Virtual environments, once used strictly for gaming and military training, have developed into spaces for community building and collaboration rather than competition. This literature review explores virtual worlds and underlying theories of interest to Human Resource Development (HRD). Findings suggest application opportunities for HRD in five areas: HRD education, training, community building, career development, and research. Usage implications and potential applications are suggested for HRD practitioners and scholars who wish to explore these phenomena. (Contains 1 table.)