A Virtual World

Introduction: Over the last few years we have seen internet technology improving at a dramatic pace, from the introduction of broadband to the success of wireless connections. People now have the ability to discover new worlds from the comfort of their own living room. As broadband speeds have got faster, we have seen the introduction of 3D virtual worlds. All that is needed is; a computer, broadband and your imagination will take care of the rest.

Virtual Reality: Virtual worlds allow the broadband user to recreate a virtual replica of them. Once created, the user can go out for a stroll, spend their virtual money on items like clothing and meet new people; some virtual worlds even allow the ability to fly, making a visit to a new country as easy as a stroll in the park.

Virtual Marketing: The growth in popularity has risen at such a level that virtual marketing has been formed. Last year (2006), a company called Millions of Us was founded, this is an agency specialising in virtual world marketing and communication campaigns. The agencies clients include the likes of Warner Bros, Intel, and Microsoft.

Online Gaming: Broadband speeds have risen to a level where not only have you got online socialising communities but also intense online gaming. MMOG (Massively Multiplayer Online Gaming) is a computer game which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. MMOGs can enable players to cooperate and compete with each other on a grand scale, and sometimes to interact meaningfully with people around the world.

Good or Bad? Even though the ability is there to socialise in the virtual world, this may cause concern to parents. Countries like South and North Korea have had broadband for almost 15 years; therefore broadband speeds are of greater quality than the UK. This may sound great, but this has opened the opportunity of online gaming become so popular that it is looked at as a profession. Top gamers may spend up to 15 hours a day in their room practicing for their next tournament. These gamers may get paid hundreds of thousands a year and wear sponsored clothes that you may find on a formula one driver.

Improvements in broadband technology will not only allow the user a better online experience, but will also give broadband providers the ability to offer cheaper broadband rates.

Adair Cameron is an experienced author based in the UK.

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