By Du Guodong
BEIJING, July 30 -- Virtual reality is no longer a concept of the
future, innovative 3-D technology can now transform a desktop computer into an
interactive world of adventure, fashion, fun and entertainment.
Using the Internet as an entry platform, the new technology is blurring the
lines of the real and virtual worlds.
In contrast to a traditional two-dimensional interface, the 3-D environment
provides a completely immersive and highly social world, enabling access to
people and places that would be virtually impossible in the real world.
Through the use to avatars, a virtual replica of yourself, or whoever you
want to be, life can literally take on new dimensions in cyberspace.
Shopping online is not such a new world to most people, but the 3-D
experience is completely different. Via avatars, shoppers can pick up, try on
and test out products in virtual shopping centers. The avatar, set with
real-life measurements, can fit a new pair of jeans, get a trendy haircut and
see if certain accessories suit.
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Avatars trying out products in the
virtual world.(Photo: GlobalTimes.cn)
Photo Gallery>>> |
Avatars can also join with like-minded people as they travel, take on
adventures and socialize.
From a retailer's point of view, interactive 3-D experiences allow them to
precisely gauge consumer demand via instant feedback and requests.
Buying property and taking a holiday in the real world also presents great
virtual opportunities. Before buying a home, renting an apartment or booking a
hotel, you can walk through a digital version of the property, making sure that
it meets your every desire.
For people short of time and money in the real world, virtual tourism
allows adventures in a virtual dimension. A virtual tourist can step inside the
Louvre, trek into the Sahara, or bungee jump in New Zealand.
"3-D technology will influence many aspects of human life in that we can
entertain ourselves from verisimilar cyber games and experience exciting 3-D
tourism," explained Martin Tong, marketing director of The 1st Virtual Business,
professional creators of a virtual world.
"Our understanding of the virtual world is to give customers an enhanced
interactive experience, it is not only a game, but also life itself," he added.
The new mode of traveling will not necessarily meet everyone's
satisfaction. Dong Lifen, an engineer with China Unicom commented that while the
virtual world gives the freedom of traveling to sought-after destinations, it is
not the same as the real thing.
Tong's company estimates that the market share of China's virtual world
will reach 1 billion U.S. dollars in the next three years. Statistics from
iResearch show that the volume of online shopping in China in 2008 was 128.18
billion yuan (18.77 billion U.S. dollars) and the 2009 figure is expected to hit
223.6 billion yuan (32.74 billion U.S. dollars).
The future potential is attracting a growing number of companies all keenly
interested in this new concept that is sure to have a significant impact on
everyone's lives.
"We are facing the most comprehensive transformation since the Web world
began and we are enjoying 3-D technology with all of our imagination. The
virtual world is expected to influence each one of us and is a reflection of
human progress," said Wang Huabin, president of website Time of 3-D Life.
Bob Moore, a sociologist on virtual worlds with Palo Alto Research Center
in Silicon Valley explained that 3-D virtual worlds will not only transform how
we behave on the Internet, but also our lifestyles in the real world.
(Source: GlobalTimes.cn)
