An interesting report about online communities in China, Asia and the world has been released by +8* (commissioned by the EU-China Information Society Project).

We learn that Chinese second generation virtual worlds have taken a particular approach:

• connection with social networks
• in-browser 3D chat
• interest from online gaming companies

The report also identifies several technology trends:

• use of web browser rather than softwre client
• integration of social features
• 3D spread
• potential challenge from open-source virtual world platforms
• content interoperability