Google to shut down Lively virtual world site

Google is axing its 3D virtual world web site at the end of this year, as it trims out non-core activities and pulls the plug on unpopular services.

Lively, which features real-time virtual world characters known as avatars and three-dimensional graphics to congregate in virtual rooms, was launched in July to match Linden Lab's equally pointless Second Life service.

The company said in its blog it supports experimentation but added: "We've also always accepted that when you take these kinds of risks not every bet is going to pay off."

"Between now and the end of the year we encourage you to capture all your hard work by taking videos and screenshots of your rooms," the blog said.