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Glossary



3D Virtual World

A 3D virtual world is a three-dimensional, digital representation of an environment that graphically represents a fantasy or reality-based community. As in Twinity, the 3D (three-dimensional) virtual world environment is most often populated by avatars, which are controlled by the users or members of the virtual world. The look of a 3D virtual world has depth, perceptive visual space and often conforms to real world based rules such as gravity, locomotion or movement through space. Twinity is a 3D virtual world that replicates the real world and enhances the lives of its members. Twinity members can rent or purchase virtual real estate, design their own 3D-apartments and meet friends from across the globe. In Twinity's 3D virtual world, members create their virtual selves, visit real virtual cities, go shopping or sightseeing and have fun!

3D Apartment

In Twinity, members can set up and customize their own 3D apartments. Twinity has a variety of 3D apartments available for purchase or rent, just like in the real world. Twinity members use available 3D modelled objects such as tables, chairs, beds, TVs, kitchen or bathroom furniture, etc. to create an individualized look to their 3D apartment in Twinity's virtual world. Members can set up their 3D apartment at any real-world location in the 3D virtual world of Twinity. Twinity encourages its members to use their own creativity when designing a 3D apartment. Twinity members can upload their own textures for their 3D apartments to use as wallpaper or flooring. Multimedia such as photos, websites or videos can be placed in frames, TVs or browsers and used to enhance and personalize their 3D apartment design.

3D Chat

When a member logs into the Twinity client, he or she has the option to engage in 3D chat with other avatars. 3D chat is simply the act of talking with other members using text-based chat in a virtual world environment. Members, through the use of an avatar, have the opportunity to interact with each other and the Twinity 3D virtual world while expressing themselves using animations and 3D chat (also known in Twinity as ‘bubble chat’). In Twinity, members engage in shared media experiences by listening to the same music, simultaneously viewing the same information in a browser (e.g. YouTube videos, personal websites) or looking at the same graphics (photos, illustrations) placed in frames on a wall in a 3D apartment. 3D chat adds another dimension to the standard text-based chat experience by enhancing communication between avatars. In Twinity, members can intensify the 3D chat feature by employing Voice over IP (VoIP) and speaking to another avatar using his or her actual voice.

Avatar

An avatar is the term used for the digital representation of a user of any virtual world, computer game, mmorpg or any other internet-based, online community. Avatars (also abbreviated as avi, av or ava) can be represented by a 2D (two-dimensional) image such as a picture or graphic illustration or as a 3D (three-dimensional) figure or model in 3D virtual worlds or 3D computer games. The avatar is the icon with which the user personifies his or her identity and communicates with other users within the digital community. The word "avatar" comes from the ancient Sanskrit term used to describe a deity or the deity’s incarnation in human form. "Avatar" has been popularized in modern culture through its appearance in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 novel “Snow Crash”.

Berlin, Berlin in 3D

Twinity-Berlin is a one-to-one 3D model of the real life city of Berlin. In Twinity, you can walk the streets of 3D Berlin and have a look at the famous historical sights of virtual Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz and the neighborhood of Hackescher Market and its surrounding area. Members of the 3D virtual world of Twinity can take a sightseeing tour of Berlin in 3D and enjoy landmarks, city streets, shops and cafes. In 3D Berlin, Twinity members can shop at real virtual stores, purchase clothing for their avatars, buy items for their 3D apartments and visit real world locations. Twinity members can meet friends in virtual Berlin to get a taste of Berlin’s famous nightlife and experience the art community of Berlin by visiting its virtual real-world galleries and clubs. Berlin in 3D is the first of Twinity’s virtual cities.

Client

The client is the software that is required to be able to use complicated virtual worlds like Twinity on your computer. The Twinity client can be downloaded for free after registration on Twinity.com. After a member downloads the Twinity client and starts up the application on his or her computer, the client connects each Twinity member to a remote service (server) through the Twinity network. When the Twinity client is opened, the application accesses information over the Internet and connects you to the 3D virtual world. The Twinity client is updated on a regular basis to improve functionality, add new features and repair bug fixes. Each time there is an update of the Twinity-client, a patch is automatically downloaded to your computer when you start up the Twinityclient. If you have problems with your Twinity client, write to the Twinity Support Team for help. Members can visit our support page for additional instructions related to the Twinity client, browse the Twinity forums for more information and read the Twinity blog for updates on the status of the Twinity client.

