In the prosumers chapter of wikinomics we talked a lot about Second Life – the virtual world that the users continuously co-create and share with each other. In the peer pioneers chapter we talked a lot about IBM and embracing open source culture and strategy. So what happens when these two leading examples of wikinomics in action come together? Well, we’re about to find out, as Second Life and IBM have announced they are working together to create universal avatars that can travel across and between virtual worlds.

Colin Parris, IBM’s VP of Digital Convergence, summed up nicely why they are doing this:

“It is going to happen anyway.If you think you are walled and secure, somebody will create something that’s open and then people will drain themselves away as fast as possible.”

I couldn’t agree more. And where might these new virtual worlds emerge from? Well, Metaplace might be able to help with that… metawhat you ask? To quote from their website:

Metaplace! That’s what! Build a virtual apartment and put it on your website. Work with friends to make a huge MMORPG. Share your puzzle game with friends. We have a vision: to let you build anything, and play everything, from anywhere. Eventually, anyway. We have to finish first.