It’s been making headlines for the last three years and has around 1.3 million inhabitants. During that time, there have been disputes over land and property ownership, the company behind the venture – Linden Labs - has been sued on several occasions and, last month, the BBC even rented an island in the game to stage a virtual festival.
However, for the uninitiated among you...
What on Earth is Second Life?
Well, it’s an online virtual world, built with 3D graphics and populated by virtual characters, each of whom is controlled by a person sitting in front of a computer somewhere in the real world. Second Life is a simulation of real life, and its virtual inhabitants can go shopping for clothes, hang out and chat to each other, perhaps head to a lakeside coffee bar for a pleasant drink, or a nightclub for a beer and a boogie. It’s even possible to buy virtual land and build your own house.
So basically it’s just a computer version of real life?
Yes, but Second Life is a much more fantastical place. People can change their appearance at will and even switch gender with a couple of clicks (no messy operations here). Everyone has the ability to fly and teleport instantly to anywhere in the world.
It sounds interesting, but what is the point?
Second Life is an unadulterated romp for the imagination – it’s about having fun. The world is massive and you can go anywhere and do anything. You might want to try skydiving, or on a more sedate level, buy a banjo and go busking, or teleport off on a sight-seeing expedition to witness the bubbling magma of a live volcano. Maybe you want to buy a motorbike, throttle up and attempt to jump that volcano crater?
There are also games to play, from puzzles and quizzes through to adventures and 3D shooting games. Or you can chill out in a bar listening to some live music and meeting people: the social aspect of Second Life is a large draw for many, and some players go on virtual dates or even get married. Creative types can make things – such as the aforementioned banjo – in fact, most of the objects and buildings in this world have been constructed by the players. Whatever you produce can be sold to others, as Second Life has a real working economy.
Read page two.
Published on 22 June 2007
