Specifying consistency requirements for massively multi-user virtual environments

Abstract

In this paper we discuss that the specific consistency and latency requirements of world state updates in Massively Multi-User Virtual Environments (MMVEs) are determined by several characteristic factors of the virtual world, i.e. their Interaction Context. As this context is highly application-dependent, MMVE developers require a simple specification scheme which allows them to specify these requirements for their specific Interaction Contexts. In this paper we present such a scheme, which we believe represents an important step towards dynamic and flexible consistency management for MMVEs.

Optimizing update scheduling parameters for distributed virtual environments supporting operational test

“…In 1 study, 14 Itzel et al present the notion of the interaction context for a state update. This context captures the type, affected entities, and any dependent interactions for an update message.…”

“…The second algorithm extends the previous work to virtual environments using periodic state updates and is based on the notion of interaction contexts 14 and plausibility limits. We introduce the notion of plausibility limits as the maximum tolerable state inconsistency that allows all participants in an interaction to reach the same conclusion or outcome.…”