At the Edge of the Rift

Abstract

This volume represents the fourth instalment in an ongoing series that captures the work done through the Experiential Learning in Virtual Worlds conferences (ELVW). We sit at a paradoxically quiet but exciting time. Virtual worlds are in a depression in terms of their adoption and their use. Indeed, even the term 'virtual world' has dropped off of Gartner's radar in their most recent iteration of the technology hype cycle, replaced by the term 'virtual reality.' At the same time, we are sitting on the edge of significant developments: Oculus Rift having been acquired by Facebook; Utherverse able to host thousands of avatars while streaming media; ReactionGrid and the use of game engines in educational development, to mention just a few.