Virtual World Releases New Element
Linden Lab, creator of Second Life®, a 3-D virtual world used for social networking, unveiled the launch of their new product, Second Life Showcase, at a press conference on Wednesday, November 19, at Washington State University.
Web Editor for Linden Lab, Brett D. Atwood, said “Showcase is a web and internet based 3-D guide that basically allows existing and or potential users of this particular virtual world to find and discover new and cool places inside the ever expanding virtual world and product of Second Life.”
Second Life is a global virtual world that is created by it’s users, known as Residents, for personal creativity, collaboration, commerce, and entertainment. Residents create a 3-D persona, called an avatar, to explore the ever changing virtual world and communicate with other avatars.
Second Life Showcase makes it easier for people to find cool and exciting content they are interested in. It allows them to explore and discover what is new or most exciting in the Second Life world. Showcase highlights the best places for Residents to go in the virtual world of Second Life. These listings are updated regularly so visitors will return frequently to discover new ways to explore Second Life.
To make searching easier, users can refine their search by looking at the Showcase subcategories including Arts & Culture, Education & Nonprofit, Fashion, Hot Spots, Music, Photos & Machinima, and Tutorials. Atwood said these categories were determined by figuring out what the “big, hot areas” were globally in Second Life. Fashion being one of the most popular searches because “people like the ability to customize and personalize their avatars,” Atwood said. They also like to make their personal space customizable.
In Second Life, Residents are surrounded by the creations of other users. According to Secondlife.com, because Residents retain intellectual property rights in their digital creations, they can buy, sell and trade with other Residents. There are vast opportunities throughout this virtual world. People can put on 3-D concerts, virtually dance at a night clubs, watch or make a movie, design clothing for avatars, attend a meeting or press conference, or explore universities, or even other countries.Since opening to the public in 2003, Second Life has grown dramatically and today has millions of Residents from around the globe, 70% of the users are outside of the United States, according to Atwood.
Atwood said that the amount of virtual space that Second Life takes up is larger than some small European countries.
