Going deeper than
a virtual movie screening

For the Jan. 26 release for Smokin' Aces, Universal Pictures launched a Second Life action game that's giving away 1 million Linden dollars to its players.

The game will take place in a virtual Nomad Hotel, which figures prominently in the film. Visitors can sign up to be a hitman charged with hunting down others, and will have a choice of weapons, reports AdWeek.

Doug Neil, SVP of digital marketing at Universal, said the studio wanted to go beyond simply offering a screening in Second Life and to let fans experience the movie on a deeper level.

Universal also hopes fans will do some of its marketing for it with a widget promotion. The widget containing the film's trailer is available on a wide swath of social media, including MySpace, Bebo, Friendster and Xanga, as well as NYCMovieParties.com and BlackPlanet.