class=ar>VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- There is a new and Drugs. In 2005, the video game Narc was the first to introduce street drugs into video games to provide players with "powers.
" Today, in a move sure to draw fire from the anti-drug establishment, RedLightCenter .com, the world's second most populated virtual social world, visit an Amsterdam-style smoking room, toke from a hookah, and get a "virtual high." The experience is free and is limited to persons 18 and older.
"The response from our community has been overwhelmingly positive," noted Brian Shuster, CEO of Utherverse, Inc., the parent company of and legal." Not everyone agrees.
Psychologist David Walsh, spokesman for the National Institute on Family and the Media, says drug use in games creates curiosity and allure for players. "Games are interactive and psychologically powerful. Now we have a game that glorifies drug use.
Where do we draw the line?" Amsterdam's notorious Red Light District. Users of Red Light Center download or "avatar," and which also gives them access to the virtual world.
Once inside Red Light Center, any user who enters Merlin's Cafe will find an assortment of hookahs, or Oriental water pipes. The pipes can be freely smoked, and doing so will cause the user to experience the sensation of getting high. Smoking more virtual-pot increases the effects, which range from "mellow" to "wasted.
" own terms, to meet people, and be who they want to be," said Shuster. "We're sensations. This is the internet finally coming of age for adults.
" bars, movie theaters and stores. In addition, the cyber universe offers Community Events, such as parties, classes, meeting rooms, live music with dancing and art-gallery openings. These events are broadcast within the online universe.
Users also have the RedlightCenter theaters. User-presented events include the multimedia broadcast of content from podcasts, films, book-readings, comedy acts, band performances, instructional classes and more. phase.
Additional events and activities are scheduled for release throughout For more information, please see .com All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution consent of PRNewswire.
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