Timeline: Difference between revisions

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=1985=
=1985=


==Unknown Date==
==July==
* Habitat begins.
* Charlie Kellner and Chip Morningstar discuss ideas for "microworld".<ref>E-mail from Charlie Kellner - July 18th, 1985, https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/habitat/blob/master/chip/habitat/docs/archives/worldComments</ref>
 
==September==
 
===4th===
* Steve Arnold of Lucasfilm Games and Steve Case of Quantum Link discuss Mr Case's desire for a project with a quick turnaround and Chip Morningstar's proposal for Habitat is mentioned<ref>Lucasfilm Games MicroCosm Proposal - September 5th, 1985, https://archive.org/details/lucas-film-micro-cosm-proposal</ref>.
 
===5th===
* Steve Arnold writes a letter to Steve Case and sends him the written proposal for Habitat that Chip Morningstar wrote<ref>Lucasfilm Games MicroCosm Proposal - September 5th, 1985, https://archive.org/details/lucas-film-micro-cosm-proposal</ref>.
 
==October==
 
===7th===
* Chip Morningstar flies to the Quantum Link offices in Vienna, VA and meets with Marc Seriff (VP of engineering and product development), Ken Huntsman (programmer) and Janet Hunter (programmer and later integral member of the Habitat team)<ref>Capsule summary of meeting with Quantum folk, October 7-8, 1985, at their offices in Vienna, VA., https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/habitat/blob/master/chip/habitat/docs/cya/meetingOct7.t</ref>.
 
===8th===
* Chip Morningstar and Steve Arnold meet with Marc Seriff, Ken Huntsman and Janet Hunter<ref>Capsule summary of meeting with Quantum folk, October 7-8, 1985, at their offices in Vienna, VA., https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/habitat/blob/master/chip/habitat/docs/cya/meetingOct7.t</ref>.
 
* Chip Morningstar and Steve Arnold meet with Marc Seriff, Clive Smith from Commodore, the president of Quantum Link and Quantum's software contracts lawyer<ref>Capsule summary of meeting with Quantum folk, October 7-8, 1985, at their offices in Vienna, VA., https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/habitat/blob/master/chip/habitat/docs/cya/meetingOct7.t</ref>.
 
==November==
 
===4th===
* Aric Wilmunder joins the Habitat development team full time.<ref>MicroCosm™ Report
December 5, 1985, https://github.com/StuBlad/habitatdocs/blob/main/itr/reportNovember.pdf</ref>
 
===18th===
* Randy Farmer joins the Habitat development team full time.<ref>MicroCosm™ Report
December 5, 1985, https://github.com/StuBlad/habitatdocs/blob/main/itr/reportNovember.pdf</ref>
 
====Unknown Date====
* Development of Habitat begins, initially called MicroCosm.


=1986=
=1986=


==Unknown Date==
==June==
* Habitat is demoed at The Palladium nightclub in New York City.
* Habitat is demoed at the 20th Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, USA<ref>Issue 17 - Computer Gamer - August 1986, https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/index.php?/category/335</ref>. Randy Farmer, Aric Wilmunder and Janet Hunter were in attendance<ref>Direct messages with Randy Farmer - June 1st, 2023</ref>
 
==September==
===16th===
* Habitat is demoed by Lucasfilm Games at The Palladium nightclub in New York City<ref>Issue 44 Commodore Microcomputers - November/December 1986, https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/picture.php?/8435/category/160</ref><ref>Computerworld - Sep 1, 1986, https://books.google.com/books?id=6dLTc6Wv3Y0C&pg=PA72&lpg=PA72&dq=north+american+videotex+industry+%22conference%22+%221986%22+%22New+York%22+-minitel&source=bl&ots=3YMaib_mgh&sig=ACfU3U3P31hutfru8_prDuEy45AwgU9BBg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjBooHdhaj2AhVtJkQIHfQvBjEQ6AF6BAg1EAM#v=onepage&q=north%20american%20videotex%20industry%20%22conference%22%20%221986%22%20%22New%20York%22%20-minitel&f=false</ref><ref>Palladium Demo - Lucasfilm Ltd. Games Division - September 14, 1986,https://github.com/StuBlad/habitatdocs/blob/main/itr/palladium.pdf</ref>.
 
==November==
 
===3rd===
 
* At a meeting with Quantum Link, it is decided that in Habitat, all logged out users will be turned into to ghosts, rather than being left on the ground turned to stone<ref>Subject: Habitat meetings at Quantum, 11/3 - November 5th, 1986, https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/habitat/blob/master/chip/habitat/docs/cya/qmeeting.t</ref>.
 
====Unknown Date====
* The Habitat closed pilot test begins<ref>The Socialization of Cyberspace: From Habitat to the Full Service Network - Hosted by Professor Terry Winograd and Randy Farmer, Electric Communities at Stanford University, January 12th, 1996, https://youtu.be/zVwkFgmsLHc?t=491</ref>.


=1987=
=1987=


==Unknown Date==
==August==
* Habitat alpha test occurs.
 
===Unknown Date===
* Lucasfilm's Habitat is opened up for beta testing to a wider selection of users that were invited in small batches<ref>The Rant Newspaper - Volume 1, Issue 1 - August 17th, 1987, https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/picture.php?/12962/category/380</ref>. Users had to pay to access Habitat during this time<ref>Conversation with Randy Farmer on The MADE's Discord - September 4, 2024</ref>.


=1988=
=1988=


==Unknown Date==
==May==
* Habitat alpha ends.
===5th===
* The Habitat beta test comes to a close<ref>Bill Herrin's Habitat Beta Blast Party footage, https://youtu.be/YlFhkFX_wu0</ref>.
 
==July==
* Randy Farmer replaces the title screen and the hatchery text in the Habitat client to rebrand it as Club Caribe for Quantum Link<ref>Direct messages with Randy Farmer - March 25th, 2024</ref>
 
==August==
===21st===
* Fujitsu representatives attend the Habitat Technology Transfer Seminar at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California, USA. The seminar is held from Monday, August 21, 1988 through Friday, August 25, 1988<ref>Habitat Technology Transfer Seminar document, https://renoproject.org/pub/Habitat/Documents/Habitat_Tech_Transfer_FULL.pdf</ref>. A notable attendee is Kazutomo Fukuda, who would go on to be in charge of Fujitsu Habitat and Habitat II.
 
==October==
* Fujitsu licenses Habitat from Lucasfilm to create Fujitsu Habitat in Japan<ref>History of Fujitsu Habitat - Oh!FM Towns - November 1991, https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/picture.php?/6581/category/238</ref><ref>You can't tell people anything - Habitat Chronicles, http://habitatchronicles.com/2004/04/you-cant-tell-people-anything/</ref><ref>WorldsAway Backgrounder - Creating Virtual Communities in Cyberspace, https://web.archive.org/web/19961120223211/http://www.worldsaway.com/Worldsaway/press2/waback.html</ref>.


=1989=
=1989=


==February==
==February==
* Fujitsu Habitat is demoed at Asia Telecom ‘89 in Singapore by a team from Fujitsu alongside Chip Morningstar and Randy Farmer.
* Fujitsu Habitat is demoed at Asia Telecom ‘89 in Singapore by a team from Fujitsu alongside Chip Morningstar and Randy Farmer<ref>Asia Telecom '89 Photos from the archives of Randy Farmer, https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/index.php?/category/313</ref><ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.
 
==March==
* Fujitsu Habitat was debuted in Japan at "Denno Amusement Park IN Tokyo Dome" where Fujitsu's personal computer the "FM-TOWNS" was also unveiled<ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.


==Unknown Date==
==July==
* Club Caribe is released.
* Club Caribe is released on Quantum Link.
* Fujitsu Habitat monitor test begins.
 
==October==
* Fujitsu Habitat monitor test begins<ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.


=1990=
=1990=
==January==
===26th===
* Fujitsu Habitat officially begins service, initially being free to play<ref>Fujitsu Scientific and Technical Journal Vol. 26, No. 3 - October 30th, 1990 - Hypermedia Personal Computer Communication System: Fujitsu Habitat, https://renoproject.org/pub/FujitsuHabitat/Text/Hypermedia%20Personal%20Computer%20Communication%20System%20-%20Fujitsu%20Habitat.pdf</ref>.


==February==
==February==
* Fujitsu Habitat is officially released on the FM-TOWNS computer<ref>Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html</ref><ref>"Habitat II" service concept - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_concept.html</ref>.
 
===10th===
* Fujitsu Habitat is officially released on the FM-TOWNS computer and becomes a paid service<ref>Fujitsu Scientific and Technical Journal Vol. 26, No. 3 - October 30th, 1990 - Hypermedia Personal Computer Communication System: Fujitsu Habitat, https://renoproject.org/pub/FujitsuHabitat/Text/Hypermedia%20Personal%20Computer%20Communication%20System%20-%20Fujitsu%20Habitat.pdf</ref><ref>Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html</ref><ref>"Habitat II" service concept - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_concept.html</ref><ref>FUJITSU MULTIMEDIA CORPORATE BACKGROUNDER, https://web.archive.org/web/19961120223227/http://www.worldsaway.com/Worldsaway/press2/fujicorp.html</ref>.


=1991=
=1991=
==August==
* The Fujitsu Habitat client is released on the [https://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/corporate/history/products/computer/personalcomputer/fm-r.html FMR] series of personal computers<ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.
==September==
* Fujitsu acquire key staff from UniSoft Corporation, a software house specialising in UNIX<ref> FUJITSU POACHES UNISOFT TOP BRASS TO STAFF NEW OPEN SYSTEMS OUTFIT - September 8th, 1991,  https://techmonitor.ai/technology/fujitsu_poaches_unisoft_top_brass_to_staff_new_open_systems_outfit</ref>. They use these staff to form Fujitsu Open Systems Solutions, inc, a UNIX research and development venture. Fujitsu Open Systems Solutions, inc would later be the company that Electric Communities worked alongside with to create WorldsAway in 1994.
==October==
* The Fujitsu Habitat client is released for the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC-9800_series PC-9801]<ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.


