Apologies for the long overdue post, everyone! I’ve quietly been working on a new site (which is where the previously-published Amazon Apps post will be relocated), and it’s been taking a lot more time that I had anticipated. I’m keeping it under wraps for a bit longer, but it will be ready to be revealed soon! And speaking of revealing …
I have a confession to make. For the last 7 years, off and on, I’ve been leading a double life. Not in a spy-like manner akin to my personal favorite double agent, Sydney Bristow, but you could say that I have been secretly moonlighting as someone else. Not quite a doppelganger or an evil twin – instead, she’s my puppet to be toyed with, a flexible marionette whom I can make go anywhere, say anything, and disguise with endless variations. You could even say that I can have sex with her, or rather, have sex using her.
Confused yet? Welcome to the occasionally wondrous, often wild, and permanently weird world of Second Life.
Some call it a virtual chat community; others accurately describe it as an MMOG without quests, goals, or even a true purpose. Perhaps the best way to describe Second Life is as a metaverse, which comes from Neal Stephenson’s novel Snow Crash. In Neal’s fictional metaverse, humans (as avatars) interact via a three-dimensional, virtual environment that exists as a metaphor of the “real” world. If it sounds fascinating, it really is – but the trouble is that an exceptionally small percentage of Second Life’s “residents” have figured out what the hell to do there. More than 18 million people worldwide have registered accounts, but the average number of people logged in (or “in-world”) at any given time is usually between 30K – 80K, with the estimated number of active members at around 750K. Yep, that means that only 3% of registered members actually spend any time in-world.
Personally, I’ve taken extended absences from Second Life. My first account was registered in 2003, when the program was barely out of infancy. A good friend of mine worked at Cyberlore Studios, the company that developed the first Majesty game, and at the time Linden Lab (developer of Second Life) was contacting game development studios to get employees involved in beta testing. My friend told me about it and invited me to set up an account, and back then “the grid” (resident slang for the virtual world) was a ghost town. You might see a few dozen people logged on and grouped closely together in a handful of “sims” (regions), but no one really knew where to go or what to do. Over time, my friend got into designing custom builds and avatar clothing, eventually eking out a good living that allowed him to quit his real-life job. Myself, I lost interest – especially considering how horribly the viewer ran on my old Dell PC – and I pretty much forgot about it.
Then in 2006, I heard about Second Life again in passing, and decided to sign up a new account with the express purpose of earning some extra money. I spent a few months toiling at designing clothes in Photoshop and hoping to make a few bucks selling them in-world, but by that time there were hundreds – if not thousands – of “fashion designers” in SL, and it just wasn’t worth the trouble trying to compete. Not to mention, making money in Second Life takes work. At the time of this writing, the conversion rate is 265 Lindens (the in-world currency) to 1 USD. So to make $100 real-life dollars, you have to sell 26,500L worth of items – not an easy task for a new brand that no one has ever heard of. Pimping your products in Second Life is highly dependent upon your ability to kiss the ass of the hundreds of SL fashion bloggers out there, and often requires spending a pretty penny on purchasing advertising on various SL-related websites, which I just didn’t have the funds to do.
In 2007, my interest was piqued again, and that third account is the one I still use today. I’m coming up on 3 years since I “rezzed” with my latest avatar, and I can honestly say that I still have absolutely no clue what to do in Second Life. I have a cute avie with a custom shape, more hairstyles and skins than any respectable person would ever need, and thousands of inventory items collected over the years. But for what purpose? When I log in, my typical M.O. is to rezz into my skybox (a small, nondescript home-base that I’m charged $72/year for the privilege of owning), where I spend a few minutes picking out an outfit, hairstyle, etc. Then maybe I’ll teleport to a random sim and wander around for a while, looking for someone witty to chat with, most often to no avail. And I think that’s my primary issue with Second Life. In my perfect “metaverse”, it would be a place to meet cool, like-minded people with whom one could have interesting conversations. But Second Life is plagued by something aptly called the Crowded Empty Paradox – meaning that tens of thousands of people might be logged in, but the majority are either ensconced in their own “homes”, congregating in a handful of popular places, or off having virtual sex on the designated “adult grid”. And let’s be honest – that’s what you’ve been hoping I’d write about this entire time. ;-)
Stay tuned for Part II!
{ 43 comments }
I have no clue what you are talking about why would I want you to talk about a dirty thing like that :D
Never been a fan of Second Life once I saw it on CSI:NY, knowing that someone like Gary Sinese could be out trying to capture a suspect wanted for murder. During the show, I asked my friend “Is that a real website?” and he was all “Yeah” to which blew my mind because it just seemed like someone took the Sims and turned it into an MMO type thing. Kinda sorta like the PSN home thing (and we all know how much of a bust that is)
I've actually never played Second Life, mostly because I don't really see the point. I know there is a good amount of social interaction to be had, but I don't see it any less interactive than being on a message board.
I guess there's the fashion part of it- and for someone like me (short 'n tubby) there would be some aspect of fantasy to playing a cute sylph like girl, but then I just log onto Champions Online to play my 8-foot-tall telekinetic alien. I guess I just don't particularly understand the appeal, although as long as you have fun it doesn't really matter what I think, heh.
