Resumen
The technology of Collaborative Virtual Environment, (CVE) aims to transform today's computer networks into navigable and populated 3D spaces that support collaborative work and social play. CVEs are virtual worlds shared by participants across a computer network. Participants are provided with graphical embodiments called avatars that convey their identity, presence, location, and activities to others. They are able to use these avatars to interact with contents of the world and to communicate with one another using different media including audio, video, graphical gestures and texts. These worlds can take many forms and representations used for the virtual world and avatars can vary tremendously. In this article, the emergence of CVEs needs to be briefly reviewed and effort should be made to outline challenges and future for this significant technology. CVEs can be seen as the result of a convergence of research interests within the virtual reality and computer-supported cooperative work communities.