=1992=
=1992=


=1993=
=1993=
==September==
===21st===
* The FINE plan presentation is made by Electric Communities to Fujitsu Limited in Kawasaki, Japan<ref>Direct messages with Randy Farmer - May 9th, 2022</ref>. The FINE plan stands for the Future Interactive Network Environment - An Introduction to Global Cyberspace.
===28th===
* The earliest recorded attempt by Chip Morningstar attempting to compile the Fujitsu Habitat source in preparation for porting Fujitsu Habitat to Windows is made<ref>Fujitsu Habitat source code build log - September 28th, 1993</ref>. This was the original plan for WorldsAway before it was realised that the Fujitsu Habitat source code wasn't going to work and that it would be faster to write WorldsAway from scratch. Earlier dates of August 1993 are present but aren't verifiable as the date when Chip first received the source code and began work.


==Unknown Date==
==Unknown Date==
* Development of WorldsAway begins.
* Fujitsu Limited acquire the Habitat intellectual property from Lucasfilm<ref>FUJITSU GETS WIRED (int'l edition) - BusinessWeek, https://web.archive.org/web/19970628192110/http://www.businessweek.com/1996/12/b3467152.htm</ref>.
* Development of WorldsAway begins under Fujitsu Open Systems Solutions, inc (originally UniSoft, which was acquired by Fujitsu)<ref>E-mail conversion with John Onusko, one of the people who wrote the WorldsAway server code.</ref><ref>FUJITSU POACHES UNISOFT TOP BRASS TO STAFF NEW OPEN SYSTEMS OUTFIT, https://techmonitor.ai/techonology/fujitsu_poaches_unisoft_top_brass_to_staff_new_open_systems_outfit</ref>.


=1994=
=1994=


==February==
==February==
* Club Caribe closes.
 
===21st===
* Club Caribe closes<ref>BLD Stlker’s Club Caribe Documentary - February 1994, https://youtu.be/OESzgOau1k4</ref>.
 
==August==
* Fujitsu's Cultural Technologies division is established in San Jose<ref>FUJITSU DEMOS VIRTUAL WORLDS FOR THE WEB AT SPRING INTERNET
WORLD `96 - Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/19961120223153/http://www.worldsaway.com/Worldsaway/press2/webw.html</ref><ref>INTRODUCING WEBWORLD -- ANIMATED VIRTUAL WORLD FOR THE WEB - Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1996/Feb/28-e.html</ref>.
 
==December==
* The book [https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/index.php?/category/182 "Online virtual reality"] which was written by Fujitsu Habitat Oracles is published by Fujitsu Books<ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.


=1995=
=1995=
==May==
===8th===
* Ron Lichty joins Fujitsu Cultural Technologies as the head of Engineering<ref>E-mail with Ron Lichty - August 17th, 2023</ref>.
==July==
* Douglas Crockford meets with Fujitsu Cultural Technologies on behalf of Electric Communities to discuss an ongoing support contract between them for WorldsAway. A bid for a support contract was made by Fujitsu but fell way short of Electric Communities expectations, with Fujitsu wanting to pay by the hour. A deal could not be made and the working relationship between Fujitsu and Electric Communities was terminated <ref>Electric Communities GOAT - July 31st 1995, https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/Electric-Communities-Submissions/blob/main/EC/Original-E/ec2-giblets/Docs/GOATs/95-07-31</ref>.
==August==
===4th===
* WorldsAway opens up the Dreamscape service in beta to testers on CompuServe. Testers would use version 0.8 of the WorldsAway client<ref>Ron Lichty's performance review by Tony Christopher in May 1996</ref><ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>.
===30th===
* WorldsAway's Dreamscape world is made available to the general public for the first time<ref>Ron Lichty's performance review by Tony Christopher in May 1996</ref>.
====Unknown Date====
* Body Sprays are introduced into the Dreamscape<ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>.


==September==
==September==
* WorldsAway’s Dreamscape launches on CompuServe<ref>Global expansion/system expansion of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/cybercom.html</ref>.
 
===10th===
* WorldsAway begins to generate revenue for Fujitsu Cultural Technologies for the first time<ref>Ron Lichty's performance review by Tony Christopher in May 1996</ref>.
 
====Unknown Date====
* StarWay Cafe and the Temple of Morpheus are opened to the public in the Dreamscape<ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>.
* The first inworld wedding is held in the Dreamscape<ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>.


==November==
==November==
Line 60: Line 182:
===15th===
===15th===
* WorldsAway version 1.0 is officially released. This date actually becomes known each year as “Kymer New Year”, to celebrate the release of 1.0 in the Dreamscape, on the island of Kymer.
* WorldsAway version 1.0 is officially released. This date actually becomes known each year as “Kymer New Year”, to celebrate the release of 1.0 in the Dreamscape, on the island of Kymer.
==December==
===1st===
* Fujitsu announces the availability of WorldsAway to CompuServe subscribers around the world<ref>Animated Virtual World Debuts on CompuServe - Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/19961120223202/http://www.worldsaway.com/Worldsaway/press2/waann.html</ref>.
===15th===
* WorldsAway is released on CompuServe CD's for the first time<ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>.


=1996=
=1996=
==February==
===27th===
* Fujitsu announces plans for a new world called "WebWorld"<ref>INTRODUCING WEBWORLD -- ANIMATED VIRTUAL WORLD FOR THE WEB - Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1996/Feb/28-e.html</ref>.


==March==
==March==
===19th===
* The Void is introduced into the Dreamscape<ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>. The Void was an area where punished avatars would be sent to for a time out, but it was introduced to the world via the means of a storyline.
====Unknown Date====
* Habitat II is released in Japan on the NIFTY-serve service for Windows<ref>Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html</ref>.
* Habitat II is released in Japan on the NIFTY-serve service for Windows<ref>Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html</ref>.
==April==
===16th===
* WorldsAway version 1.1 is released<ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>.
===26th===
* The grand opening of the Temple Street Terrace building is held in the Dreamscape and turfs are released for the first time<ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>.
===29th===
* Fujitsu Cultural Technologies demoes WorldsAway & WebWorlds at the Spring Internet World '96 show held at the San Jose Convention Center, April 29th - May 2nd 1996<ref>FUJITSU DEMOS VIRTUAL WORLDS FOR THE WEB AT SPRING INTERNET
WORLD `96 - Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/19961120223153/http://www.worldsaway.com/Worldsaway/press2/webw.html</ref>.


==July==
==July==
* The Sega Saturn client for Habitat II is released<ref>Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html</ref>.
* The Sega Saturn client for Habitat II is released<ref>Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html</ref>.
====Unknown Date====
* Fujitsu Open System Solutions, Inc. (FOSSI) was renamed to Fujitsu Software Corporation. In addition, the WorldsAway team, formerly known as Fujitsu Cultural Technologies (FCT), becomes part of the Multimedia division of Fujitsu Software Corporation<ref>The Dreamscape Team Newsletter - Vol. 1, Issue 1-- July 1996 - https://wiki.renoproject.org/index.php/WorldsAway_Newsletters#The_Dreamscape_Team_Newsletter_-_Vol._1%2C_Issue_1--_July_1996</ref>.
==August==
* The Promenade hatchery area of the Dreamscape is redesigned<ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>.
* Acolytes in the Dreamscape are given moderation powers for the first time<ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>. Prior to this, the only tools they had were to talk, or to turn things nuclear by forwarding it to the Oracles who could banish someone. Acolytes were given the power to freeze an avatar so they couldn't move, they could mute an avatar so it could not talk and they could force your avatar to become a ghost.


==October==
==October==


===1st===
===1st===
* Pride Media, Ltd launch the Pride! WorldsAway based virtual world<ref>https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/cybercom.html</ref>.
* Pride Media, Ltd launch the Pride! WorldsAway based virtual world<ref>Pride! Universe on CompuServe offers virtual world for the gay and lesbian community- Pride Media & Fujitsu October 1996 joint Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/19971108123544fw_/http://www.pridemedia.com/release-universe.html</ref><ref>Virtual reality world opens its doors to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders on CompuServe, https://web.archive.org/web/19971108123537fw_/http://www.pridemedia.com/release-compuserve.html</ref><ref>Global expansion/system expansion of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/cybercom.html</ref>.


==November==
==November==
* The Macintosh client for Habitat II is released<ref>Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html</ref>.
 
===1st===
* The Meditation Park area opens in the Dreamscape<ref>The Dreamscape Team Newsletter - Vol. 1, Issue 4-- November, 1996, https://wiki.renoproject.org/index.php/WorldsAway_Newsletters#The_Dreamscape_Team_Newsletter_-_Vol._1,_Issue_4--_November,_1996</ref>.


===26th===
===26th===
* Habitat II opens up access to the entire internet, as well as maintaining access via NIFTY-serve<ref>https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html</ref><ref> https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1996/Nov/15-2.html</ref>.
* Habitat II opens up access to the entire internet, as well as maintaining access via NIFTY-serve<ref>Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html</ref><ref>Virtual community "Habitat II" Internet service started, Fujitsu November 1996 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1996/Nov/15-2.html</ref>. The client software is given away for free, instead of being paid for as it was previously<ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.
 
====Unknown Date====
* The Macintosh client for Habitat II is released<ref>Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html</ref>.


=1997=
=1997=
==March==
* The Isle Caribe area is opened in the Dreamscape<ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>.


