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Article: Where You Can Be Yourself, Version 2.0; Tens of millions of Internet users participate in virtual worlds -- communities that often allow subscribers to interact through online characters. A virtual world offers subscribers the chance to meet others while stepping out of their real-life characters. Users can modify their animated alter egos, changing their appearance, personality or even sex.
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- December 26, 2006
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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There are different types of virtual worlds: computer games,
social sites and reality-based sites.
Gaming sites let you play with multiple players at the same time.
The best known gaming community is Blizzard Entertainment's World of
Warcraft, which has 7 million subscribers playing its fantasy game.
Social sites let users socialize with others through their alter
egos, shop and even go clubbing. The best known is Second Life,
which has 2 million subscribers; at any given moment, up to 10,000
are online.
Reality-based sites, such as Microsoft's Virtual Earth, offer
depictions of real-world mapping and photography that have been
enhanced by 3-D ...