Easy. A little word with big implications, particularly when we apply it to the virtual worlds industry. Whereas traditional mmog's and virtual worlds have fallen short of a significant mass-appeal thanks in part to computer requirements and large downloads, there are a great many online worlds which utilize readily available web-based applications that many computer users already have.

Enter Adobe. With three decades of engineering on their side, it's no small wonder that many game creators choose Director as their tonic of choice. We all know of the success stories that Adobe Flash has brought us. Web-based virtual worlds have been on the rise, with some extraordinary numbers to prove their appeal. This isn't new to the likes of Three Rings Design, an mmorpg creator that utilizes Java. Daniel James, CEO of Three Rings, told his audience at last fall's Virtual World Conference that 70% of the population will click a 'Play Now' button, compared to a mere 30% who will choose its 'Download' counterpart.

When all is said and done, if someone is paying $50 to play a game, then in all likelihood they will bear the burden of the download process in addition to the higher pc requirements somewhat happily. But the web-browser counterpart does not have the same number of restrictions, allowing for a broader userbase that has been the ultimate target of so many games and virtual worlds.

Web-based applications like Shockwave have found another niche in the market: youth. One of the many reasons includes the little known fact that many kids are told to not download content by their parents. That makes the web app's even more appealling. What's more, with the advent of the social networking world, there is even more reason to trust that web-based tools will continue to be in high demand. Finland's own Sulaake is probably the best example of a big name mmorpg using web-based applications. To be sure, their widely popular tween mmog Habbo is in a 2D format and rather reminiscent of another era altoghether. Nonetheless, its popularity has proven that a web-based browser is an integral key to their success offering immediate and easy access to a wide audience.

The percentage of web-based vs. downloaded games is largely unproportionate, favoring web-based applications that immediately hook people with free to play options and no downloads. What's more, the concurrent users is tremendous.

Just last year, there was barely a mention of a 3D mmog experience from a web-based application. But today, Sherwood Dungeon has made good on Moore's Law (exponential growth of technology doubles approx. every two years) and shown that it can, indeed, be accomplished. Using Adobe's Shockwave, participants can have a rather full 3D gaming experience without the download or requirements. Allen Partridge, evangelist with Adobe, gave me a glimpse of some of the innovative new features that Shockwave offers for virtual worlds, and I must say it's a far cry from the 2D experiences that have penetrated the market up to now.

Of course, I'm one to put things to the test, so I promptly found my way to the Sherwood Drungeon website and waited the 30 or so seconds for Shockwave to pull up. Then the gates were open, so to speak, and I entered the world as a guest, agreed to the EULA (which was refreshingly short and sweet), and found my avatar standing in the midst of a fully immersive 3D environment that looked remarkably straight out of Robin Hood. I was in world, complete with armor and swords and a breathing avatar. Of course, the graphics comparison is not on par with the likes of the client-based virtual worlds I hold so dear, but nonetheless it threw me for a loop to see just how advanced 3D web app's have come.

"One of the reasons for Shockwave's success in virtual worlds now is its real time 3D engine and plug-in penetration," Partridge told me. Whereas Adobe allows for simplicity in the likes of Habbo, it also clearly offers a graphically enhanced environment in other games such as Sherwood Dungeons. Immersive Learning Simulations (ILS) is another avenue which Adobe and the web-based browsers seem poised to pounce on, offering yet again the ability to provide many users with an easily accessible virtual environment. Data security coupled with versatility equal a net gain for the plug-ins and will perhaps give the downloadable virtual worlds a run for their money. Who knows- maybe we're already seeing the rule of the web-based worlds right under our very noses. I, for one, will take the opportunity to have a look around.