==May==
==May==


===1st===
===1st===
* CJ CheilJedang launch Glass City in Korea under license from Fujitsu Limited in Japan and Fujitsu Korea<ref>https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Apr/30.html</ref><ref>https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/cybercom.html</ref>.
* CJ CheilJedang launch Glass City in Korea under license from Fujitsu Limited in Japan and Fujitsu Korea<ref>Korean version of Habitat II "Yuridosi (Glass City)" has started - Fujitsu April 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Apr/30.html</ref><ref>Global expansion/system expansion of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/cybercom.html</ref>.
 
==June==
* The Monument Park area opens in the Dreamscape<ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref>.


==July==
==July==
* WorldsAway releases the 2.0 upgrade.
 
===7th===
* WorldsAway releases the WorldsAway 2.0 client and the Dreamscape is taken offline temporarily to convert the object database to the 2.0 format<ref>WorldsAway News October 6, 1997, https://web.archive.org/web/19971022004132/http://www.worldsaway.com/kymer/letter9.shtml</ref><ref>Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html</ref><ref>Dreamscape Transition to 2.0: A letter from the WorldsAway Team - July 6, 1997, https://web.archive.org/web/19971022013303/http://www.worldsaway.com/kymer/letter6.html</ref>.


==September==
==September==


===16th===
===16th===
* Habitat/3D is released by Fujitsu in Japan. Habitat/3D was a separate VRML compliant Java application that had virtual spaces you could explore. An object called an Agora door was placed in Habitat II which contested both of the worlds together. If you accessed Habitat/3D via Habitat II, your name, gender and general appearance would be recreated in Habitat/3D<ref> https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/5.html</ref>.
* Habitat/3D is released by Fujitsu in Japan. Habitat/3D was a separate VRML compliant Java application that had virtual spaces you could explore. An object called an Agora door was placed in Habitat II which connected both of the worlds together. If you accessed Habitat/3D via Habitat II, your name, gender and general appearance would be recreated in Habitat/3D<ref>Added communication function in 3D space to "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/5.html</ref>.
 
==October==
===1st===
* The WorldsAway Products and Services group is moved from being a part of Fujitsu Software Corporation, to being under the control of Fujitsu Business Systems of America<ref>WorldsAway News October 6, 1997, https://web.archive.org/web/19971022004132/http://www.worldsaway.com/kymer/letter9.shtml</ref>.
 
===6th===
* The Dreamscape is finally made available to internet users instead of being available on Compuserve only<ref>WorldsAway News October 6, 1997, https://web.archive.org/web/19971022004132/http://www.worldsaway.com/kymer/letter9.shtml</ref>.
 
===22nd===
* The Avatars 97 conference begins in San Francisco, USA and EC Habitats is debuted publicly for the first time. WorldsAway also has a demo booth at the event, which ran from 22nd October 1997 until 24th October 1997.
 
====Unknown Date====
* Fujitsu Software Corporation announce that its two established virtual worlds, Dreamscape and Pride! Universe, are now available on the Internet.<ref>Spectrum: Interactive Media & Online Developer News 27 October 1997, https://web.archive.org/web/19990922003210/http://www.3dlinks.com/spectrum/issues/spectrum-oct-27-97.cfm</ref>


==Unknown Date==
==Unknown Date==
Line 99: Line 282:
* Tim Lavalli is hired at Fujitsu Software Corporation and becomes known in the Dreamscape as Brother Echo.
* Tim Lavalli is hired at Fujitsu Software Corporation and becomes known in the Dreamscape as Brother Echo.
* Jeffrey Douglas who was formerly known as Oracle Vaserius in the Dreamscape, leaves Fujitsu.
* Jeffrey Douglas who was formerly known as Oracle Vaserius in the Dreamscape, leaves Fujitsu.
* Glass City is released in Korea.
* Hallway is renamed to Hotel Silicon.
* Hallway is renamed to Hotel Silicon.
* Electric Communities invite people to participate in the EC Habitats beta program.
* Electric Communities invite people to participate in the EC Habitats beta program.
* The WorldsAway Products and Services group is moved from being a part of Fujitsu Software Corporation, to being under the control of Fujitsu Business Systems of America.


=1998=
=1998=
==January==
* Habitat II opens their Graceville world, a clone of the Dreamscape world, using the WorldsAway 2.0 client and server architecture<ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.
==February==
===Unknown Date===
* Development of Club Connect begins<ref>Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848</ref>.


==July==
==July==


* Fujitsu launch a virtual world aimed at adults called Club Connect<ref> https://web.archive.org/web/19991022021840/http://www.worldsaway.com/aboutus/</ref>.
===24th===
* Fujitsu launch a virtual world aimed at adults called Club Connect<ref>WorldsAway About Us Page - October 1999, https://web.archive.org/web/19991022021840/http://www.worldsaway.com/aboutus/</ref><ref>Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848</ref><ref>Meeting with Tim Lavalli - July 12th, 1998, https://wiki.renoproject.org/index.php/Meeting_with_Tim_Lavalli_-_July_12th,_1998</ref>.
 
==November==
 
====Unknown Date====
* Hotel Silicon merges with Club Connect to create New Radio World in partnership with a company called New Radio Star<ref>Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848</ref>.
 
==December==
* Detroit was the first city to open in New Radio World in partnership with the WRIF radio station<ref>Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848</ref>.


==Unknown Date==
==Unknown Date==
* Habitat II opens their Graceville world, a clone of the Dreamscape world, using the WorldsAway 2.0 client and server architecture.
* Scott Moore who was formerly known as Oracle Teresias in the Dreamscape, leaves Fujitsu.
* Scott Moore who was formerly known as Oracle Teresias in the Dreamscape, leaves Fujitsu.
* Fujitsu partners with New Radio Star and rebrands Club Connect as New Radio World, complete with new areas and radio stations.
* Electric Communities acquires OnLive! Technologies and The Palace.


=1999=
=1999=
==February==
* The Delphi Forums area opens up in New Radio World. This is notable because it was the first "free trap area"<ref>Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848</ref>. This was a mechanism where you could sign up for a free account via a business affiliated with the world, but only be able to access a limited selection of regions and not exit into the main world. People were encouraged to convert to a paid account to access the rest of New Radio World.
==March==
===31st===
* Fujitsu Habitat ceases operation<ref>Rousi's Habitat Page, https://web.archive.org/web/20230822045939/http://rousi.com/habi/index.html</ref><ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.


==May==
==May==


===1st===
===1st===
* The WorldsAway Products and Services group in the USA is sold by Fujitsu Systems Business of America to Inworlds.com, Inc, which was a company led by former Fujitsu executive David Andrews. The WorldsAway Products and Services group led development of the software, created new artwork, operated several virtual worlds and marketed them too. The Products and Services group was sponsored by Fujitsu Limited in Japan, who retained ownership of the WorldsAway property after the transaction was concluded.
* The WorldsAway Products and Services group in the USA is sold by Fujitsu Systems Business of America to Inworlds.com, Inc, which was a company led by former Vice President of the WorldsAway Products and Services Business Unit, David Andrews<ref>Club Connect Press Release - July 20, 1998, https://web.archive.org/web/19991022040726/http://www.worldsaway.com:80/aboutus/consumer.html</ref>. The WorldsAway Products and Services group led development of the software, created new artwork, operated several virtual worlds and marketed them too. The Products and Services group was sponsored by Fujitsu Limited in Japan<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/19961120221938/http://www.worldsaway.com/away2.html</ref><ref>FUJITSU GETS WIRED (int'l edition) - BusinessWeek, https://web.archive.org/web/19970628192110/http://www.businessweek.com/1996/12/b3467152.htm</ref>, who retained ownership of the WorldsAway property after the transaction was concluded<ref>New Radio World/WorldsAway Press Release - May 7th 1999, https://web.archive.org/web/19991021235058/http://www.newradioworld.com:80/members/announcement.html</ref><ref>Fujitsu/Inworlds.com Press Release - May 7th 1999, https://web.archive.org/web/20000125231351/worldsaway.net/letter.html</ref>.
 
* Inworlds.com licensed the WorldsAway technology from Fujitsu Limited in Japan. Pride! Universe, Habitat II and Glass City remained separately owned and maintained entities from Inworlds.com, Inc<ref>New Radio World/WorldsAway Press Release - May 7th 1999, https://web.archive.org/web/19991021235058/http://www.newradioworld.com:80/members/announcement.html</ref> <ref>Fujitsu/Inworlds.com Press Release - May 7th 1999, https://web.archive.org/web/20000125231351/worldsaway.net/letter.html</ref> <ref>Delphi chat with Delilah/Eva Gailey - July 13th, 2000, https://web.archive.org/web/20030526194710/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/rw/mgrw00713-35.htm</ref>.
 
==June==
 
===14th===
* Avaterra.com, Inc file for a trademark for their logo with the United States Patent and Trademark Office<ref>United States Patent and Trademark Office - Serial Number 75728185, https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4802:yri2e4.3.1</ref>
 
===28th===
* Avaterra.com, Inc announce via a press release that they have completed the acquisition of WorldsAway, a division of Fujitsu’s Products and Services Group. Fujitsu Systems Business of America retained a 10% stake in Avaterra.com, and held a position on the board<ref>Avaterra.com Completes Acquisition of Virtual Communities From Fujitsu - Press Release - June 28th 1999, https://indexarticles.com/business/business-wire/avaterra-com-completes-acquisition-of-virtual-communities-from-fujitsu/</ref><ref>Bloomberg Business Wire recap listing the press release, https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/1999-06-28/editors-kv840ypx</ref>. It is mentioned that Avaterra.com, Inc derived revenue from its unique advertising venues, fee-based membership, custom virtual community development and software co-licensing<ref>Avaterra.com Completes Acquisition of Virtual Communities From Fujitsu - Press Release - June 28th 1999, https://indexarticles.com/business/business-wire/avaterra-com-completes-acquisition-of-virtual-communities-from-fujitsu/</ref>.
 
