Looking at other Virtual Worlds

Every once and a while I poke my head up, and see what is going on around us on the virtual world development front. Google Lively was interesting but not really a Second Life alternative, at least not at this time. I did have a good time there, and the textures and animations were a lot of fun. I made a couple machinima’s there.

I’ve popped in and out of some of the OpenSim stuff. It could be a valid Second Life alternative except, there is no one there, there is no economy, and while the concept is enticing, if I am leaving Second Life, it’s going to be for more not less. I don’t discount the OpenSims, I’m just saying it isn’t prime time yet.

Something has piqued my interest in the virtual world development front.

Blue Mars

The company behind it is Avatar-Reality.

I’ve seen many promises made regarding next best and brightest and “OMG take over the world- best virtual world being developed ever”, sort of hype and mostly it doesn’t pan out. I hate to think I may be getting my hopes up on this one but…but…okay listen to this.

Avatar-Reality has contracted out to two companies to do some development work on their new virtual world called Blue Mars. Those two companies being e-frontier and VSE. You may find the name efrontier familiar, as they have Content Paradise, Poser, Shade (3d app creation stuff).  I do think efrontier parent company is smithmicro and it all gets rather fuzzy who owns who what and how, but they have all the tools you need to do 3d, sell 3d, etc..and anyway I am digressing and regardless of who owns who in that set up, it’s a win and I wish Linden Lab was partnered with them.

But who is VSE? I didn’t know so I went off to their website, and it’s a nice website. I’ve seen many of those,

I want the meat!!!

Who is on their team, who are these new virtual world experts. I wasn’t ready for the surprise I found.

If you were totally going to set up your dream team to develop a virtual world who would you pick?

Well..hmmm Syd Mead comes to mind, how about some Roger Dean? you know the whole floating island thing and some old album art covers…yeah!! that would be right on cool.

Let’s see, who else would you want? How about one of those guys that did the Tron stuff, Richard Taylor, How about one of those special effect type guys that did stuff on Back to the Future, and Indiana Jones, Mr. Bruce Walters.

OK, I am going to stop but that is a handful of examples of who is part of the VSE team, it’ll knock your socks right off. I swear my head is dizzy right now dreaming about how it might be, what they might make for me to go in and explore, and create something too!!! Go look at their team line up.

That is  so over the top.

I must try to contain myself. I must not be let down when it doesn’t deliver. Be assured I will indeed keep my eye on this.

I’ve seen a couple blog posts about this, but why aren’t people talking more about this?

Also where is the beta?  Ravenelle wants in.