Back in the mid 90s I encountered this extremely early and crude VR world engine that would play in a browser. It was called #AlphaWorlds and was later changed to #ActiveWorlds it was interesting because it allowed you to create your own virtual space which I found quickly engrossing.

I had this strange encounter, one of those kinds of spooky 'internet' ghost things. I found some empty lot virtual miles away from any trace of in game civilization or other active people in the server. I spent days building a home and scripting doors/WAVs and all the general tackiness that made the 90s internet experience.

I thought I saw another avatar once, as if they were watching me, I dismissed it as a glitch or some random 'object' left behind by someone. Sometime went on before I saw it again, then one day they were standing right behind me when I turned around. It scared me so bad I jumped out of my desk chair and yelled.. which is sad because the early 3D graphics were terrible and extremely limited numbers of polygons of 'grey' aliens that were barely recognizable.

It ended up being a friend that saw my BBS post about trying out this new 'alphaworlds' thing and came to check it out without saying anything, but I remember that experience forever.