An image of the starter-pack's promotional graphic on the Amazon.com Web-siteLinden Lab pulled down the Starter Vehicle Pack that was a part of its Friday launch of Second Life on Amazon within just minutes or within a couple of hours of the announcement of its availability, depending on whom you ask.

The pack included a hoverboard vehicle and L$1000 (a little under four US dollars in Second Life currency) and was limited to one-per-customer. Intended to sell for USD9.95, the pack was a free promotion for the weekend, but was removed quite promptly after the announcement.

Peter Gray, spokesperson for Linden Lab, tells us why the offer was pulled.

More →



A group of Second Life avatarsA short time ago, Linden Lab announced that Second Life was available through Amazon, along with a number of content bundles. I have to confess that I find this development plain embarrassing for a couple of reasons.

More →

Jun 13 2012

A scene from Habbo. Several avatars cluster around a table containing stylised foods, while one person holds a giant sparkling carrotJust last night, UK’s Channel 4 aired an investigative piece about Sulake’s Habbo Hotel (or just “Habbo”), the social virtual environment for kids.

The investigation alleges (among other things) that sexual predators are using the service to groom children for sex, despite Habbo’s couple of hundred live moderators – and it isn’t the first time these sorts of allegations have been made about Habbo, or about a number of other virtual environments.

Another UK channel (that I won’t name) went so far as to fabricate a scandal involving Second Life a few years ago.

What strikes me about the Habbo incident is how sudden it has been.

More →


I’m going to talk about expectation management and Second Life, so it is only fitting that I first talk about Star Wars, in 1977.

That Star Wars film (Episode IV, the first one made) was the most spoilerific effort that I have ever seen. For months before the premiere of the film the media was saturated with character-bios, plot summaries, clips of the film, and making-of featurettes.

More →


  • Support us

    Writing is my day job. Site advertising pays for the hosting, but nothing else. Help keep us in coffee and keyboards

    ... or donate in Second Life at this location.

  • ...or use Flattr