Interesting article...

http://www.secretlair.com/index.php?/clickableculture/entry/second_life_opened_to_real_world_business_venture/

Interesting that Linden Lab didn't put the project up for bid.

Here we go again...

Ok!The Feted are cheap dates!

'Second Life' Opened to Real-World Business Venture
Filed in Business, Culture, Other Space, Design, Second Life
by Tony Walsh on July 12, 2005 @ 11:44 am

According to Linden Lab's Vice President of Product Development Cory Ondrejka, an area of the Second Life has been hired out for use by an yet-unnamed bank to teach kids about managing money (this area is most likely to be private, since it involves minors). A group of users known for outstanding Second Life creations was recommended as potential hires by Linden Lab. The bank paid some or all of this group around $17,000USD to create content for the services project--a "steal" for the bank, as Ondrejka put it, in terms of expenditures. Note to freelance Second Life builders: Charge more next time.

Ondrejka revealed few details on the bank deal during a presentation at the recent Games+Learning+Society Conference, but he suggested an official announcement was pending. The move by Linden Lab into the services space shows that the company is willing to monetize its hallmark virtual world in ways other than membership and land fees. Should more companies be interested in Second Life as a "turnkey" solution to their online gaming project needs, it looks like Linden Lab will be happy to send the business to a select group of Second Life builders. Which is great news if you're part of that group.

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As I have said before, Prok was right in more ways than he ever knew. Poll to come.

coco

There is no feted inner core in Second Life. There is no free market nor truly merit-based reward system, either.

There is networking, which is often exclusive and semi-closed.

I would like to state for the record that *I* was NOT recommended or contracted for the $17K project.

HOWEVER! Given the nature and direction of the FIC debate as it has unfolded regarding shunning and bannings, I think it's safe to say that *I* incited and emboldened the FIC to participate in this project through subtle codes in my past forum posts.

Whoever they recommended... Good for them! WOOOT! Gratz!

Whatever happened to ppl being glad when someone gets a lucky break? Did it go the way of chivalry?

Anyway - Good for them!

dAIMnEEt!

Siggy, your appreciation and promotion of community values is noted and you will be delt with. *shifty eyes*

Of course not. Jealousy and bitter disappointment are the only feasts left for so many people in SL. They gorge on the inequities of life, miserable that someone got there first, that someone works harder, does it better.

Congrats to the contractors. This could be a big deal for them and should raise the profile, and value, of work done in SL.

If you want to be a builder for outside companies, then market yourself to outside companies.

I don't think LL has a responsibility to open a discussion or bidding process for a 3rd party project if that 3rd party has solicited the assistance and advice from LL directly. As far as we know, LL suggested an open bidding process and it was rejected by the bank.

I'm excited that the market is opening to these sort of projects. I can only imagine what lies ahead.

Finish those unfinished projects, compile an impressive portfolio, Brainstorm ideas on how 3rd party business can utilize SL and sell to them directly. Contact LL and discuss your goals and benefit from their experience and network.

Champie

I'm an expensive FIC, thank you very much!

expect nobody to knock on your door

Prok predicted polls?

Uh-oh, the sky is falling again. Next time, use something stronger than thumbtacks LL!

I think you are responding to Coco's sig

this was a continuation of my previous post, and in no way a response to Hanks comment that slipped in while I was typing

Well, all right. Before this discussion goes any further, I'd like to share a bit of information I've collected in the last half hour.

With a bit of detective work and some Googling (and a Skype VOIP call to a friend of mine who lives in the People's Republic of China) I have learned the identity of the bank which contracted with the mystery group and with Linden Lab to create this money education project.

The bank is a pretty big one in Asia and the Pacific Rim. I dug up a photo of their main office. I'll reveal it now.

The textures suck and they should have used shiney..

F*ckn noobs.

The building across from it looks awsome! Shiny galore

I did actualy happen into the sim once, when it was first brought online, I forget what it was called, and I forget the name of the bank. But there was a giant red sign with information on it. I thought nothing of it and didn't really care.

However the name of the bank didn't strike me enough to remember it, so most likely its not any international brand. Intl Bank Of Dramah sounds familure though.

The point is, here was a business opportunity. But people COULDN'T compile their impressive portfolio and make a presentation to that business, because they didn't know that business opportunity existed. The Lindens never told anyone about it, as far as I know.

coco

LL did what any smart developer would do when big money is on the line: Go with a proven thing, instead of an unknown.

What the article fails to mention is the amount of time and how many people over which the job is spread. It could very easily be spread across multiple people and the space of a year for all we know, which would be pretty shoddy. Numbers are very easy to spin in either direction.

Other than saying it thusly, I won't touch this issue with a 10-ft pole.

The Lindens have had over 3 years to see the works of others. If this was a business issue that had deadlines, they would be stupid not to immediately draw from the best they had seen thus far.

It is more a positive than negative to future builders/creators/idea makers. As we know time after time now that LL is a company that draws from within its product. Who knows who they will choose 1, 3, or even 5 years from now for future projects.

As a proud member of the FIC (by default), I can personally claim I don't have a *single* clue who they chose for this project. But I do wish the project the best of luck and success!!