Dear all HCI International Conference 2009 Session invitation on the topic of: Usability and Sociability in Computer Games and Virtual Worlds We are inviting potential presenters to join us in the session, "Usability and Sociability in Computer Games and Virtual Worlds" in HCI International Conference 2009 which will take place in San Diego, USA, 19-21 July 2009. (http://www.hcii2009.org/) Social oriented games such as MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games) and 3D virtual worlds (e.g. Second Life) provide a flexible social space for the users to interact as well as an open space that invites the user's imagination and creativity to engage in various types of play and learning activities. One major issue of 3D virtual worlds is the usability obstacle the users have to overcome (the so-called "pain barrier") in order to fully utilise this exciting 3D social technological medium. We believe that this problem, usually due to the interface design, seriously undermines the potential of 3D virtual worlds. Unfortunately not much has been done to address this critical issue as most research in this area is oriented towards the application of 3D virtual worlds, assuming that all users are proficient in this game-like environment. Therefore we firmly believe that there is a great potential in researching these usability issues. The session aims to discuss the latest findings of usability and sociability of 3D virtual worlds. Topics include but not limited to: a) methodologies of studying usability and sociability of games and 3D virtual worlds b) case studies of the application of games and 3D virtual worlds and their usability issues c) empirical studies of user interaction, social interaction and social network within this context If you are interested in joining us, please send the title of the presentation, a 100 word abstract and your contact details to cf559@soi.city.ac.uk by 24 October 2008 (Friday). If you have further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact me. Hope to see you there. Jim Ang Research Fellow Centre for HCI Design City University London UK -- Cheers (Jim) Chee Siang Ang Research Fellow Room A210 Centre of Human-computer Interaction Design City University London EC1V 0HB Phone: +44 (0)20 7040 8166 Fax: +44 (0)20 7040 8859 Web: http://www.soi.city.ac.uk/~cf559/