From: TWHITHAM Subject: ANNOUNCE: Virtual WWW Date: Thu, 28 Nov 96 12:10:00 PST Message-ID: <329E23A4@santa.superscape.com> NEWS RELEASE: Wednesday 20 November 1996 THE VIRTUAL WORLD WIDE WEB GOES LIVE TODAY CONNECTING THE INTERNET AND VIRTUAL REALITY - virtual reality pioneer, Superscape, leads creation of the first interconnected Web of Virtual Worlds - http://vwww.com Pictures available by downloading from http://vwww.com/pics/ Taking the Internet one giant leap forward, Superscape VR plc, the world's leading provider of software tools for building 3D virtual worlds, today spearheads the launch of the Virtual World Wide Web (VWWW), a global network of linked virtual worlds on the Internet. Just as the World Wide Web transformed the Internet from a text environment into a colourful 2D graphical domain that has become an international success, the Virtual World Wide Web for the first time delivers useful and fast real-time 3 dimensional applications, taking the World Wide Web into the next dimension. Linking more than 40 virtual worlds, as it goes live today, the VWWW is an organic, growing, democratic community that demonstrates the capability of virtual reality to magnify and enhance the Internet, from vital corporate applications to pure fun and games. Superscape forecasts that the VWWW will grow to 200 worlds within 6 months and 2,000 worlds inside a year. Starting right now, the Virtual World Wide Web can be entered at http//vwww.com. Note the URL - no "www" prefix is necessary. The Virtual World Wide Web is "owned" collectively by those who participate by linking a 3D page to the VWWW. ....1/more Ian Andrew, President and founder: "Superscape's role has been that of a catalyst to bring together participants eager to demonstrate the maturity of virtual reality on the Internet. We've put the core structure in place and will provide maintenance and the technology that allows visitors to navigate through the virtual worlds that comprise the VWWW. We believe this early nurturing will be sufficient to allow the VWWW to take on a life of its own." At the heart of the VWWW is SuperCity, a metropolis of linked 3D virtual reality worlds wherein the city metaphor is used to help visitors navigate to various 'neighbourhoods' that feature applications, from corporate training to 3D 'test-drive' shopping and immersive entertainment. From the City Centre, SuperCity visitors may find their way to the Amusement Arcade, the Arts Centre Gallery, the Exhibition Hall, the Shopping Mall, the Cool Street (a showcase for the hottest 3D design studios in the world), a Training and Simulation Building and a University (where 'students' can take a Virtual Safari). Leaving SuperCity, the visitor takes the SuperMetro to the other linked 3D virtual reality cities. Over 40 3D pages are available today, including those from Intel and Nortel. To aid the VWWW's expansion, Superscape will assist parties who have developed Superscape 3D pages to link up to the VWWW at no expense and will maintain VWWW links and search capabilities. The VWWW works with the WWW to complement the text and 2D image content with real time 3 dimensional graphics. Virtual Trade Shows, Stonehenge, Training Programs and a Virtual Safari Visitors to the Exhibition Hall can click on a link to transport directly to the world's first virtual reality information technology (IT) trade show, Virtex 96. Once inside, ...2/more visitors explore new technologies and products from Novell, IBM, Cisco, Xerox, Lexmark and other leading IT companies in real time 3D. In addition to viewing and trying products, attendees can listen to live-audio conferences presented by industry leaders and communicate via email with vendors. At the University, VWWW travellers can link directly to Intel Corporation's visually arresting Stonehenge 3D page, an exact replica of the ancient mystical British site that aligns with sunrise and sunset at the Summer Solstice. Users can explore the photorealistic aspects of Stonehenge in six different time periods. Included on the site is a feature that allows viewers to maximise viewing speed and resolution by selecting different Intel processor speeds. Virtual Safari is the world's first multimedia CD ROM to use virtual reality. By linking to the 3D page of Anglia Multimedia (producers of Virtual Safari) through the University at VWWW City Center, users can take a demonstration trip to Three Trees Lodge in the heart of Kenya's Safari country. Visitors attempt to capture the beauty of Africa by photographing elephants stampeding through the savannah, donning snorkels and much more to experience the Africa that few get to see in person. A host of additional games, including 'Virtual Pool' and a virtual rollercoaster ride are also available in the VWWW Cool Street. Nortel, the world's largest telecommunications provider, has installed a virtual training facility in the Training and Simulation Building. There visitors may learn the handset features of the popular Meridian One phone system on a 3D course designed by the Nortel Virtual Reality Business Unit. Fastest 3D Visualisation on the Internet To ensure the fastest, most realistic virtual reality on the Internet, the VWWW was developed for exceptionally quick download times and performance on standard personal computers. Virtual world file sizes average only 90-100 KB with the vast majority under 200 KB. ...3/more The VWWW is accessible free of charge on the Internet using a standard Microsoft or Netscape browser equipped with a free evaluation Viscape 3D viewer plug-in. Viscape may be downloaded at www.superscape.com. Superscape introduced the world's first PC-based virtual reality software product, Virtual Reality Studio, in 1989. Its current portfolio includes virtual reality authoring software (VRT) including a Software Developers Kit that offers an advanced application programming interface (API); Internet and stand-alone 3D virtual reality viewers and virtual reality networking that guides multiple simultaneous users through the same virtual world. Superscape was founded in 1983 by Ian Andrew. A public company traded on the London Stock Exchange, Superscape maintains US headquarters in Palo Alto. For more information about Superscape, visit the Superscape World Wide Web home page (www.superscape.com) and for more information about the VWWW, visit vwww.com. John Chiplin (Chief Executive Officer)/Maggie Templeman (PR Manager) Superscape VR plc Cromwell House, Bartley Wood Business Park Hook, Hampshire RG27 9XA Telephone: +44 (0)1256 7457475 Fax: +44(0)1256 745777 [MODERATOR'S NOTE: Commercial postings are offered on this newsgroup as a public service. 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