Special Issue on Virtual Worlds and 3-D Web

Deadline: 19 January 2009

Special Issue Editors

• Blake Ives, University of Houston
• Brian Mennecke, Iowa State University
• Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
• Shu Schiller, Wright State University
• Keng Siau, University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVE), Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs), and other 3-D virtual environments have begun to attract the attention of scholars, practitioners, and the public at large.  Although many of these environments originated as games or social networks, numerous scholars have recognized that virtual worlds and 3-D web have the potential to revolutionize how individuals work, play, and use the web, how groups and teams interact, collaborate, socialize, and conduct their work, how businesses market and sell products, goods, and services, and how societal and governmental boundaries and institutions are stretched and redefined.  The popularity of games such as World of Warcraft, social networks such as Second Life, and children’s games such as Webkinz has demonstrated that these environments have appeal, and experience thus far has shown that these environments present both opportunities and challenges for individuals, businesses, governments, and societies.

This special issue has the goal of fostering research to examine this important phenomenon by offering scholars the opportunity to publish and disseminate empirical, theoretical, or conceptual papers addressing the importance and impact of virtual worlds and 3-D web. We are open to the use of a variety of research methodologies to understand phenomena
relating to Virtual Worlds and the 3-D web.

Topics relevant to this special issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Studies and models of individual perceptions? acceptance, and use of virtual worlds and the 3-D web
• Studies and models of group, team, and social interaction in virtual environments
• Studies and models of organizational applications for virtual worlds and the 3-D web
• Studies and models of inter-organizational uses of virtual worlds
• The application of business models, strategic frameworks, and/or competitive models to understand economic and business development in virtual worlds
• Studies and models examining the adoption, development, and evolution of virtual worlds and the 3-D web
• Examinations of the educational, business, legal, economic, societal, and jurisdictional impact of virtual worlds

Important Dates:

• Submission Deadline: 19 January 2009
• Initial screening by Guest Editors: 31 January 2009
• First round of review: 6 April 2009
• Second round of review: 6 July 2009
• Final Decision: 10 August 2009

Submission Procedure:
All manuscripts will be subject to high standards of peer review at JDM. Manuscripts should follow the JDM guidelines for submission. Details regarding the submission format are available at http://www.igi-pub.com/jdm

Please email your submission as an attachment to Dr. Brian Mennecke at mennecke@iastate.edu

Closing date for applications: 21/08/2008
 
The Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology at the Open University, UK is seeking a post-graduate researcher to work on a JISC-funded e-learning research project: “Design of Learning Spaces in 3-D Virtual Environments”; Salary range: £25,888 – £30,912; 9 months contract available from 1st October 2008.

The aim of this project is to address: “How 3-D learning spaces should be designed for learner-engagement?” The project involves evaluation of learning spaces within Second Life, a 3-D virtual world (www.secondlife.com). You will gather data on a variety of learning spaces exhibiting different degrees of ‘realism’ within Second Life, and how these support varied learning-objectives. You will elicit perceptions of learners and educators about the spaces for teaching and learning.

Ideally, should have a Ph.D. in Education, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related discipline. However, candidates who are suitably qualified and have experience of evaluating technology-enabled learning environments will be considered. Previous research experience or training at post-graduate level of applying research methods is essential. Experience of conducting remote-evaluations of interactive-systems would be an added advantage.

For detailed information and how to apply email the Recruitment Secretary at MCS-Recruitment@open.ac.uk quoting the reference number. [Please quote reference 4877.] The project details are on http://tinyurl.com/56yyzb and http://tinyurl.com/5oq9rf For enquiries about the research project, please contact: Dr. Shailey Minocha [s.minocha@open.ac.uk]. Further particulars are available in large print, disk or audiotape (Minicom 01908 654901). We promote diversity in employment and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Deadline: September 30, 2008 | Publication Date: November 20, 2008

Guest Editors: Mark Bell, Indiana University and Mia Consalvo, Ohio University

Early users of virtual worlds trumpeted their potential to bring together like-minded groups to create community, to encourage social activism, and to explore facets of identity. Over the past 20 years, we have seen virtual worlds develop from text-based to graphical, and from 2D to 3D interactive spaces. Some spaces have focused primarily on game-related activities, from MUD through Ultima Online and World of Warcraft, while others have concentrated on social aspects of being, allowing users to define their own goals, and often create many parts of the spaces they inhabit–from LambdaMoo to The Palace and Second Life. Virtual worlds have also become big business at the same time as some worlds remain resolutely tied to different goals. Yet what of the cultures that have grown up in, around, and through virtual worlds in this same time period? What do we know about that culture, or more accurately, those cultures and how to define them?

