I’m a creative director for a non-profit, and regardless of the fact that folks are pulling out of SL, we still think that with the right approach, this is a worthy landscape to explore.

That said, I think that Second Life is an interesting marketing and communications tool worth exploring for any company looking for new ways to reach potential customers. I have purchased things on Second Life and looked for the real world version to purchase as well. Can’t say that right now I’m in the market for a car, but if it wasn’t for Second Life, I would never have even heard of the Scion and as an owner of a 1997 Toyota, it isn’t far-fetched that I may be purchasing a car in the not so distant future. Companies are smart to create “branding” experiences in SL - I actually notice them far more than I ever notice an ad in a magazine or a commercial on TV (I don’t watch TV).

I do question, however, the gobs of money they are spending. It doesn’t have to be that expensive to market in Second Life.

It seemed like a desolate wasteland of abandoned spammy buildings for the most part. The only popular areas I found were people having lame sex parties. There were some OK seeming driving courses, but wouldn’t islands like those be far more interesting in a dedicated game?

Some people have created some beautiful 3D worlds and objects in Second Life, but I think it’s a pyramid scheme doomed to go bust sooner or later.

I do recommend SL if you want to further appreciate that “virtual reality” right outside your front door. A fresh breeze never felt so wonderful after the time I spent in the stagnant pool of SL.

*iZaBaeL

Interview: Second Life - under attack The online world of Second Life can be a tough place sometimes: attract too much attention and you risk attack by hell raisers known as “griefers” (see page 28). One of the most prominent griefer groups…

August 30th, 2007 at 6:00 pm

It should be called “get a life” not “second life”, if these people spent their time improving their real life instead of living in a fantasy world… this world would be a far better place. Sad to see people waste away the gift of life in such a meaningless way.

Jon
(/end quote)

Hrmmmm it’s almost as much as a waste of life as some forum troll reading about something that he thinks is a waste of life; then wasting time commenting how much he thinks it’s a waste of time..

I

Jon

the cars are completely customizable - everything can be tinkered with

I like second life - been resident since 2005 - it’s a fun game. spend more than 10 minutes in world before you pass judgement - it has a steep learning curve.

the cars handle _very_ well - espcially at high speed - at some of the racing sims I pull better lap times than F1 vehicles

people like the scion alot - it creates brand awareness - money well spent.

Last but not least - after playing with my SL scion and when considering a real vehicle - I went and testdrove one that looked like my SL model.

That being said, Toyota can make things more interesting by making virtual driving more fun.

Also, why not let people customize their Scions? You know with four foot spoiler wings and spinning flashing wheels and stuff like that?

P.S. an old school irc junkie