Linden Lab announced today--though it's been a public process of sorting out procedures--that it will host a two-week Virtual World Fair in celebration of Second Life's 5th birthday. The event, running from June 23 – July 7, 2008, is open to any Second Life user and will feature keynotes from former CEO Philip Rosedale and new CEO Mark Kingdon as well as music, lectures on business in Second Life, and more.
While Second Life is hardly alone in the virtual worlds space--and the market is more crowded each day--it's been one of the focal points for mainstream attention, partly in due to its early mover status. So, whether you're a hardcore Second Lifer or think it's on its way out, I think congratulations are still in order.
“It’s amazing to look back and reflect on everything that we’ve accomplished in such a short time. From our initial launch, to the decision to allow Residents to retain their IP, to opening up the Platform to third parties, most of the decisions we’ve made have gone against the grain of conventional wisdom and that’s made all the difference,” Rosedale said in a statement. “While we’ve come a long way in our first five years and have surmounted significant challenges, there’s still plenty of work left as we continue to advance the medium. With Mark’s leadership and the passion and creativity of our Residents we are extremely excited about what the future holds and the evolving role that Second Life will play in business, arts, education and communication in general.”
Happy birthday, Second Life.
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