Levine predicts people will become even more obsessed. They'll play even when they're not at their computers. They'll type messages on cell phones or hand-held devices like PalmPilots. They'll use Butterfly.net technology to do it. The most popular online role- playing game is Everquest by Sony.
Players log on and type messages under a pseudonym to others inside the game.
They can walk up to another player, type a message to that person, and receive a message back. As with Levine's first company, he's not as excited about the animated games, as he is about developing the technology to change the way the games are played. At Ultraprise, he developed the technology that allows banks to trade loans. He didn't care about banks or loans, and, in fact, bored quickly once the software development was complete. Once something captures his attention, he'll devote incredible amounts of time and effort toward the object that does capture his time and attention.