OpenSimulator is an
open-source server platform originally launched in 2007 for hosting
virtual world
A virtual world (also called a virtual space) is a computer-simulated environment which may be populated by many users who can create a personal avatar, and simultaneously and independently explore the virtual world, participate in its activities ...
s and
metaverse
In science fiction, the "metaverse" is a hypothetical iteration of the Internet as a single, universal, and immersive virtual world that is facilitated by the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) headsets. In colloquial usa ...
environments. It is largely compatible with the virtual world ''
Second Life
''Second Life'' is an online multimedia platform that allows people to create an avatar for themselves and then interact with other users and user created content within a multi player online virtual world. Developed and owned by the San Fra ...
'' but full compatibility is not a design goal.
Features
OpenSimulator is written in
C# and is designed to be easily expanded through the use of
plugin modules. OpenSimulator can operate in one of two modes: standalone or grid mode. In standalone mode, a single process handles the entire simulation. In grid mode, various aspects of the simulation are separated among multiple processes, which can exist on different machines.
OpenSimulator uses loadable modules for most of its functionality. These loadable modules can be independently developed to add functionality to the server.
OpenSimulator currently uses a modified Second Life protocol for client to server communication, and requires retrofitting to a suitable virtual world viewer (client) in order to connect. Interoperability with Second Life protocols was initially a design goal. During the OpenSimulator Community Conference 2018, the core developers announced they may not always seek to maintain compatibility with Linden Lab's Second Life Protocols, and may change or add facilities in line with differing aims.
OpenSim has a number of features not available in Second Life. These include virtual world content (OAR) and avatar inventory (IAR) save and load capabilities
extensions to the scripting languagethat enable saving and retrieval of text data to avatar inventory in notecard format and the creation and management of non-player characters (NPCs).
OpenSim also uses an architecture known as "Hypergrid", which allows users to teleport between multiple OpenSim-based virtual worlds by providing a
hyperlinked map which indexes public grids. This allows for public grids to retain teleportation links to each other without having to be on the same grid. The number of hypergrid-enabled OpenSimulator grids fluctuates. A list of active hypergrid-enabled OpenSimulator grids is maintained b
Hypergrid Business-Active Hypergrids As of January 2020, there were just over 300 active hypergrid-enabled services.
See also
OpenSimWorld– A directory of OpenSimulator regions with HyperGrid connectivity.
*
Open Wonderland – A Java-based open source 3D toolkit for creating collaborative virtual worlds.
*
IBM Virtual Universe Community
The Virtual Universe Community or VUC is the internal IBM interest group for Virtual Worlds.https://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0293959.htm
Every IBMer that is present within any Virtual World or Virtual Universe must compl ...
– One of the largest contributors to the OpenSim project.
Mastodon Instance– A Mastodon instance targeting OpenSim users.
*
Open Cobalt
Open Cobalt is a free and open-source software platform for constructing, accessing, and sharing virtual worlds both on local area networks or across the Internet, with no need for centralized servers.
The technology makes it easy to create deep ...
– A decentralized open source virtual world architecture.
*
High Fidelity Inc - A "next-generation" social virtual reality platform.
*Project Sansar - A virtual experience development platform
*
JanusVR
JanusVR is a corporation based in San Mateo, California, and Toronto, Ontario, that develops immersive web browsing software. It was founded by James McCrae and Karan Singh in December 2014. Named after Janus, the Roman God of passages, JanusV ...
- Immersive web browsing software support VR and loading worlds via web content
References
Further reading
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External links
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{{Second Life
Free server software
Free game engines
Software using the BSD license