Virtual Worlds: v. 1 Workshop

Virtual worlds enable the study of a wide variety of what if questions relevant to our understanding of the world around us, by using synthesis, modelling, multimedia and virtual reality. We can imagine these virtual worlds reflecting some parts of our reality, but also synthesising new universes with associated physical laws and artificial life forms. This interdisciplinary volume aims to provoke a new understanding of the important role that such virtual worlds will play in domains such as sciences, business, computer games, education, training and simulation. In it, contributors investigate the relationships between the natural and the artificial from both theoretical and philosophical points of view. It introduces Virtual Worlds as a field, reviews its historical roots, its goals and methodological approaches. It also addresses technical developments and practical applications. }This interdisciplinary volume aims to provoke a new understanding of the important role that computer-generated virtual worlds will play in domains such as science, business, computer games, education, training, and simulation. It introduces virtual worlds as a field, and reviews its historical roots, its goals, and its methodological approaches. Virtual worlds enable the study of a wide variety of what if questions relevant to our understanding of the world around us, by using image synthesis, modeling, multimedia, and virtual reality. We can imagine these virtual worlds reflecting some parts of our reality, but also synthesizing new universes with associated physical laws and artificial life forms. The contributors to this volume investigate the relationships between the natural and the artificial from both theoretical and philosophical points of views. They also address technical developments and practical applications. }