Virtual Worlds Management released an Industry Forecast whitepaper for 2008 today, see the previous post for details to get your own copy.
The group asked 45 virtual world “industry leaders” to answer a series of 5 questions about the future of virtual worlds in 2008. These are fairly open ended questions, what are the top trend predictions, what are your goals, what challenges will the industry face, etc., and from all appearances they took the answers verbatim and pasted them all into a single document, which gives us some interesting insights into the personalities and writing styles of those who responded.
Most Interesting Responses:
Hui Xu, Founder & CEO, HiPiHi Co., Ltd.
Sure, you expect the typical buzz words and market jargon in a report like this, but of all the respondents, Hui Xu’s remarks were the most human and in parts, downright inspiring and hopeful.
Favorite quote:
“Avatars are cute, so is a world with no limits on imagination, but we have to drill down to the essence of human nature and find out how virtual world technologies can really support real human needs.”
Bravo Mr. Xu, I agree.
Brevity Award:
Guy Bendov, Co-Founder, Journeys
How to say the obvious in 10 words or less! Only one really substantive response, the rest are no-brainers.
Favorite Quote:
“Mass market adoption of virtual worlds as a main source of online entertainment will grow.”
Gee, you don’t say?
Paying Attention and Making Sense Award: Erik and Erik
Erik Bethke, CEO GoPets and Erik Hauser, Founder/Executive Creative Director of Swivel Media
Erik Bethke raises the issue of safe spaces for those under the age of 14 and the growing sophistication of internet users who will have less tolerance for clunky interfaces and privacy invasions. He also mentions legal ramifications of EULAs that make promises to the userbase that aren’t being kept. Erik Hauser discusses the difficulty in investing in experimental media in the face of a US recession and creating content that adds value to existing communities. I like plain talk and no footsy around the white elephants in the room.
Favorite Quote: (from Bethke)
“Things like [user councils] are absolutely necessary when you’re talking about a social space, which all virtual worlds are, and yet we’re only starting to see them come about in a formal way very recently. .. If you let the users themselves take ownership for their governing, they’ll catch things and smooth them out before you get in trouble with the law.”
Most Forward Thinking + Fun To Read:
Jerry Paffendorf, Co-Founder and Normative Futurist, WelloHorld
Ok, so maybe it’s a gimme that the only futurist on the list gets the Most Forward Thinking award, and perhaps I am charmed by his direct and colloquial tone, complete with smiley faces, but he’s thinking like I’m thinking and I’m looking forward to seeing what this mindshift will bring, too.
Favorite Quote:
“Unleash the Wello and take over the Horld!”
This is a 36 page document and beyond the generalizations and “how do we make money” analysis, it provides a framework for thinking about what 2008 might bring for those of us invested in the virtual worlds concept. Add it to your Must Read list, for sure.
Thanks to Virtual Worlds Management for providing it, and gratis to boot.
Fleep, have you thought about taking a punt at the 5 questions yourself? It’s worth a go. 🙂
I agree with Aleister, I strongly encourage you to post a blog entry with your own .02.
[…] a host of predictions from other bloggers, and several commenters suggested I do the same when I reviewed the report. I think the general predictions have been pretty well covered so I’ll stick to the topic […]