[Each day, Worlds in Motion will be taking a closer look at individual virtual worlds. We'll start with a nuts-and-bolts overview, then move on to an in-depth tour, to be followed up with a conclusion-- all with the aim of bringing you all the essential info and details on each world in the rapidly-developing virtual landscape. You can view Part 1 of our investigation here, and Part 2 here.]
There has been around since 2003, and as a result the social MMO has seen many trends in the industry come and go without disappearing itself. But does it deserve to have a long life ahead of it? We conclude our findings after the jump.
I've spent a fair amount of time in There, and to be honest, if I was to try and explain There's importance or otherwise its meaning to the industry, I'd have to say that, well, There is… just "there." It's not particularly exciting, it's no longer innovative (if it ever was) and it feels like there's little to say about the world at all.
But let's start with the most interesting things we could think of. There is (sort-of) interesting because of the way it handles user-generated content. Unlike the bonkers free-for-all that you get with Second Life, objects are submitted to the developers to be vetted before they can be sold in world. This is a pretty unique way of doing things, and would work well (I think) in worlds which have a lot more structure. With There, I'm really not sure how much user generated content adds to the world with the current system.
Because as I've said, There just isn't that interesting to inhabit. A lot of users might note that by my decision not to spend any money in the world my time there was perhaps unprofessionally limited, but I really don't think so. Since writing this atlas I've experienced so many free-to-play worlds that offer an incredible amount of content for users who don't want to spend a penny, and as a result There is empty by comparison.
The low number of users doesn't help either. There is a fairly tight group of users that enjoy and inhabit the world, but it has the feeling of a forgotten community, not one that's growing. Perhaps because of There's dated (though perfectly pleasant) looks.
Many areas are deathly empty, or feature avatars running around on their own, and though you find groups of people to chat and socialize with (a perfectly fine way to pass the time) especially by looking at the currently happening events, a lot of time can be spent trying to make your own fun, by messing around with vehicles or so on. I don't know why the rules for vehicles are so limited as a result -- being stuck in a lot of small fun parks in many of the areas isn't particularly enjoyable (though other areas are more free.)
Technically There is acceptable -- it ran very well windowed for me, although I do have to note that for no particular reason certain objects will take a long (long!) time to load their textures while other objects take no time at all, and the interface, though by now dated, is acceptable, with the in-game browser in particular working well.
But as I've said, I struggle to see why anyone still bothers. With dated technology, a small community and limited opportunities for self expression (either through creating objects and clothes or otherwise) There just isn't an exciting world to inhabit. Second Life, for example, might be a ludicrous mish-mash of nonsense but at least it tries to have something for everyone. In There I'm not sure there's anything for anyone!
