This is a fairly random post, so bear with me.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t really get into the concept of living a virtual life - especially not one where I’ve gotta pay for virtual stuff that I can’t pick up and throw at someone if I feel so inclined.
I first read about the popularity in South Korea of buying virtual clothes and accessories for one’s avatar and how one company had created a $30 million/year business from selling these “items” to people. Then I read this fascinating (but sad, as in pathetically sad) article in the WSJ about some guy who has a real wife, but often “cheats” on her with his Second Life “wife” - I’m amazed that his real-life wife doesn’t put both him and his computer in the trash compactor.
I still just don’t get it. But maybe I’m just old-fashioned - turns out that even our friendly Swedish furniture giant IKEA has jumped into the virtual world.
It turns out that IKEA has partnered with Electronic Arts to furnish its stylish and affordable furniture to players in The Sims 2 virtual world. Read all about it here.
I just hope that one can hire virtual workers to put the stuff together because I hate it when I over-tighten the virtual screws and strip the virtual sawdust fiberboard panels during assembly.
Happy Friday!
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May 17th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I also don’t get the fascination of those avatars really. People who buy them I don’t think are after the anonymity online….