Virtual Worlds

Abstract

In today’s world, we are continuously evolving with new technologies. Our company should keep up with these technologies as much as feasible to remain up to date and combative with other organizations. We do not want to lose potential customers from the lack of knowledge on our part. By looking into virtual worlds, we could open up a so called new window of opportunities for our company.

Understanding Virtual Worlds

You may ask yourself, what exactly is a Virtual World? “A virtual world is an animated three-dimensional world that is created with computer graphics and other rendering software” ( Kayne, What is a virtual world?). One main thing that establishes a virtual world is, “That a user can interact within the environment by virtue of an avatar, or a computer that represents the user” (Kayne, What is a virtual world?). In basic terms the avatar “Is the virtual representation of a user” that can move around and be created with different designs (Diehl, 2001, p.7). Virtual worlds can be used in two different spectrums. For our purpose, we could use them for carrying out business meetings, transferring data, and reviewing documents among each other. Also, “customers and customer services can look at and interact with the same model and they can talk using internet telephony” (Diehl, 2001, p.6). The other category is widely known for the recreation of gaming.

Virtual worlds have a huge impact on almost every type of organization. Having a virtual world for a company has many positives. “Planners and investors can meet in the virtual counterpart of a new building even before the foundation stone is laid” (Diehl, 2001, p.11). In the business department, “Collaborative work processes such as assembly and dismantling, can be exercised without consumption of actual materials” (Diehl, 2001, p.11). They are even used in the medical field, “In hospitals several experts can work together in a complicated operation such as in the application of...