Second Places Rejects Criticism of Virtual Worlds

Press Release - 23rd March 2009
March 23, 2009;

Second Places Rejects Criticism of Virtual Worlds
Virtual worlds specialist Second Places today responded to criticism by a Conservative MP who claimed online virtual communities were a "waste of time and money".

The politician’s comments were levelled at a scheme by the Department for Work and Pensions, which launched a virtual meeting place with the aim of saving the taxpayer money.
Second Places – which specialises in creating online presences for corporate clients – agrees that virtual worlds have vast potential for business use, saying that using them for remote training and meetings can save clients thousands of pounds as well as countless manhours spent travelling.

Managing Director Mark Duffy explains: "Our clients, and particularly international customers, would argue that there are many benefits to both business and leisure in virtual worlds.

"Virtual worlds are made up of a series of islands, buildings and locations, which can replicate places in the real world online. For example, using your platform in a virtual world to bring your staff from all over the world together for a meeting – held in real time with personal interaction – allows you to drastically cut costs and avoid the inconvenience and global impact of time spent travelling.

"The emergence of virtual worlds is now enabling forward-thinking companies and organisations to utilise the latest technology to hold meetings, attend seminars, stage exhibitions and promote their services – all without employees or visitors having to leave their home or office. In essence, the digital facility allows for an increase in capability."
Millions of users all over the globe have already signed up for virtual worlds – of which Second Life is the best known – and it is predicted that by the end of 2011, 80% of internet users will have a "second life" in a virtual world.

Aberdeen and Manchester-based Second Places specialises in developing presences in virtual worlds for clients who want to follow the lead of multi-nationals such as Adidas, Nike and Armani and maximise the benefits that virtual technology offers to businesses.

Second Places creates was formed by a partnership between Fusion Unity in Aberdeen and Clicks and Links in Manchester, and now employs eight members of staff who work with around 25 clients.

The team has worked across multiple industry sectors such as business, travel and tourism, non-profit, entertainment, private and education sectors.