Tutorial 5 task

What are the differences between the regular IM program and a 3D environment?



There are many differences between the regular IM program such as MSN/Facebook as compared to a 3D chat-room environment such as Second Life. Firstly, the regular IM programs are alot less complex compared to that such as second life. There are basic rules to follow in the regular IM programs, whereas the 3D environment such as second life has limited rules that are loosely governed if at all. The 3D environment has significantly more visual stimuli, as each person that is involved in the virtual world has a visual physicality, such as a body, hair, a face etc. of their choosing. The 3D world involves the 'player' holding a unique identity, also of their choosing. This differs to IM programs such as MSN in that the player portrays limited information about themselves and their online identity other than what is in the written text and perhaps a photo or picture. Another difference is that in programs such as Facebook you can choose who you communicate with, via 'friend adding' and exchanged messages. In Secondlife however, the player interacts with many others that they don't know. These people can communicate with eachother as they wish, without having to officially "add" them as friends.