Parts of Manchester have been re-created in the virtual environment, Second Life…

Manchester Confidential reports…

The Manchester ‘island’ is an ongoing collaboration between Urbis, Manchester Digital Development Agency (MDDA) and Ardwick-based online developer Clicks and Links. The project came about earlier this year when two ideas were merged: Vaughan Allen from Urbis wanted a Second Life presence to present real-life events differently, while MDDA included the concept in Manchester’s Digital Challenge bid. Entitled ONE-Manchester, the entry came runner-up in the competition to develop the UK’s leading digital hotspots.

“Urbis brings an iconic building and events that we hope will attract visitors,” explains Vin Sumner, managing director of Clicks and Links. “MDDA has a responsibility to help Manchester develop as a digital city and can help bring other partners,” he continues, adding that his own company brings Second Life expertise to the project.

Work commenced on a second Manchester in March, with Urbis taking around two weeks to build. Funding, for those concerned, comes from Urbis and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

“The project has generated a lot of good PR so it has been worthwhile,” Sumner believes. “Our objective is to run activities that link Second Life and real life rather than creating a fantasy city. We also want to build a community around the city to convey a sense of what Manchester is about.”