====Unknown Date====


Inworlds.com licensed the WorldsAway technology from Fujitsu Limited in Japan. Pride! Universe and Habitat II remained separately owned and maintained entities from Inworlds.com, Inc<ref>New Radio World/WorldsAway Press Release - May 7th 1999, https://web.archive.org/web/19991021235058/http://www.newradioworld.com:80/members/announcement.html</ref>.
* Avaterra.com, Inc formally launched its new corporate name and demonstrated its AdObject technology for next-generation Internet advertising at the Web Attack conference in San Francisco<ref>Avaterra.com Launches With AdObject Technology - Press Release - June 18th 1999, https://www.clickz.com/avaterra-com-launches-with-adobject-technology/</ref><ref>Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848</ref>.
 
==August==


==Unknown Date==
====Unknown Date====
* Inworlds.com, Inc is renamed very quickly to Avaterra.com, Inc.
* Habitat 2 software is discontinued at the end of August 1999 in favor of a rebrand to J-Chat<ref>Rousi's Habitat Page, https://web.archive.org/web/20230822045939/http://rousi.com/habi/index.html</ref>.


==September==
==September==


===1st===
===1st===
* Fujitsu Limited in Japan license WorldsAway to Fujitsu Parex, a subsidiary who they collaborated with for many years. On this day, the J-Chat service is launched<ref>https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1999/Aug/30.html</ref><ref>G-Search History Page, https://www.g-search.jp/en/history/</ref>.
* Fujitsu Limited in Japan license WorldsAway to Fujitsu Parex, a subsidiary who they collaborated with for many years. On this day, the J-Chat service is launched<ref>"J-Chat ~ Beach on The Net ~" membership community service started - Fujitsu August 1999 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1999/Aug/30.html</ref><ref>G-Search History Page, https://www.g-search.jp/en/history/</ref>.
 
==November==
 
====Unknown Date====
* In late November, a presentation is given by representatives of Avaterra Europe (Eric Diamond and John Freeman) to Paramount Digital Entertainment regarding the possibility of a licensed Star Trek world or area<ref>VZSciFi Composition - 17 Licensed Zones: Star Trek - Meetings Reports - November 1999, https://renoproject.org/pub/VZones/VZSciFi/VZSciFi%20Design%20Site/17strekmeet.htm</ref>.


==Unknown Date==
==Unknown Date==
* Version 2.4 of the WorldsAway client is released. It would be the final release by Fujitsu to bear the name WorldsAway.
* Version 2.4 of the WorldsAway client is released. It would be the final release by Fujitsu to bear the name WorldsAway.
* Fujitsu Habitat closes.
* Habitat II closes both Elysium and Graceville worlds.
* Avaterra moves the former WorldsAway Products and Services group offices from San Jose, CA to Palo Alto, CA.
* Avaterra moves the former WorldsAway Products and Services group offices from San Jose, CA to Palo Alto, CA.
* Avaterra rebrand themselves as VZones. They continue to trade as Avaterra, but the service itself becomes known as VZones.
* Avaterra rebrand themselves as VZones. They continue to trade as Avaterra, but the service itself becomes known as VZones.
Line 141: Line 363:


=2000=
=2000=
==March==
===22nd===
* Avaterra release version 3.0 of the VZones client<ref>VZones v3.0 is here! - Avaterra Newsletter - March 2000</ref><ref>Reactions to VZones 3.0 - Virtual Planet News Article - March 24th, 2000, https://web.archive.org/web/20030526193450/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/opinion/vco00324.htm</ref>. This is the final client release created by members of the original development team who used to work for Fujitsu but moved over to Avaterra. Macintosh client development ends on this date.
==April==
===22nd===
* Avaterra Europe releases an area in VZConnections called VZSciFi, which was an entirely self contained area in VZC, complete with backstory and unique 3D pre-rendered artwork<ref>VZSciFi GO Event - VZnews Archives - April 21st, 2000, https://web.archive.org/web/20001003045739/http://vzmembers.com/events/specialevents/scifigo.htm</ref><ref>VZSciFi Semi Fictional Timeline, https://wiki.renoproject.org/index.php/VZSciFi_Semi-Fictional_Timeline</ref>.
==June==
===17th===
* Avaterra Europe Ltd goes into voluntary liquidation following the withdrawal of support from the US parent company, Avaterra.com, Inc<ref>Interview with John Freeman - VZSciFi Project Manager, https://renoproject.org/john-freeman-interview/</ref>.
==July==
===9th===
* The RAID controller drive in the server that hosted the VZones worlds fails after a scheduled routine maintenance by their ISP, Global, resulting in all worlds being taken offline.
===24th===
* Access to Pride and the Dreamscape is restored<ref>More News From SWAT Team - Shawnee Chance 2 - July 24, 2000, https://web.archive.org/web/20030526194710/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/rw/scrw0724a.htm</ref>.
====Unknown Date====
* A "SWAT Team" is assembled of former Fujitsu and Avaterra staff members and volunteers to figure out the issues with the hard drive failure and bring the worlds back online.
==December==
===10th===
* Queery Universe (formerly known as "Pride Universe", or simply "Pride!"), operated by Pride Media Inc. closed on December 10, 2000<ref>Queery Universe Closing - Virtual Planet Archives, https://web.archive.org/web/20030420043234/http://www.vplanet.org/</ref>. Members of Queery Universe were offered 6 months of free membership in either Dreamscape or VZconnections. Billing for Queery Universe was discontinued as of November 11th.


==Unknown Date==
==Unknown Date==
* Avaterra release version 3.0 of the VZones client. This is the final client release created by members of the original development team who used to work for Fujitsu but moved over to Avaterra.
* Avaterra Europe releases an area in VZConnections called VZSciFi, which was an entirely self contained area in VZC, complete with backstory and unique 3D pre-rendered artwork.
* Avaterra.com, Inc goes bankrupt.
* Avaterra.com, Inc goes bankrupt.
* Avaterra Europe closes.
* Avaterra Canada closes.
* Avaterra Canada closes.
* The VZones service is down for a month due to non payment of hosting bills. Robert Dunbar, a former remote assistant, steps in to try and raise the funds to pay the bill and get services operational.
* The VZones service is down for a month due to non payment of hosting bills. Robert Dunbar, a former remote assistant, steps in to try and raise the funds to pay the bill and get services operational.
* A contract is signed between Avaterra and Robert Dunbars company before the board of directors, transferring Avaterras software license to Virtual Universe, Inc.
* Robert Dunbar is given the World Manager role and given limited operational control over VZones<ref>Save Our Worlds Chat - Virtual Planet Archives, https://web.archive.org/web/20040704205027/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/news_2001/scn10331a.htm</ref>.
* VZones starts selling inworld objects for real money. The name given to the program that sold the objects was called AvatarWares. The money is used to pay off debt accrued after Avaterra imploded (to the hosting company and to former staff members).


=2001=
=2001=


==Unknown Date==
==March==
* David Andrews, former Fujitsu executive and Avaterra CEO, returns to the fold and takes over operation of the VZones service from Robert Dunbar. David Andrews company that took over operation of VZones was called Stratagem Corporation.
 
===31st===
* Habitat II's Elysium service closes down<ref>Rousi's Habitat Page, https://web.archive.org/web/20230822045939/http://rousi.com/habi/index.html</ref><ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.
 
==May==


* Fujitsu Parex merges with G-Search, Ltd who operate and maintain the J-Chat service. G-Search, Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited in Japan.
===25th===
* Habitat II's Graceville service closes down<ref>Rousi's Habitat Page, https://web.archive.org/web/20230822045939/http://rousi.com/habi/index.html</ref><ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.


* VZones starts selling inworld objects for real money. The service that sold the objects was AvatarWares.
====Unknown Date====
* A contract is signed between Avaterra and Robert Dunbars company before the board of directors, transferring Avaterras software license to Virtual Universe, Inc which includes the Dreamscape and VZConnections worlds<ref>Announcement on the Future of our Virtual Worlds - Virtual Planet Archives, https://web.archive.org/web/20040704204800/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/news_2001/rin10328a.htm</ref>.
 
* David Andrews, former Fujitsu executive and Avaterra CEO, returns to the fold and takes over operation of the VZones service from Robert Dunbar. David Andrews company that took over operation of VZones was called Stratagem Corporation.


* VZones launches a virtual world aimed at adults with a sexual theme and naked bodies that could perform simulated sexual acts. The world was called Seducity.
* VZones launches a virtual world aimed at adults with a sexual theme and naked bodies that could perform simulated sexual acts. The world was called Seducity.


=2002=
=2002=
==April==
===13th===
* VZones launch the Second Kingdom virtual world<ref>Second Kingdom Information — Virtual Planet News Article - April 12th, 2002, https://web.archive.org/web/20040912233543/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/news_2002/scn20412a.htm</ref>. A world created with a deep mythology and focus on storyline and questing. It was unique in that spells could be used inworld and this was the first public use of magic in a WorldsAway world.
==September==
* J-Chat starts selling in-game items for real money for the first time<ref>Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html</ref>.


=2003=
=2003=
==March==
* SanrioWorld launches in Japan<ref>SanrioWorld website - April 18th, 2003 - https://web.archive.org/web/20030418011608fw_/http://www.sanriowave.com/world/new2.html</ref>.
==Unknown Date==
* Fujitsu Limited license WorldsAway to Sanrio Company, Ltd who launch their SanrioWorld service in Japan featuring all new artwork, including art from Sanrio’s Hello Kitty brand<ref>SanrioWorld website - April 8th, 2003, https://web.archive.org/web/20030408003957/http://www.sanriowave.com/world/</ref>.


