The sim of Amsterdam has come up for sale on the auction block at eBay. Starting bid, 20,000 US Dollars, or for 50,000 USD you can own it outright, this second. I wouldn't wait though. Sim Amsterdam is the very definition of hot property, in more than one sense.

The whole move comes as a bit of a surprise, so the first thing we did was grab the legendary Stroker Serpentine for a quick chat, and to make sure that it was a legitimate sale, rather than a fake or a prank. Serpentine confirmed that it was indeed on the level.

It's quite a sudden and surprising move, from the outside. Amsterdam is one of the busiest places in Second Life, at any hour of the day. Why the sale? "[Amsterdam] and I are moving in different directions," explained Serpentine, "I cannot maintain it as a public property any longer ... and I want to give someone the opportunity to do so." Serpentine believes that Amsterdam is a public icon and asset to Second Life. Lord knows, with the interest, visitors and press that the sim receives, it's hard to disagree with the notion.

It'd be tempting to stump up the dollars myself, but SLI pays me in gum-leaves, cigarettes and alcohol, so there's not much opportunity there for me, and smart money says the bidding will be as hot as the location.