In the very earliest stages of virtual world adoption (which some may argue we're still in), pioneers envisioned an online 3D mall, where users could shop online in a virtual mall the same way they would in a real one. The logic behind 3D malls was sound -- users love shopping online because it's fast and easy, right? And users love new technology and immersive experiences, right? And yet, as ClickZ's Sean Carton points out in a recent, entertaining piece, 3D malls ended up becoming the poster child for why not everything needs to be a 3D-space, as "people finally realized online shopping would be about building mega-brands with features that facilitate online shopping (see Amazon), not repurposing real-world metaphors in cyberspace."

Nonetheless, Carton has noticed new 3D malls popping up around the online world. Blame an increased focus on retail and consumer spending during the holiday season, perhaps, or a climate of retailer anxiety in the U.S. at present amid a slumping dollar and the look of decreasing consumer confidence. The mall tends to be the first line of battle for this sort of situation, so perhaps the resurgence is coming from there. This issue is particularly worth considering on this "Cyber Monday," a day apparently created from retailer buzz in order to encourage folks to do their holiday shopping online following the Thanksgiving shopping weekend.

The virtual malls Carton noticed are called Kinset and The Mall Plus, both of which demonstrate faintly awkward 3D graphics and promise "immersive online shopping" and a "3D shopping experience." But we're inclined to agree with Carton when he says:

"While shiny graphics and breathless press releases are powerful influencers (not to mention well-funded tradeshow booths and savvy sales folks), one thing that's been proven time and again on the Internet is the stuff that works best online is the stuff that can only happen online. EBay couldn't happen in the real world. Neither could Amazon, Google, Webkinz, or other top online brands. What works best on the Web is what works best on the Web."

[Via ClickZ]