Universal Avatars – The long way from Monster to Barbies
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007I was very happy to read on the BBC website that finally two big players are doing something unique to our awesome avatars: “double” them! IBM and Linden Lab of SecondLife are cooperating to make the avatars universally transferable. Universal Login Programs taken to the next level!
The first step of the project is to create a system where characters can move between universes. Eventually Avatars created in a Virtual Universe, like Second Life, can be used, or doubled, in other virtual worlds by copying parts of the codes. “While the character’s appearance may change depending on where it is taken, its basic characteristics, such as looks and underlying personal data, would be retained,” is stated in the BBC.
Eventually my personal Hasselhoff will roam the entire cyberspace and if things go well, David can go for a pedicure in Barbie World after having gone wild on World of Warcraft. Just what you need!
If those 30 cyberspaces are not enough, you might just want to easily create your own 3D world, with the newly published Metaplace, developed by Raph Koster. Just don’t be surprised if avatars, like the one of Dr. William Bainbridge, Head of Human-Centred Computing at the US National Science Foundation, are trying to engage you in strange conversations because they just want to analyze you: It is too tricky to find real “subjects” as he puts it. From geek to subjects?! Interesting!
