›

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Register

Quick Links

[Interview] Second Life: Linden Lab Looks to the Future of Online Experiences

SBFordSBFord Former Associate EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 33,129
in News & Features Discussion

Back in 2003, San Francisco's Linden Lab led the charge when it came to virtual reality. Unlike other online products, its platform, Second Life, wasn't just a game; it was a means of realizing any and all kinds of online fantasies. Second Life held steady through a decade's worth of digital trends, but now with a new generation of VR technology on the horizon, Linden has a new platform that's once again poised to take the lead.

Read more of Neilie Johnson's Linden Lab Looks to the Future of Online Experiences.

image


¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 


Comments

  • flizzerflizzer Member RarePosts: 2,455

    I'm sure I misread this:   Land rental is $295 a month?   People are paying this per month to rent land in a virtual world?  And I am one to complain about exorbitant kickstarter costs and early access costs, geez.  

    No doubt I read something wrong there. 

  • OzmodanOzmodan Member EpicPosts: 9,726
    The major draw in 2nd Life was porn so now we are looking at 3D porn?  No thanks.  It is a pretty dated game these days, can't believe people still pay those outrageous land rental prices.
  • kishekishe Member UncommonPosts: 2,012
    Originally posted by flizzer

    I'm sure I misread this:   Land rental is $295 a month?   People are paying this per month to rent land in a virtual world?  And I am one to complain about exorbitant kickstarter costs and early access costs, geez.  

    No doubt I read something wrong there. 

     

    Most who pay that tend to make at least twice as much by renting the land forward, selling in game items and/or hosting events.

  • RevofireRevofire Member UncommonPosts: 269
    They lowered the age to 13? So there goes most of their profit... If there are no adult only spaces anymore (I'm doubtful they'll remove them though) then the game won't do half as a good as SL.
    Change your thoughts and you change your world. - Norman Vincent Peale


  • LacedOpiumLacedOpium Member EpicPosts: 2,327
    Originally posted by Ozmodan
    The major draw in 2nd Life was porn so now we are looking at 3D porn?  No thanks.  It is a pretty dated game these days, can't believe people still pay those outrageous land rental prices.

     

    I would imagine its really not that much different from real life in that regard, wouldn't you say?  I mean, you and I would not exist if not for that "major draw."  That said, that's really not a fair criticism of Second Life.  Yes, sex is available in abundance in Second Life if that is what you seek, but there is a lot more to Second Life than just sex, and many people do use it for a variety of other purposes not having anything to do with sex.  At its very core, it is the ultimate sand box experience meaning what you get out of it is only limited by your own imagination and creative talent. 

     

    Whereas some people may only use it as a social platform, it is also widely used by many professionals in the music industry, for education purposes, and by computer software professionals who make a pretty good living creating and selling virtual merchandise to name a few.  Personally, I wouldn't be so dismissive of Second Life.  Although it may not hold much appeal to many gamers for obvious reasons, it also has a lot of unrealized potential that if harnessed properly could prove very beneficial to the gaming industry.  Suffice it to say that It's potential has no limits if you really look at it, and evaluate it, with an objective mindset.  

  • SyllendaleSyllendale Member UncommonPosts: 162
    I have been playing second life damn near 10 years now and I do not se stopping at any point soon. I create products, sell them and make real life money. It is a great way to not only be creative but to be social with other creators and get insight and leads into making your products better. OFCOURSE people use it as a "sex playground", but isn't that already a behind the scenes act in any MMO? If not then I'm sure the sexy armor in all games for female characters really DOES protect their bodies.. -_-'. 
  • TheRabidsmurfTheRabidsmurf Member UncommonPosts: 146
    Do whatever you want. SL has the tools to help that. I used to build but now its near professional stuff, amazing full mesh scripted vehicles and mechs. Sjame everyone thinks its only sex stuff.
  • HaguHagu Member UncommonPosts: 2
    in 2012 in Entropia  "an investor acquired $2.5 Million Dollars (25 Million Project Entropia Dollars, PED) worth of land lot deeds on Planet Calypso."
  • Shana77Shana77 Member UncommonPosts: 290

    So I understand that Sansar is what was known as Second Life 2 or the Second Life sequel? One of the key strenghts of Second Life was it's total freedom of speech for the players to design anything they want even if it offended, was sexual in nature or was politically incorrect. Throughout the years Linden Labs has slowly but surely crawled back on that promise. 

    If SL's sequel is going PG13 then that basically means that there is a giant open spot in the future for a virtual world that still is free.  

  • laxielaxie Member RarePosts: 1,122
    Originally posted by Shana77

    One of the key strenghts of Second Life was it's total freedom of speech for the players to design anything they want even if it offended, was sexual in nature or was politically incorrect. Throughout the years Linden Labs has slowly but surely crawled back on that promise.

    If I am interpreting the interview correctly, they will be simply restricting the users access based on age. Just because a 13 year old can hop in to cuddle bunnies doesn't mean 18+ stuff won't happen in another part of the experience.

    It seems to me the project is banking heavily on the success of VR technology. Whether or not VR will be well accepted in a Second Life setting will likely decide the fate of the project. Really hard to guess at this stage - the creators of Google Glass completely misjudged the reaction of the public, sending the product into oblivion.

    Seems to me these VR products rely as much on correctly timed marketing as anything else.

