| A major element of video game appeal is the | | | | course, but this takes more time and requires |
| visual eye-candy splashing across the television | | | | more knowledge of how to add some of the |
| screen, but even this addictive imagery | | | | features available in a virtual world. Whether you |
| represents only half the equation. The remaining | | | | build a world from scratch or begin with a |
| half is the magic of watching this realistic imagery | | | | template, a world is built by adding objects and |
| coming to life before your very eyes. The | | | | scenarios or deleting other objects until the user |
| animation controlled by a gamer is catalyst | | | | has reached a perfect balance and created their |
| needed to escape into a different time and place - | | | | perfect world. |
| a time and place created by virtual reality. | | | | Online gaming is a great place to find examples of |
| Imagine if you will the hypothetical | | | | what you can build in a virtual world. Every |
| three-dimensional visual world created on a | | | | available virtual world program offers sample |
| computer through virtual reality. A player can | | | | environments for players to download and install |
| enter this world, move about, and interact with | | | | into their own system. Some manufacturers will |
| objects as if you were really there. Video games | | | | even sponsor contests, awarding the winners free |
| such as Zelda, Halo, or Harry Potter are some | | | | upgrades. Other great resources for virtual world |
| great examples of games that give a player a | | | | ideas are books (fiction, historical, fantasy, and |
| taste of virtual reality. They allow a player to | | | | futuristic to name a few) and science fiction |
| enter an environment and interact with objects | | | | movies. |
| but they do not allow a player to create a new | | | | Remember; Rome wasn't built in a day and |
| environment, which is what makes virtual worlds | | | | neither will your perfect virtual world. |
| unique. | | | | Understanding that virtual gaming takes time is |
| Without a single ounce of programming | | | | very important but there is no rush and this can |
| experience, a virtual world can be created by | | | | be a relaxing hobby. Take your time and have |
| anyone with an idea. The fun begins when you | | | | fun. Don't fret over not knowing how to build an |
| see that first idea come to life. | | | | object or lay down a map - you will learn how |
| To begin, a plan must be constructed that maps | | | | these things are done in time the goal is to create |
| your idea of what the perfect world, the craziest | | | | a world of enjoyment, not frustration. |
| world, or the oddest world would be, the only limit | | | | The next step is to add characters with a unique |
| is your imagination. Some virtual world software | | | | history, odd habits, strengths and weaknesses; |
| provides a template or 'starter' world which allows | | | | giving them goals or small tasks to perform |
| you to make additions and ultimately build the | | | | throughout the game, thus adding a plot to your |
| world of your dreams. A good example a | | | | game. |
| template can be found inside Maxis' SimCity or | | | | To get started, look for RAD (Rapid Application |
| SimTown games which provide pre-designed | | | | Development) Tools which will help you bang a |
| environments allowing plenty of space and | | | | virtual reality game together in no time and with |
| opportunity to be shaped into a unique form. | | | | little difficulty. |
| Starting from scratch is always on option, of | | | | |