ME2 Universe (partially found online virtual world; 2008): Difference between revisions

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(Updated to include the recent discovery of cached files)
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|image=me2-avatar.jpg
|image=me2-avatar.jpg
|imagecaption=Promotional render featuring two avatars from the game.
|imagecaption=Promotional render featuring two avatars from the game.
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
}}
}}
'''''ME2 Universe''''' was an online multiplayer 3D virtual world which relied upon Irwin Toy's ME2 portable gaming device. The goal was to encourage physical activity among its players by converting real world steps to ME2 Game Points. While the ME2 device was available for purchase in August 2008, Youtube user Roboz commented on an upload of a ME2 commercial stating that the online world wasn't up at launch. This would imply that the online virtual world arrived later.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3k1f2BfB24 iToys "Me2" commercial uploaded to Youtube by ItoysInc.] Retrieved 04 Oct '21</ref> It was taken down sometime after January 31, 2010.
'''''ME2 Universe''''' was an online multiplayer 3D virtual world which used the Shockwave 3D engine and relied upon Irwin Toy's ME2 portable gaming device. The goal was to encourage physical activity among its players by converting real world steps to ME2 Game Points. While the ME2 device was available for purchase in August 2008, Youtube user Roboz commented on an upload of a ME2 commercial stating that the online world wasn't up at launch. This would imply that the online virtual world arrived later.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3k1f2BfB24 iToys "Me2" commercial uploaded to Youtube by ItoysInc.] Retrieved 04 Oct '21</ref> It was taken down sometime after January 31, 2010.


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
The ME2 handheld device holds only one game at first, but can load additional games after connecting to ''ME2 Universe''. In the ''ME2 Universe'' virtual world, users are tasked to explore multiple different islands in a linear progression.<ref>[http://www.360kid.com/blog/category/child-agegradeterm/age-08-10grade-3-5young-tween/page/9/ Wordpress blog documenting online virtual worlds aimed at youth.] Retrieved 04 Oct '21</ref>
The ME2 handheld device holds only one game at first, but can load additional games after connecting to ''ME2 Universe''. In the ''ME2 Universe'' virtual world, users are tasked to explore multiple different islands in a linear progression.<ref>[http://www.360kid.com/blog/category/child-agegradeterm/age-08-10grade-3-5young-tween/page/9/ Wordpress blog documenting online virtual worlds aimed at youth.] Retrieved 04 Oct '21</ref>
Each island offers 12 distinct challenges which must be cleared before advancing to the next island. While exploring the islands, users can adopt virtual pets, open stores to sell widgets, and cooperate or compete with other players in real time. For example, a player could challenge another to a race for 50 game points. Users are represented by a customizable avatar. Customization options include gender, hair color, eye color, skin tone, clothing, and accessories. There were supposedly over one million combinations possible for customization.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbap6SbiJ9s Youtube video by straylor demonstrating the ME2 device and ''ME2 Universe'' online world.] Retrieved 04 Oct '21</ref>
Each island offers 12 distinct challenges which must be cleared before advancing to the next island. While exploring the islands, users can adopt virtual pets, open stores to sell widgets, and cooperate or compete with other players in real time. For example, a player could challenge another to a race for 50 game points. Users are represented by a customizable avatar. Customization options include gender, hair color, eye color, skin tone, clothing, and accessories. There were supposedly over one million combinations possible for customization.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbap6SbiJ9s Youtube video by straylor demonstrating the ME2 device and ''ME2 Universe'' online world.] Retrieved 04 Oct '21</ref>
==Finding==
On October 11, 2024, YouTube user bjiru uploaded a video discussing his experience with the ''ME2 Universe'' online virtual world. In this video, he reveals that he possesses cached files and is hosting them on his personal website. These include the launch file, textures, and models for players, vehicles, and maps.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJjllNi0lMc Youtube video by bjiru discussing his experience with the ''ME2 Universe'' online world and revealing his possession of cached files.] Retrieved 12 Oct '24</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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==External Links==
==External Links==
*[http://www.me2universe.com Link to the now defunct ''ME2 Universe'' website.]
*[http://www.me2universe.com Link to the now defunct ''ME2 Universe'' website.]
*[https://bjiru.com/ME2_Files_bjiru.zip bjiru's cached ''ME2 Universe'' files, hosted on his personal website.]


==Reference==
==Reference==
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[[Category:Lost video games]]
[[Category:Lost video games]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]
[[Category:Partially found media]]

Revision as of 15:05, 12 October 2024

Me2-avatar.jpg

Promotional render featuring two avatars from the game.

Status: Partially Found

ME2 Universe was an online multiplayer 3D virtual world which used the Shockwave 3D engine and relied upon Irwin Toy's ME2 portable gaming device. The goal was to encourage physical activity among its players by converting real world steps to ME2 Game Points. While the ME2 device was available for purchase in August 2008, Youtube user Roboz commented on an upload of a ME2 commercial stating that the online world wasn't up at launch. This would imply that the online virtual world arrived later.[1] It was taken down sometime after January 31, 2010.

Gameplay

The ME2 handheld device holds only one game at first, but can load additional games after connecting to ME2 Universe. In the ME2 Universe virtual world, users are tasked to explore multiple different islands in a linear progression.[2] Each island offers 12 distinct challenges which must be cleared before advancing to the next island. While exploring the islands, users can adopt virtual pets, open stores to sell widgets, and cooperate or compete with other players in real time. For example, a player could challenge another to a race for 50 game points. Users are represented by a customizable avatar. Customization options include gender, hair color, eye color, skin tone, clothing, and accessories. There were supposedly over one million combinations possible for customization.[3]

Finding

On October 11, 2024, YouTube user bjiru uploaded a video discussing his experience with the ME2 Universe online virtual world. In this video, he reveals that he possesses cached files and is hosting them on his personal website. These include the launch file, textures, and models for players, vehicles, and maps.[4]

Gallery

Images

  • Screenshot of a female avatar exploring an island in the virtual world.

    Screenshot of a female avatar exploring an island in the virtual world.

  • Screenshot of the virtual world found on the Amazon listing for the ME2 handheld device.[5]

    Screenshot of the virtual world found on the Amazon listing for the ME2 handheld device.[5]

  • High quality scan of two magazine pages advertising the ME2 device and ME2 Universe.[6]

    High quality scan of two magazine pages advertising the ME2 device and ME2 Universe.[6]

Videos

A commercial for the ME2 device, featuring the virtual world's avatars in the children's shadows and reflections.

A commercial featuring the ME2 device and its connectivity to the online ME2 Universe virtual world.

Demonstration at the 2008 New York Toy Fair.

External Links

Reference

  1. ↑ iToys "Me2" commercial uploaded to Youtube by ItoysInc. Retrieved 04 Oct '21
  2. ↑ Wordpress blog documenting online virtual worlds aimed at youth. Retrieved 04 Oct '21
  3. ↑ Youtube video by straylor demonstrating the ME2 device and ME2 Universe online world. Retrieved 04 Oct '21
  4. ↑ Youtube video by bjiru discussing his experience with the ME2 Universe online world and revealing his possession of cached files. Retrieved 12 Oct '24
  5. ↑ Amazon listing for the ME2 handheld device. Retrieved 04 Oct '21
  6. ↑ PDF file for a lecture on Children’s Privacy Protection Engine for Smart Anthropomorphic Toys, created by Patrick C. K. Hung in September 20, 2016. Retrieved 04 Oct '21
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