I try to keep up with the latest in 3D virtual worlds, but new stuff keeps popping up all the time, so no doubt I will miss stuff. I'm posting a page to keep track of it all.
Just a definition. A 3D Virtual World contains the following traits: 1. Its a Massively Multiplayer Online Game. 2. It renders in 3D (ruling out the literally hundreds of 2D flash virtual worlds like Club Penguin and Gaia Online). 3. It allows for multiple types of activities, primarily non-competitive social ones. (ruling out the dozens of MMORPG games as well as single activity games like the golf MMOG Albatross 18).
3D Virtual Worlds should also feature: Customizable avatars, customizable 3D residences, user created clothing, user created scriptable objects, Text/Speech/Gesture communication, Internet integration, multiplayer game launching capabilities. I covered this in more detail in "What is a Metaverse?"
Note: Just because it is listed here does not mean I endorse it. I'm trying to make a list as complete as possible. There are some old and lame games on the list. There are also some new ones with potential, but not ready for prime time yet. There are also some special interest worlds that should have appeal for some. Do a little research before you actually join any of these games.
The List:
Active Worlds
Operated By: Activeworlds Inc
Built By: Activeworlds Inc
Status: Developed 1994 Open since 1997
Customization: Land building is a primary activity. Avatars are too simplistic to customize.
User Created Content: Yes
Notes: Oldest still in existence. Barely supported anymore.
Website: http://www.activeworlds.com/
Amazing Worlds
Operated By: Amazing Worlds Inc (Singapore)
Built By: Amazing Worlds Inc
Status: Beta
Customization: n/a
User Created Content: n/a
Notes: Primary focus is on virtual tourism and mirror world building
Website: http://amazingworlds.com/
Blue Mars
Operated By: Avatar Reality
Built By: Avatar Reality using the CryEngine2
Status: Closed Beta, Open Beta starting September 2, 2009
Customization: Avatar and Real Estate customization via purchases
User Created Content: object and clothing submissions via development program and approval process
Notes: Set in a futuristic world on a terraformed planet Mars. Avatars created by e-frontier (makers of Poser).
Requires a decent computer with a decent video card.
Website: http://bluemarsonline.com/My Review: A Quick Peek at Blue Mars
Club Cooee
Operated By: Cooee GmbH (Germany)
Built By: Cooee GmbH
Status: Open Beta since January 2009
Customization: Avatar customization
User Created Content: None
Notes: Another 3D Chat Client designed primarily for teens
Website: http://www.clubcooee.com/
Empire of Sports
Operated By: Infront Sports and Media (Switzerland)
Built By: Empire of Sports Ltd.
Status: Open since December 2008
Customization: Avatar customization
User Created Content: None
Notes: Multiple sports games against real players from around the world. Keep a common avatar between them.
Website: https://www.empireofsports.com/
Evolver / FriendsHangout
Operated By: Evolver.com (Canada) / Friendshangout.com (US Florida)
Avatars By: Darwin Dimensions Inc.
Worlds By: unity3d.com and arteria3d.com
Status: Open beta since May 2009
Customization: Avatar customization through evolver.com
User Created Content: Limited to friendshangout.com developer program
Notes: Friends hangout is a 3D Chat Virtual World using avatars created with Evolver.com. Create your avatar in evolver
and one of the "Transport" options will be friendshangout.com which provides multiple beautifully rendered 3D sites to
explore. Each room also has a vehicle of some sort you can ride.
Website: http://evolver.com/ or http://friendshangout.comMy Review: What if you built an awesome 3D Virtual World and nobody came?
Football Superstars
Operated By: Cyber Sports Ltd (UK)
Built By: Monumental Games
Status: Open since November 2008
Customization: Avatar customization
User Created Content: None
Notes: Sort of a Football (Soccer) MMORPG but with a social virtual world aspect outside of playing games.
Website: http://footballsuperstars.com/
Free Realms
Operated By: Sony Online Games
Built By: Sony
Status: Opened April 2009
Customization: Avatar customization, building
User Created Content: None
Notes: 3D fantasy virtual world designed primarily for kids and teens. Multiple activities including racing, pets, RPG quests, in world games.
Mostly free, though more content opens up with payment.
Website: http://www.freerealms.com/My Review: A Quick Peek at Free Realms
Frenzoo
Operated By: Frenzoo.com (Hong Kong)
Built By: Based on the Unity Engine
Status: Early Beta
Customization: Avatar and room customization, animation and others coming soon
User Created Content: Yes, can import 3D models, in game fashion design.
Notes: Built by a few Second Life people. Primarily a 3D chat world at the moment, looking to expand beyond that.
