RipLounge: Ripping the World Out of Virtual World
After reading about Wyndstorm's ability to create "download-free" (i.e. Flash-based) virtual worlds for gaming and social networking, I was curious to check out their banner application of their technology: RipLounge.
It didn't take long to figure out that RipLounge wasn't all that interesting. While it billed itself as a virtual world, it seemed more like something I might have signed into ten years ago on AOL and, even then, thought the graphics and technology were a little dated.
Let's face it, as virtual worlds go, we've been able to make some major strides in the last ten years. You can actually have fancy 3D graphics, beautiful landscapes and -- perhaps most important -- something to do.
And that's what RipLounge forgot. Their virtual room (and it is a room rather than a world) has a limited selection of music, only a few emotes, and pretty much nothing to do other than chat.
At least give us some cards so we can play Texas Hold 'em!
RipLounge is not the most convincing display of technological achievement. It's certainly not a great example of a virtual world. And, based on the fact that Wynstorm's writeup states that the objective of RipLounge is to gather email addresses for marketing purposes, it is definitely a site that everyone should enjoy.
Unless, of course, you enjoy spam in your inbox.
(Image of RipLounge)
Hey Daniel, great article. Where did you find these guys? I checked out their web site. Boy are they tightlipped about everything they’re doing. You’re definitely right about RipLounge… it’s useless. It made more sense when I read it’s just a marketing platform they sold somebody, rather than a serious long-range project they actually owned. Anyway, this was very a interesting find, and the blog is getting cooler every week. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Dennis. I can’t exactly remember where I read it, but I read a press release about Wyndstorm’s ability to create virtual words.
Being very interested in that sort of thing, I rushed over to check it out. As you can tell, I was disappointed.
Luckily, I have a number of throw away email addresses that I can use to sign up for these sites and not worry about the spam.