Business in Virtual Worlds News - Apr 6-12 2009
This week’s Big Question:
Why has Google stopped short of taking 3D content into true interactivity? (ie: virtual worlds)
(Answer in the comments!)
Happy chocolate bunny day everybody.
Important links:
- Archive page of past weeks of Business in Virtual Worlds News
- Connect with me on Twitter, LinkedIn, Blip.fm, or in Second Life as Onder Skall
- Suggest stories at info [at] calebbooker.com
Disclaimer: As with everything on my blog, the opinions expressed here are mine and do not reflect on Clever Zebra, the vBusiness Expo, my friends, my family, my blip channel, any of the other “Jack of All Strange” stuff that I do, etc etc etc… k here we go:
Top Stories
New partnerships and collaborations:
- Universal Extends Successful Partnership With Vivaty
- MySoti To Sell User-Generated Virtual Shirts In PlayStation Home
The Virtual Newsroom of the American University in Cairo
They might succeed where Reuters failed in that they’re actually producing video media. We’ll see if that’s the pivotal difference.
Infringers of Dune: Dune role-players shut down by Herbert Estate. Spice keeps flowing
Publisher enforces intellectual property rights, issuing a Cease & Desist, punishing its fans (aka “customers”) and destroying a golden opportunity to engage with them. Not bright. See yesterday’s post.
Steve Case’s PayPal Rival Raises $42 Million
The project is called Revolution Money, and who knows? It could affect everyone and everything, or flop.
Amazing List of Healthcare and Science Related Virtual World Projects
Honestly this is just astounding.
Second Life in a box, now in preliminary beta
A product long overdue, glad it’s finally out.
paidContent.org - At Least Retailers Are Upbeat About The Virtual Economy
“[...] users will conduct about $450 million dollars worth of virtual transactions in Second Life this year, up 28 percent from 2008.” Wait… that’s only a 28% increase? Wow.
Events
Second Life’s Second Act: Business Teleconferencing?
BusinessInsider takes notice. Also some commentary on Linden Lab’s VP for Business Development Gene Yoon leaving the company.
Celebrate National Library Week Using Second Life
“In celebration of National Library Week, the American Library Association (ALA) will host a series of [...] events in Second Life.”
Want to Hold a Virtual Event of Your Own?
Clever Zebra offers event support and white-label services for anyone interested in a branded gathering in a virtual space. Everything from venue setup and hosting to VIP orientation to speaker coordination.
Training and Education
Towson U. study breaks on Second Life
A nice writeup from Baltimore Sun.
Inside the Smithsonian Institution’s first “virtual museum”
An in-depth look from Networkworld, although sadly no pictures.
Government and Military
Machinima Law Conference
A somewhat random name for a two-day conference at Stanford about legal issues surrounding user-generated worlds.
Virtual World Privacy Paper
One of my all-time favorite academics, Joshua Fairfield, begins a discussion on the serious and strange issues of virtual world surveillance.
Marketing
Metaversum And Virtual Italian Parks In Red Herring 100 Europe
Just a quick 2-paragraph summary of the press release. Gratz Twinity!
VIZ Bleaches There.com
Bleach fans rejoice, samurai action coming your way!
Gaming
Virtual Goods In Chinese Gaming Worth $2 Billion
Is that a big enough market for you? Personally, I’m thinking I should be taking Mandarin lessons…
Sulake Bringing Bobba To Mobiles
The “Habbo-killer” hits mobile devices. Are parents really buying kids cellphones and subscription packages that support online play?
Nerds Only
Second Life goes mobile
The cellphone revolution continues.
Outspark Expands, Creates MMO Service Platform
Oooh, new toys!
Newbs Only
What is Second Life?
Examiner.com introduces Second Life to its readership using the metaphor of a garden. The machinima is quite nice.
Second Life finding new life
A fun overview of the very stupid press Second Life has been getting. Interesting statistic: “The number of “active users” at Second Life has grown 25 percent since September of last year, while the amount of time and money spent in the virtual world has climbed by similar percentages.” If this wasn’t proof that Valleywag jumped the shark some time ago I don’t know what is, and CNET continues the compulsive nose-picking expedition.
Sociological Oddities
Artists visit virtual Second Life for real-world cash
Neat little writeup about talented artists like Cylindrian Rutabaga working in Second Life.
Did I miss an important story? Got feedback? Leave a comment below, or email me at
info [at] calebbooker.com
