Fujitsu Cultural Technologies and CompuServe Information Service will collaborate on WorldsAway, a totally graphical chat environment where animated "avatars" interact in a virtual cocktail party. Each participant can control his or her avatar, making it walk across the room, sit down, etc., Conversation is depicted cartoon-style in a balloon over the avatar's head. Characters can move, examine, exchange and sell objects online using tokens, and can even invite other characters to their own private residences for some one-on-one chat time. The service will be widely available next fall, but initial trials are already starting. (Information & Interactive Services Report 3/10/95 p.3)

Document URL: http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/88/new-chat.html
Last modified: Wednesday, 18-Jul-2007 16:27:51 EDT