=2004=
=2004=


==July==
==July==
* Fujitsu Parex, Ltd merges with G-Search, Ltd<ref>G-Search History Page, https://www.g-search.jp/en/history/</ref>.
* Fujitsu Parex merges with G-Search, Ltd who operate and maintain the J-Chat service. G-Search, Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited in Japan<ref>G-Search History Page, https://www.g-search.jp/en/history/</ref>.


==Unknown Date==
==October==
* Sanrio license the WorldsAway software from G—Search, Ltd and launch Sanrioworld. A Hello Kitty themed virtual world.
 
===2nd===
* Stratagem Corporation launched the "Virtual Votes" virtual world.<ref>Stratagem Corporation September 2004 Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/20041012030810/http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2004/9/emw160140.htm</ref><ref>Terra Nova Blog - October 2004, https://terranova.blogs.com/terra_nova/2004/10/virtual_world_r.html</ref>.
 
==November==
 
===3rd===
* Stratagem Corporation closes the "Virtual Votes" virtual world.<ref>Stratagem Corporation September 2004 Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/20041012030810/http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2004/9/emw160140.htm</ref>.


=2005=
=2005=
Line 182: Line 462:


=2007=
=2007=
==March==
===31st===
* SanrioWorld closes their service down<ref>Rousi's Habitat Page, https://web.archive.org/web/20230822045939/http://rousi.com/habi/index.html</ref>.


==Unknown Date==
==Unknown Date==
* An unauthorised Glass City opens privately, by one of the former Glass City server engineers.
* An unauthorised Glass City service opens privately, by one of the former Glass City server engineers.


=2008=
=2008=
Line 195: Line 480:


===26th===
===26th===
* G-Search, Ltd shuts down the J-Chat service<ref>J-Chat Home Page, https://web.archive.org/web/20101230070135/http://j-chat.net/</ref>.
* G-Search, Ltd shuts down the J-Chat service<ref>J-Chat Home Page - December 2010, https://web.archive.org/web/20101230070135/http://j-chat.net/</ref>.


=2011=
=2011=
Line 211: Line 496:
* MetroWorlds, an officially licensed WorldsAway world, launch the Eden beta world.
* MetroWorlds, an officially licensed WorldsAway world, launch the Eden beta world.


==Unknown Date==
==September==
 
===28th===
* A [https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/index.php?/category/337 hackathon] was held at The MADE to attempt to get Habitat operational again. This event was attended by Chip Morningstar and Randy Farmer. A basic region was created using packet crafting and the first Habitat region in 20 years was able to be successfully displayed.
 
====Unknown Date====
* Lucasfilm’s Habitat, which was later purchased by Fujitsu, was made open source thanks to the efforts of The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment in Oakland, California.
* Lucasfilm’s Habitat, which was later purchased by Fujitsu, was made open source thanks to the efforts of The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment in Oakland, California.
* A hackathon was held at The MADE to attempt to get Habitat operational again. This event was attended by Chip Morningstar and Randy Farmer. A basic region was created using packet crafting and the first Habitat region in 20 years was able to be successfully displayed.


=2015=
=2015=
Line 237: Line 526:


=2021=
=2021=
=2023=
==May==
===29th===
* After being hosted by NeoHabitat contributor Steve Salevan for the past 5 years, the public NeoHabitat server instance is transferred over to the custody of The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment.
<br>

Latest revision as of 20:55, 4 September 2024

The plan for this page is to have a bullet point list of all major events that occurred in the timeline from Habitat until the present day. These will be presented in chronological order and wherever possible, links and citations will be given.

If you can provide a date for a major event or can confirm one, please get in touch with us. If you have proof of these dates but cannot publicly share them, we can discuss this to confirm the authenticity of the information.

1985

July

  • Charlie Kellner and Chip Morningstar discuss ideas for "microworld".[1]

September

4th

  • Steve Arnold of Lucasfilm Games and Steve Case of Quantum Link discuss Mr Case's desire for a project with a quick turnaround and Chip Morningstar's proposal for Habitat is mentioned[2].

5th

  • Steve Arnold writes a letter to Steve Case and sends him the written proposal for Habitat that Chip Morningstar wrote[3].

October

7th

  • Chip Morningstar flies to the Quantum Link offices in Vienna, VA and meets with Marc Seriff (VP of engineering and product development), Ken Huntsman (programmer) and Janet Hunter (programmer and later integral member of the Habitat team)[4].

8th

  • Chip Morningstar and Steve Arnold meet with Marc Seriff, Ken Huntsman and Janet Hunter[5].
  • Chip Morningstar and Steve Arnold meet with Marc Seriff, Clive Smith from Commodore, the president of Quantum Link and Quantum's software contracts lawyer[6].

November

4th

  • Aric Wilmunder joins the Habitat development team full time.[7]

18th

  • Randy Farmer joins the Habitat development team full time.[8]

Unknown Date

  • Development of Habitat begins, initially called MicroCosm.

1986

June

  • Habitat is demoed at the 20th Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, USA[9]. Randy Farmer, Aric Wilmunder and Janet Hunter were in attendance[10]

September

16th

  • Habitat is demoed by Lucasfilm Games at The Palladium nightclub in New York City[11][12][13].

November

3rd

  • At a meeting with Quantum Link, it is decided that in Habitat, all logged out users will be turned into to ghosts, rather than being left on the ground turned to stone[14].

Unknown Date

  • The Habitat closed pilot test begins[15].

1987

August

Unknown Date

  • Lucasfilm's Habitat is opened up for beta testing to a wider selection of users that were invited in small batches[16]. Users had to pay to access Habitat during this time[17].

1988

May

5th

  • The Habitat beta test comes to a close[18].

July

  • Randy Farmer replaces the title screen and the hatchery text in the Habitat client to rebrand it as Club Caribe for Quantum Link[19]

August

21st

  • Fujitsu representatives attend the Habitat Technology Transfer Seminar at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California, USA. The seminar is held from Monday, August 21, 1988 through Friday, August 25, 1988[20]. A notable attendee is Kazutomo Fukuda, who would go on to be in charge of Fujitsu Habitat and Habitat II.

October

  • Fujitsu licenses Habitat from Lucasfilm to create Fujitsu Habitat in Japan[21][22][23].

1989

February

  • Fujitsu Habitat is demoed at Asia Telecom ‘89 in Singapore by a team from Fujitsu alongside Chip Morningstar and Randy Farmer[24][25].

March

  • Fujitsu Habitat was debuted in Japan at "Denno Amusement Park IN Tokyo Dome" where Fujitsu's personal computer the "FM-TOWNS" was also unveiled[26].

July

  • Club Caribe is released on Quantum Link.

October

  • Fujitsu Habitat monitor test begins[27].

1990

January

26th

  • Fujitsu Habitat officially begins service, initially being free to play[28].

February

10th

  • Fujitsu Habitat is officially released on the FM-TOWNS computer and becomes a paid service[29][30][31][32].

1991

August

  • The Fujitsu Habitat client is released on the FMR series of personal computers[33].

September

  • Fujitsu acquire key staff from UniSoft Corporation, a software house specialising in UNIX[34]. They use these staff to form Fujitsu Open Systems Solutions, inc, a UNIX research and development venture. Fujitsu Open Systems Solutions, inc would later be the company that Electric Communities worked alongside with to create WorldsAway in 1994.

October

  • The Fujitsu Habitat client is released for the PC-9801[35].

1992

1993

September

21st

  • The FINE plan presentation is made by Electric Communities to Fujitsu Limited in Kawasaki, Japan[36]. The FINE plan stands for the Future Interactive Network Environment - An Introduction to Global Cyberspace.

28th

  • The earliest recorded attempt by Chip Morningstar attempting to compile the Fujitsu Habitat source in preparation for porting Fujitsu Habitat to Windows is made[37]. This was the original plan for WorldsAway before it was realised that the Fujitsu Habitat source code wasn't going to work and that it would be faster to write WorldsAway from scratch. Earlier dates of August 1993 are present but aren't verifiable as the date when Chip first received the source code and began work.

Unknown Date

  • Fujitsu Limited acquire the Habitat intellectual property from Lucasfilm[38].
  • Development of WorldsAway begins under Fujitsu Open Systems Solutions, inc (originally UniSoft, which was acquired by Fujitsu)[39][40].

1994

February

21st

  • Club Caribe closes[41].

August

  • Fujitsu's Cultural Technologies division is established in San Jose[42][43].

December

1995

May

8th

  • Ron Lichty joins Fujitsu Cultural Technologies as the head of Engineering[45].

July

  • Douglas Crockford meets with Fujitsu Cultural Technologies on behalf of Electric Communities to discuss an ongoing support contract between them for WorldsAway. A bid for a support contract was made by Fujitsu but fell way short of Electric Communities expectations, with Fujitsu wanting to pay by the hour. A deal could not be made and the working relationship between Fujitsu and Electric Communities was terminated [46].

August

4th

  • WorldsAway opens up the Dreamscape service in beta to testers on CompuServe. Testers would use version 0.8 of the WorldsAway client[47][48].

30th

  • WorldsAway's Dreamscape world is made available to the general public for the first time[49].

Unknown Date

  • Body Sprays are introduced into the Dreamscape[50].

September

10th

  • WorldsAway begins to generate revenue for Fujitsu Cultural Technologies for the first time[51].

Unknown Date

  • StarWay Cafe and the Temple of Morpheus are opened to the public in the Dreamscape[52].
  • The first inworld wedding is held in the Dreamscape[53].

November

15th

  • WorldsAway version 1.0 is officially released. This date actually becomes known each year as “Kymer New Year”, to celebrate the release of 1.0 in the Dreamscape, on the island of Kymer.

December

1st

  • Fujitsu announces the availability of WorldsAway to CompuServe subscribers around the world[54].