Website: http://www.frenzoo.com/
HiPiHi
Operated By: HiPiHi (China)
Built By: HiPiHi
Status: Beta
Customization: n/a
User Created Content: n/a
Notes: Open ended platform, often called the Chinese Second Life
Website: http://www.hipihi.com/index_en.html
IMVU
Operated By: IMVU inc.
Created By: Will Harvey (also primary creator of There)
Status: Open Beta since 2004, Officially out of beta June 2008
Customization: Avatar and room customization via purchased items
User Created Content: Room, clothing, and animations via submission
Notes: Designed as a 3D chat client, no free movement or explorable areas. Animations are triggered by interacting with objects.
Has its own social network system.
Website: http://www.imvu.com/My Reviews: A Quick Peek at IMVU, The Oldest Noob in IMVU
Just Leap In
Operated By: Leap In Entertainment (Canada)
Status: Closed Beta since July 2008
Customization: Room customization
User Created Content: limited to textures and videos, likely to expand to objects and avatars
Notes: Runs in a browser. You can add animated "people" to your room, Graphics are great. You Google Lively fans should check this out.
Website: http://www.justleapin.com/
Kaneva
Operated By: Kaneva inc.
Created By: Christopher Klause (founder of ISS)
Status: Open Beta since 2007
Customization: Limited avatar customization. Clothes and furniture can be purchased at the mall
User Created Content: Limited to wall hanging pictures.
Notes: Has a closely integrated social network system. Free apartment to decorate.
Website: http://www.kaneva.com/
Meet-Me
Operated By: Co-Core Inc (Japan)
Built By: Co-Core Inc
Status: Beta restricted to Japan
Customization: n/a
User Created Content: n/a
Notes: Home of Toyota Metapolis
Website: http://www.meet-me.jp/ ( translated by Google )
Moondo
Operated By: Funtactics (Israel)
Built By: Funtactics
Status: Open Beta as of November 2008
Customization: Avatar Customization
User Created Content: None
Notes: Not a social virtual world, but a group of interconnected MMO games. Create an identity/avatar and use it in all games.
Website: http://moondo.com/
Moove
Operated By: Moove (Germany)
Built By: Moove
Status: 3D version released in 2001
Customization: Limited avatar customization, room fully customizable
User Created Content: Clothes and textures
Notes: Older program hence older graphics engine. Your "room" is stored on your own computer. If you visit someone
else's room you download their room from their computer. There is no central virtual world to visit.
Website: http://moove.com/
Onverse
Operated By: Onverse (Tempe, Arizona)
Built By: Onverse using the Torque Game Engine
Status: Open beta in June 2009
Platform: Currently Windows Only
Customization: Limited avatar and room customization furnishings obtained via currency awards and currency purchase
User Created Content: none
Notes: Simple low end, low resource 3D virtual world. Also has social networking website.
Website: http://onverse.com/
Playstation 3 Home
Operated By: Sony
Built By: Sony Computer Entertainment
Status: Open beta in December 2008
Platform: Playstation 3 owners only
Customization: Limited avatar and room customization furnishings obtained via game awards
User Created Content: wall pictures only, possibly more
Notes: Designed to be a central meeting place for Playstation 3 owners. Meet in world then launch other multiplayer games to play.
Website: http://www.us.playstation.com/PSN/HomeMy Review: A First Look at Playstation 3 Home
Protosphere
Operated By: Protonmedia
Status: Demo
Customization: Limited avatar customization
User Created Content: Unknown
Notes: Designed primarily for long distance collaboration in business uses.
Website: http://protonmedia.com/
Prototerra
Operated By: Prototerra
Built By: worlds.com
Status: Open
Customization: Limited avatar customization
User Created Content: Unknown
Notes: Website says it has been around since 2000. Seems to be marketed as a communications platform.
Website: http://www.prototerra.com/
Red Light Center
Operated By: Global Reach Inc.
Built By: Worlds.com
Status: Out of beta since 2007
Customization: Limited avatar customization
User Created Content: none
Notes: Primary focus is on adult content and online sex. VIP membership allows access to porn content.
Has its own social network system at Utherverse.com
Website: http://www.redlightcenter.com/My Reviews: A Quick Peek at Red Light Center
How are the Virtual Worlds Doing?Associated Worlds:
Rude Virtual
Virtual Vancouver
Second Life
Operated By: Linden Labs. (California)
Built By: Linden Labs
Status: Open to public since June 2003
Customization: Completely customizable avatars, Land via purchase or rent allows building space.
User Created Content: Textures, Animations, and Scripts instantly uploadable with small fee.
Notes: Largest 3DVW in both membership and activity. Over 20 million accounts, over 700,000 unique visitors monthly, and over 1800 sq. km of land.
