1. Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds Anton Bogdanovych University of Technology Sydney

2. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 2 Outline MotivationMotivation ObjectivesObjectives Conceptual DesignConceptual Design How It WorksHow It Works Visual Impressions of an e-Tourism showcaseVisual Impressions of an e-Tourism showcase ConclusionConclusion

3. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 3 Motivation - Tourism Tourism productsTourism products –“confidence goods” –no direct experience prior to purchase –consumers need to rely on virtual experience –appealing product presentation (visualization of travel destinations) is a must Travel agentsTravel agents –People still appreciate social interaction –Trust / Security –Personal experience of others Motivation

4. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 4 Motivation – 3D Worlds More objective description of the destinationMore objective description of the destination User involvement is much higher.User involvement is much higher. The communication between participants is chat- /multimedia-basedThe communication between participants is chat- /multimedia-based Context of a conversation is visualized.Context of a conversation is visualized. Best possible way to observe the behaviour of a customer and create a user profileBest possible way to observe the behaviour of a customer and create a user profile Support of social interactionsSupport of social interactions Group bookingGroup booking Motivation

5. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 5 Motivation – 3D Worlds Has more residents than Miami Has bigger GNP per capita than Bulgaria Norrath, The online world created by Sony Virtual worlds are one of a few online businesses that make money on the Web Edward Castronova, USA, 2003 Motivation

6. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 6 Objectives With “itchy feet” we provide a 3D e-Tourism environmentWith “itchy feet” we provide a 3D e-Tourism environment –for providers and consumers that enables versatile interaction between participants including the trade in tourism products. –that becomes a community facilitator to create and establish a lively and sustainable community involving both, providers and consumers. –that is information-rich and multimedia-based to offer transparent and unified access to disparate information sources.

7. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 7 Conceptual Design 3-layered architecture3-layered architecture –Multi-agent system: Electronic Institutions –Middleware –User Interface: Torque Game Engine by GarageGames

8. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 8 How It Works - Communication

9. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 9 Itchy Feet Travel Agency Visual Impressions

10. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 10 Travel Agent Service Visual Impressions

11. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 11 Traveler‘s Lounge Visual Impressions

12. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 12 Travel Advisory Service Destination Visualization Visual Impressions

13. Helmut Berger, Michael Dittenbach, Dieter Merkl Anton Bogdanovych, Simeon Simoff: Playing the e-Business Game in 3D Virtual Worlds 13 Conclusion “itchy feet”“itchy feet” –provides 3D visualization –allows interaction with tourism products –supports tourism business activities –provides the grounds for a lively tourism community –fosters social interaction and the exchange of personal experiences