15th

  • WorldsAway is released on CompuServe CD's for the first time[55].

1996

February

27th

  • Fujitsu announces plans for a new world called "WebWorld"[56].

March

19th

  • The Void is introduced into the Dreamscape[57]. The Void was an area where punished avatars would be sent to for a time out, but it was introduced to the world via the means of a storyline.

Unknown Date

  • Habitat II is released in Japan on the NIFTY-serve service for Windows[58].

April

16th

  • WorldsAway version 1.1 is released[59].

26th

  • The grand opening of the Temple Street Terrace building is held in the Dreamscape and turfs are released for the first time[60].

29th

  • Fujitsu Cultural Technologies demoes WorldsAway & WebWorlds at the Spring Internet World '96 show held at the San Jose Convention Center, April 29th - May 2nd 1996[61].

July

  • The Sega Saturn client for Habitat II is released[62].

Unknown Date

  • Fujitsu Open System Solutions, Inc. (FOSSI) was renamed to Fujitsu Software Corporation. In addition, the WorldsAway team, formerly known as Fujitsu Cultural Technologies (FCT), becomes part of the Multimedia division of Fujitsu Software Corporation[63].

August

  • The Promenade hatchery area of the Dreamscape is redesigned[64].
  • Acolytes in the Dreamscape are given moderation powers for the first time[65]. Prior to this, the only tools they had were to talk, or to turn things nuclear by forwarding it to the Oracles who could banish someone. Acolytes were given the power to freeze an avatar so they couldn't move, they could mute an avatar so it could not talk and they could force your avatar to become a ghost.

October

1st

  • Pride Media, Ltd launch the Pride! WorldsAway based virtual world[66][67][68].

November

1st

  • The Meditation Park area opens in the Dreamscape[69].

26th

  • Habitat II opens up access to the entire internet, as well as maintaining access via NIFTY-serve[70][71]. The client software is given away for free, instead of being paid for as it was previously[72].

Unknown Date

  • The Macintosh client for Habitat II is released[73].

1997

March

  • The Isle Caribe area is opened in the Dreamscape[74].

May

1st

  • CJ CheilJedang launch Glass City in Korea under license from Fujitsu Limited in Japan and Fujitsu Korea[75][76].

June

  • The Monument Park area opens in the Dreamscape[77].

July

7th

  • WorldsAway releases the WorldsAway 2.0 client and the Dreamscape is taken offline temporarily to convert the object database to the 2.0 format[78][79][80].

September

16th

  • Habitat/3D is released by Fujitsu in Japan. Habitat/3D was a separate VRML compliant Java application that had virtual spaces you could explore. An object called an Agora door was placed in Habitat II which connected both of the worlds together. If you accessed Habitat/3D via Habitat II, your name, gender and general appearance would be recreated in Habitat/3D[81].

October

1st

  • The WorldsAway Products and Services group is moved from being a part of Fujitsu Software Corporation, to being under the control of Fujitsu Business Systems of America[82].

6th

  • The Dreamscape is finally made available to internet users instead of being available on Compuserve only[83].

22nd

  • The Avatars 97 conference begins in San Francisco, USA and EC Habitats is debuted publicly for the first time. WorldsAway also has a demo booth at the event, which ran from 22nd October 1997 until 24th October 1997.

Unknown Date

  • Fujitsu Software Corporation announce that its two established virtual worlds, Dreamscape and Pride! Universe, are now available on the Internet.[84]

Unknown Date

  • Hallway is opened to the public as part of the beta test for WorldsAway 2.0.
  • Tim Lavalli is hired at Fujitsu Software Corporation and becomes known in the Dreamscape as Brother Echo.
  • Jeffrey Douglas who was formerly known as Oracle Vaserius in the Dreamscape, leaves Fujitsu.
  • Hallway is renamed to Hotel Silicon.
  • Electric Communities invite people to participate in the EC Habitats beta program.

1998

January

  • Habitat II opens their Graceville world, a clone of the Dreamscape world, using the WorldsAway 2.0 client and server architecture[85].

February

Unknown Date

  • Development of Club Connect begins[86].

July

24th

  • Fujitsu launch a virtual world aimed at adults called Club Connect[87][88][89].

November

Unknown Date

  • Hotel Silicon merges with Club Connect to create New Radio World in partnership with a company called New Radio Star[90].

December

  • Detroit was the first city to open in New Radio World in partnership with the WRIF radio station[91].

Unknown Date

  • Scott Moore who was formerly known as Oracle Teresias in the Dreamscape, leaves Fujitsu.
  • Electric Communities acquires OnLive! Technologies and The Palace.

1999

February

  • The Delphi Forums area opens up in New Radio World. This is notable because it was the first "free trap area"[92]. This was a mechanism where you could sign up for a free account via a business affiliated with the world, but only be able to access a limited selection of regions and not exit into the main world. People were encouraged to convert to a paid account to access the rest of New Radio World.

March

31st

  • Fujitsu Habitat ceases operation[93][94].

May

1st

  • The WorldsAway Products and Services group in the USA is sold by Fujitsu Systems Business of America to Inworlds.com, Inc, which was a company led by former Vice President of the WorldsAway Products and Services Business Unit, David Andrews[95]. The WorldsAway Products and Services group led development of the software, created new artwork, operated several virtual worlds and marketed them too. The Products and Services group was sponsored by Fujitsu Limited in Japan[96][97], who retained ownership of the WorldsAway property after the transaction was concluded[98][99].
  • Inworlds.com licensed the WorldsAway technology from Fujitsu Limited in Japan. Pride! Universe, Habitat II and Glass City remained separately owned and maintained entities from Inworlds.com, Inc[100] [101] [102].

June

14th

  • Avaterra.com, Inc file for a trademark for their logo with the United States Patent and Trademark Office[103]

28th

  • Avaterra.com, Inc announce via a press release that they have completed the acquisition of WorldsAway, a division of Fujitsu’s Products and Services Group. Fujitsu Systems Business of America retained a 10% stake in Avaterra.com, and held a position on the board[104][105]. It is mentioned that Avaterra.com, Inc derived revenue from its unique advertising venues, fee-based membership, custom virtual community development and software co-licensing[106].

Unknown Date

  • Avaterra.com, Inc formally launched its new corporate name and demonstrated its AdObject technology for next-generation Internet advertising at the Web Attack conference in San Francisco[107][108].

August

Unknown Date

  • Habitat 2 software is discontinued at the end of August 1999 in favor of a rebrand to J-Chat[109].

September

1st

  • Fujitsu Limited in Japan license WorldsAway to Fujitsu Parex, a subsidiary who they collaborated with for many years. On this day, the J-Chat service is launched[110][111].

November

Unknown Date

  • In late November, a presentation is given by representatives of Avaterra Europe (Eric Diamond and John Freeman) to Paramount Digital Entertainment regarding the possibility of a licensed Star Trek world or area[112].

Unknown Date

  • Version 2.4 of the WorldsAway client is released. It would be the final release by Fujitsu to bear the name WorldsAway.
  • Avaterra moves the former WorldsAway Products and Services group offices from San Jose, CA to Palo Alto, CA.
  • Avaterra rebrand themselves as VZones. They continue to trade as Avaterra, but the service itself becomes known as VZones.
  • New Radio World is rebranded as VZConnections.

2000

March

22nd

  • Avaterra release version 3.0 of the VZones client[113][114]. This is the final client release created by members of the original development team who used to work for Fujitsu but moved over to Avaterra. Macintosh client development ends on this date.

April

22nd

  • Avaterra Europe releases an area in VZConnections called VZSciFi, which was an entirely self contained area in VZC, complete with backstory and unique 3D pre-rendered artwork[115][116].

June

17th

  • Avaterra Europe Ltd goes into voluntary liquidation following the withdrawal of support from the US parent company, Avaterra.com, Inc[117].

July

9th

  • The RAID controller drive in the server that hosted the VZones worlds fails after a scheduled routine maintenance by their ISP, Global, resulting in all worlds being taken offline.

24th

  • Access to Pride and the Dreamscape is restored[118].

Unknown Date

  • A "SWAT Team" is assembled of former Fujitsu and Avaterra staff members and volunteers to figure out the issues with the hard drive failure and bring the worlds back online.

December

10th

  • Queery Universe (formerly known as "Pride Universe", or simply "Pride!"), operated by Pride Media Inc. closed on December 10, 2000[119]. Members of Queery Universe were offered 6 months of free membership in either Dreamscape or VZconnections. Billing for Queery Universe was discontinued as of November 11th.

Unknown Date

  • Avaterra.com, Inc goes bankrupt.
  • Avaterra Canada closes.
  • The VZones service is down for a month due to non payment of hosting bills. Robert Dunbar, a former remote assistant, steps in to try and raise the funds to pay the bill and get services operational.
  • Robert Dunbar is given the World Manager role and given limited operational control over VZones[120].
  • VZones starts selling inworld objects for real money. The name given to the program that sold the objects was called AvatarWares. The money is used to pay off debt accrued after Avaterra imploded (to the hosting company and to former staff members).

2001

March

31st

  • Habitat II's Elysium service closes down[121][122].

May

25th

  • Habitat II's Graceville service closes down[123][124].

Unknown Date

  • A contract is signed between Avaterra and Robert Dunbars company before the board of directors, transferring Avaterras software license to Virtual Universe, Inc which includes the Dreamscape and VZConnections worlds[125].
  • David Andrews, former Fujitsu executive and Avaterra CEO, returns to the fold and takes over operation of the VZones service from Robert Dunbar. David Andrews company that took over operation of VZones was called Stratagem Corporation.
  • VZones launches a virtual world aimed at adults with a sexual theme and naked bodies that could perform simulated sexual acts. The world was called Seducity.

