Calling all Playboys!

Okay, guys, it’s here at last: Playboy has come to Second Life. The official, authorized and 100% legal Playboy, that is, not the knockoffs scattered around the sims. Hugh Hefner’s Playboy has set up shop on its own bunny-shaped island, with a long list of activities to get you out there and bring you back. It has a lot to recommend it as a destination, independent of the Playboy imprimateur — a nice club, good live-music venues with dance balls, a surfing beach, a campfire to snuggle by. But before you get all het up at the prospect of naked women everywhere, I have to tell you, you will get a lot more action at a strip club like Club Arsheba or Club Kissable. Playboy is a business; they don’t give anything away. If anybody’s naked up there, it’s a fellow SL resident and it likely won’t be pretty.

Still, the bunnies are friendly, and the Playboy Music Series concerts are great. In the picture below at left, that’s popular jazz singer Midknight Auer on the left, with Playboy VIP Hostess Zoey Witherspoon and Miloin Rosca. Midknight’s updated versions of standards are always worth the trip and the laggy sim. The pic on the right is my friend Zak Volare and me in my favorite hiding place, the Grotto (just like at the Playboy Mansion). Come find me there, and maybe I’ll show you my bunny tattoo.

User experience: ****

Low lag, fun things to do, nice place to dance although other clubs have more activities. You can also watch official Playboy videos, but be warned that everyone stays fully clothed. You can link through to the RL Playboy site for paid products.

Freebie action: **

Free scripted surfboard at the Surf Shack, which you can rez and ride at the beach nearby. You can buy merchandise like clothing, shoes and jewelry with the official logo. I bought my partner a replica of Hef’s smoking jacket. Items are relatively pricey compared to similar goods from SL merchants. Memo to Playboy merchandisers: Sell the pipe, too!