There (internet service)
Encyclopedia
There is a 3D
online virtual world
created by Will Harvey
and Jeffrey Ventrella
. There Inc.
was founded in the spring of 1998. Closed beta began in July 2001, with various stages of beta following, and ending with an October 2003 launch date. On March 9, 2010 - one week after the announcement of its closure on March 2, 2010 - There.com shut its doors to the public.
On May 18, 2011, Michael Wilson announced that There.com will be re-opening, on the There.com homepage. All previous members will have access to their old avatars.
went through a restructuring and announced major layoffs. In April 2005, There Inc. announced that the commercial side of the company would be branching out to form two companies: Forterra Systems
(the government-contracted client) and Makena Technologies (the commercial client).
In 2006, Makena Technologies announced a partnership with MTV
Networks to provide the technology platform for their virtual worlds which include Virtual Laguna Beach, The Virtual Hills, Virtual Pimp My Ride, Virtual Real World, Virtual Newport Harbor, Virtual VMAs (Video Music Awards), Virtual Kaya, Virtual Rob and Big and Virtual Life of Ryan. Makena Technologies also has a partnership with Trilogy Studios.
Corporate brands that had a presence in There.com included Coca-Cola, CosmoGIRL!, Humane Society of the U.S., Capital Music Group, Paramount Studios, bebe, NaCo USA, K-SWISS, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nike, Levi's, and Scion.
In 2008, Makena Technologies launched ThereConnect, allowing There.com members to showcase their in-world profiles, skills, groups and upcoming events on their Facebook pages. They also announced ThereIM, a lightweight instant messaging client where users can communicate with other members’ avatars, whether or not they are signed into the virtual world.
On March 9, 2010 at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time, There.com shut down its virtual world for the final time. The CEO of There, inc., has stated very clearly (both privately and publicly) that Makena has no plans of re-opening There.com. There.com offered refunds for all "Therebucks" purchased between February 1, 2010 and March 9, 2010. As of April 1, refunds are no longer available.
On May 18, 2011, Michael Wilson announced that There.com will be re-opening.
s such as Onverse
, Second Life
, Moove
, Active Worlds
, Kaneva
, vSide
and IMVU
.
than is typically found in MMORPGs
. Billed on its homepage
as "...an online getaway where you can hang out with your friends and meet new ones...", There defines itself as a service providing a shared experience that allows people to interact in an online society. The virtual world offers a PG-13 environment with built-in filters to block profanity and abusive users.
Each new member entered the community
by choosing a unique name and a male or female avatar
. The avatar's name and gender were permanently set, but various attributes such as hair color and style, head and body shapes, skin and eye color, clothing, etc. could be changed as desired. Through their avatars, members communicated in real-time using emotions, body language, text chat and voice to express themselves.
In addition to customizing their avatars, members could create their own items, such as clothing, vehicles, buildings and furniture, and sell them to others for use in the world. Each object created underwent a rigorous submission procedure to ensure its accuracy as well as compliance with international copyright laws. Detailed instruction was available at the developer site provided by Makena and in world classes were offered for the novice as well as experienced graphic artist. All classes were without charge and open to all.
Most items such as furniture were designed to be used within houses or zones, although some items such as vehicles and dogs were not, due to their mobile nature. Monetary transactions in There's economy were done using Therebucks (T$), virtual
currency
with real world value. Therebucks could be purchased directly from There, from other members, or from any of the third party online "banks"
which usually offered competitive
exchange rate
s. 1 USD = 1,800 Tbux.
Members of There.com could participate in activities such as racing vehicles, playing cards, flying, designing homes, playing paintball, hoverboarding and training virtual pets. There was also access to special interest groups devoted to topics including recreation, business, the environment, education and the arts.
In September 2007, all members of There Philippines were moved to the original version. They were forced to change usernames (if necessary), and could not bring anything with them but tbux during the change.