2002

April

13th

  • VZones launch the Second Kingdom virtual world[126]. A world created with a deep mythology and focus on storyline and questing. It was unique in that spells could be used inworld and this was the first public use of magic in a WorldsAway world.

September

  • J-Chat starts selling in-game items for real money for the first time[127].

2003

March

  • SanrioWorld launches in Japan[128].

Unknown Date

  • Fujitsu Limited license WorldsAway to Sanrio Company, Ltd who launch their SanrioWorld service in Japan featuring all new artwork, including art from Sanrio’s Hello Kitty brand[129].

2004

July

  • Fujitsu Parex merges with G-Search, Ltd who operate and maintain the J-Chat service. G-Search, Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited in Japan[130].

October

2nd

  • Stratagem Corporation launched the "Virtual Votes" virtual world.[131][132].

November

3rd

  • Stratagem Corporation closes the "Virtual Votes" virtual world.[133].

2005

2006

Unknown Date

  • David Andrews sells Stratagem Corporation to Justine Reichman, who takes over operation of the VZones service.

2007

March

31st

  • SanrioWorld closes their service down[134].

Unknown Date

  • An unauthorised Glass City service opens privately, by one of the former Glass City server engineers.

2008

2009

2010

January

26th

  • G-Search, Ltd shuts down the J-Chat service[135].

2011

2012

2013

2014

July

  • Due to non payment of server hosting bills, the VZones service closes its doors without any announcements and the owner, Justine Reichman, goes completely silent.

August

  • MetroWorlds, an officially licensed WorldsAway world, launch the Eden beta world.

September

28th

  • A hackathon was held at The MADE to attempt to get Habitat operational again. This event was attended by Chip Morningstar and Randy Farmer. A basic region was created using packet crafting and the first Habitat region in 20 years was able to be successfully displayed.

Unknown Date

  • Lucasfilm’s Habitat, which was later purchased by Fujitsu, was made open source thanks to the efforts of The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment in Oakland, California.

2015

October

  • MetroWorlds launch their main virtual world called Metropolis. The beta world known as Eden closes several weeks later.

2016

2017

November

  • MetroWorlds shut down their Metropolis service.

Unknown Date

  • Randy Farmer starts the NeoHabitat project. A recreation of the original Habitat server, using a modern programming language. This happens after three years of attempting to get clearance for some missing files needed to compile the original Habitat server code on the original hardware.

2018

2019

2020

2021

2023

May

29th

  • After being hosted by NeoHabitat contributor Steve Salevan for the past 5 years, the public NeoHabitat server instance is transferred over to the custody of The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment.


