Second Life Offers Free Accounts

Posted on September 15, 2005

Second Life, an online virtual world with an online currency called Linden, is now offering free basic accounts. Second Life used to charge a one-time $10 fee for a membership.

CNET reports that the company hopes revenues from new members spending Linden dollars will make up for the loss in subscription revenues. Linden Lab says over $18 million worth of virtual goods are sold in Second Life each year.

To get more people interested in buying virtual goods inside Second Life it requires more people using the online world. Linden Lab's decision to offer free memberships seems like a smart way to get more people to try it out.

The buying and selling of virtual property has become more commonplace over the last couple years. It is likely to continue to expand as more people use online worlds.