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Designing Virtual Worlds stands as the most comprehensive examination of virtual-world design ever written. This seminal work is a tour de force, remarkable for its intellectual breadth, encompassing the literary, economic, sociological, psychological, physical, technological, and ethical foundations of virtual worlds.
List of contents
1. Definitions, 2. History: The Text Era, 3. History: The Graphics Era, 4. Characteristics, 5. Content and Meaning, 6. Development, 7. Architecture, 8. Interface, 9. Backdrops, 10. Demographics, 11. Basic Player Types, 12. Advanced Player Types, 13. Pivot: The Hero's Journey, 14. Very Advanced Player Types, 15. Immersion, 16. Encouraging Immersion, 17. Applying Player Types, 18. Other Typologies, 19. Community, 20. Design and Community, 21. Anthropology and Sociology, 22. Psychology's Take on Virtual Worlds, 23. Virtual Worlds' Take on Psychology, 24. Rights, 25. Interlude
About the author
Richard A. Bartle, Ph.D., co-wrote the first virtual world,
MUD ("Multi-User Dungeon"), in 1978, thus being at the forefront of the online gaming industry from its very inception. A university professor working in both Artificial Intelligence and Game Design, he is an influential writer on all aspects of virtual worlds. As an independent consultant, his thoughts have influenced almost every major online gaming company over the past 40 years. Richard lives with his wife, Gail, in a village just outside Colchester, England. He works in virtual worlds.
