Yesterday, as we reviewed Aleks Krotoski's discussion with the Coventry Serious Games Institute (SGI)'s David Wortley noted that the SGI had been "developing a relationship" with Forterra Systems and its OLIVE (On-Line Interactive Virtual Environment) software platform, in addition to its Second Life work. Now, the official announcement -- the SGI has bought a license to use OLIVE to support the development and application of virtual world applications, game-based learning and interactive digital media resources.

SGI says OLIVE will enable it to generate 3D Internet solutions for "training, planning, rehearsing and collaborating" in the gaming industry. Forterra adds that SGI will also use OLIVE's open platform to create virtual world content with plug-in functionality to meet a range of simulation needs, including simulation environments.

“We selected Forterra’s OLIVE platform given their market leadership in providing private, secure virtual worlds used for solving real problems such as group collaboration,” said David Wortley, Director of the SGI. “OLIVE provides the opportunity to apply game technologies for all kinds of non-gaming enterprises in the corporate, healthcare, government, and entertainment industries. Virtual worlds, with their online, multiplayer environments, offer unique opportunities to take traditional models of learning, simulation and entertainment to a whole new level of innovation.”