The ramifications are staggering, for it is as if a boundless new space has suddenly become available for human settlement. Eventually, the space will contain a vast constellation of worlds, for various purposes and societies, but presently it is practically empty. That is both the problem and the grand opportunity. Today, the focus in VR is on technology, as many companies recognize the huge rewards that are likely to flow to those who provide the infrastructure of cyberspace. Vital as technology is, however, it is not enough.
Infrastructure only makes new worlds possible.
Building the worlds is a formidable challenge in its own right, as well as a potentially lucrative business. In this seminar, I will address the technology, methodology, and economics of spacemaking. After comparing spacemaking with filmmaking, I will discuss the qualities that distinguish cyberspace from other media, and consider the special problems and opportunities these pose for the spacemaker. I will also present an architecture for a cyberspace system, one that satisfies the peculiar needs of spacemaking as a business. Finally I will suggest an approach to design as a performing art.