Life real or virtual

The line between real-life and virtual realities is fading fast. In today’s world virtual reality can become real life in a matter of minutes. Take for example good old craigslist. I decided two days ago that I did not want my Nintendo Wii anymore and decided I would like to have an XBOX360. So I posted on Craigslist in the virtual world that I was looking to trade my Nintendo Wii with all the games for an XBOX360, I posted the games I would like to get in the exchange, and what I would be giving. The virtual world came to life when my phone rang about 24 hrs later. It was someone who wanted to meet me to exchange these items. This type of virtual world to real world is not like the type of virtual to real world exchange that occurs in Second life or warcraft, but is still taking a real thought, putting it into the virtual world and getting a real world result.

Second life is a one step away from reality. I have spent sometime playing around with Second life, and while I must say the user interface is not as easy as you would think it is a very addicting game. In second life you can buy and sell property, make improvements, make investment, etc. (basically anything you can do in the real world.) Where second life is different from other online games is that it actually wants you to invest your real money. Money is obviously valued different, but I think this type of open system is a great way to keep people involved. When people have a financial liability they are more motivated to stay involved and active in the management of their funds. This is what I think the creators of Second life were banking on, because there are many games that have been out forever that have similar themes (ex. Simms), but none of them use this concept of actually involving themselves in an exchange of money. Another reason why this game is addicting is because as you invest money you can make money, and once again as is true in the real world money is power. You establish yourself in Second Life by owning property, businesses, and land. This is the main place where open and closed systems differ. In the open system like in Second life you are actually buying things in the virtual world.

In a close system like that of World of Wars or many other online games you never own anything. You might hold a record, but somebody can knock you off and they do not have to give you anything. In a closed system there is no monetary exchange, nor is there any financial risk. Closed systems put a roof on the amount you can achieve. You can only be the best at the games you play, and that’s the end of the line, it’s a more distanced relationship with the virtual world if you will. Where as an open system like Second life you can always buy, sell, and trade more. The open system gives you endless possibilities. In the example of Second Life if you want to put in enough money you can just keep buying until your heart is content.

In my opinion the main difference between the open and closed systems are as simple as closed systems are limited in how much you can achieve (once you have beat the game there is no more), where as open systems will let you go as far as your capabilities take you.

There are a couple of important things to point out about using real money in the virtual world. The first is you are using real money and making investments, so it is always a possibility that you could loose your money, and when you loose you will be losing out of your real pocket book. The part that I think is beneficial about using real money in the virtual world is that it keeps you on your toes. If you have real money up for grabs you are likely to be a more active participant in the game in order to protect your assets.

Personally I think that putting money into virtual games is not the smartest thing someone can do with their money. I also know somebody who makes consistent money off of games like second life so I guess its all about what you are good at.