By our new contributor: Laura van den Boom
Two years ago avatars became extinct in Second Life. Like many others I ditched my avatar, sold my land, and lost thousands of Linden Dollars. What a relief, my Second Life was over…
On the Dutch Innovation Seminar 2009, I attended a workshop of Dolf Wittkamper from Philips Design. Dolf positioned Second Life as a B2B-platform, where brands successfully held busy press conferences and concept tests with a representative consumer panel. I couldn’t believe my ears. Is there still life on Second Life? Do people actually remember how to fly and teleport? Why Second Life instead of video conferencing or Real Life? To save travel expenses or the environment? What about the costs of developing an island?
With this in mind, I checked some blogs and twitter. Apparently Second Life is trying to hook up with influentials. They are inviting Social Media experts for ‘in world’ interviews and ask them to declare it the ultimate 3D network. Watch the last 5 minutes of Chris Abrahams interview below and be stunned.
Is this desperate PR attempt a plea for a second chance? I decide to give it a try and download the application again. What?? No access! I see in my account sheet that my balance is L$ 8.700,- and try to exchange my Linden Dollars. Not possible, since my avatar is not working. My next step: undo installation. What a relief, my Second Life is over… Permanently!
Born in Rio de Janeiro, now in Amsterdam, graduated at the Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona) and the Radboud University (Nijmegen) with degrees in Marketing Science and Branding. Alfredo is a citizen of the world and a product of pragmatism. He is a consumer, a marketer, a business strategist and a full-time student. Alfredo travels, listens to stories and shares them, loves music and reads all that comes in his path.
Alfredo is the co-founder of Klatergoud, a freelance marketing & communication consultant and co-founder/owner of Fromanteel watches. His main interests are branding, creative communication, (luxury) marketing strategy and entrepreneurship.