IBM Shifts focus towards a Second Life

Posted on August 31, 2007
Filed Under Social Media & Web 2.0 Technologies |

For many people Second Life is an escape from everyday reality. It’s a nice alternative from the start and stop nature of the 9-5 work life. However, even though it’s an escape for some, it’s also a form of business for many.

Businesses (big and small) are starting to realise that there is a whole new world of opportunities to provide a virtual yet personal mix of goods and services - and seeing how the video game industry approximately worth $7 billion a year, who can blame them. One such business is IBM coining the term of “v-business”, rather than “e-business.”

Having launched a customer service centre in Second Life in May, they have claimed to have more than 10,000 unique visitors coming through their virtual doors online. Its purpose? To provide an online avenue to demo their mix of products and services they have to offer to prospective clients, with employees stationed online throughout the week. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, General Manager Paula Summa stated: “we’re combining the content from our 2D website with our real IBM sales people, all in an immersive, 3D virtual experience”.

But one starts to question whether or not these games are really an escape from reality. As more and more businesses are signing on to Second Life (I’m tempted to check it out soon) there are more and more products we see and touch in the real world which are swamping the virtual, including accessories, outfits, mobile phones; and recently, automobiles. Scion (car manufacturer) has recently rolled out their campaign for selling and demonstrating their xB car online (for Linden Dollars of course) allowing users to test drive the car online. Techcrunch provides a comical yet useful video review of the car here.

Personally, it seems that the fantasy of escaping the hustle and bustle in the real world is slowly creeping away as businesses sign up for Second Life. However, the question still remains - will the influx of businesses onto the real world increase or decrease value for the average second life user?

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