Virtual Worlds Forum

Sports is one niche that remains relatively unplumbed when it comes to virtual worlds, but startup Empire of Sports is focusing on exactly that, describing itself as "the first true multi-sport MMORPG". It's due to launch by the end of the year, and involves creating a character and developing their skills in a range of sports, including fully multiplayer matches. Tennis, boxing, basketball, and skiing are all included, while players will be able to wander around virtual cities interacting with each other and setting up teams. The business model seems a bit hazy, but appears to involve a mixture of subscriptions, item sales, and in-world advertising (the latter should have potential, given its increasing popularity in the console market). "We hope that in the end advertising and sponsorship will take away the need for a subscription fee," MD Christian Muller tells the Guardian. It sounds and looks impressive, and I wonder if there's scope to at some point make the world accessible to console gamers as well as PC users. From a business standpoint, it would seem logical, but I'm sure there are numerous technical hurdles that would need to be surmounted. Empire of Sports website (via Guardian Unlimited)