Arranging content within houses or zones to create living quarters, meeting places, game rooms, movie sets, race tracks, mazes, yard sales—in short, whatever the member could imagine using available materials. In addition to houses, "fun zones", and "frontier zones" which maintain a fixed presence and location in the world, There also featured "porta-zones", portable zones that could be relocated or removed from the world when not in use. Porta-zones (or "PAZs") do not incur rental fees when not in the world. Houses and zones were rented from There on a monthly basis. Neighborhoods and neighborhood lots were the most recent additions to There's suite of porta-zones. Designing custom content using There-provided tools and templates, Gmax, and a graphics editor such as Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or The Gimp. These led to buying, selling, and trading of member-created items, as well as items created by There. Most items such as furniture were designed to be used within houses or zones, although some items such as vehicles and dogs were not due to their mobile nature. Monetary transactions in There's economy were done using Therebucks, virtual currency with real world value. Therebucks could be purchased directly from There, from other members, or from any one of the 3rd party online "banks" which usually offered competitive exchange rates. Members could also sell their Therebucks to banks in exchange for real world currency, usually USD.
Online There newspapers
There videos
Other
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
online virtual world
Virtual world
A virtual world is an online community that takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. The term has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of...
created by Will Harvey
Will Harvey
Will Harvey is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur who, at the age of 15, achieved fame for writing Music Construction Set, the first commercial sheet music processor for home computers...
and Jeffrey Ventrella
Jeffrey Ventrella
Jeffrey Ventrella is a digital artist, programmer, and researcher. Ventrella was principal inventor and, with Will Harvey, co-founder of the virtual world There.-Career:...
. There Inc.
Forterra Systems
Forterra Systems, Inc. was a 3D graphics software company headquartered in San Mateo, California that produced private and secure MMO virtual worlds for corporate, government, defense, medical and educational clients. Forterra Systems also shared a close history with the MMOG There...
was founded in the spring of 1998. Closed beta began in July 2001, with various stages of beta following, and ending with an October 2003 launch date. On March 9, 2010 - one week after the announcement of its closure on March 2, 2010 - There.com shut its doors to the public.
On May 18, 2011, Michael Wilson announced that There.com will be re-opening, on the There.com homepage. All previous members will have access to their old avatars.
Corporate history
In June 2004, There Inc.Forterra Systems
Forterra Systems, Inc. was a 3D graphics software company headquartered in San Mateo, California that produced private and secure MMO virtual worlds for corporate, government, defense, medical and educational clients. Forterra Systems also shared a close history with the MMOG There...
went through a restructuring and announced major layoffs. In April 2005, There Inc. announced that the commercial side of the company would be branching out to form two companies: Forterra Systems
Forterra Systems
Forterra Systems, Inc. was a 3D graphics software company headquartered in San Mateo, California that produced private and secure MMO virtual worlds for corporate, government, defense, medical and educational clients. Forterra Systems also shared a close history with the MMOG There...
(the government-contracted client) and Makena Technologies (the commercial client).
In 2006, Makena Technologies announced a partnership with MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
Networks to provide the technology platform for their virtual worlds which include Virtual Laguna Beach, The Virtual Hills, Virtual Pimp My Ride, Virtual Real World, Virtual Newport Harbor, Virtual VMAs (Video Music Awards), Virtual Kaya, Virtual Rob and Big and Virtual Life of Ryan. Makena Technologies also has a partnership with Trilogy Studios.
Corporate brands that had a presence in There.com included Coca-Cola, CosmoGIRL!, Humane Society of the U.S., Capital Music Group, Paramount Studios, bebe, NaCo USA, K-SWISS, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nike, Levi's, and Scion.
In 2008, Makena Technologies launched ThereConnect, allowing There.com members to showcase their in-world profiles, skills, groups and upcoming events on their Facebook pages. They also announced ThereIM, a lightweight instant messaging client where users can communicate with other members’ avatars, whether or not they are signed into the virtual world.
On March 9, 2010 at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time, There.com shut down its virtual world for the final time. The CEO of There, inc., has stated very clearly (both privately and publicly) that Makena has no plans of re-opening There.com. There.com offered refunds for all "Therebucks" purchased between February 1, 2010 and March 9, 2010. As of April 1, refunds are no longer available.
On May 18, 2011, Michael Wilson announced that There.com will be re-opening.
Competitors
There was a competitor with many internet virtual worldVirtual world
A virtual world is an online community that takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. The term has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of...
s such as Onverse
Onverse
Onverse is a free online 3D virtual world, social network and gaming platform developed by Onverse, LLC. Onverse, LLC is a privately held company based out of Tempe, Arizona. Its name is a portmanteau of "online" and "universe."-History:...
