Just received the delivery of my first in-world purchase: Julian Dibbell’s book on living off virtual money Play Money. I bought it and the virtual version at the virtual store with virtual money (Lindens) in the virtual world of Second Life. This is a bundled product where for 1 purchase I get the virtual and real version. I’ve argued for this bundling of products before on this blog & at industry talks. Good to see it happening.
Anyway, I received the book today and to my disappointment it was addressed to me. It would of been nice to have it addressed to my in-world name, Lythe Witte, with my real name in brackets so the delivery works. It would of been nice to have something to indicate the special way it was purchased, even a message from the in-world bookseller Falk Bergman (though he didn’t do the delivery, just facilitated the process). Anyway, I’m going to enjoy the book though. You can read the book online at Julian’s blog but I like reading real books.
Details about the virtual & real world purchase at New World Notes
Having said quite vocally on my blog that I would never be inclined to buy a “real” object in a virtual world, I too have to confess I bought this same book and… like a little kid at Christmas, I am excited to say Julian Dibbell himself met me in world and offered to sign my copy before sending it off!!! So… there are some things that seem to be marketable in the SL environment to even the most sceptical 🙂 Mind you, I spend a LOT of money at amazon.com – its one of the only online stores I use apart from my grovery shopping – so buying a book in SL isnt such a stretch I guess 🙂
Can’t wait to get my copy (even though like you i have read lots already on his blog)!
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Ah geez, you met him in SL! Jealous. I just talked to him via email when the delivery form was stuffed up. 🙁 Pixels beats type. I didn’t get an offer for a signed copy either. 🙁
I’m with you about Amazon — I spend most of my income on books! Have been looking for local outlets that will deliver them cheaper though too.