NASA is expecting the development partner to be able to generate a revenue stream from the project. Proposers are expected to submit business plans as part of their proposals.

Daniel -- thanks for that note. I appreciate the need for a long-term business model in serious games of all kinds. But should it really the job of the developer to propose such a thing? Do you honestly believe that qualified MMO developers are also wise, wry businesspeople with plans for a never-before attempted commercial educational MMO? Can developers propose a development budget (e.g., the originally suggested $3m) as a part of their business plan?

Actually there is one company/project in existence that is pretty close to working with this model, and that's Whyville. No charge, popular, already very comfortable working with sponsors and so forth.

You have to look at as a non-linear 3D to 3D educational environment. A Virtual Playground that inspires learning through play; just like the real world. Remember when you were child you thought like a child and learned like a child. \why cannot be the same when you are a man? We now have the tools to to do it.

We suould not take up the challenge because it is easy, but because it is hard. To recreate a virtual Moon and mars before the end of the decade and to enable people to explore and experience them surely is a noble deed.

With NASA support we can achieve this objective, lets's just do it!