Games operator gives China a Second Life

A leading online games operator plans to launch a game similar to the massively popular US internet role-playing title Second Life, the Financial Times reported. Shanda Interactive Entertainment wants to expand beyond massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Second Life, a creation of San Francisco developer Linden Lab, encourages players to develop and trade virtual property to live an internet version of modern life. Shanda's founder and chairman Chen Tianqiao said the Nasdaq-listed company is the biggest online games operator after revenues surpassed rival Netease.com last year. "We are moving to diversify our games," Chen said. He did not say whether the company would release the actual Second Life title, saying only: "We have this kind of plan."