, Second Life
Second Life
Second Life is an online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. It was launched on June 23, 2003. A number of free client programs, or Viewers, enable Second Life users, called Residents, to interact with each other through avatars...
, Moove
Moove
Moove is a privately held company based in Köln, Germany, with a branch in Los Angeles. The company is owned by Lothar Bongartz and Dr. A. Burak Kozan, a pair of professional software developers...
, Active Worlds
Active Worlds
Active Worlds is a 3D virtual reality platform. The Active Worlds client runs on Windows. Users assign themselves a name, log into the Active Worlds universe, and explore 3D virtual worlds and environments that other users have built. Users can chat with one another or build structures and areas...
, Kaneva
Kaneva
Kaneva, LLC is a privately owned Atlanta-based company founded in 2004 by Christopher Klaus and Greg Frame. Kaneva is a 3D Virtual World that supports 2D web browsing, social networking and shared media....
, vSide
VSide
vSide is an Internet based 3D virtual world launched on May 15, 2006. The game is currently in its public Beta phase. Initially developed by Doppelganger, Inc., a studio founded in 2004, the game was acquired in June 2009 by ExitReality, Inc., which is the current owner and developer...
and IMVU
IMVU
IMVU, Inc. is an online social entertainment destination in which members use 3D avatars to meet new people, chat, create, and play games created by Fydor Guthenschlag. IMVU has over 50 million registered users, 10 million unique visitors per month and three million monthly active users...
.
Details
There was a venue for socializing with less role-playingRole-playing
Role-playing refers to the changing of one's behaviour to assume a role, either unconsciously to fill a social role, or consciously to act out an adopted role...
than is typically found in MMORPGs
Massively multiplayer online game
A massively multiplayer online game is a multiplayer video game which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. By necessity, they are played on the Internet, and usually feature at least one persistent world. They are, however, not necessarily games played on...
. Billed on its homepage
Homepage
A home page or homepage has various related meanings to do with web sites:* It most often refers to the initial or main web page of a web site, sometimes called the front page ....
as "...an online getaway where you can hang out with your friends and meet new ones...", There defines itself as a service providing a shared experience that allows people to interact in an online society. The virtual world offers a PG-13 environment with built-in filters to block profanity and abusive users.
Each new member entered the community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
by choosing a unique name and a male or female avatar
Avatar (virtual reality)
In computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user's alter ego or character. It may take either a three-dimensional form, as in games or virtual worlds, or a two-dimensional form as an icon in Internet forums and other online communities. It can also refer to a text...
. The avatar's name and gender were permanently set, but various attributes such as hair color and style, head and body shapes, skin and eye color, clothing, etc. could be changed as desired. Through their avatars, members communicated in real-time using emotions, body language, text chat and voice to express themselves.
In addition to customizing their avatars, members could create their own items, such as clothing, vehicles, buildings and furniture, and sell them to others for use in the world. Each object created underwent a rigorous submission procedure to ensure its accuracy as well as compliance with international copyright laws. Detailed instruction was available at the developer site provided by Makena and in world classes were offered for the novice as well as experienced graphic artist. All classes were without charge and open to all.
Most items such as furniture were designed to be used within houses or zones, although some items such as vehicles and dogs were not, due to their mobile nature. Monetary transactions in There's economy were done using Therebucks (T$), virtual
Virtual
The term virtual is a concept applied in many fields with somewhat differing connotations, and also, differing denotations.The term has been defined in philosophy as "that which is not real" but may display the salient qualities of the real....
currency
Currency
In economics, currency refers to a generally accepted medium of exchange. These are usually the coins and banknotes of a particular government, which comprise the physical aspects of a nation's money supply...
with real world value. Therebucks could be purchased directly from There, from other members, or from any of the third party online "banks"
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
which usually offered competitive
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
exchange rate
Exchange rate
In finance, an exchange rate between two currencies is the rate at which one currency will be exchanged for another. It is also regarded as the value of one country’s currency in terms of another currency...
s. 1 USD = 1,800 Tbux.
Members of There.com could participate in activities such as racing vehicles, playing cards, flying, designing homes, playing paintball, hoverboarding and training virtual pets. There was also access to special interest groups devoted to topics including recreation, business, the environment, education and the arts.
