Does Second Life need a Republic?
January 19, 2008
The Metaverse Republic is a new site that states its purpose clearly:
“The Metaverse Republic, currently work in progress, will be a legal system for Second Life, with real powers of enforcement originating in user-created tools, and a democratic parliament.
There are many disputes and potential disputes in Second Life that could benefit from formal resolution: disputes about broken agreements, land use, alleged griefing, extortion, etc. The Metaverse Republic aims to provide an effective and fair system for resolving such disputes.”
That’s one hell of a brief and it’s not an initiative likely to receive widespread support for two reason. First, there’ll be automatic scepticism toward one model of goverment put forward by one group. Secondly, apathy rules - a resounding majority of people in the real world find politics a boring, meaningless pastime with no direct relevance to their daily lives. This is unlikely to be any different in the virtual world context - our own reader survey conducted last year showed just that, a real lack of interest in the politics stories we run.
That said, such an experiment doesn’t deserve outright condemnation - at the very least it should be considered a useful experiment.
The Virtually Blind blog has an interesting discussion underway on the whole concept. What do you think - does Second Life need a government?
Popularity: 4% [?]
Australians in Second Life Update - down again
January 18, 2008
Second Life metrics to the end of December are now available and from an Australian perspective there’s been a significant drop in active users - 10,644 is the number cited, down from 11,982 in November and a long way under the fifteen thousand of mid-2007.
Australia maintains its position as 11th in terms of worldwide active users. Given there’s record concurrency (number of users online at the one time), why the sustained drop off in numbers?
Popularity: 2% [?]
Weekend Whimsy
January 18, 2008
1. The Middlesea Fleet Recruitment Video
2. uss kinkster
3. WoW Commercial Parody Glenn Quagmire
Popularity: 1% [?]
Metaplace is hotting up
January 17, 2008
Back in September 2007 we mentioned that Metaplace was a new kid on the virtual world block. That kid is growing up pretty quickly and in an interview this week, Metaplace founder (and virtual world guru) Raph Koster states that widespread access to Metaplace should be available by April. The likelihood is it’ll be free for users to build small virtual worlds, with costs kicking in as your world grows.
Metaplace is a service aimed at people designing their own worlds and potentially making money by charging others for the services they offer, with the ability to cash out virtual currency accumulated. The ‘create your own world’ approach reminded me of VastPark, and there are similarities. There’s a brief conversation on the two here.
I love the idea of being able to create my own world but the actual task seems daunting. The ease of use of the toolset will be crucial - it’s hard enough building basic structures in Second Life let alone trying to construct a whole world. On assumption we could all successfully build a world, what type would you build? I’d love to hear your suggestions / thoughts.
Thanks to Virtual Worlds News for the heads-up
Popularity: 2% [?]
World of Warcraft recipes - really!
January 16, 2008
If you play World of Warcraft and have always wanted to make the dishes you eat in the game, then this site may be for you. If you don’t play WoW then have a look anyway for amusement value. Goblin Deviled Clams anyone?
The full recipe book costs $19.97US but you can sign up for an email newsletter that’ll feature some of the recipes.
Thanks to Massively for the heads-up.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Want to be famous? Linden Lab want YOU
January 15, 2008
All the details here. Essentially, they’re after Second Life residents who are willing to speak with the media on their life in-world.
Jump on in!
Popularity: 2% [?]
2008 Australian Open Tennis in Second Life
January 15, 2008
Following on from last year’s foray into Second Life, IBM and the tournament organisers have again teamed up to replicate the real world action in Second Life. Australian IBM staff are central to the whole thing and are hoping for a response at least equal to last year’s.
Features of the build include the replica Rod Laver and Margaret Court arenas, an integrated scoreboard, virtual gameplay (you can be one of the players on the court - racket supplied) and you can even open the Rod Laver arena’s roof by shouting ‘open sesame’. As matches are occurring in real life the Second Life court avatars move in the same locations as their real-life counterparts. It’s one of those experiences that really demonstrates the growing evolution of what virtual worlds can do. And of course you can even buy a t-shirt.
Something a little different from last year is the ‘Couture on the Court’ competition. You have until the 21st January to enter your tennis outfit design. From the 22nd January Second Life residents can vote on the submitted designs with the top 10 receiving a prize. First prize is a quarter of a million Linden dollars so if fashion design’s your thing this may be worth spending some time on.
Popularity: 3% [?]
