Second Skin

Intro

Those who’ve met me know I can bore for England on Second Life – e.g. people laugh when they hear my SL avatar is called Tandoorichicken Masala.

You might have seen this summary of virtual world-related posts (on this blog) I put together recently. I really should check out some other virtual worlds, but for now, for me, it’s SL.

Can’t remember where I read about this, but I came across a reference to Second Skin, a documentary film about Virtual Worlds:

Second Skin takes an intimate look at three sets of computer gamers whose lives have been transformed by online virtual worlds. An emerging genre of computer software called Massively Multiplayer Online games, or MMOs, allows millions of users to interact simultaneously in virtual spaces. Of the 50 million players worldwide, 50 percent consider themselves addicted. From individuals struggling with addiction to couples who have fallen in love without meeting; from disabled players whose lives have been given new purpose to gold farmers, entrepreneurs and widows, Second Skin opens viewers’ eyes to a phenomenon that may permanently change the way human beings interact.

In March 2008, Second Skin premiered opening night of SXSW. Without any news of a theatrical or DVD release, Second Skin landed extensive coverage in Newsweek, NPR, Wired, BBC, The Dr. Phil Show, Boston Globe, Variety and dozens of other major media outlets. Second Skin was also voted the #4 Documentary of 2008 by internet juggernaut Ain’t It Cool News.

This August, Second Skin will become the first widely released movie about virtual worlds- a movie for the 50 million gamers who spend most of their time in virtual worlds, and all those curious to understand this phenomenon.

[btw slightly peeved that I was at SXSW and missed it!]

Trailer

Eye-opening – even for a trailer! Looks like a balanced view of the whole phenomenon.

Potential Christmas present?

If anyone would like to buy this for me for Christmas, here is the link ;-D :

Technorati Tags: second life,second skin,virtual worlds,metaverses,sl,documentary,film,fascinating

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