Meta-Mole allows net users to search virtual worlds (From The Northern Echo)

Meta-Mole allows net users to search virtual worlds

9:53am Tuesday 27th January 2009 in

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A SYSTEM allowing internet users to search virtual worlds will go live this month.

Teesside University’s Institute of Digital Innovation has created the Meta-Mole, which will ultimately be a dedicated online resource for the 350-plus virtual worlds currently on the Internet.

Developed by the Institute’s Centre for Design in the Digital Economy (D-LAB), the Meta-Mole will help users looking for a virtual world environment as well as platform developers who want to gauge competition.

Philip McClenaghan, deputy director of D-LAB said: “We were analysing virtual world platforms and realised that there doesn’t appear to be a comprehensive service offering to list and compare key data for major 2D and 3D environments.

“This surprised us considering the current popularity of virtual worlds. We intend to fill the gap with the Meta-Mole.”

In addition to the digital industry, the team at D-LAB believes there are a range of potential users for the service, such as businesses seeking a platform for commercial opportunities and academia.

The Meta-Mole will initially be released as a Beta version focussing on 3D virtual world platforms.

Forterra, Blink 3D and Twinity are among those who have already uploaded their details.

Future developments will cater for all platforms, including 3D, 2D and MMO environments.

Platform developers are able to participate in the Meta-Mole by contacting developers@Meta- Mole.com