As rumored, Google will be purchasing in-game advertising startup Adscape Media for $23 million. While this is widely interpreted as further evidence of Google's plans for a Second Life-style virtual world of its own, it's more likely another case of Google's mania for blazing new trails in automated online ad placement. The sprawling virtual plains of World of Warcraft are just begging for dynamically updated billboards. Adscape has nothing but its tech to offer at present (no clients or actual products), but that will just make it easier for Google to seamlessly absorb and build upon.