Virtual
life... it's a bit weird, but it's something millions of people are
getting into even more. Second Life is a popular online game where you
can create an alter ego and live a complete life, full of social
activities, jobs, friends, and a functioning economy. Still sounds
weird? Well, maybe. Second Life was developed by a California high-tech
company in 2003 and is seen as the next evolution of MySpace, chat
rooms and other interactive Web sites. Wired magazine wrote about this
game in a recent issue and the way they talked about it, it sounds as
if some of the users consider Second Life their first.
Throw all
that mystery and intrigue of another life into a world revolving around
automotive elements and now you've piqued our interest. The new
partnership with Second Life developers and Pontiac is Motorati Life, a
place where you can do anything... car related!
The fact that
you can buy a virtual car -- or a virtual anything -- on Second Life is
attracting the likes of General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and
other automakers looking to connect their brands with younger, hipper
consumers.
GM/Pontiac
created Motorati Island to market its Pontiac brand among Second Life's
2 million virtual inhabitants. The project is still taking applications
from people who want real estate in the world, and you can still sign
up for an avatar (persona) in the game. Ask Patty virtual shop anyone?
What virtual dream car would you want to drive around? I'd like a
virtual Mazdaspeed Miata MX-5. It doesn't have to be glamorous to be
fun!