Vol II Issue 1: Multiverse 2006 Year in Review

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2006 was an amazing year for the Multiverse Network, a year that saw a dream become the foundation for a new generation of virtual worlds, and a new generation of virtual world creators. The worlds you are now creating will be filled with much that has never been seen before: new ways of moving, new UI, new graphics, new game play, and even new ways of conceptualizing the uses of virtual worlds—you are literally creating worlds that have never been dreamed of before. The ability for inspired creators to find the tools they need to craft new worlds will mean a revolution in virtual worlds - this is the revolution you are making.

Soooo to get here, in 2006 we had a number of fun and important milestones:

Closed Beta Program: in early 2006 we released the first Beta version of Multiverse to a small number of hand-picked developers. Their input has driven a lot of improvements, smoothed rough edges, and suggested new features. In addition, many of them have done an outstanding job of providing support to others in the forums. Their worlds will likely be the first ones you'll see (apart from your own, of course!)

James Cameron and Mike Sellers Join the Advisory Board: Two top advisors bringing us important perspectives on MMOG development, from the early beginnings of the first MMOG to the evolving relationship between virtual worlds and Hollywood, and a wealth of creativity, new stories, and exciting potential partnerships.

GDC: Did you stop by and see us at GDC? We were out to meet and greet, showing off our early tools and server. It was a great event for us, with lots of new contacts and interest in the Multiverse Platform.

Austin Games Conference: Multiverse was the buzz of the Austin Games Conference, from keynote speaker Jon Landau (Hollywood Producer of such films as T2, and on the Multiverse Advisory Board) to the presentations given by Alchemy Online, Mars Authority, Wardog, and Max Gaming - we made a lot of the industry sit up and take notice: there's a new way to make MMOGs now.

Open Beta: The one you've all been waiting for: our initial beta release. Finally a chance to dig in with the server tools and begin creating a new world. Along the way, we're finding (and fixing) bugs, improving our usability, and adding to the documentation—both from our engineering team but also with the additions you are making to the forums and the documentation wiki. At this point there have been over 7900 signups to the Developer Program....how many new and innovative virtual worlds are being built?

Firefly: We found a natural match for Multiverse, and the independent spirit and creativity we want to enable. The browncoats are our kind of folks, and we look forward to working together to build a new incarnation of Firefly, and in doing so, help ensure the success of Multiverse and all the developers working with us. That's my take on the year, or at least on the big events. There have been a thousand little interactions I've had or seen that really keep me excited about what you, the Multiverse developers, are doing. There's a galaxy of new worlds out there, so to speak, new virtual worlds that have not been seen before? but that you are building, and that will soon be open for visitors. Can't wait!
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Multiverse Developer Relations
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