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Virtual Worlds are a very interesting and could almost be classified as a 'bleeding edge' area for product development, and not for the faint-hearted, technology averse or time-poor. Virtual worlds are fictional replications of real world scenarios, and are played much like a computer game.
The most popular and well-known virtual world is Second Life a 3D world populated by 15 million (real) people worldwide. It is free to join but requires money to create an environment where you replicate your real-life business success, virtually. The currency is Linden dollars and Linden dollars can be converted to US dollars outside the game.
It also combines the features of social networking websites with computer game environment: the people you meet within Second Life have real people controlling them – they could be across your street or across the world...and all potential customers.
Within Second Life, you can:
- buy land
- create a replica of your real-life store and sell goods and services
- communicate with people anywhere in the world
- participate in and create your own activities
Real-life Example: American Cancer SocietyThere are a number of real-life businesses with virtual businesses inside Second Life, including 20th Century Fox, Dell, Toyota and Harvard Law School. The American Cancer Society also has a presence and held their 'Relay for Life' fundraiser within Second Life to raise money.
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