Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Avination Grid (https://www.avination.com), or InWorldz (http://inworldz.com/faq.php). Maria Korolov
keeps an updated list on her site, Hypergrid Business (http://www.hypergridbusiness.com/opensim-hosting-
providers/). You can also start your own grid and have companies like SimHost (http://www.simhost.com/)
and Dreamland Metaverse (http://www.dreamlandmetaverse.com/) host it on their servers. Each hosting
company will offer different levels of access to the server on which your grid is hosted, so check their host-
ing packages carefully so you obtain what you want. If the image in Figure 1.3 makes you nervous, you
probably want a hosting service that has created an interface for the server, which simpliies the process of
uploading new terrain or saving an OAR (opensimulator archive) ile for your built regions. If you want to
dive into the system and access all those command windows, look for a host service that will allow that.
1.6.2 d
o
i
T
y
ourself
If you have the desire to create your own grid and host it on your own equipment, and words like coniguration,
network, irewall, and database settings do not make your head hurt, there are instructions for downloading
your very own version of OpenSim and setting it up (http://opensimulator.org/wiki/User_Documentation).
If you want to do the same but use a self-installing version of OpenSim, you should look at New World
Studio (http://newworldstudio.net/). While still in its early stages of development, this version of OpenSim
holds promise for providing you with a relatively easy way to install OpenSim and get it up and running quickly.
The inal option in this category is the simple and elegant SoaS (Sim on a Stick) (http://simonastick.com/).
As a single-user, USB (universal serial bus) stick-based version of OpenSim, this software is available in
multiple conigurations of regions from 1 to 16. This is a good program to obtain if you want to learn about
OpenSim, show it to other folks, and keep some spare regions around just for design prototyping.
1.7 CONCLUSION
Designers can “speak for the people” by representing their needs and interests in the virtual world. The
designer's job is about being human, thinking about what humans need, solving their problems, helping them
communicate, and doing some good in the world, virtual or otherwise. With those goals in mind, this topic
will at times take the “30,000-foot” perspective on virtual environments and at other times swoop down to
obtain a closer look and deal with the details of a virtual environment and how to utilize it for your design
purposes. Enjoy the ride.
REFERENCES
1. Internet World Stats, http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm. Accessed August 1, 2013.
2. KZero Virtual World registered accounts statistics, http://www.kzero.co.uk/blog/virtual-world-registered-accounts-
breakthrough-1bn/. Accessed August 1, 2013.
3. Allegory of the Cave, Wikipedia article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_Cave. Accessed August 4, 2013.
4. Aristotle, Wikipedia article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle#Metaphysics. Accessed August 4, 2013.
5. Butades, Wikipedia article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butades. Accessed August 4, 2013.
6. Zeuxis and Parrhasius, Wikipedia article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeuxis_and_Parrhasius. Accessed August 3, 2013.
7. Pepper's Ghost, Wikipedia article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper%27s_ghost. Accessed August 4, 2013.
8. Phantasmagorica, Wikipedia article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantasmagoria. Accessed August 4, 2013.
9. Auguste and Louis Lumière, Wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auguste_and_Louis_Lumi%C3%A8re.
Accessed August 4, 2013.
10. Panorama, Wikipedia article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panorama. Accessed August 4, 2013.
11. Luis de Florez, Wikipedia article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_de_Florez. Accessed August 4, 2013.
