The first millionaire of virtual worlds, Anshe Chung, announced that she is about to make financial market which will connect three virtual worlds: Second Life, Entropia Universe and IMVU. According to press release
the new financial market will allow Second Life residents to invest their Linden DOLLARS (L$) directly in ventures such as banks, malls or biospheres in Entropia Universe while those who earned their fortunes in Entropia dollars will be able to easily diversify their investments into assets such as Second Life virtual land funds, virtual game development businesses or the IMVU fashion design industry.
Now, that is a brave move for sure. In a month or so, we'll have actual stock market of virtual worlds. Currency conversion will go not only between Linden$ and US$ but other micro-currencies will also be there.
Some questions arises: Are virtual currencies and economies of virtual worlds strong enough to support financial market between worlds? There is more than good intentions and capital that is needed for such institution. Is there enough interest for entrepreneurs to be active in more than one environment? Does all this makes any sense? Are our worlds capable of being connected in such a way?
At this moment we can say they are not. Once again need for open standards arise and this initiative is a step forward in that direction. And then, when it happen and when cross-world economy starts going for real, how will it change our worlds?
Once connected, different worlds will be influencing each other. Builders from one will change the shape and look of the other. Residents of different worlds may become tourists in all other. They may find some other world more interesting or more cozy, they can migrate. Yes, we were able to migrate before too but then we were leaving one system to start from the scratch in another. Now, we can pack our things and move with our possessions and our money in our pockets. That should make a huge impact on how both residents and developers deal with our virtual homelands.
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