The Virtual World in 2015: Our Readers' Predictions

             Could holodecks be in our future?

In the Pixels and Policy Sunday Edition, we asked readers what they thought the virtual world would look like in 2015.

We received some great comments, e-mails, and Facebook messages with a variety of visions for the future.

Industry news source Tech News World is also looking at the future of computing and the Metaverse, so Pixels and Policy compared notes and made this outline of what our readers think the next big step will be in virtual technology

Outgrowing the Desktop Computer

One of the dominant ideas expressed by our readers - it came up five times across website and Facebook comments - is the desire to see virtual worlds break free of the desktop computer. Brad Reason left this comment on how virtual worlds can evolve outside the screen:

In 5 years...there will be easier cross-over functions and more industry standard type stuff, but mostly more acceptance that Social Net-worlds will be a normal every day thing.

This industry-standard technology will be mobile internet and augmented reality, allowing users to seamlessly transition their persistent avatar between worlds and merge in and out of the game world with the click of a cell-phone button.

Breaking the box will also make virtual worlds feel more realistic. Rob Enderle of Tech News World explains:

With the proper back end, the [Polycom CX5000 Unified Communication Station] could blend the real with the virtual to create a communications experience that only exists in science fiction today.

[Combined with an] OnLive back end, a Natal user interface, and a real-time GPU-driven photorealistic virtual world, and you have the potential for a holodeck-like user interface.

As technology makes it possible to conduct virtual play and business without being burdened by a physical computer, virtual worlds will begin to follow us everywhere we go. Though it may be an ambitious idea for only 5 years in the future, the technology is emerging right now.

Have an opinion on where virtual worlds are heading that you want to share? We'll be keeping a running dialogue on what the virtual worlds of tomorrow will look like. Feel free to toss in your two cents by posting a comment below, sending us a message on Twitter, or joining in the discussion on the Pixels and Policy Facebook Page!