2nd life versus World of Warcraft

Above: scenery of World of Warcraft, Bottom: girls shopping in Second Life




I have a friend who´s brother is used to stay without food and drinks for one day or longer while he´s playing World of Warcraft. Why should he? He´s the leader of his combating crew in World of W., he is gaining victories, new magic skills, conquering countries - and last but not least, gaining prestige. So why should he fucking eat - somehow I understand him.

World of Warcraft is the biggest "virtual world" with 3,8 million players all around the world. It´s an online game, constructed around fantastic characters, strategic fights and magic landscapes. The players use to talk to each other by headphones while playing. I´ve listened quite a few times to my friend´s little brother. It sounded quite funny when he was shouting around, giving orders to his fight-compagnons - a bit like he would work for a spaceship in his free-time.

A bit more than one year ago, a big hype about a new online game was rising: Second Life, a game that played with virtual characters but real money was born. You could design yourself whatever character - a blonde pin-up girl or an Italian gigolo. But you had to pay for every single extra-features for your avatar (this is the name that is used for any online character). Newbies in Second life all look the same, and noone will talk to them.

Once pimped up your avatar, you could start the walk through this new, fantastic world. But what was so fantastic about it? According to reports ( I never tried to play it) everything was like in real life - shops, beaches, parties, business (many real companies joined second life and made real money there), houses, sex, advertisements. Even the rules of society seemed to be the same. And without having money, you couldn´t do much - like sometimes in real life.
All in all, pretty boring and disappointing.

So, one year after the big hype, it has become calm around 2nd life - World of Warcraft, is, according to my knowledge, still not conquered by the big companies of the real world, but still an addictive place for many youngsters. While 2nd life only wants you to buy you online Nike sneakers that you have to pay in real dollars or penis-enlargements (yes, in 2nd life you have to pay your penis-size) World of Warcraft is a place where people can live the adventures they don´t have in real life - and is set at impossible, magic places. Or in short: While World of Warcraft is a freaky thrilling place that makes many people freaks in their real lifes, but kings in their virtual one, second life is only a second boring life.