   
Free Virtual Worlds
Welcome to freevirtualworlds.org. Here you'll find all kinds of free virtual worlds.
We have hand picked the best free virtual worlds to be shown here. So all of the research is already done for
you. You just have to try them out and see what you like.
The sections are categorized in the following way:
You can play all of these virtual worlds for free
Many virtual worlds are 3D but some are just 2 dimensional. Some require that the game is installed on your
computer while others don't need any installation but are played on your web browser. Browser based virtual worlds
can be played anywhere, where you have an internet connection. So if you are bored at school, just hop online to
play your favourite game.
It's easy to play virtual games, even your parents can do it. Good understanding in English is usually needed,
though. That way you can read the manual and understand how to click the different commands with your mouse inside
the virtual worlds. Avatars (the player characters) can usually be moved with arrow keys.
You can easily keep in touch with your distant friends and family via free virtual chat. In addition to typing
text you can use VOIP (voice over IP), which of course requires a headset or a microphone. Some virtual worlds are
great for just playing games and having fun.
Runescape and other MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) are different from traditional
virtual worlds in the sense that they offer quests and battles. For every completed task you are given experience
points and other rewards such as gold. Although you can earn assets in MMORLGs (massively multiplayer online real
life games), too. But usually this comes in the form of users posting on the forums or creating new items for the
virtual world.
Some virtual worlds allow you to trade and sell items to other players. Some games even allow the ingame virtual
currency to be exchanged to real life currency, such as dollars or euros.
The size of the worlds is always expanding. The more people there are the bigger space they need to live in.
Huge active user bases are the cause to high server loads. These virtual worlds are hosted on many computer servers
around the world. It's quite expensive for the owners to have them run and maintained continuously so they need to
collect some funds.
Virtual worlds are monetized via sponsors or by charging fees in exchange for useful extra features, like new
clothes or equipment. Some worlds place advertisements while some just sell space for ads. Like in Second Life you
can buy land and build your own structures and advertising. Many big companies already have virtual offices.
The game speed and performance depends on the activity players are facing (battles, video streaming etc). Of
course depending on the game, your own internet connection and computer speed are the deciding factor on your
gaming. So be sure to check the system requirements before delving into any world. Sometimes it's good to adjust
the ingame graphics (resolution etc.) to get the best out of the virtual world.
Games like Second Life have an easy control panel that enables you to customize the features you need. So you
can lower the need to show buildings and other surroundings. Only the critical features will be shown and the game
will run much smoother.
Free virtual reality offers a nice "breakation" when you need to get out of your normal life. In virtual worlds
you can be whoever or whatever you like. You can travel to places you could never afford. You can do things you
might not be able to do. So if you happen to be in a wheel chair only being able to move your upper body, you can
go to a virtual world to ballroom dance and not break a sweat.
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