First Life...Second Life...What about the Third?
After going through the Second Life website and reading a few Second Life related websites, I personally feel that Second Life is definitely not the traditional computer game that we are familiar with. In fact, Second Life is described to be a "rich, persistent alternative world." (Levy, 2006)
Unlike any other computer game, Second Life requires players, or what Second Life users refer to as residents to build up their own character. This is distinctively different from a game where people simply assume their characters from a set of players that have already been programmed into the game. The adopting of a character and then customizing it shows that it is more than just a game. (Levy, 2006)
In addition, one can virtually start a business and upkeep a thriving economy on Second Life. I feel that this is the most important factor that does not qualify Second Life as a game. It is what differentiates it from the rest of the computer games. Anshe Chung, is probably the most famous resident on Second Life when she appeared on the front page of Business Week as she made her first million on the "game"! Second Life participants are able to trade in a virtual economy using "Linden Dollars" and they can be converted into U.S dollars at about 300 to the real dollar by using a credit card at online exchanges. Chung, for example made her money through property in Second Life. According to the Business Week, Chung's firms now has currency holdings worth $250,000 in real U.S dollars. Chung's business on Second Life has been doing so well that she has just opened a 10 person studio in Wuhan, China. Thus, Second Life cannot be considered as a game because it has come to a stage where the virtual role playing economy is so strong that residents have to utilize skills and services from the real world.
Another distinguishing factor of Second Life from any other game is the policies that have been set to protect the resident's creations. This is definitely a unprecedented change in online games.(Business Week, 2006) Second Life is also different from any other normal computer game because it allows its residents to build anything online. These can range from clothes to houses and my lecturer Kevin Lim has even built a chair on Second Life!
The functions of Second Life can be used for entertainment, leisure but much more than that. As Second Life is not like any other game, companies and businesses have been using Second Life as a model for their real-world businesses. Businesses have adopted practices in Second Life, such as training of workers, product design and development till the marketing of the final product. Companies such as Rivers Run Red, a British branding firm for example has gone to the extent of entering Second Life and working with real world fashion and media firms to create new designs. Thus, businesses are now able to take designs and happenings in Second Life and apply them into the real world today. Therefore, Second Life has become more than just a game, people have used them as templates for businesses. (Business Week, 2006)
In conclusion, it is a matter of time that people start realizing the abundant opportunities of Second Life and discover that Second Life is not only fun, but practical in the real world as well.
Reference:
Levy (2006). "World of Warcraft: Is It a Game?" Retrieved April 3rd 2007 from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14757769/site/newsweek/page/3/print/1/displaymode/1098/
Business Week: My Virtual Life (2006) Retrieved April 3rd 2007 from http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_18/b3982001.htm
Business Week: My Virtual Life (2006) Retrieved April 3rd 2007 from http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_18/b3982001.htm
