buildings, etc. Real Estate firms, Hotel chains like Starwood and car manufacturers, amongst others, have used SL successfully for product development and testing.

Training and Orientation: Several global companies, including IBM, Cisco, Sun, etc. have realized the potential of Second Life in training their employees effectively and at very low costs.

Education: Educators have already started exploring virtual worlds as supplements to classrooms and distance learning. Students and teachers from across the globe can meet in a 3D classroom – or tour ancient Rome for a History lesson.


What are events so popular in Second Life?
Virtual Worlds like Second Life introduce the element of Time – the fourth dimension. They create a sense of shared space and time – so a virtual seminar, just like a real-life seminar has to be attended at a particular place by Avatars at a particular time. 
This characteristic of Second Life along with the sense of Presence (link) makes it ideal for events.


Companies in Second Life

Which companies are in Second Life?
IBM, Microsoft, Coke, SunMicrosystems, Cisco, Toyota, Pontiac, Dell, Reebok, Nike, BBC Radio, Armani and many more.


What are these companies doing in Second Life?
IBM has entered Virtual Worlds in a big way. They have planned investments over USD 100 million in the field. They have over 40 islands in Second Life, conducting business meetings with employees as well as clients ‘in-world’.

Aloft Hotels used Second Life to create a 3D Hotel and get consumer feedback.

Toyota was the first carmaker to enter Second with the virtual models of their brand Scion. They allowed SL Residents to test-drive these virtual vehicles, customize them while gathering live feedback on its design and possible real life engineering modifications.

DELL Inc. has put into place a virtual commerce model in SL – it allows consumers to construct their own computer system in 3D.

Reebok and Nike allow SL customers to buy and customize shoes from their virtual stores.


Indusgeeks

Who are we?
We are India’s first and largest Metaverse development company.


Where are our RL offices?
We are based in Mumbai with offices in Watford and Milan.


How can we help your organization enter Second Life?
We are a Full-Service developer listed in the Linden Lab directory of Solution providers.


What is a Full-Service developer?
A Full-Service developer means that we offer turn-key solutions for companies to enter Second Life – we design and create virtual presences, we create applications in SL and ‘middle-ware’ connecting SL to the Internet, we create machinimas, we organize events and also offer consulting.

In every sense, we are your virtual guides. For more on our work please see our Services and Portfolio.




 



© Indusgeeks 2007. Secondlife and Secondlife Logo are © Linden Research Inc.
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