Second Places

A Virtual world is a computer simulated 3D environment that allows people with internet access and software to populate and interact with each other through a digital three-dimensional graphical representation called avatars. Most virtual worlds allow for multiple users at concurrent time.

The computer simulated world presents stimuli to the user, who in turn can manipulate objects within the environment to a certain degree. Worlds can be realistic or complete fantasy, with rules based upon the real world or completely constructed. Example of rules can be gravity, force and communication. Communications between the environment or users can range from text, graphics, gestures, sound and voice, and can include touch and balance.

Virtual worlds are not games, however many games are based within a virtual world environment, some have over 20 Million unique registrations and over 1 million people concurrently online.

Most virtual worlds are based upon three dimensional islands/servers which can be combined to form a "grid". Like the 2D internet the grids can be private and secure or open to the public.