This project looks really interesting, but that it never made it past beta:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/10/AR2006031002342.html
http://www.arcspace.com/architects/asymptote/Guggenheim/
Developed by Hani Rashid at Asymptote - one of the smartest thinkers around. Wonder what killed it?
An xploration of space and form in second life - using a lot of photo imagery. Hints at the possibilities for breaking space/time/gravity in a practical sense for the buildings of the future.
http://archidemo.blogspot.com/
Ok, this is really cool. An avatar that is actually very useful:
http://www.atom.co.jp/bot3d/
As my knowledge of Japanese is quickly fading, I have no idea as to the substance of this endeavor, but the concept, as I glean, is an avatar that signs to you.
Was just made aware of SceneCaster.com. They've built much of what I've been planning for 88 Studios, but I believe that they're making one crucial mistake: over-complexity.
To get the thing to work, you have to download a massive ActiveX player - In fact, I couldn't get the application to work on my laptop - it just never loaded. I got it to work on my more powerful desktop computer. If you look at some of the comments in their Facebook app, you'll see that a lot of people are having just the same problem.
It's a great concept that makes the same mistake as Second Life. They've leapt too far ahead. They're implementing for a Web and user-base that doesn't yet (really) exist. Yes, of course, it can actually work in some instances - for dedicated computer users with a high degree of technical knowledge and commitment to learn how to use the thing. But you just can't expect this type of application to gain mass acceptance.
Things i like about it
* integration with sketchup warehouse
* integration with talking avatar system (forget what this provider is called)
* object inventory system
* easy texturing of objects
* facebook integration
* 2d wireframe view
The main problem:
* complexity
Hm - a giant virtual world that connects to real businesses in china (and elsewhere) - sponsored by the government. In checking out the CRD's web site, it seems improbable that this venture is going to fly...unless there is a completely different entity in charge of virtual world design. Looks like technologists are driving the thing - rather than designers - which means that average people are going to be confused - just like in Second Life.
Link: Virtual Worlds News: Exclusive: China's Grand Virtual Worlds Plan - A First Hand Look.
The CRD's goal is to create a virtual economy providing infrastructure and platforms through which any business - not just those based in China - can come in world and sell their real-world products and services. While a concerted effort will be placed on bringing Chinese businesses and consumers in world, the effort is worldwide and open to businesses and consumers from any country. The entire project is expected to launch in June 2008.
I always wanted to do something like this. Would probably do well if they tied it to a real product like Webkins. Interesting creation of virtual space and virtual stores.
Link: MoshiMonsters.com - Monsters to Adore and Play With - KillerStartups.com™.
"MoshiMonsters are cutely horrendous little creatures which kids and adults (but mostly kids) alike can adopt and care for."
