This one comes from the we-have-no-idea-why-department. TechEye reports that Microsoft apparently has intention to buy Linden Lab, the company behind Second Life.

Second Life, which has been a thriving world for your second, virtual life not too long ago, isn’t doing so well tehse days and there are now rumors that Microsoft may be thinking about buying the company. TechEye says that the company has “stepped up with a bid.” There was no information how much Second Life could cost and why Microsoft would be interested in it.

A few years ago, Second Life was considered to be one of the most promising applications for a future Internet, which sued a 3D environment that was modeled after the ideas of the real world and created real wealth out of virtual property and brought us virtual celebrities such as Anshee Chung. At the height of its popularity, companies such as Dell and Sun flocked to Second Life to create product press conferences and consumer events in a virtual environment.

Those times are gone, however. TechEye reports that Linden Labs’ UK office is quietly shutting down today.

We would consider an acquisition of Linden Labs by Microsoft a somewhat unexpected event.

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