1. BBC News (UK) - Police investigate Habbo Hotel virtual furniture theft. "Thieves have struck again in the virtual world Habbo Hotel. Finnish police are investigating up to 400 cases of theft, with some members reporting the loss of up to €1000 (£840) worth of virtual furniture and other items, according to Detective Sergeant Marko Levonen. "We have done five home searches in … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
General News
Merged realities – events and issues for virtual worlds
1. The winner of the 2010 Linden Prize has been announced - with the Tech Virtual Museum Workshop coming up trumps. A worthy, but unsurprising winner. With our parochial hat on, we were hoping for a UWA win but kudos anyway for being shortlisted. 2. It's quite the week for virtual worlds development company news. First is the creation of a new Canada-based production … [Read more...] about Merged realities – events and issues for virtual worlds
Book Review: Online a lot of the time
Online a lot of the time Ritual, Fetish, Sign Author: Ken Hillis Publisher: Duke University Press When my editor sent me this book to read and review, the title and intriguing cover image prepared me for an engaging and witty romp through online usage, telepresence, identity and more littered with illustrative reminiscences. Something to be read, savoured and enjoyed. In … [Read more...] about Book Review: Online a lot of the time
The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
1. USA Today (USA) - Spending on virtual goods continues upturn. "Spending on virtual goods in games, virtual worlds and on social sites such as Facebook continues to show real increases. About 13% of Americans bought virtual goods in the last 12 months, with average spending of $99, up from $87 last year (a 14% increase), finds a new survey from research and consulting firm … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
The Watch – virtual worlds in the news
1. The Australian (Australia) - When games start playing you: cyber addicts. "Obsession, fantasy and the internet can be a destructive trio, as a South Korean couple learned last month. The pair were sentenced for negligent homicide after allowing their three-month old daughter to die of malnutrition. In the cruellest irony, the couple apparently neglected the infant for up to … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news