Virtual world is a computer-based environment. Virtual world can be used to train employees, play role-play games, social with friends, etc. Second life is a perfect example of virtual world. Saki Knafo gives a definition for second life on the article "In Room 100, a Second Life for Sid and Nancy", "Second Life is a multiuser virtual environment, a computer program that lets online users construct settings and hang out in them, using video-game-like characters called avatars". People can do things that they may not be able to do on the real world, such as experience the life of wealthy people. They could gain some sort of satisfaction through the second life. "Mr. Wilson pointed out: 'Everything fits; things don’t wear out. The virtual world represents a different value proposition'"(Ferla,1). The creation of second life extend people's life. It also helps the economy. I was surprised by the fact that "throughout the recession we actually saw an increase in spending"(Ferla,1). There has many people addicted to the second life, which is one of the bad effects of virtual worlds. It also could upset people to some degree. If you were successful in the virtual world, how would you feel about the hard time in your real life?
On the other hand, virtual world is also good for employers to train their employees. It is said that medical schools, hospitals and health foundations are using second life to improve their health care service and efficiency. It helps the employers reduce the costs of employee training. Even though virtual worlds could be modeled perfectly like the real world, it is still not the real world. There is no guarantee that virtual world expert players are also experts on the real world.
Virtual worlds provides new ways of doing business and new ways to solve problems. It fosters creativity. Virtual world develops very well for the past several years, and I believe it will continue to do good in the future. The market of virtual world is still big.
No comments:
Post a Comment