IBM and Worlds Inc. Extend 3-D Technology for the Internet

VRML+ Lets Groups Communicate, Share Experiences in Virtual Worlds

LOS ANGELES, August 8, 1995 . . . Click on the Internet and begin an
exciting journey with other people through a virtual environment. Travel
with other cyber surfers from around the world who, like you, can be seen
as real-life avatars, or visual embodiments of people. Chat with your
cyber pals as you tour an art gallery of renowned paintings. Conduct
business by talking to sales representatives about their products and
services. Buy and sell products that can be demonstrated and seen in 3-D
form.

Fantasy? A page from a C.S. Lewis novel? No, all of these virtual
collaborations are possible now. At SIGGRAPH '95 today, IBM and Worlds
Inc. will announce and demonstrate Virtual Reality Modeling Language+
(VRML+), a jointly proposed extension to the emerging Internet standard,
Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML). The two companies are offering
VRML+ to the computer industry as a first step towards an enhanced VRML,
and are making the protocols freely available.

In the fourth quarter of 1995, IBM and Worlds Inc. will begin distributing
a free VRML+ browser, which supports multi-user virtual environments for
IBM OS/2 Warp, Apple Power Macintosh, and Microsoft Windows 95 and NT
platforms. Servers will be available for RISC System/6000 (RS/6000),
Silicon Graphics Inc. Challenge and Indigo, Linux, Sun Solaris, and
Windows NT platforms.

"Through VRML+, the Internet becomes the venue for meeting new friends,
exchanging ideas, traveling to exciting places, and conducting business,"
said Willy Chiu, multimedia technology director, IBM Software Solutions
Division. "This new technology can give companies a formidable advantage
by enabling them to provide continuous personal service to their
customers."

"VRML+ adds avatar descriptions, avatar motion, and text communication to
the evolving VRML standard," said Dave Gobel, president and CEO of Worlds
Inc. "Today, the Web is a lonely place. Tomorrow, people will be able to
experience it together."

The ability to turn the Web into a universe of friendly and fascinating
cyberworlds offers its owns galaxies of potential for leading consumer
product and service organizations. VISA International is one of the
companies working with Worlds Inc. to create 3-D applications for its
customers. "Electronic services for the consumer have incredible
potential," said Todd Chaffee, senior vice president, Advanced Payment
Systems Strategies, VISA International, "but they will succeed only if we
can create the 'look and feel' of a personal home visit from our service
representative. We believe VRML+ is a major step in achieving this."

IBM and Worlds Inc. will showcase VRML+ at SIGGRAPH '95, along with IBM
Virtual World, a live demonstration that will link participants in Chicago
and Los Angeles. Steve Mills, general manager, IBM Software Solutions,
will join the Los Angeles audience from his keynote address at the Web
World conference in Chicago. He will be represented visually through a
life-like, 3-D avatar which can communicate in real time. The technology
demonstration will visit the following virtual worlds on the Internet:

     Virtual Branch Office:  For private conferences and
     cyber chats, users will be welcome to arrange meetings in
     virtual conference rooms, living rooms, or even pool side.

     IBM Digital Library:  Cyber surfers can tour the wonders
     of an art museum through IBM's newest multimedia technology,
     which allows owners of information content to maximize their
     assets and make them available through networks around the
     world.

     New Product Gallery:  Cyber surfers can virtually test-drive
     hot IBM products, technologies and services.

"We are extremely pleased to be partnering with IBM," said Gene Feroglia,
general manager, Commercial Division, Worlds Inc. "The IBM organization
brings a strong worldwide marketing, distribution and consulting presence
that will make it possible for Internet content providers and users
everywhere to take advantage of this exciting new technology."

Worlds Inc., the worldwide leader in social computing, is a privately held
corporation that produces shared, interactive, three-dimensional virtual
environments for consumer and commercial applications. The company is
headquartered in San Francisco.

Based in Somers, N.Y., the IBM Software Solutions Division provides
multimedia, data management, application development, and workgroup
solutions for mission-critical applications on PCs, workstations, LANs,
and host systems.

Additional details on the VRML+ protocols may be found on the World Wide
Web at http://www.worlds.net/vrml/protocols. The IBM Home Page at
http://www.ibm.com offers complete information about IBM products and
services. For more information about the IBM Virtual World, please visit
the IBM booth at SIGGRAPH `95,
 
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