3D natural emulation design approach to virtual communities

The design goal for OnLive’s Internet-based Virtual Community system was to develop avatars and virtual communities where the participants sense a tele-presence – that they are really there in the virtual space with other people. This collective sense of "being-there" does not happen over the phone or with teleconferencing; it is a new and emerging phenomenon, unique to 3D virtual communities. While this group presence paradigm is a simple idea, the design and technical issues needed to begin to achieve this on internet-based, consumer PC platforms are complex. This design approach relies heavily on the following immersion-based techniques: · 3D distanced attenuated voice and sound with stereo "hearing" · a 3D navigation scheme that strives to be as comfortable as walking around · an immersive first person user interface with a human vision camera angle · individualized 3D head avatars that breathe, have emotions and lip sync · 3D space design that is geared toward human social interaction.