While virtual worlds have become popular for the social interaction they provide, there has been a move to also use these environments to sell goods and even for business collaboration.

 

Last month, Nortel announced a group of its R&D technologists were working on new virtual world software to improve business communications through 3D voice and graphics in a Web integrated world.

 

Now, the company is announcing that it has licensed Epic Games' Unreal Engine for the software application to allow for even more realistic and interactive 3D capabilities.

 

With the new offering, web.alive, users have a 3D world that incorporates spatial and high-definition audio together with all the functionalities of the office including telephony, corporate systems and software.

 

The virtual world makes “real-life” experiences complete with avatars and lifelike movements possible in a virtual environment.

 

For businesses, this new capability means improved collaboration, a reduced need to travel and better overall meetings.

 

"The Unreal Engine enables companies to build dynamic, interactive virtual worlds for the next-gen workforce, and this licensing agreement signifies Nortel’s (News - Alert) commitment to take its e-commerce and learning initiatives to the next level,” said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games.

 

“Nortel’s web.alive application uniquely showcases how Epic’s engine technology can be leveraged to improve business collaboration.”

 

The partnership with Epic Games will specifically allow users of web.alive to benefit from enhanced gaming graphics and make use of an advanced platform that powers a number of video games and other 3D simulations today.

“The Unreal gaming engine provides an array of core technologies, content creation tools, and support infrastructure essential to Nortel’s web.alive application,” said Arn Hynman, web.alive chief architect.

 

Nortel also announced today that the web.alive application has been chosen by Lenovo for its latest e-commerce offering "eLounge" to provide consumers with an all new way to shop including interacting with other consumers and the ability to browse and demo possible items for purchase.

 

“Customers can even organize online shopping events with their social networks or attend online Lenovo seminars and product demonstration," said Ajit Sivadasan, the vice president of global eCommerce at Lenovo (News - Alert).

“The implications of this technology are significant if customers find it easier to make informed decisions on their purchases online.”