Metaplace

Metaplace provides user-generated virtual worlds. As Metaplace is browser based, worlds made with Metaplace can connect to each other through hyperlinks. Every object in Metaplace has a unique URL. This character of Metaplace allows advanced users to use these URLs in setting up and reading RSS feeds, set up ad services within worlds, and access and show content from the web within their worlds. According to founder Raph Koster, Metaplace seeks to "make online world elements... part of the standard code which drives the web" Metaplace uses a Lua variant called Metascript. Metaplace users can use Metascript to add functionality to any object in their world. These functionalities can be included in Animals and pets, doors, enemies with the ability to fight and attack, puzzles and games, artsy effects, vehicles. On its release, the official client is slated to use the Adobe Flash plugin. Because the official client used Flash, it did "not allow users to build 3-D worlds," Other platforms running on a similar philosophy include Bit Whirl and Roblox. ==Company history==

The platform was originally developed by Areae, but then they officially changed the company name to Metaplace Inc. Metaplace closed their platform on 1 January 2010. However Metaplace, Inc. continued to remain. After closing the platform, the company pivoted towards using its virtual worlds platform to build social games on Facebook. It released two successful games on Facebook using its platform, Island Life and My Vineyard, after which the company was acquired by Playdom. Shortly after the acquisition of Metaplace Inc., Playdom was acquired by Disney, where it operates as a subsidiary. ==References==