SecondLife.com is a massive multiplayer online game
Second Life - Your world. Your imagination.
SecondLife is a three-dimensional virtual world with over 1.4 million residents. The user base consists of people from all over the world from 18-85 years old. Not only is the entire world owned by its residents, it is entirely a product of their collective and individual imaginations. Users create digital selves that can wander the world, interact with other 'avatars', and even start businesses.
The World
The world of second life grows by several hundred residents each day. Upon joining, each user creates an avatar (a digital representation) that will reside in and interact with the 3-D world. Keep in mind, this is not a MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game): there are virtually no limitations to what you choose to do or create when in the world. Moreover, you actually retain ownership over anything and everything you create.
Within the world, regions have developed that resemble historic or futuristic cities themselves. Purchase a plot in one of these communities, or buy an island with restricted access to pursue a more reclusive virtual life. Unlike in the real world, you'll never need to worry about space: since its beginning in 2003, the virtual land base has expanded from 64 acres to over 20,000, and it is continuing to grow as rapidly as its membership.
As soon as you enter the world, expect to begin interacting with some of its many residents (from 3rd or 1st person perspective, depending on your preference). 'New-to-the-world' avatars are dressed similarly, so you'll be easily recognizable by established members who are (generally speaking) eager to help you get your bearings. At any given time there are many events to partake in: films, nightclubs, fashion shows, and even more virtual events that, by definition, you won't find in the real world (engage in a simulated battle with another resident, for instance). Browse through catalogues of already formed interest groups to find friends of the same persuasion as you. The world is filled with literally hundreds of interactive games, puzzles, and contests for you to enjoy (often at no virtual cost). Whether you're meeting other avatars or competing with them, there's always something to do here.
The best part: data is streamed in real time, so your processor speed has no limiting effects on the pace of interaction. That said, since everything is editable by everyone in real time, you can often move faster than the landscape can update itself. This may leave you temporarily in an invisible wasteland. After a few seconds of rendering, however, you should find your bearings.
The Creations
Anything you can imagine, you can create and own here (just make sure you have the land you need to store it!). Second life provides building tools that are both powerful and easy to use. You can even add behaviours to objects you built (animating an animal, for instance). There are practice arenas for the less graphically inclined user where anything you make is erased within 24 hours so no one has to know about your artistic insufficiency. If you do happen to build something you like (and, from what most users say, this becomes increasingly easy with practice), you can take it back with you into the permanent virtual world. In fact, this is how you begin to make your way. Once you've come up with something you like, you can sell it in SecondLife's virtual marketplace and reap the rewards of your creativity.
The Marketplace
Shopping is a fundamental aspect of the Second Life experience for nearly every resident. If you do plan on selling any of your creations, expect to purchase extra land for a store front or rent space in an existing resident-owned mall. The challenges are similar to those for a business in the real world marketplace: develop quality products and sell them to establish sustainable relationships with customers. Once you've made some virtual money (Linden dollars), you can cash out to real dollars through a paypal account. Conversely, if you need extra funds over and above your resident stipend, you can purchase linden dollars from an already successful veteran, through LindeX(SecondLife's official currency exchange), or from a third party site. Some users have even turned membership in to a full-time job, occassionally grossing up to six figures annually from their virtual businesses!
Help inside and outside The World
The Second Life client includes daily lists of public events (parties, games, contests, etc.) to keep you up to date on what's going on around you when you're inside. For more specific needs, a 'Live Help' function connects you with veteran residents. If you're interested in more general topics, discuss Second Life online at their native forum or on their official blog, New World Notes. They also provide a FAQ to answer any questions you might have before signing up.
The Creators
Second Life is a product of Linden Lab.
How do I sign up?
A basic account is free, but if you want to own land you should expect to pay a flat fee of $9.95/mo. and an additional amount depending on how large the plot is.
Opinions
SecondLife get lost in your own made Matrix ( Empty - useless ) it is for Cyber Junkies, addict, True Life Losers, those wanting to feel important in a virtual world that mean nothing to anyone .. This must been developed by Bush and his cult to keep us in Matrix state away from the BS he is causing the real World ..
Languages
English
Address
- 557 Second Street, Suite 200
- San Francisco CA 94107 US
Contact
- Linden Lab
-
- +1 415 243 9000, Fax: +1 415 243 9045
Press
- 'Second Life' land prices get hefty hikes from news.com 11/1/2006
- Goodbye, cruel world... from The Observer 10/29/06
- 'Second Life' Inhospitable for Some from Clickable Culture 4/18/2006
- Second Life Review from MMORPG.com 1/6/06
- 'Second Life' for teens: 3D fun sans the brothels from News.com 8/8/05
- Second Life review from Wicked Toast 12/10/03
- Second Life from PC Mag 10/28/03
- Rotten Tomatoes overview
- Virtual Worlds Review
- Second Life review from ign.com
- Review of Second Life from rpg.net
Guides
- Feature: The Gamer's Rough Guide to Owning Second Life from Kotaku 3/23/06
- Drama 101: A user's guide to the #1 game in TSO and SL from alphavilleherald.com 6/19/04
Related Domains
External Links
- Alexa: SecondLife.com
