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Google Lively09.16.08 |
Google Lively is a 3D virtual space where users can chat with friends, similar to Gmail chat already available, with cartoony personal avatars.
Basics
Publisher: Google
Launch Date: Beta release - 2008
Number of registered users: Unknown, probably ranging in the thousands
Target Audience: Ages 13+
Cost and subsequent subscription fees: Google Lively is free to register with an existing Google account.
General Description: Google Lively is a 3D virtual space where users can chat with friends, similar to Gmail chat already available, with cartoony personal avatars. Users can create their own chat rooms and invite up to 20 people, often in small, hangout type locations. Users are limited to a Google produced catalogue of items, as there is no user content submission available at this time. Still in early Beta, Google Lively offers users an opportunity to acquire and design their own home, which also can be used as a chat room for friends.
Technical
Platform: Windows only
2-D, full 3-D, or other: 3D virtual world with limited mobility similar to IMVU; characters move around by clicking on stand spots
Special hardware required (upgraded video card, sound card, etc): None
Language availability: English
Option for authoring (can users create and build?): No.
Design tools available: Not applicable.
Search (does the world offer a way to search users and/or places?): Users can search active rooms, rooms that belong to their friends, and the Lively catalogue. Users can also search for specific users and add them to their contact list. Users can invite contacts directly from their gmail account to join them in Lively chat rooms.
Security (is there protection against hacking, identity theft, or theft of IP?): Users cannot create original content.
Can the virtual world be accessed through mobile devices: No
Can the virtual space be accessed offline: No
Is the world persistent? (Does the world continue when the user logs off): Yes, however there currently are no events to suggest passage of time; the world merely consists of chat rooms.
Legal & Management
Entry (what personal information is required?): No information is required specifically for Google Lively; all information is acquired when the user registers for an email account with Gmail.
Is a free trial account available (if so, what are the account restrictions)? All accounts are free and are part of Google account usage.
Are there age restrictions: Unknown at this time.
User Profiles (what do they contain?): There are no user profiles.
Privacy management (protecting personal data, information sharing with other companies): Personal information is not shared with other companies.
If a premium membership exists, what benefits are there to upgrading? Unknown at this time since Lively is in Beta.
Can access be restricted to designated groups? Personal rooms can be marked private and locked for personal friends only.
Intellectual Property management (who owns users' creative works?): Users cannot create content.
Are there in-world moderators: Comments and complaints can be forwarded to Google directly.
Management of abusive behavior: Users can be banned if their behavior is deemed inappropriate.
Virtual Space
Avatar description (are they customizable?): Avatars are selectable from a preset catalogue, so many of the avatars are commonly duplicated in world. Users can acquire new clothing to make themselves look more unique.
Is in-world property ownership available? Yes, users can acquire personal rooms that they can decorate with items purchased from the Lively catalogue.
What are the common meeting spaces (and how many do they accommodate)? Many of the chat rooms are focused on dating or meeting singles. Each chat room accommodates 20 people, which may be expanded after the beta.
Video or animation capabilities: Unknown at this time.
Are there any restrictions on what users can create in their "owned" space? Users cannot create any content, only place and rearrange content that is created by Google.
Example of a prominent corporation present in the virtual world: None.
Socialization/Communication
Does the world include in-world instant messaging? Yes.
Out of world instant messaging? No.
In-game email? Since users register with their google IDs and that information is displayed in the chat rooms, technically anyone can email anyone since the information is freely available.
Blog space? Unknown at this time.
Screenshot or photo albums? Unknown at this time.
Can other users be blocked or ignored? Yes.
Is there language filtering? Not at this time.
Economy
Does the virtual world have currency? Not at this time. All items are free from the catalogue for testing purposes.
How does the user obtain currency in-world? Unknown at this time.
Can a user convert real world cash to in-world currency? Unknown at this time.
How does the company assist with in-world trade? (Official commerce sites/auction sites/etc): Google hosts the item catalogue where users can purchase items for their avatar and rooms.
Does it cost money or currency to upload user created content? Not applicable.
Educational Presence
Prominent educational, government and corporate organizations known to be using this product for educational purposes: None
Examples of areas in which instruction is currently offered: None.
Are there special privileges for instructors? None.
Are there virtual classrooms or meeting areas? No.
Strengths of this product as an educational or learning tool: Unknown at this time, however it is possible that courses or group classwork could be done in a Google Lively chat room.
Opportunities for Philanthropy
Prominent educational, government and corporate organizations known to be using this product for philanthopic purposes: None
Are there zones or areas reserved for promoting real life issues? No.
Do users find the virtual world an appropriate place for philanthropy? Unknown at this time.