Virtual Worlds @ Philcon

The Street in Snow Crash has inspired creation of online spaces where you can interact with others in a virtual reality. From games to virtual platforms, learn about these spaces and join us in interacting with one of them live.

From forums to chat rooms to 3D worlds, the methods of interacting online have grown. What are the roots, where are we going, and when will we see the Metaverse?

Come find out how developers create the content of virtual worlds, from the clothing to the buildings to the interactive environment. What’s more difficult, recreating existing real-world objects or fantastic items that have never been seen before?

Through security breaches, flame fests, and other problems, when reality intrudes on our virtual worlds, how does it impact us?

From MUDs to MMOs, money makes the world go round. Today we are seeing virtual gold sold on eBay and millions of dollars paid for forms of currency that are little more than 1s and 0s on a protected server. Panelists will discuss what effects online games have had on the world economy, from innovative to exploitative.

With the growth of Internet technologies and speed, more and more business is being done online. Some businesses are completely online, and others have taken it a step further by selling virtual goods to a virtual consumer. What are the challenges when business is no longer constrained by four walls?

As virtual worlds are created more and more by their residents, who should control them? Are we better off with autocratic organizations controlling the complete ecosystem or is it time for democracy online?

This is truly the meta panel. Join us in a mixed reality panel (both in the real world and in Second Life) as we discuss the issues with mixing the two. Some want complete anonymity and others desire a complete blending of the two. How do we cope with this and other issues?

Games like EVE Online, Second Life, and World of Warcraft have become less of a way to vicariously live out your hack and slash fantasies and have become avenues for social commentary and gathering of like-minded people. People have been known to login just so they can chat with their friends and guildmembers, or push their own social agendas rather than level up and mine for fish. On many platforms, this is seen as an unexpected side effect of MMORPGs. Panelists will talk about this growing trend and how online platforms are dealing with the issue.

Come explore the potentials for personal exploration and discuss the potential positives and negatives of being able to create yourself as any gender in an anonymous 3D interactive environment.

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The virtual panel space will be at the Sci Fi Geeks Theater and Museum and the PostHuman Theater in Chaos.