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Activeworlds

Active Worlds FAQ

• What exactly is a virtual world ?

Have you ever played a videogame? With a 3D personnage which represents you, which you can make go forward, backward, run, swim, jump, etc..? A 3D personnage (or avatar) which you can make perform several different actions by controlling it by joystick, pad, keyboard or mouse?
If yes, you already know what a Virtual World is !

Plenty of different styles exist, visit our presentation pages Activeworlds for a glance at some of them, like :

Roman style virtual worldWestern style virtual worldFantasy style virtual worldAtlantic style virtual world
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge

In contradiction to a website, this are not just simply images, neither a simple decoration, but a real 3D environment in which you can walk, meet other people, touch everything that surrounds you, open and close doors and even teleport yourself from one place to an other and more.

The above images only give a limited idea of the possibilities because one can use thousands of 3D objects, avatars, sounds and animations to develop an environment. The largest collection of objetcs is called the Megapath.

Eventhough the above screenshots represent virtual worlds build entirely with free objects from the Megapath but if you are familiar with 3D and/or 2D software, you can also create your own 3D objects, textures, avatars, aso... You can discover how by following our Tutorials Active Worlds.

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• Doesn't look too bad, now how can I enter ?

All you need is a relatively recent PC (for instance Pentium IV), the Windows operating system installed (98, ME, 2000 or XP), a minimum of 128 Mb RAM, DirectX 8 or higher and the Active Worlds browser.
You can try Active Worlds completely free of charges.

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• And besides visiting, what else ?

Activeworlds is first of all number 1 worldwide in chat and 3D. You can chat with other visitors from all over the world, in public or private, build your own environment in the virtual world of your choice among those who authorise constructions, participate in online games (RPG, Bingo, chess, aso...).

If all this wouldn't be enough, you can also obtain your very own 3D virtual world and build with objects from the Megapath, your own objects or both!.

If you're more into programming, bots and automatisation, you can also develop your own bots and scripts with the provided SDK libraries (online help in english), made available at no charges by Activeworlds.
The libraries allow you to develop your own bot programs. Even if the different SDK's are ment for those with programmation skills, please note that several bots already exist, made available by several programmers.

One of the most used is XelaGot which offers a rich scripting language with which you can make your virtual world even more interactive. The Preston bot offers limited possibilities but provides a very userfriendly interface, which makes it suitable for anyone, also to those having no knowlegde in programming nor scripting.

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• What can I do with a bot ?

Every available bot has one or several functions. Some are more orientated to welcoming visitors (automatically sending welcome or help messages, information about the virtual world, aso...), where others can be more orientated to content handling (modification, destruction, mass deplacement of constructions, background or skybox modification (atmospheric changes), terrain editing, construction surveillance, aso...), where others again are more game orientated (chess, dames, bingo, RPG, aso...).

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• How much does it cost ?

Without subscription, it's entirely free, gratis, zip, nada ! This will let you enter as Tourist and you can continue to use Active Worlds without any charges for as long as you like.
The Citizen subscription, the registered mode, costs about 50 € per year.

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• What is the difference between a tourist and a citizen ?

When you subscribe to Activeworlds you will obtain access to all options as where a Tourist only has limited options.

See below for a non-exhaustive comparisson between Citizen and Tourist :


Citizen


Tourist

With subscriptionFree
Right to obtain a virtual trial world for 30 days 
Right to purchase a virtual world Active Worlds 
Constructions protected against vandalisme 
Construction allowed in a large number of worldsConstructions only allowed in a limited number of worlds who accept entrance of and constructions made by tourists
Access to use a bot in certain worldsAccess to use a bot almost inexistant
Access to the complete avatar listAccess to only the first two avatars of the avatar list
Username unique and protected 
Unlimited access to all public worldsAccess limited to public worlds who accept tourist entrance
Contact list configurable 
Send/receive telegrams 
See who is online 
Send/receive of files 
Possibility to join a friend or invite someone to join you. This option works within the same world as well as between different worlds 
Privacy filters 
Access to the Active Worlds form with usernameAccess to forum Active Worlds

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• What is a caretaker ?

It's an english term to indicate the owner or responsable person of a virtual world Active Worlds.

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• What do I have to do to build in a virtual world ?

In certain worlds, you can build freely, wheter you are a Tourist or a Citizen. All you have to do is to choose a free (not occupied) terrain.
In most worlds, you'll have to ask the owner or caretaker to indicate you a place where you can build. Useful information, as for instance how you can contact the caretaker, is often available on the world's website or in the welcome message when you enter the world.
Construction by tourists is limited to a small number of virtual worlds.

You will find on this website a complete manual to learn how to build in Active Worlds

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• Can I also have my own virtual world ?

Every subscriber to Active Worlds can become a caretaker. If you wish to obtain your own virtual world but if you are still a Tourist, you will first need to obtain a citizen account and look at our virtual world offers to obtain your virtual world.
Note that one or several citizen accounts are offered with the purchase of a virtual world (except P10 and P20).

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• What is an Activeworlds galaxy ?

A Galaxy is a virtual world completely seperated from the Active Worlds universe.
The main difference is that the Active Worlds universe contains hundreds of worlds whereas a Galaxy only contains one; yours.

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• Where can I buy an Activeworlds galaxy ?

At Alterlinks. To obtain a free pricequote, contact us and indicate the desired surface as well as the desired number of simultaneous users.
A Galaxy is not a subscription but a product. Meaning, that to obtain a Galaxy, you only pay once.
Updates can be proposed but are not mandatory.

Note that it is possible to start out with a small Galaxy and upgrade at a later time in function of your needs.

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• What is an Universe ?

Active Worlds is an Universe.
An Universe can contain several virtual worlds. The number of worlds allowed depends on the size and configuration of the Universe. You can decide for yourself the surface you allow for a world and the configuration of the Universe (Tourist access, private worlds, sizes of the worlds, aso...).

An Universe allowes you to sell virtual worlds, citizen subscriptions, hosting, aso...

In contradiction to virtual worlds which are usually paid at a yearly bases, an Universe is only paid for once. Updates can be proposed, but are not mandatory. If you decide to accept the upgrades, these are free during the first year after purchase, 40% of the initial price after the first year.
Note that it is possible to start out with a small Universe and upgrade at a later time, in function of your needs.

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• Where can I buy an Universe ?

Alterlinks proposes different types of Universes. To obtain a free pricequote, you can contact us and indicate the desired surface as well as the desired number of simultaneous users.

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