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Archive for the ‘Broadband’ Category
Virtual Worlds for Business or Pleasure
The broad based adoption of broadband internet access has created whole new worlds for millions of users. That’s not just a figure of speech, broadband and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORGs) have created actual worlds, although they are virtual in nature.
In these MMORGs, players are represented by animated versions of themselves that they design when they join the game. Each player may have more than one such character although only one is generally allowed to be present in the virtual world at any given time. When a player logs into the game, their character appears in the virtual world. There, they may talk with other players, who may, in real life, be halfway around the globe or right next door.
One of the most well-known of these MMORGs is World of Warcraft. In World of Warcraft, players assume one of several heroic character types, they may be warriors, magicians, or a number of other character classes. They can band together in the fantasy world of Azeroth to pursue various heroic missions against fantastic monsters or even against other groups of player characters. As missions are completed and enemies defeated, the player’s character gains experience which allows them to become stronger and more powerful within the game world.
Not all of the online virtual worlds involve swords and sorcery type game play. Another of the more popular online virtual worlds is one called Second Life. In the Second Life world, characters again interact with others, but in a more contemporary virtual setting. In Second Life, there is an actual virtual economy. Players can create objects to sell or provide services to other characters for purchase. Second Lifers can attend virtual art exhibits, go shopping for the latest virtual fashions, or sit around and chat with other characters. Here is a thriving real estate market in Second Life, with players buying, selling and even renting properties to others.
The Second Life economy is based on a virtual currency known as Linden Dollars. Linden Dollars or Lindens are used to buy and sell goods within the Second Life world. Lindens can be converted to US Dollars on a free market basis within the game. The exchange rate fluctuates based on the relative level of supply and demand at any given time. Second Lifers can actually earn real income by conducting business in the Second Life virtual world, and then withdraw funds in the form of US dollars. Many legitimate big name companies actually maintain a presence in the Second Life world either for publicity or to conduct business.
These worlds and many others whether fantastic or mundane in nature exist because of the prevalence of broadband internet connections that allow users to navigate these online worlds in real time. They can be used for recreation, social activities, or even business purposes.