Virtual Worlds Forum

Last week saw the National Retail Federation's annual convention in the US, with a host of speakers predicting the big trends for 2008, with technology a key focus. Mobile was a big focus, with coupons and barcode reader applications high on the list of priorities. However, virtual worlds were also suggested as a key trend for 2008.

The US is proving to be an innovative market for connected mobile games, although many so far have focused more on the casual end of the market - puzzle, action and sports titles. However, Punch Entertainment has launched an ambitious game that claims to be "The Sims meets Facebook".

That's what's being reported, anyway, after a 33-year-old Russian man was murdered, allegedly by a member of an opposing clan in Lineage II, after they met in the real world to settle their grievances. The victim's sister claims to have also received death threats from the rival guild (she was part of the same guild as her brother). According to Joystiq, it's the second Lineage II related real-world death in the last year.