microsoft

Shane Kim of Microsoft Game Studios recently let slip that the software giant have been talking to Linden Lab, makers of the virtual world of Second Life about the possibility of allowing millions of Xbox 360 users to  access the growing Metaverse via their uber popular game console.

In an interview at the launch party for Halo 3, Kim said "I've spent some time with the Linden Lab guys [developers of Second Life]. To try to build Second Life on Xbox Live" -- Somewhat confusingly he also mentioned Youtube and Facebook in the same sentence.

Nothing more was said, but it does hint at the possibility that MS' strike back and Sony's Playstation Home, a virtual world remarkably similar to Second Life, might be to team up with Linden rather than reinvent the wheel.

Thanks Mike!

Microsoft launched their Visual Studio Island in the virtual world of Second Life this week with an egg hunt for keen residents and MS fanboys. The first winners were announced on Friday -- They get a 902Msq plot of land on the MS sim, and the warm smug glow that comes with the satisfaction of having beet a bunch of other sad saps to the prize.

Don't mind me, I'm just jealous...

As previously mentioned a few weeks back, Renault Formula 1 are planning to set up shop, or possibly that should be track, in Second Life. The date has now been announced as May 25th, and Second Lifers will have the dubious pleasure of fighting with yet another shoddy vehicle in Linden Lab's virtual world. This isn't Renaults fault, we'll at least hold them innocent until proven guilty, it's just that vehicles of any kind in Second Life simply don't work that well. Im not clear why this is, but it's evident the minute you try to ride, sail or drive something.

Well it was only a matter of time wasn't it? Google won't be there though, they don't do that, they have to own it right? Thursdays publicity event should prove interesting. IM me if you're going, we can all crash it together :)