This “pilot” event was part of the Emerging Technology SIG.

The future of virtual worlds

Presentation Overview
Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) are the fastest-growing segment of the video game industry. Industry-leader World of Warcraft brings in around $1 billion a year in recurring revenue–for just that one game. Even non-game virtual worlds like Second Life and There.com are receiving huge mainstream attention. Unfortunately, with development costs of $10 million to $80 million, only a handful of companies can afford to build these worlds. Independent developers–whose innovative ideas lie untapped–can’t even afford to experiment in this space.

To solve this, Multiverse is creating the world’s first network of MMOGs and other 3D virtual worlds. Multiverse’s technology platform is available at no upfront cost, and changes the economics of virtual world development. For the first time, independent developers, even from outside the game industry, can create high-quality virtual worlds. In this talk, you’ll learn how to use Multiverse’s complete development and distribution platform to quickly build a virtual world for free. You’ll also get a sneak peak at some of the virtual worlds that are being built right now, and see how they’ll change gaming, education, and other industries.

Presenter

Corey Bridges
Corey Bridges is a co-founder of The Multiverse Network, Inc. As Executive Producer and Marketing Director, he works to build the world’s leading network of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) and 3D virtual worlds. He and the Multiverse team have pioneered a new technology platform designed to change the economics of virtual world development by providing independent and fully funded game developers with the resources they need to enter and compete in the $3 billion online game market. He oversees business development and developer relations with over 4500 game development teams, ranging from garage developers to Fortune 100 companies to Hollywood legends. Under his guidance, Multiverse has won multiple awards, including the “Red Herring 100? award for playing a leading role in innovating the technology business.

Corey brings marketing experience from some of the most influential companies in the high-tech and entertainment industries, including Netflix, Netscape, Zone Labs, Borland and The Discovery Channel. Corey created the original launch plan for the popular security program ZoneAlarm, whose Internet-only distribution strategy captured 35 million users worldwide. In 2003, he was invited to contribute to a U.S. Homeland Security task force on Cyber Security. As a member of the original launch team for Netflix, Corey pioneered a new methodology of Internet-based marketing that identified, secured and grew the initial market of customers critical to the survival and success of the now-public company. A pre-IPO employee at Netscape, Corey worked as product manager for the company’s flagship Internet browser. Corey also has written and directed a number of short films, and produced commercials and TV specials. An award-winning writer, he has also collaborated with well-known technology expert John Dvorak on multiple books. He has spoken internationally about the future of virtual worlds. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley.

Event Logistics

Location
Cubberley Community Center
4000 Middlefield Road, Room H-1
Palo Alto, CA
Directions

Agenda
7:00 – 7:20 p.m. Registration / Networking / Refreshments / Pizza
7:20 – 9:00 p.m. Presentation

Price
$15 at the door for non-SDForum members
No charge for SDForum members
No registration required