Website: http://secondlife.com/My Page dedicated to Second Life: Second Life Tips and Scripts
There.com
Operated By: Makena Inc. (California)
Built By: There Inc.
Status: Open to public since November 2003
Customization: Widely customizable avatars, rentable/purchasable "Port A Zones" available to build whatever you want.
User Created Content: Clothing, Vehicles, Textures, and 3D Objects via submission process
Notes: Second largest 3DVW economy. First one to feature voice, vehicles, and fully navigable land.
Website: http://there.com/My Page dedicated to There: There Magic
Twinity
Operated By: Metaversum (Germany)
Built By: Metaversum
Status: Open Beta as of Sept 2008
Customization: Facial avatar customization including skins from photo feature. Fully customizable rooms via purchasable furniture and textures
User Created Content: Limited to wall pictures but more coming soon
Notes: Strong web integration. You can hang a fully operational webpage on your wall. Only the third social virtual world to have voice feature.
Has its own social network system
Website: http://twinity.com/enMy Reviews: A Quick Peek At Twinity
Vivaty
Operated By: Vivaty Inc.
Built By: n/a
Status: Open Beta July 2008
Customization: Limited avatar customization, Post your own pictures and You Tube videos in your room.
User Created Content: Developer tools coming soon
Notes: This is a browser plugin based program that currently only works in Facebook and AIM.
Website: http://www.vivaty.com/
vSide
Operated By: Exit Reality (Australia)
Built By: Doppelganger Inc. based on the Torque Game Engine
Status: Reopened under new ownership
Customization: Limited avatar customization
User Created Content: None
Notes: This teen oriented world has been shuffled around. Once operated by AOL, now by an Australian Virtual World company.
The original owners shut down in July 2009, but sold all assets to other companies. The new owner Exit Reality hopes to have it
up and running again soon.
Website: http://www.vside.com/
Worlds.com
Operated By: worlds.com
Built By: worlds.com
Status: First worlds built in 1994
Customization: Limited avatar customization
User Created Content: Yes
Notes: Although they still maintain some old unpopulated demo worlds which haven't changed since 2001, worlds.com is
primarily a 3rd party platform developer company (see Prototerra and Red Light Center above).
They are the oldest 3D internet company still in existence, and are more or less the ones that started it all.
Interesting interview with the CEO about the company's future can be found here Summary: New updated platform
and two new 3D worlds are on the way.
Website: http://www.worlds.com/
Platforms:
3DXplorer
Website: http://www.3dxplorer.com/
Status: Early Beta
Notes: This is the first, and as far as I know only, 3D virtual world that can be reached using a regular browser instead of a separate
client you have to download. (you do need the latest Java installed). This is kind of a "holy grail" for advertisers as it makes your
3D advertising much more accessible to the general public. I have tried it out and it still has a ways to go. For example, The ability to
turn your avatar using the keyboard has yet to be implemented (huh?). Altadyn is more interested in selling it as a platform than as a
virtual world, which it is why it is included in the platform list instead of above.
Multiverse
Website: http://www.multiverse.net/
Notes: Primarily a platform for creating MMORPG games, but can be used to create social virtual worlds as wellMy Reviews: Virtual Times Squares
The Metaverse Stage II: Platforms!
OLIVE
Website: http://www.forterrainc.com/
Notes: OLIVE is a virtual simulation platform based on the same technology behind There.
This company was originally There.com. They changed their name to Forterra in 2004,
then divided in to two in 2005, the online game half renamed Makena which runs There. Among
their corporate contracts is the US Army which uses virtual technology for situational training in Iraq.
RealXtend / Open Sim Project
Website: http://opensimulator.org/ and http://www.realxtend.org/
Notes: Open Sim Project is an open source platform that works like Second Life, and can even be accessed
by the Second Life client. Linden Labs has nothing to do with this project, though they are cooperating with it.
The primary corporate leader on the project is none other than IBM. RealXtend is a new small company
that is using the Open Sim Project as a starting point to not only reach parity with Second Life, but exceed.
Ultimately, this could be the 3D Web as it will be possible for anyone to run 3D worlds accessible with the
Second Life client, that are not attached in any way to Second Life. Japanese 3D modeling company 3Di has
also created their own version for release.Virtual world networks based on this technology:
http://openlifegrid.com/
http://3di.jp/en/
http://www.virtualworld.sl/
http://www.newworldgrid.com/
http://www.reactiongrid.com/
MoreMy Review:
SL Open Source Update!
Vastpark
Website: http://www.vastpark.com/
Status: Open Beta
Notes: Built from the ashes of failed Yoicks Outback. You can download and try out the developer tools. It is fully open source.
Uses file sharing technology to distribute content. This may eventually become a virtual world, but for now it is just a platform to
play with.
