Second Life

"Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely created by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by millions of Residents from around the globe". Although I've never been interested, this game is pretty intense. You can mimic virtually ANY real life thing, even relationships. In some instances, I see where this can be beneficial to someone with low self esteem or interpersonal skill or communication problems, but Second Life is being abused in some senses. There are so many stories out there where Second Life mimics or effects people's real lives. There is some good in the idea, don't get me wrong, but something has to be done about these negative effects.

Second Life can definitely be used for advertising. If an advertiser wants to target that particular audience, they know exactly where to go. Advertising in games is not uncommon. Video games have increasingly more advertising and product placement and brand alignments these days. Lord knows how much more that will increase. Even Barack Obama's presidential campaign placed advertising in EA Games in 2008!

There is a darker side coming to light with users of Second Life-like gaming. There have been published reports from CNN breaking news of "rape games" like Second Life. Virtually reality wolds where users take advantage of innocent "characters". Horrible-i know. I guess there's no way of keeping things wholesome these days.

Here's an article on it.