How Mobile Devices Popped the Virtual World Bubble

In summary, The conversation discussed the rise and fall of virtual worlds and their potential in the future. While virtual worlds were once seen as the "next big thing," they were overshadowed by social media platforms that provided simplified ways of interacting. However, with the increasing capabilities of smartphones and other devices, there is still potential for virtual worlds to become popular. The main challenge is creating an environment that adds value rather than making tasks more difficult.
  • #1
Greg Bernhardt
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This is was just a quick post to share a link to an very insightful editorial on the rise and fall of the 3D Web and the virtual revolution. Although it focuses more on virtual worlds as a component of the videogame industry, it definitely captures the way they burst onto the scene as a contender for the “next big thing” only to be overshadowed by services that reduced their appeal to the barest possible component, social interaction.

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  • #2
Not convinced that virtual worlds won't make it - but on smartphones.
People txt, not because that's the best way of communicating but because it's the lowest common denominator - everybody has text.
When all the kids have smartphones with GPS/cameras/3G/motion sensors then it's not clear that they won't want a richer environment, and the phones/pads now have the CPU+graphics+bandwidth to allow it.

The main problem is that the environment has to add something. Currently all the virtual worlds - except for the games - made things harder. You had to walk into the virtual post office to send an email in one system.
 

1. How did mobile devices contribute to the "Virtual World Bubble"?

Mobile devices played a key role in the growth of the virtual world bubble by making virtual worlds more accessible and convenient. They allowed users to access virtual worlds anytime and anywhere, increasing the overall popularity and usage of these platforms.

2. What impact did mobile devices have on the virtual world industry?

The introduction of mobile devices significantly expanded the virtual world market and led to a surge in user engagement. This also opened up new opportunities for virtual world developers and businesses to monetize their platforms and attract a larger user base.

3. Did mobile devices cause the downfall of the virtual world bubble?

While the rise of mobile devices did contribute to the decline of the virtual world bubble, it was not the sole cause. Other factors such as lack of innovation, oversaturation of the market, and changing user preferences also played a role in the bubble's collapse.

4. How have virtual worlds adapted to the influx of mobile devices?

In response to the growing popularity of mobile devices, many virtual worlds have adapted by creating mobile versions of their platforms or optimizing their existing platforms for mobile use. This has allowed them to retain and attract new users who prefer to access these worlds through their mobile devices.

5. What is the future of virtual worlds in relation to mobile devices?

The future of virtual worlds and mobile devices is intertwined, as the use of mobile devices continues to grow and evolve. It is likely that virtual worlds will continue to adapt and incorporate mobile technology to enhance user experiences and attract new users, making them a staple in the world of mobile entertainment.

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