New Scientist Tech - Technology - The irresistible rise of cybersex

The irresistible rise of cybersex

CLAD in a PVC mini-dress, fishnet stockings and studded knee-high boots, Cheri Horton leads me through the corridors of her Gothic castle. We stop to chat for a few minutes about the architecture of the building, before she takes me to bed, undresses me, and we have sex.

The encounter took place in the online game Second Life, so the sex was not real, at least not in the physical sense. Within Second Life, people interact via animated 3D characters called avatars, created using software tools provided by the game. Gamers can write programs to give their characters unique hairstyles and outfits, as well as useful objects like boats and aircraft. They can also program their avatars to perform actions such as dancing and swimming. Now some gamers are using these programming tools to give their avatars genitalia and erotic outfits, and to have them engage in animated cybersex.