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When Virtual Worlds Collide

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the just-need-an-answer-to-the-genre-hurdle dept.

Wired is running an interesting article on the realization of past predictions with regards to online gaming and where we are headed for the future. The author predicts that the separation between online worlds like Ultima Online and World of Warcraft may be headed out of style, making your in-game persona as pervasive as an email address. From the article: "Because the current metaverse evolved largely out of videogames, it makes sense that it should be composed of fiefdoms - after all, you wouldn't expect a Grand Theft Auto crack dealer to drop in for a barbecue with the Sims. But there is reason to believe that the divided metaverse is merely a transitional phase, and that its component worlds will coalesce."

17 of 228 comments (clear)

  1. Yawn... by smoor · · Score: 3, Funny

    And those of us with jobs and lives will STILL not be a part of it...

  2. And why not? by Buckler · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think the GTA crack dealer would be a hell of a lot more fun at my sims bbq than, say, headcrabs.

    1. Re:And why not? by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 2, Funny


      And why would you say that? At my last Sims BBQ party, we had headcrabs with drawn butter, and they were a big hit!

      The trick to preparing headcrabs is proper tenderizing. A crowbar works best (thanks for the top, Gordon).

      The party would have been a total success, except for two things. Tommy Vercetti got drunk (again) and started mouthing off about how he 'owns this city' (again), and Sam Fisher refused to be sociable at all, instead insisting on hiding in dark corners of the yard, blowing out my tiki torches, and grabbing and 'interrogating' anyone who tried to relight them.

      Man, that guy has issues...

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      ~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey

  3. Sims and GTA by phorm · · Score: 5, Funny

    after all, you wouldn't expect a Grand Theft Auto crack dealer to drop in for a barbecue with the Sims

    When I pictured this in my head, it was one of the funniest damn concepts I'd seen in awhile. I wonder if somebody could make such a similar game, where various groups work happily at creating little people and families and others play as the carjackers and dealers. Imagine that you log on onto to find that your car has been jacked by local online-gaming hoodlums, or perhaps your wife abducted, and you could persue a form of quest in which you have to hunt them down a-la hollywood style. This could be fun for both those playing the 'criminals' and those playing the 'citizens'.

    Perhaps one could through legitimate playing work up to the level of mayor or congressman, making you a target of the darker elements but also allowing you to hire bodyguards and/or accept bribes. Interesting ide.

  4. Theme by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Just how well will my futuristic soldiers from Star Wars Online or AO fit into some MMO like WoW or DAoC?

    Well, I guess if we throw theme totally out the window, it's managable.

    Besides, it might be fun to take laser weapons and force fields into the past and pwn those n00bs using pitiful swords and bows...

  5. More accurate title... by Hamster+Lover · · Score: 5, Funny

    "When basement worlds collide".

    Ah, that's better.

  6. Ah, don't forget the eternal question by hey! · · Score: 3, Funny

    Federation of Planets vs. Star Wars Empire.

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  7. Hi, my examples disprove my theory! by raehl · · Score: 2, Funny

    What's amusing is the article cites examples of "convergence" like 80's PC platforms, and then uses that to say online games will "converge" so you can migrate from one to the other.

    Anybody freely moving software from their Amiga or Commodore to their PC?

    Yea, didn't think so. MMORPG's won't converge - at best many will simply die and one will "win".

    This article is nothing but "Need to write something for this issue to keep my job. Hrm, how about baseless random future predictions?"

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    paintball
  8. They have that game. by raehl · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's called Real Life. Graphics and sound are EXCELLENT.

    There's a lot of time spent mindlessly earning gold though, and the biggest problem with it is the lack of a save feature.

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    paintball
    1. Re:They have that game. by acvh · · Score: 3, Funny
      "biggest problem with it is the lack of a save feature."

      actually, there IS a save feature, it's just that no one in the US knows how to use it.....

    2. Re:They have that game. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      > It's called Real Life. Graphics and sound are EXCELLENT.
      Not really. It kind of sucks. My avatar is overweight and tired all the time.

      That, and the save game just doesn't work. Well, it might, but I really don't want to take that chance.

  9. Re:Where do they get these writers? by DigiShaman · · Score: 2, Funny

    They've been taking notes from John C. Dvorak most likely.

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    Life is not for the lazy.
  10. Re:Since we're headed toward 1 avatar by Neologic · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sorry, I think Hiro Protaganist is one step ahead of you.

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    "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

  11. World colliding theory by Ced_Ex · · Score: 2, Funny

    Here's the theory according to George Costanza

    Relationship George versus Independent George. Who will win?

    Relationship George is George when he is with Susan.

    Independent George is George when he is with his friends: liar George, for example.

    If the two meet...Relationship George will destroy Independent George.

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    Live forever, or die trying.
  12. Re:It won't happen for a number of reasons. by cowscows · · Score: 2, Funny

    But comeon...WoW would be so much easier if I could bring in a tank from Battlefield 2. And Battlefield 2 would be much easier if I could bring in a few spacecraft from Star Wars. Technology is supposed to make our lives easier. Why are you so resistant to change? You luddites make me sick.

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    One time I threw a brick at a duck.

  13. Re:Where do they get these writers? by generic-man · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dude, the blogosphere is all over the metaverse. Didn't you read that JaMoBlog post that got pingbacked on HuPo? It made MeFi's FP yday.

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  14. EXCELLENT! by serutan · · Score: 2, Funny

    My 15th level mage casts Enhanced Charm on Lara Croft.