Virtual world

A virtual world (also called a virtual space or spaces) is a <a href="/facts/Computer_simulation/Re6o8vzN">computer-simulated</a> environment which may be populated by many simultaneous users who can create a personal <a href="/facts/Avatar_(computing)/AVTBXnrl">avatar</a> and independently explore the virtual world, participate in its activities, and communicate with others. These avatars can be textual, graphical representations, or live video avatars with auditory and touch sensations. Virtual worlds are closely related to <a href="/facts/Mirror_world/1I45wSMg">mirror worlds</a>.
In a virtual world, the <a href="/facts/User_(computing)/zQRzG0KG">user</a> accesses a computer-simulated world which presents <a href="/facts/Perception/xLK0n2q4">perceptual</a> stimuli to the user, who in turn can manipulate elements of the modeled world and thus experience a degree of <a href="/facts/Immersion_(virtual_reality)/qS90xlqs">presence</a>.
Such modeled worlds and their rules may draw from <a href="/facts/Reality/oC1xokDB">reality</a> or fantasy worlds. Example rules are <a href="/facts/Gravity/bqAN7DdQ">gravity</a>, <a href="/facts/Topography/SS8Bx4t9">topography</a>, <a href="/facts/Animal_locomotion/trhhYTVR">locomotion</a>, <a href="/facts/Real-time_computer_graphics/jrILnb0K">real-time</a> actions, and <a href="/facts/Communication/EGEkchsT">communication</a>. Communication between users can range from text, graphical icons, visual gesture, sound, and rarely, forms using touch, voice command, and balance <a href="/facts/Sense/n9kYQ3rf">senses</a>.
<a href="/facts/Massively_multiplayer_online_game/b1e4hutw">Massively multiplayer online games</a> depict a wide range of worlds, including those based on the <a href="/facts/Reality/oC1xokDB">real world</a>, <a href="/facts/Science_fiction/d9hE2Lwt">science fiction</a>, <a href="/facts/Super_heroes/2UzUtlz9">super heroes</a>, <a href="/facts/Sports/0NazHJMC">sports</a>, <a href="/facts/Horror_fiction/vugIWsz8">horror</a>, and <a href="/facts/History/bSKgXaCA">historical</a> milieus. Most MMORPGs have <a href="/facts/Real_time_(media)/Xn019Prf">real-time</a> actions and <a href="/facts/Communication/EGEkchsT">communication</a>. Players create a character who travels between buildings, towns, and worlds to carry out business or leisure activities. Communication is usually textual, but real-time <a href="/facts/VOIP/5QGBbXYg">voice communication</a> is also possible. The form of communication used can substantially affect the experience of players in the game. Media studies professor <a href="/facts/Edward_Castronova/5qsn3AWY">Edward Castronova</a> used the term "synthetic worlds" to discuss individual virtual worlds, but this term has not been widely adopted.
Virtual worlds are not limited to games but, depending on the degree of immediacy presented, can encompass computer conferencing and text-based chatrooms.

Virtual world open-in-new

Virtual world