Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

A virtual world is a computer-stimulated environment that is populated by users who create a personal avatar. The users explore, communicate with others, and participate in the activities in the virtual world. 

Virtual worlds can be used in many different ways. According to the article "Going to the virtual office in Second Life", Second Lide is a tool that allows companies to have virtual meetings on their own computer networks. Educational institutions, businesses, government agencies, and the U.S military are using Second Life as ways to conduct training, prototype new technologies, and hold meetings. Virtual Worlds can also be used in architecture for viewing the projects and plans.  

Some positive effects of virtual worlds include:

 Better visuals by giving the user the impression of actually being inside the game/virtual world. It can aid in training individuals for real-world operations. Using virtual worlds can help designers when putting together an interior design. 

According to the article, "Naughty Auties battle autism with virtual interaction", shows how virtual interactions can help people "whose lives have been affected by autism". In this article, the virtual world as a way to help people with autism who have difficulty in social situations. Savill who has Asperger's syndrome said: "So you're not going out into the real world meeting people, you're going meeting people online and in your own home, so you're perfectly relaxed". 

Some disadvantages of virtual are: It can be very expensive and not everyone is capable of affording it. Also, it can lead to isolation and addition. Some users may enjoy it more than the real world, leading them to spend less time with their friends and family. 

It can be said that virtual reality has high expectations and it has a lot of potential for growth. It is still, in its early stages of development but I believe it will take over the future of gaming, as well as it being more widely used by organizations for training. 


Works Cited:

  1. Going to the Virtual Office in Second Life, CNN.com: Nov 5, 2009http://www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/11/05/second.life.virtual.collaboration/index.html or below.
  2. iReport: 'Naughty Auties' battle autism with virtual interaction by Nicole Saidi, CNN, March 28, 2008. available from:http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/28/sl.autism.irpt/index.html#cnnSTCText

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