Educational Gaming Commons - Press Start

W3-D: Maximizing the Metaverse

Virtual worlds allow geographically remote teams to work together . However, specialized software is necessary, such as Metaverse, an internal 3D collaborative environment built and running behind the IBM firewall . Its purpose is to bring together IBMers from geographically separate locations and enable them to interact, learn, and share experiences in a virtual face-to-face setting . Based on existing 3D technology, and making use of existing (and new) web services within the intranet, Metaverse provides numerous benefits .

Michael Ackerbauer, IBM
Macker@us.ibm.com

My Thoughts

This is an internal project with little chance it will be moved out for general use. This really limits the immediate application of this. I found it interesting that they are investigating multiple VWs and using Torque for their main development platform.

Also, the use of the word “Metaverse” in this context should not be confused with the OpenSource Metaverse Project (http://metaverse.sourceforge.net/) or the Metaverse Roadmep (http://www.metaverseroadmap.org/index.html).

Notes

IQ Team
Small tech org working for CIO of IBM for internal development.

All happens behind the firewall.
Enterprise data must be available.
Must exploit the fidelity and affordances of each environment used.

Power-up: The Game - Example of work

IQ Specializes in:

• Social Networking
• Breakthrough thinking
• Collaboration tools
• Virtual Worlds

15-30K IBMers in SL.

Can we (IQ):

• Improve Distance Education
• Simplify the experience
• Make the environment transparent to the learner?

This must be tangible and valuable to IBM - internally focussed.

10-20 innovators
50K early adopters in the company

Web 2 & VW Benefits

• Social
• relationship building
• exploration and experimentation
• transparent to user
• contribute to speed and agility
• break down traditional barriers
• enable serendipity

Gaming is also critical. New hires coming in with that mindset.

Internal Metaverse started as a side project - 8 hr/wk for people.

Currently Developing Using

• Torque
• SL
• OLIVE
• Kaneva
• Active Worlds

SL is not being used by other groups for internal dev. Torque is main one. China uses Torque.

No one platform is endorsed here. Use the best tool for the job.

Trying to move assets between one VW to another. A 3D IMB intranet.

Metaverse Demo

Like SL in many ways. Nice presentation tool - can pull in 2D slides easily.