Second Life is still a thing. Not only that, it is still hugely popular, with 1 million active users despite its existence since 2003. So why are people still drawn to Second Life despite its age, limitations and apparent lack of things to do? ? We will take a look.
Reasons people still play Second Life
Second Life has certain distinctive elements that have contributed to its growth and relevance over the years.
1. An immersive model
Much of Second Life’s success is due to its immersive model. It is designed to mimic reality and encourages interactivity between players. This makes it appealing to people with social anxiety issues and those who wish to meet and engage with others through a virtual social setup.
At the heart of the network simulation is a 3D virtual avatar. It allows people to create and live their alter-persona through a customizable configuration.
Just like in real life, people can make new friends on the app. They can also choose exclusive partners and even organize a wedding. This is made possible by the partnership function.
The partnership broadcasts the relationship to other users in the community and shows the status of the relationship on matched profiles. It costs 10 Linden dollars to associate on Second Life.
2. No scenario to follow
The Second Life experience is enhanced by the absence of an overall storyline that would otherwise have interfered with some aspect of the virtual experience. As such, members can simply relax if they wish or indulge in fun activities with other users without the pressure of joining the plot.
Fun recreational activities on the platform include dancing, listening to music, watching movies, shopping, and role-playing.
Plus, there’s no need to spend any money to participate. Members can simply join a free sandbox if they want to play without paying.
3. The economy of the second life
The virtual economy is one of the most innovative features of Second Life. It allows users to buy and sell digital assets to other members.
Members can, for example, buy land and build real estate in the virtual world. Some lands are worth thousands of dollars. Once built, the property can be rented out to other users.
Platform assets are bought and sold using the platform’s native digital currency called Linden Dollars. Linden Dollars are convertible into real world currency via the platform’s Tilia gateway. Tilia is a licensed money transfer solution that supports virtual gaming communities as well as NFT ecosystems.
The thriving economy generates tens of millions of dollars in revenue for the platform every year.
4. A safe environment for socializing
Linden Lab, developer and publisher of Second Life, faced several challenges while maintaining unity in the delicate pond environment. Among them are the problems of copying. The company had to deploy artificial intelligence algorithms to alleviate these problems.
The company has also worked hard to create and enforce guidelines for harassment and unacceptable behavior. Users who have violated community guidelines may have their accounts blocked.
There were also issues with gambling and Ponzi schemes that Linden Lab had to cover up.
However, despite these challenges, Second Life provides an essentially safe environment for playing and socializing.
Second Life still has a loyal user base
While some see Second Life as a game, it really isn’t. It can be described as a life simulation social network as there are no end goals. Of course, the app has some rough edges.
The graphic representation and the details are for example a little lacking. However, its concept of a social hub is unique, and that’s ultimately what still draws people to Second Life.
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