3D Overview
The pattern of 3D worlds we are seeing in our research is becoming clearer. There are worlds out there. So far our research seems to break them down into three major online categories (all seem to have pay/premium options): different worlds targeting children and young teens; social sites for adults; and sex and dating sites. The uniqueness of a Cybertown focused on jobs, education and training, working together and various levels of political participation and competition is missing.There is a fourth category of games, online and downloaded. The separation of these to a different category may be silly. Cybertown was a role play game as much as it was true virtual living to many of its citizens. Still, we will separate it. In this issue, and the next two to four issues, we will present the results of our ongoing searches.
This Week
http://www.virtualworld.com/ seems to be part of Utherverse, an adult focused 3D social network, but it has multiple links, and ratings to other 3D sites.Virtual World is your one stop shop for all things virtual. Online virtual games and MMO's are becoming the industry standard for the ways people communicate on the web and were here to help you get as much information on them as you can to better educate yourself on how they work. "Over 40% of new relationships are made from people who meet online, and this number is only going to grow." - Harvard Businesshttp://www.woozworld.com/
"Woozworld is a virtual world and social networking site for Tweens and Teens, where your child can express his or her creativity in a fun and a safe environment. Woozworld is a browser-based virtual world, therefore, no downloads are required to play online. Our virtual world has the highest standards in terms of online safety. Keeping your child safe and respecting his or her privacy is our top priority. Therefore, Woozworld is fully COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protecting Act) compliant and participates in the PRIVO® Privacy Assurance Program."http://www.meez.com/ You earn coins and meet people.
Games: What do I need to play games? Meez Games work on PCs, Macs and most Linux PCs, just like the rest of Meez.com.Requirements:
Java 1.3.1 or greater (check my version)
256 Mb of RAM
16 bit or greater video card recommended
1 Ghz CPU or greater recommended
Broadband connection recommended (128 kbps or faster)
Flash 8 or higher
Download Pay Games: 3D worlds
http://www.gamehouse.com/download-games/virtual-villagersDownloads and costs are listed. The site claims "Winner of the 2006 Zeeby for Best Strategy & Simulation Game!"
"Create your own paradise in this real-time simulation from the creators of Fish Tycoon."
Follow-up from Last Issue
NuVera appears to be alive Get a sense from this May 6 posting. The graphics and avatars are impressive: http://forums.nuveraonline.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=244Last time we did not notice the left sidebar, telling viewers who has joined and signed in. http://www.friendshangout.com/ also seems to be active.
3dCity has a nice graphic video presentation(in German) worth a look (no plug-in required). Without going into the world there is no indicator for activity: http://www.3dcity-world.com/3dcity/3d-visualisation.phtml
Unity 3D browser plug-in is needed to view galleries.
http://www.newworldgrid.com/en# shows no change from our last issue report.
Do You know any undiscovered 3D worlds?
pcfreakse2000 tossed us this one, if you would like to explore.
We took a look, but did not register.We took a second look for this story and gathered a bit more information from the site. http://nuveraonline.com/
As we looked we saw some familiar features: a teleporter, a tutorial island, Sunset Harbor, shopping, game pay for developers? we looked further. One NuVo note equals $1 USD. The site says (under developers) " For those interested in making some real world cash we are now connected with First Meta Exchange which allows you to sell your NuVo Notes to other users." There appears to be a one time fee for developers. Our click got an error since we have not joined.
it's may be a two person project. There were only two people operating the world as of April 26, 2013.
NuVera Online :: Virtual World for Grown-Ups Create, Explore and Socialize We here at NuVera Online wish everyone a healthy and happy new year. To get the year off to a good start a majority of the retail products available for purchase in the client are on sale!
3D World Builder?
We found another URL in our search. We looked at the blog and found: 1 month since release & 4000 Worlds! - July 27th, 2010. The most current entry is FriendsHangout Desktop Version Released May 10th, 2011Very exciting news this time! We have just released the Desktop version of FriendsHangout to play on your PC or Mac. This version allows us to do things we just can not do in the web player version. The first thing you will notice is the dramatic speed increase and faster frame rates. As we move forward with this new version, we will be able to bring in many new features. We will of course keep the Web Player as it is, but if you have had issue in the past, try out this new version. http://www.friendshangout.com/
More 3D worlds?
Our search netted these. We will follow up on these during the next week. 3dcity: The latest news appears to be Leipzig, May 2012http://www.3dcity-world.com/3dcity/virtual-3d-worlds.phtml http://www.newworldgrid.com/en#
In their blog newworld grid says New World Grid reopening Posted on 25 March 2013 by olivierbattini New World Grid will reopen this monday 25th of march at 9.00 PM France time (UTC+1). The old grid will remain open for some days and will then be closed.The archives end in march at this time.