OPEN SOURCE

Open source virtual worlds are virtual environments that can be created and accessed by multiple users, and are built using open source software

OpenSimulator, Hubs Foundation, Matrix, Overte, and V-Sekai

OpenSimulator is an open source multi-platform, multi-user 3D application server. It can be used to create a virtual environment (or world) which can be accessed through a variety of clients, on multiple protocols. It also has an optional facility (the Hypergrid) to allow users to visit other OpenSimulator installations across the web from their 'home' OpenSimulator installation. In this way, it is the basis of a nascent distributed Metaverse.OpenSimulator allows virtual world developers to customize their worlds using the technologies they feel work best - we've designed the framework to be easily extensible. OpenSimulator is written in C#, running both on Windows over the .NET Framework, on Unix-like machines over the Mono framework and now on several platforms on unified .NET. The source code is released under a BSD License, a commercially friendly license to embed OpenSimulator in products. If you want to know about our development history, see History.

Out of the box, OpenSimulator can be used to simulate virtual environments similar to Second Life™, given that it supports the core of SL's messaging protocol. However, OpenSimulator is not just a clone of the Second Life server platform. Rather, the project aims to enable innovative feature development for virtual environments and the Metaverse at large. So only a subset of viewers for Second Life do implement Opensimulator features, see Compatible Viewers. OpenSimulator is getting more stable over time but is still a high complex software system that can suffer various bugs and quirks; handle with care!

Features:

  • Supports online, multi-user 3D environments as small as 1 simulator or as large as thousands of simulators.
  • Supports 3D virtual spaces of variable size.
  • Supports multiple clients and protocols - access the same world at the same time via multiple protocols.
  • Supports real time Physics Simulation, with multiple engine options.
  • Supports clients that create 3D content in real time.
  • Supports inworld scripting using LSL/OSSL.
  • Provides unlimited ability to customize virtual world applications through the use of scene plugin modules.

For a more extensive list, see the Feature Matrix.

Running an OpenSimulator-Based World:

News: http://opensimulator.org/wiki/News 

Hubs Foundation is the open-source web-based virtual world platform that enables artists, creatives, and you to create 3D spaces and publish them online for anyone to visit. With just a click of a button, anyone around the world can enter and explore your scene, from almost any modern device. Use your scenes to effortlessly host virtual events with dozens of people, with full support for both voice and text chat.

Free & Open Standards
Hubs is completely open source. You as a community member are invited to participate in its development. We welcome your contribution! Hubs’ development has always prioritized open standards since its initial creation, making use of A-Frame, Three.js, and other popular open-source libraries. The open-source 3D creation suite, Blender, is fully supported as one of the primary creation tools, along with full support for the open GLTF format.

Community Focus
Hubs began its life as a project from Mozilla, and through their stewardship, the project developed into a strong platform for the open web. Now, the community has taken charge of continuing its development. We are a global community of developers, artists, writers, creatives, and educators who believe in the importance of maintaining a platform like Hubs in the otherwise very corporate, profit-focused ecosystem of virtual world platforms.

Github: https://github.com/Hubs-Foundation 
Docs: https://hubsfoundation.org/getting-started/ 
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/hubs-498741086295031808 

Matrix is an open protocol for decentralized, secure communications.

Matrix Manifesto
We believe:

Mission
The Matrix.org Foundation exists to act as a neutral custodian for Matrix and to nurture it as efficiently as possible as a single unfragmented standard, for the greater benefit of the whole ecosystem, not benefiting or privileging any single player or subset of players.

Matrix Specification
Matrix defines a set of open APIs for decentralized communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of servers with no single point of control. Uses include Instant Messaging (IM), Voice over IP (VoIP) signaling, Internet of Things (IoT) communication, and bridging together existing communication silos - providing the basis of a new open real-time communication ecosystem.

To propose a change to the Matrix Spec, see the explanations at Proposals for Spec Changes to Matrix.

Matrix APIs
The specification consists of the following parts:

Additionally, this introduction page contains the key baseline information required to understand the specific APIs, including the section the overall architecture.

The Matrix API Viewer is useful for browsing the Client-Server API.
Full Matrix specifications: https://spec.matrix.org/latest/ 
Docs: https://matrix.org/docs/chat_basics/matrix-for-im/ 
Github: https://github.com/matrix-org 
Matrix Conference in Berlin in Sept 2024 - https://2024.matrix.org/ 

Overte is an open source virtual worlds and social VR software which enables you to create and share virtual worlds as virtual reality (VR) and desktop experiences. You can create and host your own virtual world, explore other worlds, meet and connect with other users, attend or host live VR events, and much more.The Overte software provides the following key features:

  • Collaborative world creation and editing
  • VR support, including body tracking
  • Scalability for up to 500 users in a single world
  • Scripting in JavaScript, which allows creation of games, interactables, UI elements, and custom applications
  • High quality low latency spatial audio
  • Powerful physics through Bullet physics engine
  • Fully open-source under the permissive Apache 2.0 license
  • No central authority. You can run your own server from home.
  • No user account required
  • Supported by a democratic non-profit organization

Docs: https://docs.overte.org/en/latest/ 
API: https://apidocs.overte.org/ 
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/4YuQvc8K2f 
Download Overte 
View the Gallery.
Join our Matrix Space on overte:overte.org 🔗. Our Matrix Space is also bridged to  Discord 🔗.


V-Sekai is a community of enthusiasts building a next-generation social and gaming VR platform powered by the Godot Engine 4.0. Please join our Discord server to receive updates and join the community.

We have built a framework for the Godot game engine which makes the distribution of custom avatars and worlds in a networked environment possible. Our current plan is to offer hosting via our own web server, as well as individual server hosting and social functions, and in the future plan to broaden what we can offer. We have already been tackling many of the technical challenges required to make such a project possible on the Godot game engine, including:

At the moment, Godot Engine 4.0 is in early beta, and there is nothing usable outside of development purposes. We encourage you to connect with us on Discord, check out the code, or try the Godot Engine 4.0 beta.

Github: https://github.com/V-Sekai 
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/7BQDHesck8

The Arrival Space platform also allows for seamlessly jumping through one virtual world to the next. See this and glimpse into the platform in the Virtual Worlds Museum Live XR tour video by renown metaverse author Wagner James Au in conversation with Julian Reyes, Director of the Virtual Worlds Museum: https://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2023/12/virtual-worlds-museum-xr.html

To get started, consult the Arrival Space codex, view their privacy policy, and connect with the community via the links below:

Website - https://arrival.space/ 
Discord - https://discord.com/invite/cHSrxSpmQD 
X - https://twitter.com/arrival_space
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrival-space/