In December I was asked by a marketing blogger to submit a trend I thought would be important in 2006. Since my submission doesn't seem to have been accepted, I'm publishing it here with a few minor edits:

In 2006, we will see an unprecedented number of multiplayer and multi-user spaces crest the mainstream, following the popularity of massive games such as World of Warcraft (4.5M users) and social spaces such as Habbo Hotel (4.3M unique users monthly). As membership in virtual worlds continues to increase and diversify over the course of 2006, it will become socially-acceptable—even socially-advantageous—to openly discuss the details of our alter egos, including "avatars" (one's digital "self" in a virtual world), and residences (such as user-owned land in Second Life). Virtual worlds aren't just game-spaces. They are places to relax, network, learn, educate and express our adventurous sides. In the 1990s, we asked each other "Where is your Home Page?" In 2006 and beyond, we will be asking each other "Where does your avatar live?"

Noteworthy quotes:

• "Everybody who has an inkling they might be able to do something in [Second Life] is getting money together and buying an island."
  -- Futurist Jerry Paffendorf to Information Week
• "Soon, people will give out business cards that contain an avatar name on the back, or next to their RL name, and perhaps a link for that avatar on a Yahoo site or else a virtual world like [Second Life]."
  -- Avatar Prokofy Neva on weblog Second Thoughts
• "World of Warcraft is the new golf."
  --Ben Cerveny quoted by Justin Hall
• "While some may write many of these worlds off as 'kid-stuff' 40 million habbos can’t be ignored. If nothing else, I think the popularity of avatar-based online social experiences will continue to grow in 2006."
  --Betsy Book on weblog Terra Nova