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Active Worlds was inspired by the book Snow Crash written by Neal Stephenson. In 1994, Ron Britvich (Protagonist) created WebWorld which was the first 2.5D world where 10,000's could chat, build and travel in. WebWorld operated on the Peregrine Systems, owned by Knowledge Adventure Worlds (KAW). KAW, along with Kinetic Effects Research Inc (later Credo Interactive), began development on AW. On February 1995, KAW renamed to Worlds Inc.
On June 28, 1995, AW was officially launched. A couple months later, Circle of Fire (CoF) was formed by Richard F. Noll. CoF was a small group of friends and family who worked on large projects in AW, such as games.
On January, 1997, Worlds Inc laid off the Active Worlds staff and placed the software for sale. CoF reorganizes and purchases the software, and rehires the staff. The new President, CEO and Director is Richard F. Noll. The original director, Ron Britvich, was also rehired. However due to controversy on the direction of the software, he left AW on July, 1997.
On September, 1997, AW introduces a year fee of $19.95 USD (prior to this, it was free). Prior to payment you log in as a tourist, and your builds may be deleted or changed. Other software features are limited. Upon payment, your builds from then on are permanent and you gain access to the rest of the software features.
On January 21, 1999For the album by Prince, see 1999 (album 1999 is a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the UN. Events Kosovo War Former child star Gary Coleman files for bankruptcy Y2K prep, CoF was bought by Vanguard Enterprises, Inc., changing the company's name to Activeworlds.com, Inc (AWC, OTCBBOver-the-counter trading is the trading of financial instruments such as stocks directly between parties and not through an exchange. Compare with electronic trading or exchange trading. In the US, over-the-counter trading is carried out on the OTCBB (OTC: AWLD). Then on July 6July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 178 days remaining. Events 1253 Mindaugas crowned king of Lithuania. 1483 Richard III crowned king of England. 1484 Portuguese sea captain Diogo Cao finds the mouth, 20012001 is a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and also: The International Year of the Volunteer The United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations Events January January 1 A black monolith measuring approximately nine feet tall ap, Activeworlds.com, Inc. filed name change to Activeworlds, Corp.
Afterward, the program experienced gradual development and growth. On January 3January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 362 days remaining (363 in leap years). Events 1496 Leonardo da Vinci unsuccessfully tests a flying machine 1521 Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther. 1749 Benning Wentworth issu, 20022002 is a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). 2002 was the first palindromic year since 1991 and the last until 2112. 2002 was also designated: International Year of Ecotourism and Mountains National Science Year in the United Kingdom, the registration changed to $9.50 USD per month, then a month later down to $6.95 USD per month. Later that year, in July, Rick Noll and JP McCormick (the VP) sold shares and resigned AWC. AW becomes owned by a private company now under the name Active Worlds Inc. (AWI).