Individuals, groups, and corporations are exploring the potentials of virtual worlds, and what is created in that process says as much about our everyday lives as it does about our times spent online. But what do we know? Because of their richly detailed spaces, virtual worlds tend to encourage specific sorts of participants and players, along with expectations about behavior and culture. Yet at the same time, we cannot know how participants will create a livable space, develop a unique culture, until it happens. How is that process occurring in today’s virtual worlds? What do we know about past virtual worlds to guide us? We are slowly learning about how identity shifts and mutates online, yet isn’t as free-floating as early theorists claimed. What of users who are in game-centric versus non-game centric places–how does game versus non-game make a difference in who uses the space, how, and why? Likewise, we now see virtual worlds with transnational user bases. How does that impact the culture, the creation, and the experience of virtual worlds. What happens when virtual worlds emerge, when they expand quickly, and when they die, either slowly or suddenly? What happens to users and how do they make sense of those experiences? How do developers play a role in managing all those expectations, and how much *can* they actually control? These questions are only the tip of iceberg, just as today’s virtual worlds are at the forefront of emergent design of 3D spaces.

This special issue of the Journal of Virtual Worlds Research is dedicated to exploring the issue of culture in virtual worlds. We welcome articles from academic researchers and practitioners in areas such as communications, sociology, psychology, anthropology, information systems, political science, game studies and cultural studies.

Topics of interest include (but not limited to):
• Definitions of Virtual Cultures
• Ethnographies of Virtual Worlds
• Social mechanics and networking in Virtual worlds
• Historical development of Virtual Worlds
• Identity
• Differing goals of play versus non-play centric spaces
• Emergent practices, player-generated content, activities
• Dynamics of economies
• “Serious” uses of Virtual Worlds
• Transnational game spaces, player groups

Guidelines and Deadlines
We welcome submissions in the form of essays, papers, original research, interactive online exhibits with accompanying detailed descriptions, and other forms of scholarship.
For specific submission instructions visit: http://jvwresearch.org.

Deadline for Submission: September 30, 2008
Publication: November 29, 2008

For further information contact:

Mark Bell, Indiana U, typewriter@gmail.com
Mia Consalvo, Ohio U, consalvo@ohio.edu

Cutter IT Journal
San Murugesan, Guest Editor

Abstract Due: 20 June 2008
Articles Due: 31 July 2008

Virtual worlds are a hot topic now, thanks to the increased computing and graphic capabilities of personal computers, high-speed Internet access, and intense corporate interest in exploring and exploiting these worlds. These 3D, interactive Web environments are said to deliver an immersive experience that is much richer than what we currently experience with the traditional Web. So is the Web poised for its next major evolution? According to the Association of Virtual Worlds, the answer is yes: “Virtual worlds represent a major information and technological revolution in how we work, play, and live.”

It’s true that virtual worlds are emerging as communal places for a wide range of activities, including gaming, social networking, education and training, marketing, and e-business. Major businesses and large marketers have been using virtual worlds in innovative ways to appeal to the hard-to-reach young consumers of the digital generation, who spend much of their time using computers and mobile phones. The growing presence of virtual worlds, including those specifically targeted at kids and teens, has been drawing much attention from the media, the public, business, and government.

As virtual worlds now begin to move from the fringe to the mainstream, there is considerable excitement and hype surrounding the movement. A key question is: what real value do virtual worlds present to users and businesses? While the value may be obvious to some, there are several issues associated with virtual worlds that cause varying degrees of anxiety among stakeholders. These concerns — which range from the technical (e.g., security) to the moral and legal — limit the potential of virtual worlds and hinder their adoption.

Nevertheless, some argue, virtual worlds are here to stay. Indeed more people — from kids to teens to young adults — are spending an increasing amount of time in virtual worlds engaging in a variety of activities that interest them, including playing games, communicating with a group of friends, creating virtual artifacts, studying, undergoing training, renting or purchasing land or buildings, buying virtual artifacts, and/or establishing their businesses. According to some estimates, multibillion-dollar opportunities might be there for the taking in the virtual-world arena. Therefore, IT and non-IT businesses, IT professionals, business executives, and entrepreneurs shouldn’t dismiss virtual worlds as simply another platform for online games targeted at young people. Instead, they should examine and explore how they can exploit virtual worlds and seize the opportunities these immersive environments present.

IT departments in many enterprises are now being asked to explore how their organizations can embrace virtual worlds and create, deploy, regulate, and monitor these virtual-world applications. Corporations and venture capitalists are eager to invest in promising virtual-world technologies and services. Major IT companies, startups, public relation companies, marketers, consultancies, educational institutions, and individuals are all trying to get a slice of the seemingly vast business potential that virtual worlds offer. Several IT companies have begun developing virtual-world applications, tools, and platforms.

