Virtual Lives

James D. Ivory Ph.D.

This book is the THE source for information on virtual worlds, covering every aspect of this intriguing and fast-changing social practice and the technologies upon which it rests.Virtual Lives: A Reference Handbook describes the history, development, and role of virtual worlds, also known as virtual environments and immersive virtual environments. It provides detailed background about virtual worlds and their societal impact, from early precursors and inspirations to the latest trends and developments. Specifics on user demographics are included, as are descriptions of virtual worlds' functions, discussion of societal concerns and opportunities, and information about relevant research data and key persons and organizations.Although virtual worlds in their current form are a relatively new phenomenon, other online social environments have served as precursors for decades and literary inspirations go back even further. This handbook therefore covers some early developments dating back to the mid-20th century. Its primary focus, however, is on developments since the mid-1990s and especially on the current state and social impact of virtual worlds, including their impact both in the United States and around the world.

A bibliography of additional resources readers can consult to learn even more about virtual worlds

PrefaceAcknowledgments1 Definitions, Background, and HistoryCharacteristics of Virtual WorldsWhat Are Virtual Worlds?InteractivityPhysicalityPersistenceThe History of Virtual WorldsThe First Virtual WorldThe Early Growth of Virtual WorldsNot a Game Anymore: Second Life and Social Virtual WorldsWorld of Warcraft Changes the GameOther Virtual Worlds Look to Keep UpOther Related Online Games, Communities, and EnvironmentsGraphical Chat ApplicationsSocial Network GamesLooking Back: Virtual Worlds' Ancestry and InspirationsDirect Precursors to Virtual WorldsEarlier Online Ancestors of Virtual WorldsOffline Inspirations for Virtual WorldsThe Future of Virtual Worlds2 The Audience and Function of Virtual WorldsAccess to Virtual WorldsGlobal Access to the InternetGlobal Access to Virtual WorldsUsers of Virtual WorldsWho Uses Virtual Worlds?Why Do People Use Virtual Worlds?The Function of Virtual WorldsHow a User Creates an Avatar and Enters a Virtual WorldHow a User Navigates a Virtual WorldActivities, Tasks, and Goals in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing GamesActivities in Social Virtual WorldsDevelopers of Virtual WorldsCreating and Managing a Commercial Virtual WorldSmaller-Scale Virtual WorldsMore Users in More Worlds3 Societal Concerns and OpportunitiesProblems and ConcernsAddiction and Problematic UseAggression and ViolenceDistorted Perceptions of Social RealityHarassment and GriefingOpportunities and BenefitsSocial OpportunitiesEducational OpportunitiesBehavioral Research OpportunitiesCommercial OpportunitiesManaging Concerns and Opportunities4 Chronology5 Biographical SketchesCraig A. AndersonTimothy AndersonDavid Lance ArnesonJeremy N. BailensonlRichard A. BartleMarc BlankJames J. BlascovichAmy Susan BruckmanBrad J. BushmanEdward CastronovaPavel CurtisBruce K. DanielsJulian DibbellF. Randall FarmerChristopher J. FergusonRichard GarriottWilliam Ford GibsonAilin GraefErnest Gary GygaxRod HumbleDan HunterJon JacobsDonald R. KayeKim Tack JinAndrew KirmseChris KirmseAlan E. KlietzRaphael KosterGreg LastowkaP. David LeblingJoseph Carl Robnett LickliderThomas M. MalabyBrad McQuaidChip MorningstarBonnie NardiCory OndrejkaRobert PardoMark PincusHoward RheingoldPhilip RosedaleJohn L. SherryJohn SmedleySong Jae-KyeongJeffrey SteefelNeal Town StephensonJohn Ronald Reuel TolkienRoy TrubshawSherry TurkleIbe Van GeelVernor Steffen VingeRyan G. Van CleaveDmitri WilliamsBruce Sterling WoodcockNicholas Yee6 Tables, Charts, and ImagesThe Appearance of Virtual WorldsPopulations of Virtual WorldsResearch on Users of Virtual WorldsMUDs and MUD-Type Text-Based Online Environments7 OrganizationsGovernment OrganizationsAcademic Associations and Other Nonindustry OrganizationsIndustry OrganizationsIndustry Companies8 Print and Online ResourcesBooksBook Chapters and Contributions to Edited VolumesArticlesOther Academic PapersWebsitesGlossary of TermsIndex