I have to say that the volume of SL coverage here is unusual when mixed in with titles which are more towards the gaming end of the spectrum, but when you step back and take a look at "virtual world" space and where it's going, it seems to me that the future is less about pure gaming, and more about larger, all inclusive experiences which incorporate gaming with more casual opportunities.

Unfortunately, it's suffering from the "Wii Effect": experiences like SL CAN appeal to both gamers and non-gamers, but MMO games tend to attract gamers; it's not a two-way street, and the MMO gamers tend to thumb their nose at SL and it's ilk for whatever reason. The same with the Wii: "hardcore" gamers complain that the Wii is "dumbing down" the past-time, yet the Wii is bringing more and more people INTO the gaming lifestyle. In both cases, it's good to get more people onboard so they can understand firsthand, rather then allow politicians and other fear-mongers to write their opinions for them.