The OpenVerse Taxonomy has been co-created by a consortium-wide task force representing all of the areas of work over the duration of the project. As such, it is a special-purpose taxonomy with an operational role within the Observatory of presenting the major results of OpenVerse in a way that facilitates exploration and analysis. [read more]
It is the primary instrument for tagging, filtering, and segmenting of the individual elements that collectively constitute the project results. The principal facility utilising the taxonomy for exploration and analysis is the Radar, which provides visualisation capabilities onto the project results from multiple perspectives (technological, economic, policy-related, and others).
The taxonomy has also a didactic purpose as a standalone tool for exploring the project results. In the interactive tool displayed in this section, the user can traverse branches to examine sub-branches, which are annotated with explanatory details of the subject matter and links to other useful information both within and external to the Observatory. Researchers can use the taxonomy to discover gaps for further needed research; enthusiasts can use it to discover new application areas.
Inevitably, current segmentations of the virtual worlds space such as the SRIA of the Virtual Worlds Association will exhibit both overlaps and divergences with the OpenVerse taxonomy as the space evolves. As a specialized taxonomy, it is not intended to replace more general taxonomic work such as that of the JRC. Rather, it attempts to provide a means for the community to explore and benefit from the results of OpenVerse. When possible, explanations and links to other taxonomic efforts will be provided within the interactive taxonomy tool in appropriate places.