Werewolves, witches, vampires... it's that season again. And while Halloween may be a time for getting frightened by encounters with these ghoulish creatures in real life, now the tradition has made its way into the virtual world as well.

 

Virtual worlds, and the computer-based, simulated environments they offer, are increasing in popularity across the world.

 

Aside from enjoying three-dimensional representations and interacting via personalized avatars, virtual worlds also offer a platform for e-commerce and revenue growth.

 

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Annie's Costumes, an online Halloween costume shop, now has a virtual haunted house and costume shop in Linden Lab's Second Life.

 

Retail, and particularly vendors offering apparel, is a popular new destination in virtual worlds as they offer users the ability to try something on, and make their purchase decision in a whole new way while also offering retailers new ways to reach out to potential shoppers and grab some market differentiation

 

Now, with Annie's Costumes, Second Life's almost 10 million residents from around the globe can celebrate Halloween and purchase Halloween costumes even in their virtual, "Second Life".

"Going virtual just seemed like the next step for our costume shop. We worked closely with Ten Golden Rules and LeftBank Studios to design a Second Life costume and clothing line that would reflect the true spirit of Halloween. All the classic Halloween costumes are represented from vampires to witches, from pirates to princesses," commented Shari McConahay, Marketing Director for Annie's Costumes.

 

And if things couldn’t get even more like real life, Annie's Costumes has also built a virtual haunted house complete with blood stained walls and a maze of catacombs for Second Lifers to explore this Hallows' Eve.