Information technology advisory firm Yankee Group recently published a study titled "Wither Second Life?" which outlines how online metaverses such as Linden Lab's Second Life are all about hype and how such communities are lacking on providing an impact to mainstream interactivity.

According to the said study, after peaking back in October 2006, the influx of new SL residents has gone down significantly with current users spending lesser time inside the confines of the game (an average of 12 minutes per month).

Yankee Group said that the "PC-centric" approach of Linden Lab is to blame for this. Yankee Group senior analyst Christopher Collins explained:

The experience must be untethered to meet the needs of the "Anywhere Consumer". Companies that provide remote access - through mobile devices or other means - to their web experience will have a greater impact than PC-centric companies.