Virtual Environments & Virtual Spaces: 101

In the age of digital media and online technology many companies and organizations are turning to virtual environments and virtual spaces to maximize resources, time and user interactions. The question arises: “What are virtual environments and virtual spaces?” Think of this as a small crash course.
Let’s start with the text book definition.

A virtual environment (also referred to as virtual reality in some instances) ‘is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds’ (from Wikipedia). While this definition applies more towards virtual reality and simulations it gives us a good starting point to start our examination. Essentially a virtual environment or virtual space is any interactive setting or interface created with software, code or computers.

Video Games

The most common, or at least most recognized, virtual environments or virtual spaces are video games. As the user, you control the actions of a character, or avatar, within a defined environment within a computer program. Pretty simple. Video games, and simulations for that matter, incorporate synthetic weather, movements, actions, sounds, responses, buildings and so on providing an immersive reality that can be designed to give the gamer a realistic experience similar to that in the real world.

Websites & Social Networks

While not as ‘realistic’ as video games, websites and online social networks are also virtual environments or virtual spaces. The latter being a more appropriate label. They provide a setting (environment) that allows a visitor to interact with the pages of a site through the use of web technology and programming. A visitor may interact with other users, leave a comment or provide feedback within the defined ‘rules’ of the virtual space. These rules are set forth by the developers and designers of the platform or site and act as the environmental conditions just like the virtual weather or simulated actions in a video game, just a bit less complicated. Perhaps the best example is Facebook. A user can talk to friends, play games, go on scavenger hunts, message, provide announcements and promote themselves or their business through the interface.

Trade Shows & Events

Now with the basics covered we can move on to perhaps the most widely used application of virtual environments and virtual spaces in the corporate arena, virtual trade shows and events. We’ve probably all seen or attended a trade show or conference, but with the addition of virtual environment software and programming a trade show can be transformed into a virtual space that attendees can interact with from virtually anywhere in the world. A virtual event can be thought of as the spot in between fully immersive environments, like video games or simulations, and websites. The environment is designed to look, act and feel like the real world event. Keynote speakers are broadcast across the virtual space via video feeds in real time while virtual attendees can interact by asking questions and discussing topics through chat-like functionality and interactivity.

Just like a website, virtual trade shows provide data and metrics that would otherwise be difficult to produce or collect from a real world event. Information such as time spent listening to a speaker’s presentation, the number of times an attendee responded to questions or discussions, and the amount of time spent at the virtual event itself to name a few. Information gathered in any virtual environment can be archived and accessed by event planners and network administrators to gauge the effectiveness of particular aspects of the virtual space or environment providing unparalleled insights into the event planning and execution process.

The Future

Virtual events and trade shows exemplify the potential of virtual environments and virtual spaces within the online world. While still in their infancy, virtual environments, in my opinion, will eventually replace current online structures and interfaces; furthermore, they are the bridge that will lead digital interfaces into true virtual reality environments that we have seen in movies and science fiction novels for years; where an individual will literally ‘plugin’ to the web or network through ‘wet-wired’ technologies.