3D "Outside the Box" Exploring:
As a footnote, I want to mention a few sites that are almost 3D Virtual Worlds but are a little bit outside of the box. These websites are multiplayer and have 3D elements, but communications and navigation are a bit non-traditional.
3B Rooms
Status: Open since 2007
Notes: Build 3D rooms with web pages as walls, click on walls to go to website. It also has chat capabilities. Beyond that it does not do anything else, hence I cannot call it a true 3D Virtual World.
Website: http://3b.net/Entropia Universe
Status: Open since 2003
Notes: For all intents and purposes, this is an MMORPG, but it has enough 3D Virtual World elements that it is often mistaken as such. Its free to start, but progress in the game requires real world money.
Website: http://www.entropiauniverse.com/EveryScape
Status: Beta
Notes: Uses "street finder" like technology to navigate the real world via photographs. Includes interiors of buildings as well. You can tag locations with notes or buy advertising space at popular locations.
Website: http://www.everyscape.com/Exit Reality
Status: Open Beta
Notes: Takes a standard 2D social network profile page, and converts it to a 3D space. Pictures turn into wall hanging pictures, embedded music turns into jukeboxes, embedded videos turn into TVs, and online friends turn into people you can chat with.
Website: http://www.exitreality.com/My Review: A Quick Peek at Exit Reality
Forbidden City
Status: Open 2008
Notes: The Forbidden City: Beyond Space and Time is the world's first online virtual world dedicated to a country's cultural heritage. This is presented as a three-dimensional replica of the square-kilometer palace grounds called The Virtual Forbidden City. The project partners' goal was to create an experience that is as authentic as possible by being true to important Chinese principles of balance and harmony.
Website: http://www.beyondspaceandtime.org/My Review: China in 3D
Freaky Creatures
Status: Open 2008
Notes: This online combat duel game (think "Street Fighter"), has complicated creature design tools and some extra building features that some 3D Virtual World enthusiasts might enjoy.
Website: http://www.myfreakycreatures.com/GeoSim Philly
Status: Beta since 2007
Notes: A very detailed "mirror world" of downtown Philadelphia, made by a company based in Israel. Originally appeared in the main list, may soon again as avatars are forthcoming.
Website: http://www.geosimphilly.com/Google Earth
Status: Open since 2006
Notes: A 3D representation of the world via satellite. People can mark locations, tag photographs, tag videos, build 3D buildings to place on the world.
Website: http://earth.google.comMy Review: Google Does Manhattan
Kinset
Status: Beta
Notes: Download a program that lets you shop online in 3D. Visit a bookstore, electronics store etc. Most actual sales handled by Amazon.
Website: http://www.kinset.com/My Review: Online Shopping in 3D
Koinup
Status: Open
Notes: This is a social network designed to showcase art and video made within 3D worlds.
Website: http://www.koinup.com/My Review: Social Networks for Virtual World Avatars
Meez
Status: Creating 3D avatars since 2006, opened non-3D virtual world Meez Nation in May 2008
Notes: I first wrote about this site in 2006. They recently opened up a virtual world based on these characters you create.
Website: http://www.meez.com/Photosynth
Status: Released to public in 2008
Notes: Takes a large number of still photos of the same object and mashes them together into a 3D representation
Website: http://photosynth.com/Qwaq
Status: Open in 2007
Notes: A program for private 3D interaction, primarily for business use.
Website: http://www.qwaq.com/SceneCaster
Status: Beta
Notes: A social network where you build 3D scenes with your own, or others objects and textures. Then you can share the scene with others, including embedding them on your website or facebook page.
Website: http://www.scenecaster.com/Virtual Earth
Status: Open Beta since 2007
Notes: Microsoft's answer to Google Earth, primarily designed for business use.
Website: http://maps.live.com/Wild Style City
Status: Open 2009
Notes: Make your own public grafitti on "streetview" maps. Demo project of Earthmine, Inc.
Website: http://wildstylecity.com/wsc/
Content Creators:As a second footnote, I want to list some companies that are independently creating content for other 3D Virtual worlds. If you follow the 3D webs development, keep an eye on these companies:
In Development:
As a third footnote, I am listing sites that have stuff in the development chain, but relatively little information:
http://code.google.com/apis/o3d/
http://www.projectchainsaw.com/
http://www.sunnymmc.com/ (translation of pertinent page)
In Memorium:
The Sims Online 2003 - 2007
Google Lively 2008 - 2008
Virtual MTV 2004 - 2009
Virtual Lower East Side 2007 - 2008
Cybertown 1998 - 2006? (Technically still open, but has gone on unsupported for 3 years)
Novoking 2008 - 2009 Website dead for months, no news