Virtual storefronts in Second Life from the likes of Sony and Dell attracted the interest of a few law firms earlier this year. I had more than one call from legal journalists inquiring of my opinion about law firms opening virtual offices in Second Life.
However, Ben Worthen at the WSJs Biz Tech blog reports the lights of Second Life ain’t so bright anyore.
The virtual world’s month got off to a rocky start, when the LA Times described how many of the businesses that had set up shop in Second Life were closing. Second Life storefronts for Best Buy’s Geek Squad, Sun Microsystems and Dell were all deserted, and American Apparel’s was virtually boarded up. ‘There’s not a compelling reason to stay,’ Brian McGuinness, a vice president with Starwood Hotels, which is closing its Second Life store, told the LA Times.
I’d agree with Ben’s advice, ‘..[V]irtual worlds may be an interesting idea, but [I] wouldn’t suggest building a business in one. At least not this month.’
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