  1. ^ E-mail from Charlie Kellner - July 18th, 1985, https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/habitat/blob/master/chip/habitat/docs/archives/worldComments
  2. ^ Lucasfilm Games MicroCosm Proposal - September 5th, 1985, https://archive.org/details/lucas-film-micro-cosm-proposal
  3. ^ Lucasfilm Games MicroCosm Proposal - September 5th, 1985, https://archive.org/details/lucas-film-micro-cosm-proposal
  4. ^ Capsule summary of meeting with Quantum folk, October 7-8, 1985, at their offices in Vienna, VA., https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/habitat/blob/master/chip/habitat/docs/cya/meetingOct7.t
  5. ^ Capsule summary of meeting with Quantum folk, October 7-8, 1985, at their offices in Vienna, VA., https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/habitat/blob/master/chip/habitat/docs/cya/meetingOct7.t
  6. ^ Capsule summary of meeting with Quantum folk, October 7-8, 1985, at their offices in Vienna, VA., https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/habitat/blob/master/chip/habitat/docs/cya/meetingOct7.t
  7. ^ MicroCosm™ Report December 5, 1985, https://github.com/StuBlad/habitatdocs/blob/main/itr/reportNovember.pdf
  8. ^ MicroCosm™ Report December 5, 1985, https://github.com/StuBlad/habitatdocs/blob/main/itr/reportNovember.pdf
  9. ^ Issue 17 - Computer Gamer - August 1986, https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/index.php?/category/335
  10. ^ Direct messages with Randy Farmer - June 1st, 2023
  11. ^ Issue 44 Commodore Microcomputers - November/December 1986, https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/picture.php?/8435/category/160
  12. ^ Computerworld - Sep 1, 1986, https://books.google.com/books?id=6dLTc6Wv3Y0C&pg=PA72&lpg=PA72&dq=north+american+videotex+industry+%22conference%22+%221986%22+%22New+York%22+-minitel&source=bl&ots=3YMaib_mgh&sig=ACfU3U3P31hutfru8_prDuEy45AwgU9BBg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjBooHdhaj2AhVtJkQIHfQvBjEQ6AF6BAg1EAM#v=onepage&q=north%20american%20videotex%20industry%20%22conference%22%20%221986%22%20%22New%20York%22%20-minitel&f=false
  13. ^ Palladium Demo - Lucasfilm Ltd. Games Division - September 14, 1986,https://github.com/StuBlad/habitatdocs/blob/main/itr/palladium.pdf
  14. ^ Subject: Habitat meetings at Quantum, 11/3 - November 5th, 1986, https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/habitat/blob/master/chip/habitat/docs/cya/qmeeting.t
  15. ^ The Socialization of Cyberspace: From Habitat to the Full Service Network - Hosted by Professor Terry Winograd and Randy Farmer, Electric Communities at Stanford University, January 12th, 1996, https://youtu.be/zVwkFgmsLHc?t=491
  16. ^ The Rant Newspaper - Volume 1, Issue 1 - August 17th, 1987, https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/picture.php?/12962/category/380
  17. ^ Conversation with Randy Farmer on The MADE's Discord - September 4, 2024
  18. ^ Bill Herrin's Habitat Beta Blast Party footage, https://youtu.be/YlFhkFX_wu0
  19. ^ Direct messages with Randy Farmer - March 25th, 2024
  20. ^ Habitat Technology Transfer Seminar document, https://renoproject.org/pub/Habitat/Documents/Habitat_Tech_Transfer_FULL.pdf
  21. ^ History of Fujitsu Habitat - Oh!FM Towns - November 1991, https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/picture.php?/6581/category/238
  22. ^ You can't tell people anything - Habitat Chronicles, http://habitatchronicles.com/2004/04/you-cant-tell-people-anything/
  23. ^ WorldsAway Backgrounder - Creating Virtual Communities in Cyberspace, https://web.archive.org/web/19961120223211/http://www.worldsaway.com/Worldsaway/press2/waback.html
  24. ^ Asia Telecom '89 Photos from the archives of Randy Farmer, https://renoproject.org/imagearchive/index.php?/category/313
  25. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  26. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  27. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  28. ^ Fujitsu Scientific and Technical Journal Vol. 26, No. 3 - October 30th, 1990 - Hypermedia Personal Computer Communication System: Fujitsu Habitat, https://renoproject.org/pub/FujitsuHabitat/Text/Hypermedia%20Personal%20Computer%20Communication%20System%20-%20Fujitsu%20Habitat.pdf
  29. ^ Fujitsu Scientific and Technical Journal Vol. 26, No. 3 - October 30th, 1990 - Hypermedia Personal Computer Communication System: Fujitsu Habitat, https://renoproject.org/pub/FujitsuHabitat/Text/Hypermedia%20Personal%20Computer%20Communication%20System%20-%20Fujitsu%20Habitat.pdf
  30. ^ Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html
  31. ^ "Habitat II" service concept - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_concept.html
  32. ^ FUJITSU MULTIMEDIA CORPORATE BACKGROUNDER, https://web.archive.org/web/19961120223227/http://www.worldsaway.com/Worldsaway/press2/fujicorp.html
  33. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  34. ^ FUJITSU POACHES UNISOFT TOP BRASS TO STAFF NEW OPEN SYSTEMS OUTFIT - September 8th, 1991, https://techmonitor.ai/technology/fujitsu_poaches_unisoft_top_brass_to_staff_new_open_systems_outfit
  35. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  36. ^ Direct messages with Randy Farmer - May 9th, 2022
  37. ^ Fujitsu Habitat source code build log - September 28th, 1993
  38. ^ FUJITSU GETS WIRED (int'l edition) - BusinessWeek, https://web.archive.org/web/19970628192110/http://www.businessweek.com/1996/12/b3467152.htm
  39. ^ E-mail conversion with John Onusko, one of the people who wrote the WorldsAway server code.
  40. ^ FUJITSU POACHES UNISOFT TOP BRASS TO STAFF NEW OPEN SYSTEMS OUTFIT, https://techmonitor.ai/techonology/fujitsu_poaches_unisoft_top_brass_to_staff_new_open_systems_outfit
  41. ^ BLD Stlker’s Club Caribe Documentary - February 1994, https://youtu.be/OESzgOau1k4
  42. ^ FUJITSU DEMOS VIRTUAL WORLDS FOR THE WEB AT SPRING INTERNET WORLD `96 - Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/19961120223153/http://www.worldsaway.com/Worldsaway/press2/webw.html
  43. ^ INTRODUCING WEBWORLD -- ANIMATED VIRTUAL WORLD FOR THE WEB - Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1996/Feb/28-e.html
  44. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  45. ^ E-mail with Ron Lichty - August 17th, 2023
  46. ^ Electric Communities GOAT - July 31st 1995, https://github.com/Museum-of-Art-and-Digital-Entertainment/Electric-Communities-Submissions/blob/main/EC/Original-E/ec2-giblets/Docs/GOATs/95-07-31
  47. ^ Ron Lichty's performance review by Tony Christopher in May 1996
  48. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  49. ^ Ron Lichty's performance review by Tony Christopher in May 1996
  50. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  51. ^ Ron Lichty's performance review by Tony Christopher in May 1996
  52. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  53. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  54. ^ Animated Virtual World Debuts on CompuServe - Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/19961120223202/http://www.worldsaway.com/Worldsaway/press2/waann.html
  55. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  56. ^ INTRODUCING WEBWORLD -- ANIMATED VIRTUAL WORLD FOR THE WEB - Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1996/Feb/28-e.html
  57. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  58. ^ Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html
  59. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  60. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  61. ^ FUJITSU DEMOS VIRTUAL WORLDS FOR THE WEB AT SPRING INTERNET WORLD `96 - Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/19961120223153/http://www.worldsaway.com/Worldsaway/press2/webw.html
  62. ^ Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html
  63. ^ The Dreamscape Team Newsletter - Vol. 1, Issue 1-- July 1996 - https://wiki.renoproject.org/index.php/WorldsAway_Newsletters#The_Dreamscape_Team_Newsletter_-_Vol._1%2C_Issue_1--_July_1996
  64. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  65. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  66. ^ Pride! Universe on CompuServe offers virtual world for the gay and lesbian community- Pride Media & Fujitsu October 1996 joint Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/19971108123544fw_/http://www.pridemedia.com/release-universe.html
  67. ^ Virtual reality world opens its doors to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders on CompuServe, https://web.archive.org/web/19971108123537fw_/http://www.pridemedia.com/release-compuserve.html
  68. ^ Global expansion/system expansion of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/cybercom.html
  69. ^ The Dreamscape Team Newsletter - Vol. 1, Issue 4-- November, 1996, https://wiki.renoproject.org/index.php/WorldsAway_Newsletters#The_Dreamscape_Team_Newsletter_-_Vol._1,_Issue_4--_November,_1996
  70. ^ Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html
  71. ^ Virtual community "Habitat II" Internet service started, Fujitsu November 1996 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1996/Nov/15-2.html
  72. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  73. ^ Overview of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/habitat2_gaiyou.html
  74. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  75. ^ Korean version of Habitat II "Yuridosi (Glass City)" has started - Fujitsu April 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Apr/30.html
  76. ^ Global expansion/system expansion of "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/habitat/cybercom.html
  77. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  78. ^ WorldsAway News October 6, 1997, https://web.archive.org/web/19971022004132/http://www.worldsaway.com/kymer/letter9.shtml
  79. ^ Dreamscape Rollout Schedule - Email from Jeffery Douglas to Tony Christopher on 30 July 1997, https://renoproject.org/interviews/jefferydouglas.html
  80. ^ Dreamscape Transition to 2.0: A letter from the WorldsAway Team - July 6, 1997, https://web.archive.org/web/19971022013303/http://www.worldsaway.com/kymer/letter6.html
  81. ^ Added communication function in 3D space to "Habitat II" - Fujitsu September 1997 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1997/Sep/5.html
  82. ^ WorldsAway News October 6, 1997, https://web.archive.org/web/19971022004132/http://www.worldsaway.com/kymer/letter9.shtml
  83. ^ WorldsAway News October 6, 1997, https://web.archive.org/web/19971022004132/http://www.worldsaway.com/kymer/letter9.shtml
  84. ^ Spectrum: Interactive Media & Online Developer News 27 October 1997, https://web.archive.org/web/19990922003210/http://www.3dlinks.com/spectrum/issues/spectrum-oct-27-97.cfm
  85. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  86. ^ Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848
  87. ^ WorldsAway About Us Page - October 1999, https://web.archive.org/web/19991022021840/http://www.worldsaway.com/aboutus/
  88. ^ Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848
  89. ^ Meeting with Tim Lavalli - July 12th, 1998, https://wiki.renoproject.org/index.php/Meeting_with_Tim_Lavalli_-_July_12th,_1998
  90. ^ Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848
  91. ^ Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848
  92. ^ Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848
  93. ^ Rousi's Habitat Page, https://web.archive.org/web/20230822045939/http://rousi.com/habi/index.html
  94. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  95. ^ Club Connect Press Release - July 20, 1998, https://web.archive.org/web/19991022040726/http://www.worldsaway.com:80/aboutus/consumer.html
  96. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/19961120221938/http://www.worldsaway.com/away2.html
  97. ^ FUJITSU GETS WIRED (int'l edition) - BusinessWeek, https://web.archive.org/web/19970628192110/http://www.businessweek.com/1996/12/b3467152.htm
  98. ^ New Radio World/WorldsAway Press Release - May 7th 1999, https://web.archive.org/web/19991021235058/http://www.newradioworld.com:80/members/announcement.html
  99. ^ Fujitsu/Inworlds.com Press Release - May 7th 1999, https://web.archive.org/web/20000125231351/worldsaway.net/letter.html
  100. ^ New Radio World/WorldsAway Press Release - May 7th 1999, https://web.archive.org/web/19991021235058/http://www.newradioworld.com:80/members/announcement.html
  101. ^ Fujitsu/Inworlds.com Press Release - May 7th 1999, https://web.archive.org/web/20000125231351/worldsaway.net/letter.html
  102. ^ Delphi chat with Delilah/Eva Gailey - July 13th, 2000, https://web.archive.org/web/20030526194710/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/rw/mgrw00713-35.htm
  103. ^ United States Patent and Trademark Office - Serial Number 75728185, https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4802:yri2e4.3.1
  104. ^ Avaterra.com Completes Acquisition of Virtual Communities From Fujitsu - Press Release - June 28th 1999, https://indexarticles.com/business/business-wire/avaterra-com-completes-acquisition-of-virtual-communities-from-fujitsu/
  105. ^ Bloomberg Business Wire recap listing the press release, https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/1999-06-28/editors-kv840ypx
  106. ^ Avaterra.com Completes Acquisition of Virtual Communities From Fujitsu - Press Release - June 28th 1999, https://indexarticles.com/business/business-wire/avaterra-com-completes-acquisition-of-virtual-communities-from-fujitsu/
  107. ^ Avaterra.com Launches With AdObject Technology - Press Release - June 18th 1999, https://www.clickz.com/avaterra-com-launches-with-adobject-technology/
  108. ^ Delphi Forums "Save Our Worlds" forum post by Teague, VZones Member Support "If Robert kills DS/VZC in favour of SeduCity, would you go to SC?" - October 2001, http://forums.delphiforums.com/saveourworlds/messages/?msg=104.25&gid=2092731848
  109. ^ Rousi's Habitat Page, https://web.archive.org/web/20230822045939/http://rousi.com/habi/index.html
  110. ^ "J-Chat ~ Beach on The Net ~" membership community service started - Fujitsu August 1999 Press Release, https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/1999/Aug/30.html
  111. ^ G-Search History Page, https://www.g-search.jp/en/history/
  112. ^ VZSciFi Composition - 17 Licensed Zones: Star Trek - Meetings Reports - November 1999, https://renoproject.org/pub/VZones/VZSciFi/VZSciFi%20Design%20Site/17strekmeet.htm
  113. ^ VZones v3.0 is here! - Avaterra Newsletter - March 2000
  114. ^ Reactions to VZones 3.0 - Virtual Planet News Article - March 24th, 2000, https://web.archive.org/web/20030526193450/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/opinion/vco00324.htm
  115. ^ VZSciFi GO Event - VZnews Archives - April 21st, 2000, https://web.archive.org/web/20001003045739/http://vzmembers.com/events/specialevents/scifigo.htm
  116. ^ VZSciFi Semi Fictional Timeline, https://wiki.renoproject.org/index.php/VZSciFi_Semi-Fictional_Timeline
  117. ^ Interview with John Freeman - VZSciFi Project Manager, https://renoproject.org/john-freeman-interview/
  118. ^ More News From SWAT Team - Shawnee Chance 2 - July 24, 2000, https://web.archive.org/web/20030526194710/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/rw/scrw0724a.htm
  119. ^ Queery Universe Closing - Virtual Planet Archives, https://web.archive.org/web/20030420043234/http://www.vplanet.org/
  120. ^ Save Our Worlds Chat - Virtual Planet Archives, https://web.archive.org/web/20040704205027/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/news_2001/scn10331a.htm
  121. ^ Rousi's Habitat Page, https://web.archive.org/web/20230822045939/http://rousi.com/habi/index.html
  122. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  123. ^ Rousi's Habitat Page, https://web.archive.org/web/20230822045939/http://rousi.com/habi/index.html
  124. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  125. ^ Announcement on the Future of our Virtual Worlds - Virtual Planet Archives, https://web.archive.org/web/20040704204800/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/news_2001/rin10328a.htm
  126. ^ Second Kingdom Information — Virtual Planet News Article - April 12th, 2002, https://web.archive.org/web/20040912233543/http://www.vplanet.org/archives/articles/news_2002/scn20412a.htm
  127. ^ Fujitsu Habitat history - https://web.archive.org/web/20160812162115/http://www.j-chat.net/habitat/history.html
  128. ^ SanrioWorld website - April 18th, 2003 - https://web.archive.org/web/20030418011608fw_/http://www.sanriowave.com/world/new2.html
  129. ^ SanrioWorld website - April 8th, 2003, https://web.archive.org/web/20030408003957/http://www.sanriowave.com/world/
  130. ^ G-Search History Page, https://www.g-search.jp/en/history/
  131. ^ Stratagem Corporation September 2004 Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/20041012030810/http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2004/9/emw160140.htm
  132. ^ Terra Nova Blog - October 2004, https://terranova.blogs.com/terra_nova/2004/10/virtual_world_r.html
  133. ^ Stratagem Corporation September 2004 Press Release, https://web.archive.org/web/20041012030810/http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2004/9/emw160140.htm
  134. ^ Rousi's Habitat Page, https://web.archive.org/web/20230822045939/http://rousi.com/habi/index.html
  135. ^ J-Chat Home Page - December 2010, https://web.archive.org/web/20101230070135/http://j-chat.net/
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