Playboy to Set Up the Mansion in Second Life

Hugh Hefner's infamous lad mag, Playboy, responsible for jumpstarting the careers of many a buxom lady, announced that bunny avatars will be setting up shop in the popular virtual world beginning in June.

Details on how exactly Playboy will appear in Second Life are scarce, though one can imagine a virtual Playboy mansion and grotto are in the works. And although most Second Life marketing schemes haven't met with much success, there's little doubt that teleporting (as avatars are wont to travel) into a pool full of nubile young women will have some appeal.

As if mom didn't have enough to worry about when junior is at virtual play: Earlier this week UK police revealed they were investigating a German Second Life avatar who put child pornography images up for sale and paid for sex with underage players or players posing as minors.

Linden Lab, owner and operator of Second Life, said it would cooperate with the investigation and ban any users who engage in, advertise or promote locations or activities involving the depiction of sexual or lewd acts involving minors.

"We simply will not tolerate the depiction of sexual or lewd acts involving minors in Second Life," the company said in its statement on its blog.

Second Life currently boasts approximately 6.2 million "residents," though only 1.8 million have logged on in the last 60 days, according to statistics from Linden Lab.

But fear not fretful moms and pops. The kids can find safe options to cruise the virtual space. Second Life is virtual home to hundreds of non-risque companies, including L'Oreal, Calvin Klein, Reebok and even the news service Reuters.

Linden Lab even created a teen version of its virtual world. Minors are not allowed on the adult grid and no adults, other than Linden Lab employees, are allowed on the teen site.

Copyright 2007 by Ziff Davis Media, Distributed by United Press International