ASSIGNMENT: What are different ways these virtual worlds can be used? What are the pros and cons? Be specific. How do virtual worlds foster creativity? What do you think the future of virtual worlds will look like?
Virtual worlds is a blanket term for the ever-expanding technology that encompasses augmented and virtual reality, as well as open-world creative platforms that allow people to exercise imagination and creativity. From its launch in 2011, Minecraft is still relevant today, its claim to fame as a block game being the best-selling PC game with 29 million copies sold makes it one of the largest communities of user-generated content. Minecraft is a sandbox video game that procedurally generates worlds and allows players to implement their own creative spin on virtually every aspect of the block world.
Virtual worlds can be used in many different areas, such as education, delivery services, or health care. SMART technology and online resources that allow for virtual engagement and audio/visual learning allow for more effective and efficient education. Delivery services utilize virtual worlds to estimate and plan out proposed delivery routes and estimate traffic. Health care systems train doctors and surgeons using virtual animations of the human body, brain, and anatomy to prepare and educate them on locations and allow for familiarity.
Minecraft is just one example of a creative world; however, its possibilities are endless. Seven years later, the game is still fostered by a dedicated community of users that are pumping out new content and different takes on the game, which allows for new texture packs and maps to be created by any player. Many laudable feats such as building a replica of an entire world city or sculpture have been accomplished in the game that took hundreds of players in a collaborative effort over several years.
The future of virtual worlds definitely lies in virtual and augmented reality. The idea has already been tested with a recently popular augmented reality game, Pokemon Go. As a childhood favorite amongst the current generations, Pokemon started out as a children's television series that evolved into a trading card game. Its popularity worldwide allowed for the game to pursue a video game series that is still played today. With the introduction of Pokemon Go, a mobile game that advocated for exercise to effectively play the game, augmented reality was an option for users to experience the "Pokemon world" in their own. The game and AR itself was received positively, and we can be sure to see many companies have their own take on the future of virtual worlds, sandboxes, and augmented reality in the future.
Cite at least 2 of the assigned readings:
After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get A Reboot. April 30, 2013. http://www.forbes.com/sites/dianemehta/2013/04/30/after-second-life-can-virtual-worlds-get-a-reboot/ or Below.
The virtual world moves into the classroom Posted by Joe Earle | Sep 14, 2018 https://www.reporternewspapers.net/2018/09/14/the-virtual-world-moves-into-the-classroom/
Hey Martin, I love what you said about the plentiful opportunities that the virtual world brings along. More specifically, I love how you touched on Minecraft as well because I myself was an avid player and seeing how people are still so invested in the game and able to build so much out of it, the virtual world is truly a great place to be in.
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