BBC News Show Looks at: "Virtual World, Real Millions"

BBC News Show Looks at: "Virtual World, Real Millions"

May 28, 2007
Those of us situated in the United Kingdom may well be interested to know that the BBC's flagship business show, The Money Programme, will this Friday be turning its attention to the increasingly lucrative world of online worlds.

From the TV listing:
Millions of us are opting out of real life and signing up to "live" in vitual reality computer worlds instead - and there is a fortune to be made there. Multi-nationals like Reebok, Nissan and Calvin Klein are now also getting in on the act. The Money Programme's Max Flint sets up shop in the cyber world and finds out how it's possible to live a virtual life and make a real fortune.

There are two points of focus in this paticular episode. The first concentrates on the likes of Second Life and how numerous business have created a virtual presence in the world. The second focuses on the business of more 'traditional' MMOs such as World Of Warcraft, and the ever-present culture of real money trading.

The show will also be the first BBC television programme to be broadcast in Second Life. SL players can watch at Rivers Run Red's cinema, coordinates 200, 123, 45.

This isn't the first time The Money Programme has touched on games, nor is it the BBC's first brush with Second Life. TMP rated Microsoft's chances with the xBox 360 last November, Newsnight produced a segment in it, and the BBC simulcast audio from a music event into the SL metaverse in 2006.

The show goes out on BBC Two this Friday, June 1 at 7PM, and you can also catch it in SL at Rivers Run Red at 7PM GMT, and again at 8PM and 9PM.

-Reporting from the sofa, GP UK Correspondent Mark Kelly
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Comments

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee - May 28, 2007 at 3:03 pm -0500
bah I hate to pay for VR stuff...inane VR stuff is even worse >
Submitted by beemoh - May 28, 2007 at 9:27 am -0500
...I should point out that the coordinates aren't *quite* right- you're looking for Rivers Run Red 200, 123, 45, which is a different thing in SL to just "200, 123, 45".

/b
Submitted by kurisu7885 - May 28, 2007 at 9:34 am -0500
@Brokenscope

They'd likely blow a gasket if they learned of people selling models of Terran Wraiths and Battlecruisers on SL
Submitted by Brokenscope - May 28, 2007 at 9:25 am -0500
Blizzard is suing a gold selling company right now.
Submitted by kurisu7885 - May 28, 2007 at 7:08 am -0500
Live TV in SL huh? Interesting.
Submitted by LordSyruss - May 29, 2007 at 9:32 am -0500
Blizzard is actually suing them for spamming players, which is against the TOS. And not necessarily the gold selling, which I still see as against the TOS, but there is enough doubt of a genuine win in court that they don't see it as worth the risk yet.

~Syruss

P.S. TOS = Terms of Service (just to be sure people know.)
Submitted by Crome Tysnomi - June 1, 2007 at 1:49 pm -0500
I've been on Active Worlds since 2003, since then I've learnt valuable creativity skills such as object modeling+texturing and building with a -wide- variety of objects.

The system is also very stable, compared to Second Life which had me frustrated every time I'd been booted off due to a griefer attack on the current area I was or otherwise general instability.

Wells Fargo made a very excellent decision when they went to Active Worlds to power Stagecoach Island, after Second Life had failed them. Other business should perhaps take note.
Submitted by Chris - June 1, 2007 at 1:31 pm -0500
It does seem to be a tad overpriced, but I'm just spoiled. activeworlds ftw. ;)
Submitted by Buzz - June 1, 2007 at 1:32 pm -0500
I prefer Piko Island. www.pikoisland.com It's based on the Active Worlds platform like Mark is talking about and has over 12000 free objects. It costs me much less than most online games and has a great community and jobs scheme. I'm a virtual Bank Manager!
Submitted by Doug Cook - June 1, 2007 at 1:36 pm -0500
I have also been involved with Activeworlds ( www.activeworlds.com ) for over ten years.
For a virtual experience which is aimed at a family environment in public worlds, this is the place to be. Second Life has nothing on AW !
Submitted by Mark Randall - June 1, 2007 at 1:18 pm -0500
£60 a month is he INSANE? I use www.activeworlds.com has been developed for twice as long, and has about 20,000 free objects, and for £60 a month I could buy enough land to host HUNDREDS of users.
Submitted by shanna - June 1, 2007 at 4:21 am -0500
hi, this is shanna, i think its a really good idea for kids to explore the vhats in the holidays if there grounded, so i think you should publish it in a month or two, because im VERY VERY interested because, im 10 years old an i get bored at home so please open up tis game. thank you. xxx :)
Submitted by kurisu7885 - May 28, 2007 at 8:49 pm -0500
"bah I hate to pay for VR stuff…inane VR stuff is even worse >"

I haven't sopent a cent on SL ,I jsut plant myself at a camping spot while I sleep.
Submitted by E-Commerce News » Blog Archive » Business News - - July 12, 2007 at 6:51 pm -0500
[...] Those of us situated in the United Kingdom may well be interested to know that the BBC’s flagship business show, The Money Programme , will this Friday be turning its attention to the increasingly Read more [...]

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Cheater87: http://www.gamezine.co.uk/news/formats/xbox360/all-violent-video-games-be-banned-in-germany-$1301757.htm
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Andrew Eisen: Note to JT, it is not illegal to sell kids a ticket to R-rated movies.
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JDKJ: Heard one, you've heard 'em all. He repeats the same act, with the same half-truths, over and over.
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