Bending Reality Magazine May 2015 | Page 11

Great Expectations - Choosing a Virtual Reality

One of the primary things we hear when working on NuVera is, “You should be doing this just like {insert virtual world/chat program here}”. My question is this, “Why?”. Sure, there are some standards that are met with all of the virtual worlds/chats but honestly, there should also be differences. How boring would it be if they were all exactly the same? Besides, if you are exploring new worlds there has to be a reason and usually it is to find something new. That does not mean you may not want to ask for some of the features of the other program but the expectations when going to a new program is that it is new, it is different.

The point of having accounts on multiple programs is to appreciate them for their differences. You may like one thing on this program that you would like to see on that one but is it really a deal breaker? Most likely they have some other things you like over the first one so it shouldn’t be an absolute no until you have at least experienced as much of it as you can.

Let’s try a little experiment, shall we? Think long and hard about what you want in a virtual experience and determine which things you can compromise and which are deal breakers. Make a pros and cons list with things you find the most important.

•Compare the worlds for their pros and cons by visiting them to see which one supports the most pros on your list. Make sure you talk to other users. There may be a pro you didn’t think of or it is there but not where you would expect it.

•Don’t base it solely on your friends list. Online friends come and go but the world you choose should support the largest number of pros to satisfy your desires, needs and entertainment value. The friends can be brought over and even new ones added.

•Now choose that one and invite all of your friends from the other worlds. Even if not all of them choose to stay if you show them just how happy you are in your chosen virtual world there is a very good chance that they will see what you do and stick around. Ideally people you are friends with share similar desires, needs and wants and it should work out for a large percentage of them.

There is another issue that is rampant on all of the virtual realities as well. Dissing other programs while in that program. Really this is quite disconcerting. You may not like the program but that does not mean you should be going there and being rude to the users that do like it. What is worse is often we see statements that are completely untrue being toted as absolutes.

Do not assume you know all about a program before asking and investigating. Loading in, not seeing something obvious right in front of you and assuming that means it is not available is certainly no way to determine what a program does or does not offer. Often times I try to correct people in private but other users may not feel the need to do so and that will be the cause of much embarrassment.

•Give a program at least a week before judging.

•Talk to other users.

•Visit the various locations made available, both program related

and user created (when available).

•Find out what activities may be coming up and try to attend.

•Are there more planned updates to add new things?

•Check out the forums, read through the FAQ or Knowledge Base for as much information as you can.

Keep in mind this is an investment in your entertainment. Even if you never put in one penny to the program, you will be using your time there so it should be doing what you like. You don’t want to miss something significant about the program that may be a ‘game changer’ for you simply because you didn’t see one thing that you expected.

If in the end it turns out the new place is not what you were looking for, or does not meet the pros you set out, that is no skin off your back. Just don’t return. There is no reason to make up stories or anything. It simply didn’t meet your needs and that is that. It happens all the time, even in the real world. Just don’t let that stop you from checking out new virtual realities. Someday there may be one that fits just right.

Ms Wyllo Rogers

aka Vampire Boise

C.O.O. NuVera Online/Nitrous Butterfly LLC

http://www.nuveraonline.com