Thousands of giant online fantasy worlds are populated by real people interacting virtually, often representing themselves with animated characters in a blend of game play and chat.

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Up till now, Goldstein has been content to work her magic as a chameleon, shape-shifting behind the scenes to create fantasy worlds perfectly suited to whomever bids her power.

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With ever newer technology film, then television the circus as grand spectacle was doomed, as fantasy worlds could be found more easily, and more cheaply, at the cinema or even at home.

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And any developer that gives me hundreds of hours of gameplay, some of the best combat ever included in a video game, and one of the most interesting fantasy worlds of any RPG out there, can yes please take my money.

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In the palazzo's former wine cellar, the Strozzina Contemporary Culture Center offers a parallel exhibition called "American Dreamers: Reality and Imagination in Contemporary American Art, " with fascinating visions of fantasy worlds conjured up by 11 American artists working hands-on, crafting their materials paint, canvas, paper, found objects, fabric, bones in a countercurrent to conceptual pretensions.

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One online fantasy game, Lineage, features 50 worlds, each so big it takes six hours just to walk from one end to the other.

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There are science fiction role-playing games, fantasy role-playing games, and even some that transport us to more mundane worlds.

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