MUDs grow up: social virtual reality in the real world

Author

Curtis, P. ; Nichols, D.A.

Author_Institution

Xerox Palo Alto Res. Center, CA, USA

fYear

1994

Firstpage

193

Lastpage

200

Abstract

MUDs, or "multi-user dungeons", are multi-user, text-based, networked computing environments that are currently used mostly for gaming. Despite the obvious shortcomings of a text-only system, they are quite popular. The Social Virtual Reality project at Xerox PARC is extending MUD technology for use in non-recreational settings. Our goal is to keep the strength of MUDs/spl minus/shared computing with a powerful real-world metaphor/spl minus/while correcting their shortcomings by adding audio, video, and interactive windows. We are building two specific prototypes: Astro-VR, for use by the professional astronomy community, and Jupiter, for use by researchers within Xerox.<>

Keywords

astronomy computing; computer communications software; interactive systems; multi-access systems; multimedia systems; social aspects of automation; virtual reality; Astro-VR; Jupiter; MUDs; Social Virtual Reality project; Xerox researchers; audio; gaming; interactive windows; multi-user dungeons; multi-user, text-based, networked computing environments; nonrecreational settings; professional astronomy community; prototypes; real-world metaphor; shared computing; video; Computer networks; Databases; Intelligent networks; Internet; Multiuser detection; Prototypes; Space technology; Video sharing; Virtual reality; Windows;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Compcon Spring '94, Digest of Papers.

Conference_Location

San Francisco, CA, USA

Print_ISBN

0-8186-5380-9

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/CMPCON.1994.282924

Filename

282924