Lively by Google
I just checked out the new virtual world game by Google, called Lively. Similar in concept to Second Life, only MUCH simpler and smaller, it has potential to get popular, but I’m surprised that it wasn’t more promoted. Oh yeah, that’s because it is still very much a Beta. Google has an advantage which Second Life doesn’t, namely it has the resources and server infrastructure to actually make the game playable by anyone everywhere - and it’s all free for now.
You log in with your Google account username and download the applet-like software, and you then have the choice of many types of “rooms” to explore. I visited the Mountain View room, and had a brief walkabout, but to be honest, the whole experience was quite boring (and filled with equally bored people). The text uttered by people ended up on speech bubbles which were not readily viewable. I couldn’t figure out if the computer terminals worked or not. Moving about was also slow and difficult. The keyboard navigation worked the opposite way.
I ended up not saying anything, and just checked out this big YouTube screen on the wall. It was interesting, cos it showed that Google can actually build in YouTube videos into the game, and you can view them just like you would on YouTube itself. This video was showing Google Earth scenes, which may indicate a future merger with elements of Google Earth within the game.
Disturbing elements were the “Adult Rooms” even though reading the TOS gave me the impression there was a No Adult policy in place. I didn’t take the time to check them out as loading a room up fully, took a little too long.
Overall, the game is not quite as lively as I had hoped, the avatars had a lot of limitations, the movements were difficult, and the detail wasn’t there, but its potential is much bigger, and I suppose this is its appeal. You can sign up for an invite at the future Lively download site, although there isn’t anything there yet. Of all Google’s mooted projects, this is the only one that I think could work (if they really want it to).
The potential for another scope in advertising is there in the game. One of Second Life’s greatest draws is its virtual currency and economy. So, fancy buying stuff in Lively with Google Checkout? The possibilities are endless, the management required would be a huge burden especially if money is involved, but hey, let’s see how this Beta works out.
