NI-Limits Blog

Having been a while since we last discussed Second Life or the subject of virtual commerce, and with it very likely playing a huge role in Web 3.0 technologies and the journey to its supremacy as the dominating way of communication in the forth generation of the web, we have decided to finally dedicate a category to Virtual Worlds.

Let’s start with something pretty, where Moshi Monsters are sure to kick things up to a whole new level…

We then move-on to the celebrity-nature of the virtual worlds, where Mashable reports on the Habbowood Digital Movie Awards:

Over 1.5 million shorts were submitted from around the globe, coming from all 30 countries where Habbo is accessible. The shorts gained nearly 5 million views, indicating the level of popularity this Awards ceremony has gained this year. So who won? The Japanese Habbo’s film “When You Are Sleepin.” You can view it here, and see the discussion from the judges’ panel below. It, too, was done in a virtual manner.

Over at TechCrunch, they have reported on several virtual updates recently, one of which regards a partnership between IBM and Linden Labs (the developers of Second Life) focused on the interoperability of virtual worlds, which is where the forth generation of the web will truly take a new form some decades from now:

The initial focus of the joint effort will be the ability to allow users to use a single virtual persona (or Avatar) across multiple virtual platforms, with seamless inter-world transactions to be considered later.

Discussions and efforts surrounding standards and interoperability are in vogue this year, as the marketplace for virtual worlds has matured. Chinese Second Life clone HiPiHi announced its intention to lead a push towards standards based virtual worlds in August, and TechCrunch 40 presenting company Metaplace offers interoperability between user generated worlds on its DIY virtual world platform.

TechCrunch also brought-up a comment from the new iCANN CEO regards his beliefs that Virtual Worlds are the future of global commerce, a sentiment we strongly follow:

Twomey used The Sims Online as an example of the sort of interface all companies in the future will be using, in fields including retail, client services, B2B and advertising. Twomey cited the interface behind Google Earth as another example of a “game-like interface” that has been put to real world use. Twomey said that geo-location services would also play an important role in the virtual internet, suggesting that the way we will interact within next generation virtual internet services would have a strong geographical focus.

It’s interesting that the head of the body that controls the internet believes that the world of tomorrow is virtual; Twomey didn’t suggest that it may happen, he stated that it would be as a fact. Virtual worlds such as Second Life may not be the exact model used in the future, but there is little doubt that if Twomey is correct they are certainly heading in the right direction.

On top of that, TechCrunch also discussed BidSL, a company offering eBay styled auctions within Second Life:

BidSL allows any Second Life resident to put an item up for auction by renting an available auction device. The user can choose the number of days that the auction will run, and set a minimum bid as well. Items offered can be both virtual items (Second Life goods) or real world items.

The cost of running an auction is charged at a set rate usually around L$1-5, and sellers do not pay a percentage of the sale. To place a bid on the item, a bidder right-clicks and pays the auction device the amount they wish to bid. If the person is outbid, the amount paid for the earlier bid is instantly refunded.

Last but not least, Mashable reports on Armani’s opening a new virtual store within Second Life!

Second Life users can now don themselves in Armani clothing, purchased with Linden dollars or directly through his online store for non-virtual items. Finally, a really smart integration of a clothing brand and Second Life, with options for purchasing real life items as well. Furniture next? Please?

It’s good to know that not all brands are having second thoughts on investing in Second Life, and it’s far easier for a brand like Armani to take advantage of the virtual world for direct sales, as opposed to Pontiac, or companies that have purchased virtual space for office collaboration purposes. Other virtual worlds that are integrating real brands include Stardoll, Meez and SceneCaster.

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