NASA to Make Computer Game

Ian Rowan — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Computers, Video Games, Virtual Worlds

Following in the footsteps of the U.S. Army's America's Army Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game -- but with more peace-oriented content -- NASA has announced a call to video game developers to create a platform for virtual space exploration. Although NASA already owns some island real-estate in the online community of Second Life, a full-fledged video game is a much more ambitious project.

"We at NASA are working hard to create opportunities for what I might call participatory exploration," says Simon Worden, director of the Ames Research Center of NASA. With that in mind, the projects scope includes an online environment that would allow for virtual experimentations with 'real' chemical reactions in living cells, practice in operating and repairing expensive space equipment, and lessons in how microgravity effects experimentation.

The idea is to make the game available to all -- avid space aficionados, high school students -- since it'll be accessible online. It's the first time something this advanced would be available to a wide audience, if it actually happens.

We'll keep you posted as the game develops in the coming year (or decades knowing the way that NASA programs seem to go...)

From BBC

NASA to Make Computer Game originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Virtual Banks Crumbling in 'Second Life'

Tim Stevens — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Computers, Video Games, Virtual Worlds

Whether or not you've ever explored the typically flamboyant vistas of the virtual world 'Second Life' or have any desire to do so, the virtual community with few rules and fewer rule enforcers is still a fascinating social experiment to study from the outside. So, it's with morbid curiosity that we sit back and watch as many major financial institutions in the virtual world begin to fall to pieces.

In August of last year a very popular in-game bank went bust. Those who invested in the establishment lost a combined $750,000 in real money. This has resulted in new regulations going into effect. As of next week, unofficial virtual banks in the online destination will be banned -- any that promise interest on money received, anyhow. That's not to say all banking will be forbidden, but the fly-by-night operations that were promising double-digit returns on investments are a thing of the past. This has predictably resulted in a huge run as players are desperate to get their cash out and, like real banks, virtual ones just don't have all the cash available at any one time.

If you're wondering what the fuss is about gamers losing virtual Linden dollars in the game, it's because players can cash out their virtual currency for real dollars whenever they like, making those unrealistic interest rates look very, very appealing. Linden Lab, the company behind the virtual world, maintains detailed statistics and graphs tracking the in-game economy, and we're inclined to think that it's in for a bit of a recession in the coming weeks and months ... just like a certain other economy we can think of.

From Tom's Hardware

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Virtual Banks Crumbling in 'Second Life' originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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