More4 (Channel 4's deep-thinking digital channel) did a documentary on virtual worlds, featuring no less than Raph Koster and pals.
True Stories presents: Jorien van Nes and Femke Wolting's fascinating
insight into online virtual worlds. Second Life, World of Warcraft,
Metaplace, U World - all virtual worlds where the user can create their
own paradise, far removed from real life. People can create societies
that range from the democratic to the dictatorial, have avatars that
resemble their ideal and can engage in actions that their real life
personality would never dream of doing, from cyber-sex to virtual
crime. But who creates these worlds and are they the right people to be
crafting idealised societies that pretend to address and solve the
inadequacies of the real world?
You can watch it on Channel 4.com although apparently that's only to UK users? If you're not one of those, well, you don't need me to tell you how to use Pirate Google or YouTube. I welcome the day when global release rights are negotiated at the point of commission...
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