If we look at mobile devices as the future of the Internet- should virtual worlds migrate this way as well? While we have a hard enough time getting virtual worlds to play nice in a browser is mobile playability of virtual worlds a viable goal? Obviously the biggest hurdle here is the memory-hogging graphics that are directly related to the challenges of running virtual worlds in a browser. Thus most virtual worlds have a hefty size download of a specific application and then more time to load the virtual world itself with chunky graphics and the like. For the most part PC-oriented virtual worlds are widely accepted by users, with Second Life being the more publicized virtual world.

iPhones and iPhone wannabes are hot! With just about every application imaginable available for download. While I will admit I used to be a Blackberry addict when they were first introduced I have since become an anti-cell phone kind of gal (yes, it really is possible). Sure they are nice to have for convenience but I have found them as not being a necessary fixture in my broadband-enabled daily routine. But that’s just me.

Mobile social gaming is getting lots of visiblity these days. Some deployment considerations are UI (user interface) and overall user experience, dedicated application or browser (although browser based virtual worlds are not fully baked just yet). A few virtual worlds have attempted to go mobile, however for the most part these worlds offer low fidelity graphics (big surprise!) and are more of a social type of game than an actual serious virtual world application. Last year Sulake launched the Bobba Bar mobile virtual world while the app. was primarily built for the iPhone it offers the user a chance to interact and receive free ‘virtual’ drinks. Perhaps the bigger lure here of mobile virtual worlds is offering the anytime, anyplace availability…we are mobile society, at least most of you are!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Mobile connectivity to virtual worlds already exists for specific phones and a handful of applications, but more mobile virtual worlds are on the horizon. With the evolution of mobile technology becoming more and more popular over the past decade, virtual worlds may be a natural fit for the ever popular cell phone. According to Pew-“ The mobile device will be the primary connection tool to the internet for most people in the world in 2020.” With the fast growing popularity of PC based virtual world applications, it is only a matter of time before virtual world browser-based applications become commonplace. Once this transformation takes place one can assume that the migration to phone apps would be the next logical step. We look forward to the day when mixed realties become a reality! Think of it: walking down the street looking at your virtual world enabled cell phone seeing a real-time geo accurate view of the world you are, well…experiencing. With overlays and filters you could at a glance hone in on targets of importance, like the REAL Ray’s Pizza in the Big Apple.

There are currently a handful of virtual world apps that are tailored for mobile phones. One example is Mini Friday by Sulake which hit the 1 million user mark in late 2008. Mobile Virtual Worlds could be the next big thing, but my belief is that they are still a few years out from becoming commonplace. Obviously screen size is a factor in this as well as the much needed processing power in keeping up with what it takes to run a virtual world app. Many service providers are cautiously embracing the idea of mobile virtual worlds and I am sure that more developments will come on this topic in the near future. Is mobile the next platform for virtual worlds? Maybe…I sure hope so!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites