Virtual World Services Merger in the Works?
Sounding for all the world like it’s a mature industry going through a shake-out, 3pointD hears there may be a merger in the works between two of the many virtual world services companies that have sprung up to create a virtual world presence for real world clients in 3D online environments like Second Life, There.com and others. We can’t say who it is, of course, but in this case it’s not as if Nokia were merging with Verizon, say. We still hear that everyone in the space has more work than they can handle, so it doesn’t look like an attempt to wrest economies of scale out of the deal, just a combination that should make both parties stronger, as they’d seem to complement each other well. Look for an announcement at the Second Life Community Convention in San Francisco this coming weekend — if 3pointD’s sources are to be believed, that is.
Feeds
“in this case it’s not as if Nokia were merging with Verizon”
Is that to say that it’s not SL we’re talking about here? Sounds like some pretty significant news!
Jade, I’m thinking that Mark’s getting at two current SL service companies joining, not platforms. You know, something like RRR and ESC merging. But I guess the Nokia/Verizon part intimates at least that it’s not RRR and ESC (if we presume that these are currently the biggest players in this market), probably more like two of the “smaller” companies joining forces so take your pick! Millions of Visions or Anshe-Weber! :)
Well. One thing is for sure… It won’t be Nokia merging with Verizon — if 3pointD’s sources are to be believed, that is.
I’ll have you know, Bub, we have *very* good sources at both Nokia _and_ Verizon. That’s why I have a T-Mobile account, heh.
Duran Duran and U2!
So let’s see. It could be anshechung.com and RRR merging, they already work together. Or, ESC and RRR. Naaah. Or…ESC and Infiniview. Unlikely, given the egos involved. Hmmm. Let’s see. There’s only 5 of them. So let me do the math here. Um…I was always bad at math. Well, how many pairs are likely out of the only-five things there are in there?
“Sounding for all the world like it’s a mature industry going through a shake-out”
This made me snort. Mark, I think you’re on to something. You had better call the DOJ to investigate anti-trust violations here.
My bet is on Boliver and Hiro’s company merging, or is that two entities masquerading as companies merging to form something? I love it when consultants, working from their bedrooms play at business.
Anyway, I digress. Good luck to them both. It should be interesting to see how those egos knock heads together!
Saph!
Saph
I love the speculation and will not comment on it as to its verasity. As to the idea of working from my bedromm well….my dear lady our company has 4 partners a staff of 10 incl support staff and offices yes offices not a bedroom at 1 broadway 14th floor Cambridge Ma. We are not consultants playing at buisines my dear we ARE a business
your buisines (sic) would be more impressive, Sir Boliver, if you could just learn to spell….but obviously your current clients don’t see that as a key requirement. IF YOU CAN’T TAKE THE TIME TO DO A SIMPLE SPELL CHECK ON A SIMPLE MESSAGE I WONDER ABOUT YOUR ATTENTION TO DETAIL ON A PROJECT. But you are the CEO I suppose, TeH big piccy guy….better get a new secretary then…but you already know the key is to get other people to do the work and then claim the credit, right?
Too right, Giff! Early stage M&A can only mean one thing: dire monopolistic practices that will soon be adjudicated in European Union courts and lead to a wholesale crash in the market as consumers find they can no longer tolerate the level of irrational exuberance the markets have reached. On the other hand, it could just be a sensible business deal, who knows?
My money is on the merger of Ravenglass Rentals, Coco’s Cottages and the Nerd Emporium. Together they will bring all the magic of TSO to SL as its just a game after all. Huge news, great scoop Mark!
Actually my money is on Boliver finally completing the merger of his head up his own ass…
This all sounds very promising and exciting. What we really need is a Virtual Worlds merger, rather than just the exponents on each platform. :-)
Jim I don’t know you nor do I at this point truly want to. Yes my spelling can at times be quite horrid. Gee.. Guess I’m only human so sorry I am not perfect. At to my taking credit for other peoples work. I have never nor will I ever do any such thing. I go out of my way to credit all who work hard to create the outstanding work we do. I am lucky to have what I feel is the best partners and crew in the biz. if by chance you are referring to Chip Poutine article /blog and the mistakes he made in not crediting Shukran Fahid, well as chip will tell you Chip made an error, both Ham Rambler and I made a point of crediting Shuk for all his amazing work. I think that fact that Shuk is a senior partner in IVM speaks volumes for that. I am sure once you have, as you suggested I do, removed your head from your own you will see that. Meanwhile thank you for your interest and comments and have a wonderful productive SL
Snappy comeback, big guy. Mind you don’t burn your cheeks with that cigar on the way in.
“At to my taking credit for other peoples work. I have never nor will I ever do any such thing.”
who was it who really got rolling stone and mtv connected up to sl then?
not you froe thw word on the street…though you sure seem to beating your chest (or maybe something else) about the fact it was you.
and going by the results of the SLCC business panel and comments in it:
http://blogs.electricsheepcompany.com/chris/?p=115#comments
it really does seem you are just another big bag of production wind riding on the wings of others in a race to promote yourself.
Sad, more than anything else.
and who actually brought Suzanne Vega into SL?
not you ya bigheaded dork…it was The Infinite Mind people!
Credit where credit is due: I do not usually contribute to such flame wars but someone eneeds to set the record straight on this one and it might as well be me.
I’m executive producer of The Infinite Mind. We absolutely could not have done any of the events we recently produced without the calm, professional assistance of Drew Stein (Boliver Oddfellow in SL) and his team at Infinite Vision Media. Not only did they build us a fabulous looking and highly functional sim, to our exact specifications, on time and on budget, but they helped us produce a series of events that have made internet history.
Drew has a long track record of exceptional acheivement in interactive marketing, production and design … and that was BEFORE he started working in SL. He takes much less credit than he deserves.
You are an imposter.
- QM
Um, like, no … I really DID post that comment way back in August. I wonder who would pose as me and suggested I am NOT me? Hmmm.