Large-scale networked virtual environments: architecture and applications

Abstract

Abstract:

Purpose – Scalability is an important research topic in the context of networked virtual environments (NVEs). This paper aims to describe the ALVIC (Architecture for Large-scale Virtual Interactive Communities) approach to NVE scalability. Design/methodology/approach – The setup and results from two case studies are shown: a 3-D learning environment through which long-term sick children can stay in close contact with their school environment; and a 3-D mobile city guide, in which city inhabitants and visitors can form a virtual community in which they share information and communicate with each other. Findings – These case studies clearly demonstrate the applicability of the ALVIC architecture. In order to be able to create even larger NVEs, a next-generation client-server NVE architecture is proposed: ALVIC-NG, which employs proxy servers and logic servers in order to balance the server load. Research limitations/implications – Further scalability tests need to be performed to evaluate this new architecture. ALVIC-NG will also be the basis for a new case study, in which large 3-D city datasets will be used. Originality/value – The results provide insight in scalability issues to those who need to deploy very large-scale networked virtual environments.