Over at terra nova, Bob Moore has an interesting take on the role of realism in virtual worlds.
So when do you think the R-word is appropriate in virtual world design? When is it not?
I think this is something I’ll need to consider with my online process drama’s. The type of virtaul world will obviously dictate to some extent the degree to which we aspire to realism. A MOO context is far less “realistic” and requires far more suspension of disbelief if you are looking at it as a realistic site for narrative construction, however when engaged in role and working within the limits of the world/interface it may well be unnecessary to have a rich “realism” at play.