  • iDigDinosiDigDinos Member UncommonPosts: 34

    :3 I create stuff in Second Life and it's just enough to cover my land tier. One of the beauties of Second LIfe is that people create these extravagent homes because it's all the things they can't have in their first life. The game gives a voice to people who are sometimes marginalized outside of digital communication. Can't walk? No problem, Second Life you can fly! That sorta thing. There's no way I could afford to pay 250$ a month (that's a car note..) but I can and easily see people do it. It's a super unique game in the aspect that people can truly be themselves.

    That being said.. over the 8 years I've played the game, I could easily say I've sunk over1k of real life money in it. There's next to no way I'm interested in switching to another version of Second Life where my items can't come with me. It'll truly be the end of the game for me. Granted, I understand the reason why my things can't come with me, I'm just not interested in building myself up in another game or sinking that much money or time into learning new systems.

    Though, good luck to them and those that go to the newer platform. I hope it's just as enjoyable.

    image
  • Panther2103Panther2103 Member EpicPosts: 5,779
    I understand the creativity portion of the game being a huge plus, but I can't for the life of me figure out why everything is so expensive in real money. 250 a month for land, even if you do cover it with in game item selling is insane. How much money is this company making off their game, I didn't think the playerbase was even that high anymore. 
  • waxmaskwaxmask Member UncommonPosts: 55
    In the Netherlands we got Second Love last year and it's all the porn but none of the textures, just find another human willing to cheat on there partner and pay a chatbox all the money that you can skim out of your household without the wife noticing it, unless it's her that is a member there. And even my mum 30 years ago switched pricetags with clothing and stuff to have some cash for really fun pastimes.
  • observerobserver Member RarePosts: 3,685
    Originally posted by Shana77

    So I understand that Sansar is what was known as Second Life 2 or the Second Life sequel? One of the key strenghts of Second Life was it's total freedom of speech for the players to design anything they want even if it offended, was sexual in nature or was politically incorrect. Throughout the years Linden Labs has slowly but surely crawled back on that promise. 

    If SL's sequel is going PG13 then that basically means that there is a giant open spot in the future for a virtual world that still is free.  

    I didn't read that it was "PG13" only.  I think they just want to change their image, since Second Life has it's reputation tarnished by all the adult bdsm and furry stuff, which is deserved in my opinion, since Linden Lab let it fester when they could've launched a positive campaign to showcase that SL was much more than that.  With this new virtual world, they have an opportunity to start fresh with a new image.

    It's the same with WoW's Moon Guard server,which is known for all the shady ERP in goldshire.  Blizzard is ultimately responsible for not taking action against it.

  • observerobserver Member RarePosts: 3,685
    Originally posted by Panther2103
    I understand the creativity portion of the game being a huge plus, but I can't for the life of me figure out why everything is so expensive in real money. 250 a month for land, even if you do cover it with in game item selling is insane. How much money is this company making off their game, I didn't think the playerbase was even that high anymore. 

    The same reasons why people spend hundreds on vanity outfits and items in MMO cash shops.

    Keep in mind though, when they buy that land, they usually set up their own shops, rent parcels of land to others, and then sell items to other people, so in essence, they make that money back plus profit.  It's almost like real life.  A businessman would buy a block, rent/lease that space to other people, and those people set up shops making money too.

  • MitaraMitara Member UncommonPosts: 755

    According to this site, there is still some interest in Second Life, gods know why though... :)

     

    https://danielvoyager.wordpress.com/sl-metrics/

  • HerrinSchadenfreudeHerrinSchadenfreude Member Posts: 1
    Originally posted by Hagu
    in 2012 in Entropia  "an investor acquired $2.5 Million Dollars (25 Million Project Entropia Dollars, PED) worth of land lot deeds on Planet Calypso."
    Wow is that game still going on? I remember trying it for a few weeks but I didn't stick with it with Aion, various Elder Scrolls games, and SL going on at the same time.
    This does sound interesting, but like another poster here I put in easily $3k to SL since 2007 when I started. $450 worth of land in US dollars as part of that and another $175 for a custom shape and skin and God knows how much on outfits, shoes and boots, HUDs, etc. etc. I don't see any reason for any of that stuff to come across since it would be so far behind today's standards so I would essentially be saying bye to all of that and starting over, or else continuing to play SL in parallel (I've not been in more than 5 or so times since 2009 anyway).

     

     
  • ZoeMcCloskeyZoeMcCloskey Member UncommonPosts: 1,372

    $295/month is in reference to owning a normal full class 5 sim.  Most people buy them then rent the land to make income.  There is a lot more to it, but won't go into it all unless desired.

    Also while pr0n is a part of Second Life it isn't the only thing it has going.  It is a pretty amazing place even nowadays, the sheer amount of creativity to see on display.

    image
  • ruffertarufferta Member Posts: 1

    You don't have to pay $295/month to experience Second Life - you can visit for free. The $295/month is for those who want control of a whole region, or sim.  You can rent smaller parcels from the larger estate owners, or if you want to become a premium member (under $10/month) you can hold up to a 512 parcel without having to pay extra for 'tier' (rent) and you get a small weekly stipend back.

    While Second Life is not a game, there are many gaming and role-playing areas there that should interest gamers. Come see!

Sign In or Register to comment.