It's not a game. Don't get caught saying it. Second Life is a virtual world that could have games within, but as a whole, it's a virtual world. This persistent world is an extension of reality - not another world. I believe that it should not be looked at as another universe or an alternative world... it should be looked at as an extension of Earth.
The issue with Second Life is that the hardcore users are the dominant residents as they are the early adopters. For Second Life to really take off, they need a tipping point to occur where the mainstream folks enter and exist in the world. This tipping point is where mainstream folks will understand and appreciate what this virtual habitat is- not just some sci-fi uber-geek world. This is bound to happen and there are a few ways that it can (with time on its side)...
As Jeremiah Owyang so rightly put it, there are significant business opportunities within that will lure casual users within:
- Clothing creation and sales
- Event promotion and collaboration
- Create an attraction
- Create places of business such as music stores
- Virtual real-estate
- Many, many more...
Lots of great opportunities within Second Life and other Virtual Worlds and it's certainly a place where major attention will be given over the course of the next few years.
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