Nov 12, 2007
The 3D Network Professional Virtual Enterprise Initiative (3DNPVEI, LLC - pronounce 3DNPV) is looking to create a “massively multiplayer, social and business networking virtual world, using open standard technologies such as Web3D’s ISO-approved VRML and X3D.” The world itself has been in development since March, but CEO and Web3D member Lauren Gauthier says that the project has had been growing explicitly for over a year and has its roots in the longer histories of the groups as-yet-undisclosed partners. But come December, look out for more information. “Basically, we are going to have a limited alpha release on invitation,” Gauthier said. “A select group of people will be invited to come in and view what we have so far. Later we’ll have the beta for the public. “
“There’s always this thing in the back of my mind as a reason why virtual worlds haven’t caught on yet,” Gauthier continued. “There isn’t too much to do here. You can chat, and that’s about it. And we feel that’s not enough to keep people interested in the long term. It might be in the short term, but then people give up.”
That’s a sentiment that’s been bounced around by too many virtual worlds developers to count. But while most developers of that mindset are looking to add gameplay elements to spice up the social world, Gauthier wants to add a game that’s focused on business.
“What we are doing is to build something in the way that there’s something to do there,” she explained. “That is the game element. But in essence, it is a social and business network with some game elements built into it so people are not just left to their own devices here. They’re guided by the game to build businesses into the world. The goal for this business networking site is for the users to actually use it to make money. It’s not necessarily just for users to play. It’s similar to serious games mixed with a social and business network.”
Because 3DNPVEI is building on open standards, the goal is to have companies or individuals build their own worlds and connect them through the provided server technology based on X3D. Gauthier couldn’t discuss the business model for the organization, though she said it’s been tested and should be expandable. Right now the organization, which is open to new parties around the world, is only discussing details under NDA. However, Gauthier did say that she believes the open standard will set the world apart.
