Pun intended. The Japanese island 3D-Auction bills itself as a real-time Internet auction in the virtual world. By realtime they mean just that — sit and bid against others for the items you desire. They’re trying for a real-world auction experience here. No bidding and waiting for days to find out if you won, a la eBay.
I found the place through my usual random island hopping. They physical setup is certainly nicer than any real-world auction hall I’ve ever been too (which were more like warehouses). Maybe I’m going to the wrong real-world auctions. Regardless, you can go to 3D-Auction and feel like you’re a big time bidder based on the quality of the build. It stands out as impressive as any real-world concert hall I’ve seen (in a modern kind of way).
Not that the environment or the casks of virtual wine will cause me to personally bid on anything, because it’s all in Japanese. That doesn’t make it any less interesting, though. I haven’t been able to attend an auction due to time-zone issues, but 3D-Auction has posted an unintentionally entertaining set of videos showing the process. I love the fact that they included a giant chicken among the bidders.
Pick up a HUD and a paddle and off you go. The fascinating thing is that you bid for real and virtual items in Lindens. There are signs outside you can review before an auction so you can plan your bids accordingly. The variety is interesting. Electronics, virtual land, virtual clothes (hey, Bare Rose has some items you can only buy at these auctions!), and…
…ummm, kittens? Sometimes a picture isn’t worth a thousand words. That must really be for kitten food, or… something… right?
If I’m ever around during an auction I might try to bid on an inexpensive virtual item, just to see how it really works. I don’t think I’ll bid on any real-world headphones, lest I have to pay the shipping from Japan.
Many people I’ve met at real-world auctions view it as a form of entertainment. I have to admit there’s a certain rush of excitement as you bid aginst others, wondering if you’ll get the item you want (at a bargain price, one hopes). Certainly there are more efficient ways to buy many of the items that I saw at 3D-Auction. Bare Rose has the right idea — auction-specific products. Will it be as entertaining as the real thing? I’ll let you know.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/3D%20Auction/179/117/39
LOL – put me down for the plate’o'kittens! I may be aa veggie gazelle, but man that looks tasty!