Microsoft Buying Second Life According to Tweeter

The rumor that Microsoft is looking to be the new owner of Linden Labs' Second Life was started by a tweet from a Twitterer who is purported to be connected to folks in the know. The tweet simply said "A little birdie told me that Microsoft may have silently offered to buy Linden Lab this week." There could be some truth to the rumor. TechEye is reporting that an employee of Linden Labs says that Microsoft has made a bid.

Remember Second Life? That's the online gaming experience that has allowed many to create second lives that they might have found more interesting than their first. Second Life users have attended virtual performances and lectures with real world artists and personalities, bought real estate and islands with their Linden dollars and purchased spiffy outfits for their avatars. Some of us who refused to exchange real dollars for Linden cash ended up living in junkyards. But the game might not be as popular as it once was. Linden Labs is closing its UK office and that lends even more weight to the rumor.

Though you may have not visited lately, Second Life is still around and researchers at the University of Derby think there might be something to learn from it. They've created a virtual Eco House in Second Life and will use it to gauge people's unconscious attitudes towards environmental issues.

Let's hope that if Second Life is in danger that Microsoft will save it. Take a look at the Eco House in the video. Second Life is still cool.