Google Looks Lively
To quote from my last blog post: “I believe that there is an impending collision between virtual worlds and social networks…”
Gosh I hate it when I’m right, especially when it’s Google that helps me to prove my point. There are a number of people out there who just don’t get 3D and virtual worlds. Look at some of the responses to the Vivaty announcement and the Linden & IBM announcement.
Today the biggest gorilla in the world just entered the room. Google has entered virtual worlds with a new product called Lively. It can be integrated with Facebook, MySpace, Web pages of course and other Social Networks that support Open Social.
To early to say to much about this, still downloading their plugin (9Mb which is the same size as Blink 3D/inDuality). But looking at the images of existing virtual worlds and also the fact that you can not create your own content yet, I’m not that impressed. Google has been working on this for 3 years. Heavens, they hired the wrong people!
So what does this mean to us and the virtual worlds industry as a whole. Well the virtual worlds space has now been validated with a huge stamp. People will now start taking virtual worlds far more seriously. There are bound to be some companies taken by surprise at the announcement, what’s Yahoo, and AIM’s response. Well AIM is close to Vivaty, I’m not sure who Yahoo is close with in this space. Adobe is likely to still push Flash.
It does mean that people are going to be taking a long hard look at Blink 3D, inDuality and what a very small unfunded company like Pelican Crossing can do. So watch this space, this is were it gets interesting!
Yes, the mushrooming rate in the VR fields is stupendous these days!
I find it very strange that Blink3D is not getting more attention. I’ve had the chance to play with the Builder for about a week now, and it’s proving very impressive. One particular area that shines (and this is unusual for innovative tools) is the documentation. Well written, well structured, very readable.
Along with Blink3D I’m toying with RealXtend, a fascinating Finnish VR entry that also uses Ogre. I would not be surprised to see some good synergy emerging between these two . . .
In the meanwhile I guess it’s high time to talk less, get over the hype, and put up some content. That’s where the REAL fun is found.
Cheers!
Comment by vnomad — July 9, 2008 @ 7:10 pm