Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds
A virtual world, which is a computer simulated environment that bridges community and creativity, can be used for various purposes such as gaming, education, creation of prototypes, training programs, social reasons and meetings. One of the advantages of the virtual world is that it enables the users to create an alter ego that can communicate and form relationships with other users regardless of their location. In addition, virtual worlds allow users to experience different things for the first time. Another advantage is that within a virtual world, users are able to fulfill their desires or fantasies that may not be possible in reality. As the article “ No Budget, No Boundaries: It’s the Real You” by Ruth La Ferla describes the experience of Mandy Cocke’s alter ego Vixie Rayna shopping luxury items in her simulated world as she faces a recession in reality. The article states “ Ms. Rayna, an avatar on Second Life, and her free-spending cohort can quaff Champagne, teleport...