Building Interactive Worlds

The metaverse is a collective virtual shared space, created through the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and persistent virtual spaces. This book serves as your guide to building these immersive digital worlds, where users can interact with each other and digital objects in real-time.

This book provides a clear guide for developers, designers, and enthusiasts to create immersive, interactive worlds. It covers essential concepts like interaction loops, immersion, and presence, along with practical steps for designing 3D environments, animating characters, and incorporating spatial audio. You will also explore cutting-edge tools like VR, AR, and AI to build engaging experiences while exploring key topics like blockchain, virtual economies, and digital ethics. By combining foundational concepts with hands-on examples, this book helps you create immersive experiences across games, XR, and the metaverse. Blending theory with practical advice equips you with the skills needed to design and develop interactive worlds that advance human-computer interaction.

By the end of this book, you will be well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to the metaverse. You will understand the technical aspects of designing interactive experiential worlds, possess hands-on skills for creating engaging content, and be prepared to navigate the complex social and economic landscape of the metaverse.

KEY FEATURES  
● Learn how to design and build immersive metaverse experiences, moving beyond the traditional web.
● Understand the importance of interactive worlds for playing, socializing, and working.
● Gain hands-on skills through a blend of concepts and practical examples, enabling you to create a metaverse experience from start to finish.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
● A design framework for creating 3D interactive experiences.
● Creating immersive spaces and engaging avatars that interact in diverse scenarios.
● Explore modalities for engaging with this content, whether it be screen based, VR, or AR. 
● Learn what it takes to launch interactive experiential experiences and attract users.
● Discuss metaverse business opportunities with legal and social implications of the technology. 
● Learn about generative worlds that leverage generative AI in virtual worlds.

WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR
The content in this book is targeted toward metaverse builders, designers, developers, product managers, brand teams, and most importantly self-taught creators of user-generated content (UGC). No prior knowledge of creating interactive worlds is required.

1. The Big Bang
2. Learning Resources
3. IXW Definition
4. Concept Design
5. Immersive Spaces
6. Authentic Avatars
7. Engaging Scenarios and Sessions
8. VR and AR
9. Audio
10. Gaming Ecosystem
11. Generative Worlds
12. Business Opportunities
13. Society and Governance
14. The Way Forward
References

Apurva Shah is the co-founder and CEO of Duality AI, where the team’s vision is to leverage virtual worlds to solve real-world problems. This endeavor draws on Apurva’s prior roles as Head of Creative Technology and Design Systems at Capital One, Visual Effects Supervisor and member of the Technical Brain Trust at Pixar, and SVP of Global Technology at Rhythm and Hues Studios. He is also an adjunct professor of emerging technologies at the California College of the Arts. His film credits include Ratatouille, Shrek, Finding Nemo, and Toy Story 3.

Neil Blevins is a Canadian-born artist who began painting and drawing traditionally before exploring the world of digital art. After earning a BFA in Design Art in Montreal, he moved to California, where he worked for three years at Blur Studio and then spent 16 years at Pixar as a Digital Artist. He has since worked as an Art Director and Senior Concept Artist on projects for companies such as Warner Brothers, Netflix, Amazon TV, Monolith, Private Division, Kuku Studios, and The Jim Henson Company. In his spare time, he designs alien environments, futuristic robots, and sci-fi vehicles. He also teaches and publishes sci-fi-related books.