Simple question but as we could be on the brink of creating a new space for humans to exist within, should that cyberspace be free and open like the web or paid for like a game or service?PS This topic is bound to be covered elsewhere so if you know of any videos, podcasts or links that discuss this issue please share?

BothChoice is always good,It will cost money to run any sort of system using electricity so you will need one of the followinga) Generous Benifactor (good luck)b) Paid servicec) Advertising

But look at the web and web based services, most are free to use and open to all, google, youtube, facebook, twitter to name a few of the many web based services/systems that are free to use.On the flip side there has been a massive change to mobile games from P2P to F2P.And all of these technologies piggyback on internet/telecommunication services the machines that make the internet work.As will any 3D view of a cyberspace's be it a download or streamed experience.On the one hand I think we need the backbone of cyberspace to be a 3d version of the web, a set of linked spaces that anyone can traverse and build.Ideally this free and open "Oasis" would provide the VR pioneers to learn/develop and grow their skills.The current trend to the walled gardens of app stores, locks in and may limit that freedom of expression.For instance there have been many cases of games and apps that have been rejected by Apple for being too political or in poor taste, e.g. Smuggle Truck had to be rebranded to Snuggle Truck.Or if you take the concept of cyberspace and just have a single street, will there be only one store the cyberspace equivalent of Amazon and one almighty search demon to summon like google.Actually you might have missed a fourth option, the data a system gathers on it's users, these open and free systems are ideal systems to gather this marketing or big brother data set. And that kind of information can be worth millions to companies and governments.

i think it should be like second life (but better)free but have options where you can buy things and such.... :-)

Cyberspace becomes a massive MMO, but why second life, why not go with a sci-fi or fantasy theme. For that matter the theme could be selected by the viewer, then everyone and everything could just change/morph to fit.I think there are some good elements to second life, the chat, the ability to create things within the world, but what are it's limitations?

Well, the internet is free, but access to it is paid. I believe for vr, access to the "road" should be free (aside from whatever you pay you isp that is), and whether to you enter the "buildings" on said road should be up to the content provides. To give a real life analogy, you can use a road for free and enter a clothes shop for free, but the clothes cost money, and you can use the road for free but have to pay to enter a movie theater, etc. I believe in the end vr will follow the same conventions we are used to in rl (at least at the beginning, who knows what bizarre/unexpected interactions will arise later).

Should cyberspace be free or paid? | Meta Community Forums

14 Replies

Arowx
Explorer
12 years ago
"cybereality" wrote:
What if you got paid to be in cyberspace?

For example, if you were the shopkeeper of a virtual store that sold virtual goods for real money.

Great idea!

But that brings in the problem of where could you take or use that virtual item, does it only work in the zone you're in or will it transform between zones e.g. a virtual pet - turns from a robot dog into a wolf when you transition from a sci-fi to fantasy zone.

Or would you be getting paid in virtual money or real money, and if it's virtual currency would it only work in the zone where you work.
VirtualJesus
Honored Guest
12 years ago
"cybereality" wrote:
What if you got paid to be in cyberspace?

For example, if you were the shopkeeper of a virtual store that sold virtual goods for real money.

Seems like it would be cheaper and easier to just use an AI shopkeeper.
cybereality
Grand Champion
12 years ago
"VirtualJesus" wrote:
Seems like it would be cheaper and easier to just use an AI shopkeeper.

Yes, but what fun is that?
Arowx
Explorer
12 years ago
Probably cheaper stores will use AI shopkeepers but if you're after more complex cyberware items that cost more or high class fashion items then I expect they will use a personal sales assistant.

Forum Discussion

Should cyberspace be free or paid?

14 Replies

Related Content

Lost all my paid games

Pre Paid card

Switch game monetization from paid to free + IAP

How to make Paid app after release one version. (Free app to Paid app)

App lab apps cannot create paid Add-ons