Community / Online Community

An online community is a community of people who interact via the Internet. Online communities often use communication tools, such as messaging, instant messengers and forums to communicate with other members. The Twinity online community uses 3D-Chat, messaging, the pinboard and twings as interactive communication tools on the Twinity website. In Twinity’s 3D virtual world, bubble chat, private messaging and the guestbook are the interactive communication tools. These tools are used to exchange opinions, communicate with the online community or simply chat with each other. Online communities exist in Web 2.0 platforms as well as 3D virtual worlds. Twinity members communicate with each other on both platforms. Twinity’s vibrant online community is integrated with both its Web 2.0 and 3D virtual word platforms.

Free Game

Any member of the online community can register for Twinity for free. In Twinity, a member can create an avatar, explore the online world, experience the 3D virtual world and meet people. Twinity is a fun free game and virtual world where members communicate with each other through both its Web 2.0 and 3D virtual world platforms. Before a member uses Twinity’s free game or virtual world, the Twinity client must be downloaded from Twinity.com. Twinity is a free game where members explore virtual cities, make friends from around the world, go shopping or sightseeing and meet people in cafes, nightclubs and bars. The free game of Twinity allows its members to build and design 3D apartments and actively participate in its online community.

Machinima

(derived from machine and cinema) is filmmaking created through the real-time recording of computer games, virtual worlds or any already-existing 3D digital environment or virtual world. Creators of machinima produce animated works using the characters and environment of the game or virtual world in abstract or narrative filmmaking techniques. A machinimist or machinimator (one who creates machinima) employs traditional filmmaking methods (scripting, editing, cinematography) and tools (lighting, camera angles, props) to create original films via a virtual environment. Machinima is a relatively new genre of the arts and, as virtual worlds and 3D digital environments gain in popularity, so will the development of machinima. One of Twinity’s partners, Bitfilm, specializes in all genres of digital filmmaking. Check out the great machinima in Twinity’s Bitfilm Bitropolis Cinema!

Metaverse

Originally coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash, the metaverse is a term used to describe the notion of the novel’s fictional environment (the metaverse) that closely ties together the real and virtual worlds. The metaverse is a catchall term that now refers to the 3D digital space where computer users (in the form of avatars) interact and communicate with one another in an online 3D virtual world environment. The metaverse (derived from meta and universe) encompasses the unlimited amount of digital space available for users to inhabit over the Internet in virtual worlds. In Twinity, members inhabit and commuicate with the online community in the metaverse. Metaversum, the company that develops and operates the Twinity virtual world, uses the term metaverse as the etymology of its name.

Metaversum (Company)

Metaversum develops and operates the 3D online world Twinity. This visionary endeavor mashes up the real with the virtual world. Twinity offers its members the ability to populate the digital world with their own avatars, design 3D homes, communicate with friends, engage in shared media experiences, work or simply have fun. Members of the Twinity-community enrich and expand their lives by integrating real life into the virtual world. Twinity is currently in its private beta phase. Founded in July 2006 and financed by leading venture capital firms, Metaversum now has over 40 employees in its Berlin, Germany, headquarters and 50 programmers in Kiev, Ukraine. For more information: www.metaversum.com and www.Twinity.com.

Mirror World

Mirror worlds are virtual worlds that replicate the physical world in a virtual environment using a complex system of analytical data recorded by geographic information systems (GIS). Satellite imagery and aerial and ground photography are captured, analyzed and digitally modelled to create an accurate map of the earth in a mirror world (i.e. the virtual globe software Google Earth). 3D modelling of mirror worlds is restricted to the mapping of the actual physical space to be represented. A mirror world is a one-to-one digital model of its counterpart in the physical world. Twinity has aspects of a mirror world - its virtual cities are created as exact representations to physical world cities. However, Twinity differs from a mirror world because its sole purpose is not only to model the physical world exclusively, but also to engage a vibrant online community through social interaction, communication and additional user-contributed content.

MMO

MMO is an acronym for Masively Multiplayer Online Game. See MMOG.

