We passed along a report last week that IBM had partnered with Chinese virtual world developer UOneNet, but details were scarce. Robert Lai, Chief Scientist with the China Recreation District wrote in with more information: "It is said that the cooperation between IBM and UOneNet covers the following areas. First, IBM China Research Lab and UOneNet Corporation will research how to merge 'uWorld' into the IBM virtual world communication platform; Second, IBM China Research Lab and UOneNet Corporation, and other world's leading 3D virtual world providers will get together, design, test, modify, and operate a business model that is suitable for platform operators, virtual world operators that are connected to the platform, corporation clients, and individual clients, in order to validate this business model; Third, IBM China will enter uWorld, build a Chinese theme scene in it, for example, 'Virtual IBM China Research Lab.' IBM [will be] the first IT enterprise that enters uWorld. In the mean time, UOneNet is the first Chinese 3D virtual world partner of IBM."
While some feel that IBM has been sending mixed signals about its interest in virtual worlds in the States, the company certainly seems bullish about Asia. Lai adds that the company has "started researching some new problems, including the supporting system, software architect, operation mode, communication technology, etc. And further more, they have launched the '3D Internet and virtual-world efforts.'"
In an interview that Lai was kind enough to translate, Doctor Thomas Li, Director of the IBM China Research Laboratory, certainly seemed to bolster that opinion.
"This cooperation represents IBM’s opinion about the corporation economy development of virtual worlds," said Li. "Virtual worlds needs new standards and business models. Thus, IBM chose to cooperate with UOneNet, to verify these models together."
Li seems to believe that IBM appreciates the opportunity to work on a virtual world in China while hoping that China will become a leader in virtual worlds to bring in more global business and cultural interactions.
UOneNet, at least, believes that current offerings for virtual worlds don't suit the Chinese mindset, but that virtual worlds as a whole still have much to offer.
"In the prospective future, virtual world[s] should be a seamless massive world, the mix of all types of cultures, but, still, it needs a starting point," said UOneNet founder Eric Ye. "What is the base for us, as the developers of China’s 3D virtual world enterprises? This should be emphasized first. We must take root in the Chinese culture."
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