the watch

1. Macworld (UK) - CES: Money for nothing? Virtual goods market takes off. "Social networking and multiplayer online games are fueling dramatic growth in hard cash earned from goods that exist only in the world of online make-believe, according to companies in that market gathered at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. For mainstream consumer electronics vendors, last … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news

1. The Guardian (UK) - Why playing in the virtual world has an awful lot to teach children. "What does playing computer games do to us? A YouGov poll has stirred up familiar worries about the effects of new media on children's communication skills, saying that one in six children under the age of seven in England has difficulty talking – a problem that will have many worried … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news

1. Mashable (USA) - Man Pays Record $330,000 for a Virtual Space Station. "We’re not even sure what category to file this story under. We’re utterly baffled by this one. Earlier this year, the Crystal Palace Space Station went onto virtual auction in the Entropia Universe massive multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG). Entropia Universe is well known for its “real cash … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news

1. AdAge (USA) - Guinness Lets U.K. Drinkers Create Virtual Worlds. "Guinness is offering U.K. drinkers a personalized virtual-reality experience in a partnership with Google Earth that lets people create their own worlds and then invite friends to join them via Facebook. The Diageo-owned stout is best known for its epic TV commercials, but Guinness is moving its marketing … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news

1. San Francisco Chronicle (USA) - FTC: Explicit Virtual world content easy for minors to see. "The Federal Trade Commission today said minors can access explicit sexual and vilolent content in 70% of the virtual worlds it reviewed in a congressionally mandated report and urged virtual world operators to make key enhancements aimed at reducing the risk of youth exposure to such … [Read more...] about The Watch – virtual worlds in the news