In September 2007, all members of There Philippines were moved to the original version. They were forced to change usernames (if necessary), and could not bring anything with them but tbux during the change.
Life in There
Each new member entered the community by choosing a unique name and a male or female avatar. The avatar's name and gender were permanently set, but various attributes such as hair color and style, head and body shapes, skin and eye color, clothing, etc. could be changed as desired. Unrestricted by hoverboat(aircraft), and hoverpack.Arranging content within houses or zones to create living quarters, meeting places, game rooms, movie sets, race tracks, mazes, yard sales—in short, whatever the member could imagine using available materials. In addition to houses, "fun zones", and "frontier zones" which maintain a fixed presence and location in the world, There also featured "porta-zones", portable zones that could be relocated or removed from the world when not in use. Porta-zones (or "PAZs") do not incur rental fees when not in the world. Houses and zones were rented from There on a monthly basis. Neighborhoods and neighborhood lots were the most recent additions to There's suite of porta-zones. Designing custom content using There-provided tools and templates, Gmax, and a graphics editor such as Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or The Gimp. These led to buying, selling, and trading of member-created items, as well as items created by There. Most items such as furniture were designed to be used within houses or zones, although some items such as vehicles and dogs were not due to their mobile nature. Monetary transactions in There's economy were done using Therebucks, virtual currency with real world value. Therebucks could be purchased directly from There, from other members, or from any one of the 3rd party online "banks" which usually offered competitive exchange rates. Members could also sell their Therebucks to banks in exchange for real world currency, usually USD.
Size
As at March 2009 There contained 14 major islands, dozens of smaller islands, over 1 million members and many community places including businesses.Island Names
- Caldera
- Nada
- Ootay
- Kiani (Tropical Adventures)
- New Kansas
- Egypt
- Cangrejo
- Motu Motu
- Malihini
- Aurora
- Coke Island
- Comet
- Frosty Island
- Tyr
Popular places in There
- Zephyr
- Duda Beach
- CosmoGIRL! Village
- Fisher Island
- Paiz Island
- Zona Island
- CC Metro
See also
- Active WorldsActive WorldsActive Worlds is a 3D virtual reality platform. The Active Worlds client runs on Windows. Users assign themselves a name, log into the Active Worlds universe, and explore 3D virtual worlds and environments that other users have built. Users can chat with one another or build structures and areas...
- CC Metro
- KanevaKanevaKaneva, LLC is a privately owned Atlanta-based company founded in 2004 by Christopher Klaus and Greg Frame. Kaneva is a 3D Virtual World that supports 2D web browsing, social networking and shared media....
- OnverseOnverseOnverse is a free online 3D virtual world, social network and gaming platform developed by Onverse, LLC. Onverse, LLC is a privately held company based out of Tempe, Arizona. Its name is a portmanteau of "online" and "universe."-History:...
- PlayStation HomePlayStation HomePlayStation Home is a virtual 3D social gaming network developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's London Studio for the PlayStation 3 on the PlayStation Network . It is available directly from the PlayStation 3 XrossMediaBar under PlayStation Network. Membership is free, and only requires a PSN...
- Second LifeSecond LifeSecond Life is an online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. It was launched on June 23, 2003. A number of free client programs, or Viewers, enable Second Life users, called Residents, to interact with each other through avatars...
- Simulated realitySimulated realitySimulated reality is the proposition that reality could be simulated—perhaps by computer simulation—to a degree indistinguishable from "true" reality. It could contain conscious minds which may or may not be fully aware that they are living inside a simulation....
- TwinityTwinityTwinity is the first 3D online virtual world to build true-to-scale replicas of large cities from all over the world. Twinity is developed by Metaversum GmbH, a company based in Berlin, Germany. It offers its population, called Twinizens, to navigate around virtual versions of real-world cities,...
External links
Official sitesOnline There newspapers
- There Fun Times - "Promotional" news site
There videos
Other
- Thumdar.com - Forums, downloads, social network for 3d virtual worlds
- So There - Forum
- Karille.com - There Videos, Links, Emotes and More
- "Just Crazy Talk" Show - Talk Radio
- Google Search on Makena Technologies
- "I Am So There" blog There re-opening announcement