The SEPTEMBER 2008 ISSUE OF CUTTER IT JOURNAL will explore this new space in cyberspace. We will examine virtual worlds in terms of market opportunities, strategic approaches, technological options, and the value and impact virtual worlds will have in real world today and in the future.

(Cutter Consortium will offer Journal authors a year’s complimentary subscription and 10 copies of the issue in which they are published.)

TOPICS OF INTEREST MAY INCLUDE (but are not limited to) the following:

* Will virtual worlds truly be another breakthrough technology that affects our personal, social, and professional lives, or will they be the next bubble to burst?

* What value do virtual worlds provide? Why do virtual worlds draw so much interest not only from users, but also from businesses, educational institutions, and governments?

* How are virtual worlds currently being used? What is their real potential?

* What opportunities do virtual worlds present to IT (and non-IT) businesses and professionals, and how can we exploit those opportunities?

* What technologies support virtual worlds? What are suitable IT architectures for large virtual worlds?

* Consider the key issues and challenges that virtual worlds present (privacy, security, identity management, taxation, etc.). How can we address them?

* What are the ongoing developments in this area, and what does the future hold for virtual worlds? Can virtual worlds give rise to a new set of applications?

* Will there be a much bigger revolution of business ideas and processes with the emergence of immersive 3D Web environments?

* How can the performance and usability of virtual worlds be improved?
What virtual development strategy would you follow? Given the concerns about the poor reliability and performance of some virtual worlds, how can you test and evaluate a virtual-world application before deployment?

* What will be the economic and social impact of existing and emerging virtual worlds? Does one’s behavior and experience in a virtual world affect one’s real-world life?

* What have we learned so far by analyzing the successes and failures in this space? What are the success factors?

* How can IT help in protecting privacy and intellectual property in virtual worlds?

* Is virtual commerce (v-commerce) viable?

TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE IDEA

Please respond to San Murugesan, san1[at]internode[dot]net, with a copy to itjournal[at]cutter[dot]com, by 20 June 2008. Include an extended abstract and a short article outline showing major discussion points.

ARTICLE DEADLINE

Accepted articles are due by 31 July 2008.

EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Most Cutter IT Journal articles are approximately 2,500-3,500 words long, plus whatever graphics are appropriate. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact CITJ’s Group Publisher, Christine Generali, at cgenerali[at]cutter[dot]com or the Guest Editor, san1[at]internode[dot]net. Editorial guidelines are available at

AUDIENCE

Typical readers of Cutter IT Journal range from CIOs and vice presidents of software organizations to IT managers, directors, project leaders, and very senior technical staff. Most work in fairly large organizations: Fortune 500 IT shops, large computer vendors (IBM, HP, etc.), and government agencies. 48% of our readership is outside of the US (15% from Canada, 14% Europe, 5% Australia/NZ, 14% elsewhere). Please avoid introductory-level, tutorial coverage of a topic. Assume you’re writing for someone who has been in the industry for 10 to 20 years, is very busy, and very impatient. Assume he or she will be asking, “What’s the point? What do I do with this information?” Apply the “So what?” test to everything you write.

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

We are pleased to offer Journal authors a year’s complimentary subscription and 10 copies of the issue in which they are published.
In addition, we occasionally pull excerpts, along with the author’s bio, to include in our weekly Cutter Edge e-mail bulletin, which reaches another 8,000 readers. We’d also be pleased to quote you, or passages from your article, in Cutter press releases.

If you plan to be speaking at industry conferences, we can arrange to make copies of your article or the entire issue available for attendees of those speaking engagements — furthering your own promotional efforts.

ABOUT CUTTER IT JOURNAL

No other journal brings together so many cutting-edge thinkers, and lets them speak so bluntly and frankly. We strive to maintain the Journal’s reputation as the “Harvard Business Review of IT.” Our goal is to present well-grounded opinion (based on real, accountable experiences), research, and animated debate about each topic the Journal explores.

http://www.cutter.com/content-and-analysis/journals-and-reports/cutter-it-journal/edguide.html

Second Life is a 3d virtual environment created by Linden Lab (R) which has captured the attention of researchers and teachers from around the world from a variety of disciplines. This workshop aims to improve the understanding of Second Life as a Learning and Research environment. It will bring 35 researchers together to collaborate, discuss and workshop diverse topics related to research and learning in Second Life. We will pursue a full-day schedule in which participants will discuss their work and interests on four different topics: learning in Second Life, integrated learning, the contributions of research to the community and ethical research methods