Pixels and Policy

2009 in Review: Virtual Worlds Take Over Hollywood

As James Cameron's 3D epic Avatar surpasses record after record for a newly-released film, many in Hollywood are looking for the next big film. A few years ago it was teen wizards. Last summer it was sparkling vampires.

2009 may well be known as the year virtual worlds got their big-screen endorsement.

Pixels and Policy looks back at how three major films explored virtual reality and attracted new converts to the world of interactive synthetic environments.

2009 in Review: How Microtransactions and User-Created Virtual Markets Reshaped Business

As we close out a rocky, recession-plagued 2009, many of the real-world companies we thought indestructible last January are no longer with us. But in the virtual world, business is booming.

Pixels and Policy takes a look back at one of the biggest developments of 2009 - how a few small social gaming houses became industry titans by harnessing the power of microtransactions.