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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."

6 of 228 comments (clear)

  1. Games too? by MacDork · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So gaming worlds are going to coalesce just like instant messenger serviced did years ag... oh, nevermind ;-)

  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.

  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. no it won't by Joseph_V · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Analogy: I'm going to wear my DnD gear to work because of my persistant avatar. I'm going to be a professional lawyer even though I have a degree in medicine because of persistant avatars.

    This is stupid, different people have different ways of escaping, and just because it COULD happen (which would require a level of industry cohesion that will likely never exist) doesn't mean it will.

    1/10 for being a bad idea and not even being funny.

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

    "When basement worlds collide".

    Ah, that's better.

  6. 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.

    --
    paintball