“Virtual Worlds Industry Forecast”

I was lucky enough to be included in the Virtual Worlds Management Industry Forecast 2008 (Download the Report). The report gives valuable insight into 45 different industry CEOs and experts in the virtual world field. Thanks to Chris Sherman and Joey Seiler for conceiving and compiling the report.

The report revealed some of the things I was thinking about in this last month while I haven't been blogging, so I've decided to reprint those excepts here.

The other news is our implending Beta 2 release of our Creator tool and some news about the markup language that now drives it.

Anyway, on with the show. Here were the questions we were given and my answers are below each one:

1. What are your top 3 trend predictions for 2008?

Bruce Joy: #1- Main prediction: The idea of small private multi-user worlds that are easily rearranged to suit the user's context (I call this the "Ergonomic Web") will become a meme in 2008. Also, there will be more focus on "personal media," virtual widgets and dynamic media that adapts to the user.

#2- 2D and 3D will start to become irrelevant as metadata and virtual content management systems begin to enable users to experience virtual worlds across more devices.

#3- 2D virtual worlds will continue to shine in terms of user adoption and cost of acquisition, but most 3D virtual worlds will disappoint the VCs in the short term.

2. What business goals have you set for 2008?

Bruce Joy: Release our platform, support our developers and licensees, demonstrate portable content between worlds and develop specifications for an multi-platform virtual web based on open media formats.

3. What challenges do you expect 2008 to bring for the virtual worlds industry?

Bruce Joy: As an industry we're still in an "enablement phase" which probably will last all through 2008. Some new exciting technologies will emerge that will change the game and other nimble platforms will adopt. The challenge is how to move beyond being proprietary systems so that the promise of a"virtual Web" can be realised.

4. A number of new platforms are launching in 2008. What are the biggest impacts this will have on the industry?

Bruce Joy: This will be great for shifting the mindset away from a one-size-fits-all "Metaverse" towards a web of virtual worlds. There will be lots of disappointments but 2008 will be the year for getting the fundamental technology behind the "virtual web" right. The industry will begin to mature as platforms begin to specialise.

5. How will the above changes affect your specific segment of the industry in 2008?

Bruce Joy: In the second half of 2008, I think we'll see a trend towards components such as Project Darkstar. If standard components for the virtual Web emerge it will be real proof of a growing maturity in the industry. It will enable enterprise quality solutions, greater interoperability and it will empower platforms to get on with delivering their innovations. I think these are probably the best sort of standards we can hope for right now.

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