The headline is all over the Net today: whether Second life is a Ponzi scheme. It’s a sensationalistic headline and tagline for an argument that isn’t actually about SL itself but about how some folks may be using SL. As Mark Wallace says over at 3pointD, “a more scientific inquiry would find that what SL’s economy resembles is that of a small developing nation.”
At this rate, we’re going to see way way more MMO launches by TV channels than by videogame companies in 2007. BBC plans online children’s world, says, well, the BBC.
I’d add editorial commentary, except I feel like it’s starting to get repetitive and redundant and repetitively redundant.
Just a heads-up that I will be in Austin for South by Southwest. Looks like probably two panels, as of right now.
Continuing on the theme of massively multiplayer worlds that people don’t pay attention to, here’s a nice Boston Globe article about Webkinz. The gimmick here is that you buy a plush toy, and it comes with a login code for your virtual apartment, complete with a virtual pet version of the toy you bought. In fact, the toy is actually your subscription fee: each one you buy gives you access for a year.
Enough with the hype, you say. How about figures? Try 2.5m uniques in December.
This is embarrassing — the gold farmer and RMT companies in Korea, such as ItemBay and Item PlayForum, have formed an industry association in order to have more leverage with the Korean government, given its recent moves towards regulating digital asset trading. This means, I think, that they beat the actual game companies to it. It’s called the “Digital Asset Distribution Promotion Association,” and the CEO of ItemBay will be its first head.
