What kind of games do you think we will have in 2016, given the likely rapid progress of technology - video, chips, Net connections, etc.? Will we start creating our own virtual worlds, complete with communities that we are more attached to than our geographical ones? I think the lines between gaming, Internet chats, and online communities such as this one will blur. Thoughts? Predictions?

Honestly... with POWERFUL end user development engines like the Aurora Toolkit that came with NWN, I dont think the idea of "Fan Built Worlds" online is that far off.

NWN spawned a bunch of MMORPG worlds created with that development kit, and thats just one game... Imagine if other developers start releasing those types of engines with the same level of support and documentation...

So yes... I think you could be right on the money.

Vitural communities in what sense....lol. Games like the Sims online and Second Life (see my thread in gaming) are creating "Life" environments. So if you don't like your life you can play one and make that "characters" life better. (Verdict on wether or not that is good or bad is still up in the air)

The games are going to get more graphics intense and the next wave may be something similiar to virtual reality type games. You can be in the game. Like a boxing game...although you would never feel the pain of getting hit unless they had a robot there too...lol. Will we be that far by 2016...possibly but I think that would be further down the line.

The games I see are very graphic based...almost looking real.....combat games where troops actually listen to your commands....that kind of thing. Only time will tell...