Virtual Environments Overview

Abstract

Abstract : This report provides a research-based schema called A Framework for Designing with Virtual World Technologies. It is shown how, by using this framework, virtual world technologies can be used to radically transform how intelligence analysts encounter data, frame their stories, and review their analyses with both their customers and other analysts. The report explores what analysts can accomplish by doing some of their work in environments that can be created in virtual world platforms. There is no reason why the proposed framework wouldn't be applicable to blended reality solutions in which virtual world applications and real world applications are tightly integrated, or in which elements of virtual world technologies are integrated into more traditional software tools. We are enthusiastic about the possibilities that virtual world technologies make available, yet we do not want to suggest that the current crop (circa 2008-2009) can live up to current hype. Accordingly, we discuss later in the report a number of considerations that need to be taken into account.