Second Life News & Events & Guides

It was a story that unfolded in two very different venues. Half of it took place on the streets of a drizzly seaside resort in Cornwall - a good old-fashioned media footrace for a decent tale. 

But the other half was played out in cyberspace as virtual reporters picked their way through imagined streets, clubs and homes to try to get the story of how an indiscretion in computerland had led to a real life marriage break-up.

The story of how Newquay couple Amy Taylor and David Pollard broke up after she caught his alter-ego cheating on her in the virtual world Second Life has already made headlines across both the real globe and its cyber equivalent.

Taylor and Pollard are divorcing and Pollard is engaged to his new online partner's real life counterpart, a woman from Arkansas called Linda Brinkley - even though they have not met.

But the story behind the story is almost as bizarre and will no doubt make reporters everywhere sit up and try to work out how they can hunt for equally odd tales that unfold in computer-generated worlds.

To recap. Taylor and Pollard got together after meeting in an internet chatroom. They began to play Second Life,Second life linden the interactive computer game in which enthusiasts adopt alter egos - or avatars - and lead fantastical lives.

Taylor, who in reality is unemployed, became club DJ Laura Skye, often to be found sporting tight-fitting cowgirl outfits. Pollard, also unemployed, was hunky nightclub owner Dave Barmy who lives in a church and travels around in a Cobra helicopter gunship.

In cyberspace Barmy cheated on Skye, with one of the many prostitutes who have opened up shop in Second Life. Back in real life, Taylor was upset but gave him a second chance. However when she found Barmy with another cyber woman, Modesty McDonnell, it was too much. She left him and the couple - in real life - are to be divorced.

The chase for the couple began after the story broke on a satellite news channel. Reporters were despatched to Newquay to interview Taylor and Pollard. The pair, living in separate digs in Newquay, were understandably taken aback by the attention and reluctant to speak to journalists.

Fortunately for the pack, their avatars were less coy. While flesh and blood reporters and photographers banged on the door of the couple's homes, virtual ones were trying to doorstep Laura Skye and Dave Barmy in Second Life.