NEWS: GDC 2007: Phil Harrison, Sony, Unveil 'Home'

News/Social Networks/Sony/Games
Found on: 1up.com

Sony's set to muscle in on Second Life and their market share with their forthcoming online social media metaverse called, "Home", should be available as a free download for the PlayStation 3 in autumn 2007.



1UP post:

Last week's reports on Sony's potential 'Home' service either generated even more hype for Phil Harrison's Game Developer Conference keynote or stole the thunder from Sony's big unveiling. Maybe it did both, and considering what Sony showed with 'Home' -- that may not be a bad thing.

Home is officially being branded as a "3D user community for PlayStation 3" by Sony, but it's also being called an "innovative user community title," effectively blurring the line between "service" and "game." The two-pronged approach to marketing this product may show some confusion as to what home is. That's a question Sony won't be able to answer until this Fall, when PlayStation 3 owners will get their hands on the final free download (the experience enters beta next month).

BONUS YOUTUBE VIDEO --> PLAYSTATION 3 HOME

Second Life Screening of Four Eyed Monsters - Update

Web Culture/Second Life/Video
Found on: Youtube.com

Well, the premiere SL screening of "Four Eyed Monsters" came and went and wouldn't you know it, I was no where near a computer...long story, but it had something to do with the wife and meeting friends for drinks -- in the "real world", crazy. Anyway, I found these videos on Youtube, it's some guy who taped himself watching the movie, although the commentary is a bit annoying, it's still pretty cool -- rock on Sundance Channel.

Tags FourEyedMonsters second life film free screening avatar movie





Hey, don't bogart all the popcorn!

NEWS: Sling Media, Second Life to take stage with CBS

News/Web Culture/Second Life/CBS
Found on: reuters.com

Look who CBS is teaming up at this year's Consumer Electronic Show -- Sling Media (the creators of Slingbox) and Linden Labs (the creators of Second Life), apparently there's going to be some big announcement.

Reuters post:

CBS Corp., which has pushed to reach new consumers on the Internet, will be joined by representatives from Web-savvy companies Sling Media and Second Life in a Tuesday presentation, CBS said.

The broadcaster did not give details of the speech or upcoming announcements by CBS Chief Executive Les Moonves, who will give a keynote address on Tuesday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Sling is known for its Slingbox, which plugs into a TV and transmits the feed via the Internet, allowing consumers to watch their favorite local TV shows no matter where they are. It also has a new device that does the opposite, putting Internet content on television.

NEWS: Xmas day attack on Second Life

News/Web Culture/Second Life/Emma Boyes
Found on: gamespot.com

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas this year are greenish worm-like penises wearing jaunty Santa-style stocking caps to invade second life -- wishes do come true.



Gamespot post:

Recently the flourishing virtual economy of online community Second Life produced its first real-life millionaire, estate agent Ailin Graef, and announced it had reached the one million member mark.

However, all's not entirely well in the virtual world--a series of "grey goo" attacks from malicious users over the last few months have been invading the system while Linden Lab technicians have battled to fix the problems and restore the world. One attack in November led to a temporary loss of service.

Virtual magnate shares secrets of success

Web Culture/Second Life/Interview/Anshe Chung
Found on: cnet.com

Some people consider Ailin Graef also know by her Second Life avatar name, Anshe Chung the poster child of profitable Second Life businesses, while others consider her a modern day equivalent of a virtual land baron.

CNET post:

Since its public launch in 2003, the virtual world Second Life has become a haven for entrepreneurs. And while the number of people making a considerable profit is still relatively small, it is growing rapidly.

The poster child for profitable Second Life businesses is Ailin Graef--better known by her avatar's name, Anshe Chung--and Anshe Chung Studios, the business she runs with her husband, Guntram Graef.

Originally, the two ran the company from Germany, but earlier this year, they set up shop in Wuhan, a large city in China, and are now employing more than 30 people full-time at, she says, better than local average wages.

Last month, Ailin Graef issued a press release announcing that the company's total holdings, comprised mainly of virtual land in Second Life, were worth more than a million real-life dollars. For those who aren't familiar with the complex economies of virtual worlds, such a claim may seem incomprehensible.

NEWS: CBS, Comcast to Televise Videogames

News/Youth Trends/Video games/Ryan Olson
Found on: redherring.com

Don't tell my wife, but both CBS and Comcast just announced they will televise pro gaming events, making it the first time the coverage will air on network TV.

Redherring post:

With gamers and the media in a frenzy over the launch of the latest consoles from Nintendo and Sony during the thick of what looks to be a busy holiday season, network television is coming out to grab a piece of the gaming action.

On Tuesday Comcast became the second major player in the U.S. television industry in as many days to unveil an agreement with a professional gaming league designed to bring game-centric content to TV viewers.

Youtube Second Life Machinima commercials?

Youtube/Second Life/Marketing
Found on: Youtube

Nylon Outfitters is a "Virtual" store that sells virtual clothing, cameras and other v-products in the immensely popular online world Second Life.

Nylon Pickney, the owner of Nylon Outfitters decided to promote her products by producing three machinima commericals and posting them onto Youtube for both virtual and non virtual world to view.

Here are the links to the commercials found on Nylon Pickney's blog Newly Born:

-Video Camping is for the Camcorder, its a horror parody. Its more of a short movie then a commercial, but its definitley my favorite, its a little longer compared to the other two.

-Beatiful is for the 35mm (my favorite camera) and its about a photo project to take something beautiful.

-The Motel is for the Polorid, its about what happens when a guy, a couple of drinks, a polorid camera, and a pair of legs are put in the same room.

Sells have gone up with all the new exposure and things couldn't look any brighter for Nylon Pickney and her store's future.

Nylon Pickney's Youtube profile page