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 :
I thought I should write up my thoughts re my recent attendence at GameHorizon:
It seems pretty clear that the Computer Games industry is a major success story
Apparently making more money than film & music [although all I can find on Google are rather dodgy get-rich-quick schemes which refer to this…!]
What I *did* find was a report from back-end of 2008, quoted here and here, saying “Verdict research predicts gaming will become the UK’s premier leisure activity before 2009”
But it seems to be in ‘stealth mode’ in terms of profile
There have been various controversies about computer games – which are set out in this section from Wikipedia
Reminds me of my MBA paper on Microsoft & Public Affairs paper [which I should publish]
The nub of this was that Bill didn’t take politics seriously until he found his competitors were using their political connections as a business strategy
Also is on the cusp of convergence of various positive technological trends
3D & virtual worlds
Serious Games
Favourite sessions
‘Sneaking in the Back Door to become an AAA Multiplatform Studio‘ Sponsored by Game Republic – Paul Wedgwood, CEO and Game Director, Splash Damage Ltd.
‘Separating Fact from Fiction: the Future of Digital Distribution’ – Roger Walkden, CEO, AWOMO
‘Development Opportunities in PlayStation Home’ Peter Edward, Director, PlayStation Home Platform Group
Panel Discussion: ‘Game Exposure – The naked truth about marketing your self published IP’ Sponsored in partnership by BAFTA and Northern Film + Media.
[that’s enough – Ed.]
Pretty reasonable games industry in the UK, also in Europe
Cutting edge stuff going, which I have highlighted in my list of favourite sessions
What struck me was the the Social Media / online component that many companies are only now discovering seems to be standard operating procedure for the games industry – as Paul Farley (Managing Director, Tag Games) explained.
I met some good people & am following up various business opportunities. This was an eye-opener for me, and I expect to see the Games industry as part of a major convergence of computing trends in the home.
Live bloggging info
If you would like to read my live blogging notes from the conference, please see this summary page.
If you’re looking for the live-blog sessions I’m doing at the GameHorizon conference, use the info in these boxes to tune in on whichever session is live (or passed).
More info to be had on live-blogging etc. via this post.
I was thinking that my activities relating to Virtual Worlds are beginning to bear fruit, in that I can go to business development meetings with potential clients and be able to talk VWs with credibility.
I’m blowing my own trumpet here [er, I think that’s called Marketing – Ed.], but hopefully you will find the list of posts I’ve done on VWs useful:
I’ve also uploaded photos from my times in-world to Flickr, which you can flick through below. n.b. the human character at the centre (in various guises) is Tandoorichicken Masala, my personal avatar; the fox-like ‘furry’ is Fujitsu Infinity, my work av when I was at Fujitsu.
I am pleased to tell you that you have now achieved Full NEESPR approval. Your NEESPR Pin number is 12640. You may be asked for this pin number in the future by a broker.
… a regional register of service providers that can provide business development solutions to the north east business community. This is the only register being used by all Business Link Brokers to impartially source provision for their clients. Use of the NEESPR is also extending to other business support organisations in the region.
I was having a bit Google search re what others were saying about their membership of NEESPR. So, being in a hurry, and finding that Octopus Media Ltd had summarised the situation rather nicely, I’m quoting them saying that they’re:
[…] an approved supplier on the North East England Service Provider Register (NEESPR). This means we can help you take advantage of government funding which is available for North East businesses, including those based in Tyne & Wear, Northumberland and County Durham.
Applicants to the register are assessed and approved to ensure they are able to provide a high level of service to referred customers. High standards in both customer service and the quality of our work are required to ensure continued inclusion on the NEESPR register.
Funding is available for both start ups and existing business’ and can help pay for web development, web design, brand identity, logo design, print design, marketing, and search engine optimisation.
The availability of funding changes all the time and up to date information can be obtained directly from your local Business Link branch.
Good points, all of them! btw I’ve quoted Octopus & credited them because I’ve seen a couple of different companies who seem to be sharing very similar wordings [but different from the above]. Best pay credit where it’s due… ;-)
So, if you are looking for assistance around
Social Media strategy & fulfilment (e.g. how can I use blogging & Twitter for my business?)
Document, Information & Knowledge Management, and using collaborative technologies in general
Management of Change to help your people adapt to new technologies & new ways of working / thinking
Last week I was lucky enough to visit Philip McClenaghan and Dan Riley at D|Lab:
a multi-disciplinary team of designers, researchers and digital specialists located within the Institute of Digital Innovation (IDI) which, in addition to developing product and service innovations for a range of industry clients, works extensively with business partners wishing to explore the potential of virtual worlds on the internet.
It was a very interesting meeting, and good to get reinvigorated about Virtual Worlds etc.! :-)
From my notes, & as I understand it:
D|Lab is a commercial venture, and it is developing a next generation VW platform which they plan to release later this year
They created Meta-Mole as a comparative database of virtual worlds platforms
I think Dan mentioned this Frost & Sullivan report which quoted a 465% rise in productivity [would be great to get a link to this]
D|Lab is interested in being able to import CAD & 3ds Max files / diagrams
They also mentioned the move to more commercial applications for VWs, e.g. Twinity
We discussed who’s doing what with VWS in the Region
The potential business opportunity is for me / SCL to act as an informed & impartial recommender for those interested in Virtual Worlds to builders like D|Lab.
Clearly, being able to articulate what VWs, why people should care, what the benefits are etc. would be my stock-in-trade.
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A post to announce that Souter Consulting Limited has joined the 
Last week I was lucky enough to visit Philip McClenaghan and Dan Riley at 
