It is no secret that IBM has future big plans for their 3D Virtual World technology. While this might not be the BIG announcement, today IBM launched a free multiplayer online game, PowerUp.
PowerUp's goal is to challenge teenagers to help save the planet "Helios" from ecological disaster. The game is part of IBM's TryScience initiative and will be launched at Engineer's Week 2008 opening on February 16 in Washington, D.C. The game, which can be played alone or together, features a planet in near ecological ruin where three exciting missions for solar, wind and water power must be solved before sandstorms, floods or SmogGobs thwart the rescue.
Along with the game, there will be classroom lesson plans associated with the energy transformation topics and an interactive module where kids can learn about 3D technologies to build virtual worlds. To ensure a safe environment, "avatars" will use phrase-based chats to interact in missions.
Source: CNNmoney.com
IBM hopes the use of this 3D virtual world technology will help to encourage kids to learn about engineering principles and energy conservation.
"Innovation is the key to competitiveness in today's globally integrated economy, but just when we need it to skyrocket, interest in math and science has been declining in the United States," said Stanley S. Litow, VP of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs and President of IBM International Foundation. "American competitiveness demands more interest in math and science by students. Virtual worlds and 3D are an unexplored resource in education. We asked our best researchers to incorporate the use of this technology into traditional educational curriculum."
3Dwalkthroughs.com believes IBM is the company to watch closely as the barometer for future capabilities of 3D world technology. With the amount of money and manpower IBM can put towards research and development they are sure to be one of the leading pioneers in this upcoming industry.
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