RDV Animations is a native Second Life business with one of the hottest products in the virtual world. They've sold 2000 units in the last 3 months at L$3000 per unit, all through basic Classified advertising and word of mouth. JenzZa Misfit markets the product now as a full-time job.
The product itself is a couples animator called "Rendezvous", created by JenzZa Misfit and Valradica Vale. Couples can walk together holding hands, fly together, swim, hug, kiss, and assume a number of resting animations. The product is entirely PG and there are no plans to make a sexual version, although a "just friends" version where there's no hand-holding or hugging will be released as well as a "business" version that includes handshakes and things along those lines.
The success of this product is hard to understand until you've actually seen it in action, at which point it seems obvious. (Click here for a YouTube video demo.) People don't come into virtual worlds to be alone. If you've ever tried to tour a place with another person, however, you've experienced the phenomena of losing them in flight, bumping into them, or some other awkwardness. Once you're both hooked into the animator, however, you can travel anywhere together and never lose sight of one another. This basic utility of being able to experience the virtual world together makes a huge difference.
The product has three things working against it: it's expensive (in Second Life terms), it isn't a wearable advice but must be rezzed on the ground, and won't perform properly above the 100m "normal flight" limitation. Despite these major issues its selling at a phenomenal rate.
By targetting consumers and not sinking to the lowest common denominator they've been able to create a new market for themselves. "Holding hands is way more intimate," JenzZa tells me, "The simple human connection is more powerful than sex." Now that the market for this kind of product has been established, they're moving on to other versions to help with tour groups, business meetings, and casual friends who just want to take a look at something together to get each other's feedback. Giving someone new to Second Life a hassle-free tour of a build is critical to marketers and content producers. For business people looking for an edge to fascilitate communication, tools like these that will become increasingly important.
You can visit RDV Animations here [teleport link]
