Nexeus Fatale

Sex and video games is a very loaded subject.  Sex and MMO’s is even more loaded.  It seems when the topic of sex arises, the media gets into a frenzy, parents begin uprisings, and everyone begins to treat it as some sort of taboo thing.  We all seem to forget that most people have had sex, even more have seen the act in one form or another.  The reason sex is so difficult to discuss (while at the same time one of the most discussed subjects) is due to its nature of being a highly intimate act that creates and revolves around very important moments in our lives.  With that said, the conversations that are had on the subject are not always the most compelling ones.  There are very few intelligent, mature conversations about sex in the video game and MMO market arenas that do not revolve around legislative nature, or revolve around some sort of scandal.  Most media cover the topic much in the same way Britney Spears is followed by the paparazzi.  Then there’s items like this on YouTube, this presentation by Daniel Floyd does a great job in starting the conversation and making comparisons between sex and video games to film.  Some very valid points are made, such as the way sex is used in video games.  While it does seem unrealistic, immature and derogatory at times, it does sell.

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Playboy is finally entering Second Life! While there is a lot of excitement about this, I remain skeptical. I am really interested to see how Playboy takes on this opportunity to extend its brand and its popularity virtually and pits themselves against already established adult entertainment entities such as Eros, Amsterdam, and Players Magazine. While Playboy has their websites, magazines, etc, it would be interesting to see how they extend those items into the virtual world, and how they extend their brand virtually. Are they strictly going to sell virtual versions of their ware, and push people to their website? Are they going to have Second Life Playboy Bunny Competitions? Is there going to be the Second Life equivalent of the Playboy Magazine?

If they do all of these things, Playboy will only be going up against already established publications, entities, and contests in Second Life. The decision to hop into Second Life is interesting, especially “late” in the game (as I see it). Playboy is entering Second Life on it’s name alone, everything that they have to offer is already in Second Life and quite strong, so the move into Second Life confuses me but at the same time can offer opportunities for people. Playboy can have adult item contests, modeling competitions, they could do designer showcases for fashion, rent out their location for events, or develop a community where they openly discuss sex and cyber-sex.

Playboy in Second Life will be interesting, what is more interesting would be the opportunities that will grow from it.

From a recent reading of the Second Life Herald, I stumbled upon an interesting topic and person that seemed worth to note to send to a few friends. The topic, in this case a person is Cardie Mahoney, and her glamor site, her official Second life Model site, which features pictures of her in poses, clothing, for a price. What’s different about this? Everything about her site is about her in Second Life. Continue Reading »

After a recent experience, I am reminded how different digital relationships can be than those offline. Relationships virtually are a lot faster, many of them lasting but a few days. These relationships are much shorter because of the same reasons that one night stands are for just one night. Virtual relationships lack the sort of interaction that is required from a real relationship, the touching, the kissing, the cuddling, and is often replaced by cyber sex. There is also a lot of unknowns of your partner on the other side of the screen, are they of the same gender, their age, martial status, do they have children, and their looks. Although you could have a partner who is open, honest, and reveal this information, send you pictures, etc., you lack the social interaction that you get from talking to a person face to face. It is possible to simulate the realness of a virtual relationship through a webcam or through voice chatter, but both of those things are held very private to many people, and ones trust over a period of time has to be developed in order for a partner to cross that boundary.
With a lack of voice, real world knowledge and interaction, people begin to make up an impression of what their partner would be from the looks of their avatar (although it is hard to assume the same happens with furries, I don’t think those in relationships with a furry or animal like avatar expects their companion to be a real animal.) Many times, this impression is seen through rose colored glasses, fantasized, and not based on any real grounds. Many people do not create their avatars to look exactly like themselves behind the screen. This exaggerated expectation plus cyber sex can only lead to bad things!
In Second Life, these two things is coupled by the realness of interaction, cuddling, dancing, walks on a beach, even sex with animations that come very close to the real thing. This helps prolong what would have been in the real world a one-night stand, or a very short relationship, over a longer period of time. This is why so many marriages in Second Life last no longer than a month.
The best relationships I have seen last are based on being real, honest, open, and discussing upfront your intentions. Granted some may be purely pleasure based, others may be long lasting. To make virtual relationships work they have to be founded on the same principles that real relationships are based on, communication, a like and understand of the other person, and a real connection. Don’t get me wrong, the sex can be great, but never should be the basis of a relationship, in or out of Second Life.