Hearty Greetings
I was surprised
that it felt every bit as much as I did as a youngster throwing a party for my pals: fussing over the set-up; music picked out; wondering what to wear; and, most importantly, wondering who would show. Except back then I knew I’d have a houseful, my parties always made the “A-list” lol.
So I waited
and was so thankful that a few griends (gamer friends) made it inworld, from Italy, from Spain, from USA and myself from Canada. Two of us ‘avatar know-how’ experienced and two who were brand new to the virtual world, but that didn’t stop the conversation, the networking, delicious links shared, informal learning, connecting and best of all the group hug. I’m sorry USA had to leave before we hugged goodbye and got the pic. Spain and I did do the bunny hop but we got so busy chatting with the others I forgot to mention the dancing once we sat down. Besides we were quite comfy sitting in our patio chairs anyways.
It’s different
being together in a virtual world, there are lot’s of research papers on the ‘why’ and I do believe the new folks felt it was different too. It’s about being immersed with visual clues amidst the real-time conversation and having a little fun while we’re at it.
So I will continue
to host this event for anyone who cares to join in, the date and time will be posted in our Hug Ur Gameful Monsters (HUGM) group, probably monthly is what I’m thinking. Make no mistake, it takes time to learn how to navigate an avatar, just ask the new folks, but not so bad that one can’t pick it up enough to dance.
I am planting seeds
I have to admit. The HUGM did not start out this way, but has evolved into merging with my dream goal to use a virtual platform for the Gameful Awards Ceremony, expand the invitation from those who are able to make the real life event, to a global invitation to the world. Some Evokers here may recall I wanted to do that for the Evoke awards but it didn’t get off the ground. One day there will be a true web-based browser virtual world, maybe even by the time the awards roll around as I know it’s right on the horizon. I’m not restricting my dream to Second Life but it will be virtual. I believe virtual is the future and I’m not alone.
The awards night I envision
will have a virtual party going on as we watch and cheer our fellow monsters while Jane hands out the prizes in real life, and both worlds will be able to see and hear each other. This is called a ‘mixed reality’ event and I’ve been to many. Some of the events have web participation where they watch what’s going on in the virtual world on the web, and can jump in with the chat via a ‘chatbridge’. Check out any session from http://www.metanomics.net/ they do this weekly and even across different virtual worlds. If I can swing it, that would be the icing on top.
So the HUGM parties
will not only be fun and informative, they’ll be a training camp in a way. By the time the awards night comes around, not only will you be able to cheer and dance, you’ll have a smashing avatar that I just know will turn heads.
Remember
that at the very least, the virtual awards party will be an “A” party of the year for us monsters 
Join Me Join Us
Canada Italy and Spain Group Hug
Special thanks to my griends who were able to attend today, we’ll always be able to say we were there for the first ever in the world HUGM ohh yeahh.
~*
