Blog & NewsReal Estate Simulations: No More Fun and Games?
Fun and entertaining games that in some way simulate urban development and real estate have been in existence for a long time. In fact, the popular board game, Monopoly, was originally patented way back in 1904 under the title, The Landlord’s Game. Games like Monopoly are by no means rare, as dozens of less popular titles have been produced over the years. Although the general concepts of these games bear similarities, the required strategies do vary: some require the ability to negotiate, others rely on the player’s resource management skills; a few focus on entry/exit strategies, and many can be won with some good, old-fashioned luck. The games were almost always financial-based, with the winners temporarily basking in their hoarded wealth.
Up until very recently, these simulations could all be conveniently categorized under game. Digital simulations of urban environments are growing quickly though, with much broader purposes in mind. No longer are we creating mere fantasy worlds – today, it’s all about digitally mapping the real Earth. At first glance, it’s now difficult to tell whether you’re looking at a virtual globe, video game, 3D concept, or photograph.
In all our efforts to create compelling simulations of real-world environments, it seems as though we’ve actually been compiling the required technology and know-how to undertake massive projects like the GeoWeb. Furthermore, we now have emerging generations of adults who not only feel comfortable navigating these simulated environments, but who perceive them as being more efficient and informative than the world itself. Simply put, if I want to get street directions, travel times, city statistics, restaurant lists, hotel reviews, and recreation ideas – I want them now, and I know I can conveniently find them in the virtual world.
The same can be said for real estate. If I want to fly through a neighborhood, peruse local amenities, check relevant statistics, and browse listings, the virtual world is becoming the place to go. For example, real estate search giant, Trulia, has been playing around with ways of integrating listing information into Google Earth for years. It’s no longer just a game, as these digital simulations are becoming a trusted source for information, and a plausible environment for agents to generate real prospects.
Real Estate Marketing | Bryan | June 2, 2009
3D modeling, marketing, virtual real estate, virtual reality
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