5 Virtual Worlds Debuting at TechCrunch50
Michael Arrington and Jason Calcanis are getting big into virtual worlds according to an interview last week on TechTicker. At this week's TechCrunch50, 5 new worlds are set to debut, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are more in the general hall. There isn't much information-they're all keeping silent until the presentations--but TechCrunch's descriptions and a few notes are below. From TechCrunch:
Hangout Industries: Blends social networking with virtual worlds by creating a 3D, online environment where 16-24 year olds can chat and share media. [Currently in private beta; Presents today in session from 9am PT to 10:15am] Tonchidot: Makes the Sekai Camera, a camera system that aims to merge the virtual and real worlds by using a digital device as a viewfinder. [Sounds like it could be an augmented reality play; Presents tomorrow in a session at 2:15pm.] Grockit: A “Massively Multi-Player Online Learning Game” [Covered previously here; presents on Wednesday at 10:30am session.] PlaYce: Makes a global playground by providing a 3D virtual world inside the browser for games and social interaction that is based on the real world. [Sounds like a mirror world effort, at least in part; presents on Wednesday at 10:30am session.] Shattered Reality Interactive: A new massively multiplayer online game (think World of Warcraft) that lets the crowd guide the direction of future expansions. [I know it's a game, but it's presenting in the "Vertical Social Networking session on Wednesday at 2:15pm.]