Any man who denies wanting to hear the lovely Nurse Scarlett talk about such things, is a damn fool and a liar! ;D
Anytime I hear about Second Life the only thing I can think of anymore is the conversation between Jim and Dwight in the Local Ad episode of The Office:
Dwight: Second Life is not a game, it is a multi-user virtual environment. It doesn't have points or scores, it doesn't have winners or losers.
Jim: Oh, it has losers.
I also love the irony that despite Jim's apparent disdain for Second Lifers, he happens to be one himself.
I've
Ah yes, Second Life. I got an account in order to see what the big fuss was with SL Gor, (the lifers of that community are particularly polarized on the issue) and had perhaps five minutes total of actual RP, or quality chat to a lot of wandering vast empty spaces and 'sitting' in silence as no action was going on anywhere, seemingly. It'd be great to actually have, I don't know, an rp circle or something- but it seems to require some amount of planning and already having one going on. Not really a social mecca, Second Life, wot.
I never heard of Second Life until I saw an episode of CSI that featured it. At first, I didn't think it was a real game, and then I saw something else feature it. I personally think I wouldn't have any luck with the game considering I tend to be very quiet in real life, and from experiences on chat and messenger even quieter on the internet (I guess I always think I'll say something stupid).
I have never played second life, but I also have a another identity, as Daryl Hall's girlfriend.
This reminds me of Dwight Schrute's character in Second Life. His character was exactly like him in every way, except that it could fly. :-D
Personally, I don't use Second Life, though: I stick to internet forums and Facebook. You all already see my alternate persona, Lotus Prince. In real life, I'm a mild mannered English major. :-D
I loved Second Life when I was younger, if not only because all the teacher workshops people tried to use it for kept getting interrupted by sex parties. Basically, it's devolved to one huge orgy.
My only real exposure to Second Life came from a prospective Australian TV show that used it to create a virtual set. They asked if they could use my movie reviews in their show, but unfortunately it appears to not have been picked-up.
Damn. Second Life. Second Life is the most popular thing that nobody ever hears about.
Occasionally it will gain a mention in the circles I travel as “People are making oodles of money at it” or “People are griefing the RPG island with giant, pink penises”, but to this day I still don't know what the fuss is. It's not an MMORPG. That much I can figure out. It doesn't even sound like a game.
So, what is it? Is it fun? It doesn't sound like fun. “Second Life” sounds more like a “Second Job”.
” – that’s what you’ve been hoping I’d write about this entire time. ;-)”
DAMN !
First I was interested in Second Life, but then I read a story about a guy who spent money on a penis for his avatar. Meh.
Haha! Truer words were never spoken. =)
WIN! I love The Office beyond all reason. ^_^
Incidentally, the avatars that were shown in that episode actually do exist in Second Life, and they co-own a group called Dunder Mifflin Paper Co. that has a few thousand members. They never actually do anything though, and they're very rarely online and are most likely controlled by staff of The Office, not the actors – although I wouldn't put it past Rainn Wilson to be into Second Life!
The Gorean community is pretty sizable in Second Life, from what I've read, but you're right – RP'ing in-world has its own set of challenges. And what you mentioned is true everywhere – the wandering around in empty spaces with nothing going on and no one to talk to. It makes me think that an alarmingly high percentage of people online at any given time must be hanging out on the Adult Grid, doing god knows what. Heathens! ;-)
I have the same trouble, Brett. I tend to be rather shy around people I don't know, and Second Life avatars are no exception. Not to mention, most conversation seems to go on in private messages, so you'll wander into a semi-populated sim and it's eerily silent, which feels awkward and unwelcoming.
“I also have a another identity, as Daryl Hall's girlfriend.”
CORRECTION: As Scarlett's secret girlfriend, you mean. ^_^ Don't worry, I'll share you with Daryl, but only if he asks nicely!
Haha! Not so much anymore, now that all the rampant sex acts are confined to the so-called “adult region” called Zindra. But yeah, attending classes and workshops is one of those things I never did, although I hear they can be quite interesting. I really should learn more about scripting and building. I feel like a totally noob being a resident for so many years and barely able to rezz a box on the ground. ;-)
Perfectly stated questions, MFlorian! I'll get into that more in Part II. :)
Don't get any ideas, Benzaie! Second Life doesn't need any more dancing, half-nekkid Frenchmen. =)
Haha! That's a tame story, believe me. It's what they DO with those prim-penises that will really get your eyes rolling …
It really depends in terms of interesting workshops and exhibits; NASA had an exhibit where you could simulate a space shuttle taking off, and there was that aviation center with zeppelin rides and skydiving.
“Stir Whip Stir Whip Whip Whip Stir” Yugh,
I disgusted myself.
Sporadically deleted comment again. Really enjoying that.
Woops, I meant to hit “reply”, not “like” – as your comment has me thoroughly confused. What exactly are you whipping? Please don't say your penis. ;-)
You said: “It's what they DO with those prim-penises that will really get your eyes rolling …”
So I said: “Stir Whip Stir Whip Whip Whip Stir”
I didn't meant my own penis with that…
not now at least.
