Business in Virtual Worlds News - May 11-17 2009
This week’s Big Question:
Who is conspicuously missing from virtual worlds?
(Answer in the comments!)
I *almost* linked one of those philosophical “trends in virtual worlds” articles this week telling is “what it all means”, but then my senses returned to me just in time. Close call!
Important links:
- Archive page of past weeks of Business in Virtual Worlds News
- Connect with me on Twitter, LinkedIn, Blip.fm, or in Second Life as Onder Skall
- Suggest stories at info [at] calebbooker.com
Disclaimer: As with everything on my blog, the opinions expressed here are mine and do not reflect on Clever Zebra, the vBusiness Expo, my friends, my family, my blip channel, any of the other “Jack of All Strange” stuff that I do, etc etc etc… k here we go:
Top Stories
New partnerships and collaborations:
- FlowPlay Platform To Provide Virtual World For FanHub, More On The Way
- Acclaim Partners Exclusively With Peanut Labs
Exploring the Next Dimension of Customer Service: Three Questions for Steve Kinge at Nortel
An interesting demo of how customer contact might be enhanced using a virtual environment. The article is an interview, the video is the demo itself… but please forgive the gameshow host style voice-over…
WB.com Goes 3D With ExitReality
Good score by ExitReality. They’re very promising, and just need to do something to make the experience a little bit smoother to take it to the next level.
Microsoft Touting Success As Reaction Grid Server
Microsoft is saying they can take an OpenSim server and run it at 200% capacity for concurrent avatars. Hmm… maybe I should take another look…
Eco Gamers: Manage Energy in a Virtual World with Shaspa
While I believe I’ve linked to this energy-management software before, I just wanted to link another article to point out that the past two weeks have shown quite a bit more press about it. There’s good buzz!
Calling All Evangelists
In every company there’s one person willing to bring the big ideas forward. This is the visionary, the thought-leader that wants to bring the latest technology and business practices to their stakeholders. We call these people Corporate Evangelists. Ever think this could be you?
Events
Want to Hold a Virtual Event of Your Own?
Clever Zebra offers event support and white-label services for anyone interested in a branded gathering in a virtual space. Everything from venue setup and hosting to VIP orientation to speaker coordination.
Training and Education
Brainband Builds Emergency Management Course Using Virtual Reality
Well, “virtual reality” in this case being Second Life, but six of one / half-dozen of the other…
SELEX Systems Integration Looks to Expand Innovative Training Solutions using Virtual World Technology from Forterra Systems and Ambient Performance
Catchy headline. Good news for military training. This should secure Forterra’s existing reputation of being at the forefront for this application.
Salford students clean up kitchens… in Second Life
Salford’s environmental health students get a little training in a virtual kitchen.
Government and Military
Real world laws intrude on virtual world behavior
A general overview of the Standford event on legal issues in virtual spaces.
Gaming
Metaplace Heads To Open Beta
Make your own game today!
Turbine May Bring LotRO To Xbox 360 With Microtransaction Support
A major MMO on a console. About time!
Nerds Only
Simulate Star Clusters with Second Life Mod
New ways to study the N-body problem. Yes I know I’m excited too.
Newbs Only
Are Media Companies Missing The Virtual World Mark?
Hey, they’re only NOW starting to embrace the WEB.
Sociological Oddities
Could Sadville break the internet with nakedness?
Alright look. All anybody can write about for the past solid month is LL’s new policy on adult content. I’ve had enough of it, all right? It’s not that important! Alright? Alright… let’s call this the end of it then.
Did I miss an important story? Got feedback? Leave a comment below, or email me at
info [at] calebbooker.com
