Google’s Second Life?
July 9, 2008
Avatars and virtual worlds are popping up everywhere—along with every chat bubble imaginable. Is this considered a virtual world? Or is it just a customizable 3D environment that’s nothing more than a picture to look at when you Google Chat? Google Lively launched Tuesday and the BETA version is already gaining some steam. It’s another example of virtual expression of who you are. Make your character, make your environment, but boil it down and it’s still just you. And Mac users forget about it. Using Lively requires Windows XP or Vista, Microsoft Internet Explorer or Firefox, and the Lively plug-in, of course. While I don’t see commerce coming to Lively for a while, like in Second Life’s raining business district, but it’s a cool area to socialize. With group socialization comes advertising very soon. Another form of a social network, customizable to fit your self-expression needs. Also, you can load YouTube videos on to virtual screens to share with friends. I think one thing Google Lively can gain over Second Life is easier usability.
Society will always be split over the point of 3D social environments. Enhancing communication for social and business reasons, or another facet for identity theft, prey, and fraud? Nothing more than a 3D texting environment, or a true way of meeting and socializing? The problem for Lively might be a rush of execution, with anything of this magnitude, and with the probable expectations of being a better Second Life, was this program ready to launch just yet? To me it seems like a replication of an already old idea, but then again, I don’t know…I’m on a MAC.
Good Luck, Lively