Apparently just *standing* there. It's like… well-
Do you remember AOL back in the good old days?Back in the good old days of chat… So maybe eventually it'll get better. Maybe.
c'mon, Scarlett. We know you probably get enough whip cracking action in real life that the 'adult grid' would be a waste of time.
Hey! I resemble that remark! =)
…Don't lie to him. Yes it does.
See, I could never get into MMORPGs, so there's no way I could get into this. Without any real purpose or aim I get bored with a 'game' easily. I know Second Life is a 'game' only in a very loose sense of the term, but it's still considered as one.
I played WoW for a month and got bored out of my skull. I don't like socializing with random people in MMOs because the majority are halfwits, as they seem to be in Second Life too from your reported lack of intellectual interaction in the game.
Okay, sorry. I'll stop writing like I'm writing a paper for a class, I'm stuck in english mode. Simply, I'm one of those people who prefers either a single player experience that has a lot of time and effort put into it, or multiplayer with a smaller select group of my actual friends I know I'll have fun with. And as for being able to have virtual sex, I much prefer making love in real life. Which doesn't happen, but still. …Yeah, please get that dating site from a couple posts ago up and running.
We're two like-minded folks, Seth! I've never played an MMORPG, and I'm not even that keen on party-style RPGs either. I just really enjoy the single-player experience, and although I've long wondered about WoW, I just didn't think it would be my style.
And yes, the sex is better in real life. *Grin*
My biggest problem with second life would have to be the fees…it's so much cheaper to play The Sims, and almost all of the downloadable content you find online is free to use, and once you've downloaded it, you can edit it yourself. Of course The Sims and Second Life are very different experiences, and The Sims itself doesn't exactly provide much opportunity for social interaction. But personally I think I could engage in relatively similar conversations to the ones I experienced in Second Life in any chatroom, ever.
Ah, yes, Second Life. I love Second Life, and I can spend hours doing very similar to what you do, basically playing with a virtual Barbie doll. I go to the shops and spend the virtual money I've made selling custom skins and other random crap I wouldn't expect people to spend money on, and the various sims I wander around and talk to no one. Then every time I log off, I do sit there for a while and wonder why the hell I've spent all day/evening basically doing f- all.
Well hello, Miss Scarlett! Being an utter non-gamer of anything, I have to say that this was kind of educational — but unfortunately, I think you've convinced me that Second Life isn't all it's cracked up to be (in my incredibly superficial acquaintance with it, anyway!)
Big love to you, Red.
Do you mean The Sims Online, or the regular, stand-alone Sims games? I've never tried the former, but I've been a fan of the latter for years now. And I agree – especially with all the enhancements and improvements of Sims 3, it's actually much more fun (in the “gaming” sense) than Second Life ever was or will be. I just miss the days when SL was strictly populated with nerdy, like-minded folks who were there for the creative possibilities. Now the only “creativity” going on is seeing how many different ways you can bend and twist your avatar – and I don't mean dancing! ;-)
THANK YOU! You're totally picking up what I'm putting down.
I wish I hadn't sunk so much (real life) money into SL for all these years – maybe that's the ultimate thorn in my side that keeps me from just deleting my account already. All those custom skins and clothes and prim hairstyles … I stand around in my skybox literally feeling like I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go. Maybe I should try one of those RPG sims someday … Only trouble is, I have absolutely no experience with RPGs (outside of the PC gaming variety) so the whole act of speaking in character would be very awkward. Not to mention, I've always treated my SL avatar as an extension of the real-life Scarlett – so I don't know that I'd be very good at the play-acting thang. Ahhh well. I still have a sliver of hope that SL will one day go back to the awesome metaverse that it once was. It's good to have lofty goals!
Cheers Miss Auburnette! If staying away from SL is what you got out of this post, then I did my job well, haha! =) Lovely to see you stopping by, and I look forward to reading more of your site as well! xx
I don't think I've ever played The Sims Online either, so then I'm only talking about the stand-alone Sims games. Sims 3 does fix a lot of the horrible loading times. I'm no expert, but my brother assures me that it's because the game has been coded better, or something like that.
But you're right about the creativity in SL, haha. :D
When I first joined SL in 2005, it was at the behest of a friend of mine who likes to create all kinds of things. Unfortunately my computer in 2005 was complete crap, so I only managed to make a newbie avatar and join the group my friend was in.
This was back when getting an account required a credit card as verification, as free accounts wouldn't come until much later. During this age it was definitely more of the creator enclave it was envisioned to be.
Since I couldn't really do much with it, the account sat idle and forgotten, until I randomly remembered about it in 2007. Since I had a better computer, I gave it another shot.
Since then I've spent most of my time in SL poking at the scripting system, largely staying out of the community at large. This is not to say I've avoided people entirely, as I have quite a few friends in SL (and not just fellow scripters). And of course, I've participated or witnessed many episodes of e-drama, with varying amounts of lulz to be had.
So, that's a brief summary of my experiences with SL. Nothing too dramatic, but it is what it is.
If she is willing, I will gladly extend a kind hand in the direction of our fair Lady Scarlett to come visit in SL. I may not have much to offer but I will help in any way I can!