Google Releases 3D World Lively

Google just released Lively, a 3D world where you can chat with others and create your own rooms. Traces of this program appeared back in 2007 under the name of My World (this project also received the rumor nickname Google metaverse; TomHTML, Tony and I also lately saw traces of something called Google Rooms, though we aren’t 100% sure it’s related). After installing the desktop setup for Windows – yes, this is one of the rare Google products which isn’t completely browser-based – you’ll be forwarded to lively.com again. There, you can pick from a number of available rooms, and sign-in with your Google account.

Selecting a room from the Lively site

Joining a room, like this cafe

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Configuring your avatar appearance (with some loading symbols in the room)

If you want to create your own room, you’ll start out with a blank setup. You can then expand a furniture selection sidebar, for instance, to drop a chair, which will be represented by a loading cone at first. Note to move objects, you need to switch on the Move icon to the right, and then drag and drop things. A quiet room like your own may also be the right setting to further customize your avatar (you’ll note that you’ll be able to browse the Lively product catalog for more apparels, like your favorite shoes) or go through your repertoire of moves; from pleading and bowing to ROFLing or dancing, or “see no evil.”

Crying on a lonely island (with Monkey Island style clouds in the background)

All in all I found Lively to be an enjoyable experience so far. Some of its features may get some time to used to and its much to early to tell how well the social features will play out, but it’s one of Google’s more ambitious and fun projects. And Second Life may just have gotten a new competitor...

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