ted-castronova

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  • Exodus to the Virtual World review from the other virtual world

    by 
    Louis McLaughlin
    Louis McLaughlin
    12.27.2007

    As we've previously covered on Massively.com before, virtual worlds researcher Edward Castronova's new book is entitled Exodus to the Virtual World: How Online Fun is Changing Reality -- but if you want to know if it's actually worth reading, there's a review over at Rik Santos's personal blog.I'm almost tempted to pick up a copy, but to me, serious real world influence from virtual worlds feels a long way off. When governments can't even accept gaming, the idea of them trying to learn from MMOs doesn't seem likely any time soon.And yes, the author is the same man who recently demanded a female dwarf. Comments from that post show he isn't the only one!

  • Ted Castronova needs a female dwarf, stat!

    by 
    Akela Talamasca
    Akela Talamasca
    11.16.2007

    The inestimable Caleb Booker brings to our attention that economist Ted Castronova, author of Synthetic Worlds: The Business and Culture of Online Games, will be speaking at the Monday, November 19th Metanomics session in Second Life. What's more, Mr. Castronova has requested "make me a dwarf female, high fantasy style."While we're sure he means 'create for me a high fantasy-style dwarf female', rather than making a dwarf female utilizing a high fantasy method, we know you guys are up to the challenge. If you can do this quickly, go ahead and send your creation to Onder Skall in SL, and if yours is chosen, you'll get special thanks during the event and on the Metaversed.com site. And we'll put up a photo of your dwarf right here on Massively! Get crackin', troops, time's a-wastin'![Thanks, Caleb!]