Launch Date: Metaverse NOW
Hello!
It has been some time since I last worked on the blog. Reason being I’ve had lots of ideas for the blog that needed tending to. And I’m still working! In lieu of everything new I’ve found, I will be “launching” the site on August11th, 2008.
“Launching”will be the regular update of articles and input from others and myself about appropriate (or maybe not so appropriate) topics relating to MetaverseNow. Let’s just hope I can keep up!
Until the launch date,don’t expect too much change around here. BUT, you can always e-mail orpost ideas and such as I will be readily available. And if you feel like writing an article for submission, well, that is extremely encouraged!
Save the date!
MetaverseNow.com Blog Launch
August 11, 2008
Second Life: “Center of the Metaverse”
Second Life
Log In Screen for Second Life
The first installation to Metaverse Now is based upon SecondLife (http://www.secondlife.com), a 3D virtual world that caters to manycountries around the world.
Registration for SL is free, as is the downloading of theprogram. Those registered are avatars arecalled “Residence”, who, can choose to keep SL low cost, or spend the SL formof currency known as Linden Dollars.
On first login, new residence are materialized on Orientatio Island. Here, the 3D versions we choose for ourselves (a.k.a. avatars) learn towalk, change personal physical features, changes clothes, chat, use the toolbar, and manipulate inventory (yea torch!). The orientation seems a bit difficult at first, but once you create alts(alternate accounts), you find ways to breeze through completing the puzzlepieces that lead to your graduation from OI. The real learning happens next.
Orientation Island
When you teleport off of OI, who knows where you couldland. There are many hubs at with“noobs” start their journey to SL Perfection. Personally, my home is Luna Oaks. Where you start can make or break your perception of the “game”,depending on who you encounter. Friendlypeople give you pointers and files which contain hair and clothing. Griefers orbit you across the sim.
Avatars at Luna Oaks
From there, SL is whatever you make of it. Friendships, romances, shopping dependencies,building, scripting… it’s all personal here. Linden Labs, the creators of Second Life have video tutorials foreverything from attaching items to photography tips, to intricate uses of thebuilding tools. I myself have juststarted building, having completed a snowboard (which doesn’t work) and a beltornament complete with spin-scripted orb.
Basic Building
Shopping is a huge part of second life. When there are no restrictions on what youlook like or when you can change it, having over 75 hairstyles in variouscolors doesn’t seem odd. Shops includeclothing, hair, jewelry, shoes, accessories, homes, cars, boats, gestures,sounds, eyes, shapes, skins, body parts… and yes, land. This is just a tiny of the products you canpurchase. Services are also availablesuch as escorts, builders, scripters, dance clubs, etc. etc. etc. Second Life has its on economy. Major businesses such as Adidas, AmericanApparel, Sears, Sony, and Pontiac all have a presence on SL. Some companies release prototypes to simulatereal world business. Lindens can bebought on the home site of SL for any avatars spending needs, but Lindens canalso be sold back for real world money. Yes, there is an exchange rate! Some opt to quite their real world jobs for working time in SL. Current TV (www.current.com)has even sent a representative in-world to create a documentary on the LindenEconomy.
One of the many Hair Shops in SL
Other than shopping what is there to DO in Second Life? Technically anything you can do (and more) inreal life. Want a job? Work at a local club. Wanna create a home? Buy land and build a house. Want to sword fight? Buy C:SI weapons and spend time on combatsims. Wanna loiter? Find a place to park it! Many people who were just rezzed often lackto understanding of what people in SL do. Why do people join the “game”? Personally, it’s to meet people, play ‘barbie’, learn. The search button is the key to unlockingeverything SL has to offer. Some peoplefind their true love on SL. Thismetaverse has become a matchmaking site of sorts. There are even dating servicesavailable. Some opt to keep SL, SL… somemix SL and RL. It’s a personalinterpretation and choice that I’m sure will be discussed here in the future.
Lastly, you can be anything you want in SL; Neko, Human, drakonic, furry, tiny,… the possibilities are endless!
Avatar:Neko Avatar:Furry Avatar: Human
Here is the wikipedia background on Second Life. A list of definitions is also supplied there.
Below are links to articles based on Second Life.
Until next update!
Genieva
Metaverse NOW 