The possibilities on how to use the Double A platform are endless. When you and your guests enter a Double A World, they enter an interactive, engaging, and thought-provoking space. To get maximum results, here are some best practices for building a world, as well as ideas for what your visitors can do once there.
When building your Double A World, it’s best to start with the user experience. Carefully plan what you are trying to accomplish with each room.
1. World Structure
Each World should have at least 3 Rooms:
Lobby: Users enter your World through the lobby. Since most of your users will be entirely new to the platform, it’s best to offer them a guide to your World, like an information booth or directory. Here, they can receive tips on navigating the space, call out to tech support (live or through the Help Center), read an agenda, and learn more about what they should expect from their journey.
Small Group: People can gather here to network, interact, and get more acquainted with the experience. The Room is usually designed to host some interactive content and “seating” for groups to gather around. The recommended user limit is 50 medium-sized avatars.
Theater/Presentation Room: Visitors assemble in this Room to attend a keynote presentation, watch a slideshow, or participate in Q&A sessions. This Room is typically designed with a designated area in the center for people to share their screen or a stage where presenters appear as larger avatars. The recommended user limit is 100 small-sized avatars
2. Design the Background
The design of your World is essential to set the mood, but also display your content. The technical specs for a background image are 16:9 hi-res, with dimensions no smaller than 1280 x 720. The preferred file format is .webp, but .jpg and .png are also acceptable. Please note that the larger the file size, the longer it will take to load the image.
3. Captivate with Content
Interactables (clickable elements) are a great and easy way to fill each Room with valuable content without adding clutter. Interactables also make your guests' experience more engaging and exploratory. You can add a wide variety of content to each Room, including websites, polls, videos, images, and PDFs. We recommend 5-10 pieces of impactful content per Room. Please note that, for those with low internet bandwidth, the more content in the space, the longer it could take to load.
4. Add Privacy
Need a private space for a private breakout, a sales meeting, to close a deal, or give a VIP guest access to exclusive content? You can set a password to any Room in the platform at any time.
5. Hear Here! Proximity Audio
Your World has four different audio levels based on how you want users to interact with each other.
No Spatial: this is the default setting for every Room. All guests in the Room will be able to hear each other.
Recommended use: Team meetings and presentations with under 25 people. This audio is perfect for interacting with each other in a small group.
Mingling: Most users will still be able to hear each other. However, audio between users at opposite ends of a Room will be quieter.
Recommended use: Icebreakers involving small groups (under 25 people) or larger meetings that will have breakout moments and small group discussions.
Conversations: Guests need to be closer to each other to have optimal audio for conversations.
Recommended use: Groups (over 50 people) holding individual or small group conversations.
Quiet: Participants must be next to each other in order to hear each other.
Recommended use: Groups (over 100 people) that need more private breakouts, e.g., trivia teams. This setting functions more like a trade show floor.
Hosting Events and Activities in Your World
If you are hosting an event for the first time, take time beforehand to plan an agenda. Decide if there will be speakers or presenters, what kind of activities there will be for your guests, and how long each item will take. We recommend rehearsing or doing a run-through ahead of your first event. Here are other helpful hints to keep in mind before your first event.
1. Duration is Key
If you are new to the platform, start with a small meeting or networking event. Small meetings should last no more than two hours. Another way to engage your guests and show off your World is by hosting an Open House. Moving around the space and interacting with others will keep your users entertained and excited to return for more events.
2. Prepare for Presenting
If you are planning to present, set yourself up for success by considering a few of these questions:
Will you be sharing slides or your screen?
Are there any other technical needs you may need during the event?
If you end up sharing a screen, make sure you use a second monitor in extended desktop mode. Check out our "Presenter Tips" article for more tips on presenting in your World.
3. Energize with Activities
Your World is a space for your guests to connect, learn, and have fun. Starting your event with some icebreakers is an excellent way to make people comfortable in the space and with each other. Coordinate a fun game or activity that moves users around the space. Games that are interactive increase the energy in the Room and are an easy way to get your guests acquainted with each other and the platform.
Here are a couple of game ideas:
Hot Takes: Guests give their opinion on preset topics such as “chocolate or vanilla,” and then move their avatar to a specified area in the space, denoted by icons, images, or other identifiers. The moderator then calls on different users to comment on their position.
Profile Questions: Participants answer a question in their profile when they first arrive. They then need to find guests with similar answers.
Check out our “Games and Activities” article for more ideas!
4. Allot Time for Guests
Make sure to allow your guests time to check their video and sound upon arrival. If your World is not "always on," invite users to join early to test their webcam, microphone, and audio. You can also provide your attendees with links to our Help Center with information on logging in, checking their devices, and more.
5. Have Fun!
Your World is an exciting new way to engage with your guests and for them to connect with each other. This is your space, be as creative and inventive as you want. Your guests will appreciate your fresh ideas and being brought to this magical new place–your World.