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Virtual Land Preservation
Last month, Microsoft launched Virtual Earth 3D. The product is essentially Google Earth, but in a browser and with cleaner building imagery. Though, I'm not here to talk about who has the better interface or prettier pictures. I'll leave that up to the qualified people like our friends at Download Squad.I'm more concerned with how advertising can affect these virtual environments. Yes, Microsoft already has plans in the works to inject virtual billboards into their 3D Earth construct. Obviously, since it's their product, they can do as they see fit with their version of the globe. However, imagine these ads as ubiquitous as South of the Border and Wall Drug signs. For instance, outfitters could pepper the summit of Mount Rainier with icons of boots and granola bars. Also, advertising could turn the Great Wall of China into the next Las Vegas Strip with flashing faux-neon cowboys flanking the World Wonder.
Sure, the addition of advertisements is a hardly as questionable as -- say -- putting our National Parks into the hands of catering companies, but it does cheapen the experience of seeing places you'd love to visit. I'll pose the question to you, dear reader: Is there such a thing as the responsible treatment of land when transitioning from the real world to the virtual world?
Filed under: Business
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rob Jan 5th 2007 8:21PM
great question!
i've also been giving this some thought, and the really interesting difference between the real world and the virtual world is that you can have unlimited virtual versions (though there is some corners of the scientific community that support unlimited real versions, but only in theory today).
simply put, like all other MS web properties these days, you may have one that you access for free (http://www.virtualearth.com) and subsidized with ads all over the place (trust that MS is going to put even more compelling ads into the virtual earth - how about blimps in the sky, videos, branded real estate, etc). on the other hand, if you choose to pay for the application, all ads may be removed.
i'm waiting for MS to unleash the full set of APIs to virtual earth to see how the creative 9 million-strong developer network chooses to implement their own applications on top of it. today it strikes me as too clean, quiet, devoid of weather, lacking a commerce engine...no philosophy or religion...on the other hand, perhaps there are some things we shouldn't bring to the virtual realm!
moving along this trend, why not create "imaginary" parallel virtual earths for business, government or entertainment use...people will be able to own their own virtual earth and pepper it with google ads, just like your banner!
the opportunities are really only limited by imagination...but your question is entirely relevant. we have an opportunity to create a digital version of the earth to allow a whole new class of applications and social interaction. have we learned from our historical mistakes in the real world and how will that knowledge transfer into the coming virtual world?
David Dec 18th 2006 8:17PM
Thanks, Rob. You make some really good points. In fact, your comment makes me wonder what would happen if Virtual Earth 3D and Second Life merged. Hmmm.
Tawnya Dec 19th 2006 6:13AM
I suppose like anything, you'll end up having to pay for the nice pretty clean version.
I'd like to be able to see the sites without advertising before I visit them.