MMOG

MMOG is an abbreviation for Masively Multiplayer Online Game. As in an MMORPG, this term describes a large number of users who navigate through an MMOG using an avatar in a virtual world. The difference between MMOG and MMORPG is that an MMORPG requires the user to create a character outside of him or herself to engage in role-playing. An MMOG includes virtual worlds where the user´s svatar is a reflection of him or herself in real life. Twinity is defined as an MMOG. Twinity members represent themselves in the 3D virtual world as themselves – they can use their real names, create an svatar that physically represents their real selves (using Twinity’s PhotoFit feature) and be who they really are in the physical world inside the Twinity virtual world.

MMORPG

A Massively Mulitplayer Online Role Playing Game or MMORPG describes an Internet-based role-playing computer game, which allows for millions of players to simultaneously engage in game play within a single online virtual world. MMORPG is most often pronounced as the individual letters of the acronym (em em oh ar pee gee), but can also be pronounced phonetically (mor-peg). MMORPG can be written in capital letters or lower-case letters (mmorpg). Although Twinity is a virtual world and not a game per se, Twinity is considered to be an mmorpg. The most successful and most well known MMORPG is World of Warcraft (commonly referred to as WoW) with over ten million registered users. In order to participate in or play an MMORPG, the user is oftentimes required to download a client.

Modeling / Modeler

A 3D computer graphics modeler uses specialized computer software to render objects from the physical world in a three-dimensional, virtual environment. 3D modeling is employed in many fields, from game development to medical graphics to special effects in filmmaking to engineering and architecture. In Twinity, 3D modelling is used to design small objects such as furniture, clothing and hairstyles as well as the entire visible environment of the Twinity virtual world, including avatars. The process of modeling an object in 3D space requires the modeler to use a mathematical, wireframe mesh, which is used to connect points in space via polygons, to design and model the object as closely as possible to its real-world counterpart. The Twinity virtual world is constructed using 3D modeling software programs such as 3ds Max (formerly 3D Studio MAX).

Online World

An online world is any community-based organization of people or computer users connected through the Internet. Online worlds can be created through massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs), massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGS), virtual worlds, blogs and the blogosphere, forums and text-based chat rooms. users of online worlds are often referred to as ‘members’. The members of an online world make up a social community and a network of individuals with similar interests. Online worlds make it possible for people to connect to each other and form a community independent of location and physical world restrictions. Members of any online world may retain their anonymity, or they may create a relationship through their experiences in the online world that initiates a real-world connection or interaction.

Twinity

Twinity is a 3D online world that mashes up the real with the virtual world. In Twinity you can create your virtual self (avatar), design and decorate your own apartment anywhere in the world, meet real people, make new friends and go out and have fun! In the 3D virtual world of Twinity, members are encouraged to purchase or rent virtual real estate, go shopping in virtual shops, visit nightclubs, cafes and bars in real virtual cities and interact with other members from all over the globe. Twinity members can create and upload their own original content to the virtual world. The Twinity virtual world works in collaboration with real world partners to expand the real world community to the online community. The Twinity virtual world is designed to enrich and expand the lives of its members by integrating real life into the virtual world. Twinity is operated and developed by Metaversum.

User / Member

A user, in this case, is identified as the participant of an online community, computer game, virtual world or the Internet itself. In Twinity, users are referred to as members. Every user or member of Twinity creates his or her own unique avatar, which he or she uses to move around the virtual world. The avatar of each member is a representation of him or herself in the physical world. Twinity members or users communicate with each other via messaging, forums, the pinboard and twings on Twinity.com. Every user or member has the opportunity to interact in the Twinity virtual world via private or public 3D chat and by moving his or her avatar through the 3D virtual world of Twinity. Members can choose from a variety of animations and movements to communicate with other avatars. users of the Twinity virtual world attend special events in-world to meet other avatars or members of the Twinity online community.

Virtual Life

Any computer user who is engaged in a virtual world has a virtual life. Virtual life is a catchall term used to describe the involvement and presence of an individual in any chosen virtual world or simulated digital environment. users inhabiting virtual worlds have the opportunity to directly reflect their real lives on Earth within a real world based digital environment; ergo, the virtual life of a member of the Twinity virtual world. The virtual life of a user in a virtual world may recreate the identity of the individual, offering him or her infinite possibilities of self-expression. In Twinity, each member is encouraged to create his or her virtual life as an accurate representation of the member’s real life in the physical world. The virtual life of any virtual world user encompasses his or her experience within the 3D virtual environment, including the online community and the interaction between members and their avatars.

Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality is a computer-generated artificial or synthetic environment, which stimulates a user´s visual and aural perception. users of virtual reality participate in and interact with the simulated environment, affecting change over the perceived visual stimuli through physical movement and reaction. In a traditional sense, virtual reality (VR) environments are displayed visually on a computer screen or inside goggles that the user wears, sometimes including auditory information through headphones or speakers. Virtual reality is used in gaming applications, professional training (combat or pilot simulations) and medical or psychological research. In Twinity, we can see the influence of the history of virtual reality as applied to the virtual world environment, whereby the user moves through the virtual world and creates his or her personal experience. In the gaming world, the concept of virtual reality is used for entertainment purposes as opposed to research or training.

Virtual World

A virtual world enables users or players to interact in a computer-based simulated environment populated by avatars. These digital environments are navigated and inhabited by users or members in either a textual, two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) setting. virtual worlds can represent fantasy environments or realistic environments. The inhabitants of the virtual world create an interactive online community. virtual worlds are most often populated by a large number of users on an international scale who communicate with the other members of the online community within the 3D virtual world environment. In the Twinity virtual world, users or members are encouraged to accurately represent themselves with realistic looking avatars, design and decorate their own 3D apartments, experience real virtual cities, meet friends and go out and have fun!

Virtual City / Virtual Cities

In the 3D virtual environment of a virtual world, inhabitants or avatars move around the metaverse or graphical multi-user environment in pre-defined digital space. In Twinity, avatars move about this digital space in 3D apartments or virtual cities. Twinity is the only virtual world where members can move their avatars through one-to-one virtual cities. Virtual Berlin or Berlin in 3D is the first virtual city to be developed in Twinity. Twinity’s virtual cities are rendered true-to-scale with an intricate level of detail, thus enabling its members to directly interact with the virtual city, just as they would in real life. Twinity members can walk the streets of a virtual city, visit virtual galleries, make new friends in virtual cafés and bars, go on a virtual shopping trip or take a look at some of the most famous locations and landmarks in the virtual city.

Virtual Art / Virtual Galleries

The Twinity virtual world includes social components of real life (communication, interaction and expression), physical real world locations (virtual cities, virtual landmarks) and cultural elements (virtual art, virtual galleries) to create a parallel representation of the real world in the 3D virtual world experience. Twinity enhances members’ real world experience of the arts by representing art galleries such as LUMAS as a virtual gallery in Twinity. Twinity members can visit the LUMAS virtual art gallery in the virtual city of Berlin in 3D from any location in the world. Twinity members are encouraged to expand their real world appreciation of the arts in the Twinity virtual world by visiting Twinity’s virtual galleries or by creating their own virtual art and displaying it in self-created virtual galleries in Twinity.

VoIP / Voice-over-IP

Voice-over-Internet-protocol (or VoIP) is a way of communicating with other people through the Internet using voice transmission over a protocol. VoIP is commonly used to describe the concept of the transmission of voice over the Internet, as opposed to the protocol that carries the transmission. In Twinity, users or members can speak to other avatars using VoIP technology, if the user´s computer is enabled with VoIP capability (Internet broadband connection, microphone and headset). Just like using the telephone, Twinity members can use VoIP to speak in real-time to other members of the 3D virtual world, independent of location and the physical restrictions of space. VoIP technology is not only used to transmit voice, but can also carry compressed digital audio or video signals (such as mp3s or video conferencing) from user to user.

Web 2.0

Web 2.0 does not refer to any specific change in the technology of the Internet, but rather the behavior of how people use the Internet. Tim OReilly, founder of O’Reilly Media, is generally credited with coining the term Web 2.0 at the first O’Reilly Media Web 2.0 conference in 2004, “Web 2.0" is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the Internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform.” Prior to naming the Web 2.0 trend, the contents of the World Wide Web were published by only a handful of people. The naming of Web 2.0 as a trend heralds the contribution of ‘user generated content’. Web 2.0 is a catchall term that encompasses the idea of user-generated content in the fields of web design, blogs, social-networking sites, online communities and any application of the Web that includes collaborative information sharing between users.