IDATE: 3D Web - From virtual worlds to the immersive Web on reports-research.com

March 19, 2010 - PRLog -- It identifies the services that are key to enabling the migration to 3D: e-commerce, mapping, serious gaming… and offers a close-up look at virtual worlds, using original business models for buying virtual goods, and at augmented reality, the next central 3D application on mobile devices.

• The first 3D success stories on the Web, i.e. real-time 3D, have naturally been applications for which 3D offers a true added advantage through immersion and/or simulation.
3D is generally located at the dedicated software client or classic Web browser level. Among the major immersive services, video games have played a key role in pioneering 3D technologies that could then be applied to other segments. The massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) segment is the biggest user of very advanced 3D solutions such as World of Warcraft. Online gaming alone generates 7.7 billion EUR worldwide. Another major immersive 3D market is virtual worlds where users interact with one another: 23 million Internet users are actively involved in virtual worlds. 3D also boasts the assets to create simulations which applications like serious games, virtual tours and, to a lesser degree, e-commerce, have all adopted.

• The 3D Web, especially in the realm of virtual worlds and Free2Play games, is central to the Internet’s future development, not only because of the technological features it brings, but especially because of the business models being created for immersive services.
Unlike with other Web services, whether organic (event planning) or display, advertising is a secondary source of income, with the vast majority of revenue earned by online games still coming from pay-to-play subscriptions. Virtual worlds that resemble MMOG use the sale of virtual goods via micro-payment as their prime source of income – a market that is already worth over 2 billion USD. This business model has also caught on with the top social networking sites, whereas 3D simulation services, such as e-learning, are still using classic means of generating revenue (licences, product sales…).

• Although there are still some obstacles to overcome (tax system for virtual worlds, network and computer performance…), the main impediment to the 3D Web’s development remains the creation of content, which requires specific skills and still represents a colossal expenditure.
Although some services can re-use 3D content offline, as is the case with video games, most players need to develop the content entirely themselves and encourage their end users to create 3D content. Things become even more complicated when we move to mobile platforms. Aside from highly immersive ones, most 3D Web solutions will initially offer just a touch of 3D (object, avatar) on a Web page, or in augmented reality applications on mobile – which could be on its way to becoming the next mobile killer app.



IDATE: 3D Web:
http://www.reports-research.com/market-surveys/3d-web-p-7...

IDATE: More market data and market reports:
http://www.reports-research.com/market-surveys/idate-m-33...

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