Second Life is a mysterious world that I do not fully understand. Trying to grasp all that is Second Life can seem daunting, so here is the Wikipedia definition: A virtual world where users interact with each other through avatars. Residents can explore, meet other residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, and create and trade virtual property and services with one another, or travel throughout the world (which residents refer to as "the grid"). My roommates still don't understand why someone would create a virtual character of themselves and use really money to purchase digital material goods in order to live with other peoples random virtual characters whom you don't even know. Even after I repeatedly told them that I was playing the game for school, they are still making fun of me.
When I first begun my adventure into Second Life I had a rough time choosing who and what my avatar would be. After much thought and consideration, I finally adapted the charming name of Coco Fingerpin.
When you are dropped on to the gird (the Second Life world) your first objective is the physically design your avatar. I wanted a good looking virutal self so I spent some serious time working on how far apart my eyes were and how big my saddle bags were going to be (yes that is an option when you design your avatar). When I found myself spending all this time worrying about my looks and not actually playing to game, I realized that I wanted this virual self to really represent something that I was proud of. Something that was not me. I found this experience different to people who had to play WOW. They got to choose a creature of some sort that was ugly and disfigured... nothing at all resembling a human. In Second Life you can create a something that looks human, bringing us closer to the barrier of virtual and reality.
Since I was not going to use real money to play Second Life, my clothes were sub par. Pretty ugly actually, but many people I met were well dressed and definitely used real money to gain their appearance.
Next, I went off into the world to try and meet some friends. I found myself having a hard time moving around
Second Life is a mysterious world that I do not fully understand. Trying to grasp all that is Second Life can seem daunting, so here is the Wikipedia definition: A virtual world where users interact with each other through avatars. Residents can explore, meet other residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, and create and trade virtual property and services with one another, or travel throughout the world (which residents refer to as "the grid"). My roommates still don't understand why someone would create a virtual character of themselves and use really money to purchase digital material goods in order to live with other peoples random virtual characters whom you don't even know. Even after I repeatedly told them that I was playing the game for school, they are still making fun of me.
When I first begun my adventure into Second Life I had a rough time choosing who and what my avatar would be. After much thought and consideration, I finally adapted the charming name of Coco Fingerpin.
When you are dropped on to the gird (the Second Life world) your first objective is the physically design your avatar. I wanted a good looking virutal self so I spent some serious time working on how far apart my eyes were and how big my saddle bags were going to be (yes that is an option when you design your avatar). When I found myself spending all this time worrying about my looks and not actually playing to game, I realized that I wanted this virual self to really represent something that I was proud of. Something that was not me. I found this experience different to people who had to play WOW. They got to choose a creature of some sort that was ugly and disfigured... nothing at all resembling a human. In Second Life you can create a something that looks human, bringing us closer to the barrier of virtual and reality.
Since I was not going to use real money to play Second Life, my clothes were sub par. Pretty ugly actually, but many people I met were well dressed and definitely used real money to gain their appearance.
Next, I went off into the world to try and meet some friends. I found myself having a hard time moving around to different cities and finding people in those cities. When you did find a group of people they are more than happy to talk to you via local group (a chat on the bottom of your screen for everyone in the vicinity) or an IM which is a private chat.
I had some interesting conversations with a few people that I would like to high light. LynSuMae Yheng from South Carolina responded this when I asked her if she had any advice for a new Second Life player. "Don't let anyone bit you unless you want to be a part of their world. Sorry I have to go try to find a job." That just made this game a little weirder.
Also, I met a fire breathing dragon named Ethan Gartner that has been playing second life for four years. In the same city I tried to have a conversation with a man with snake skin shoes and a large bling necklace. He tried to explain in broken english that he was from Russia and he would to prefer to only speak in Russian on Second Life.
Last but not least, I met a handsome name named JustinBierber09. We talked for 10-15 seconds and he asked me to be his girlfriend. I said yes and there it was in the right had corner of my screen "JustinBierber09 has requested to be in a relationship with you :)". Does this sound familiar to any other digital networking site we all use? (facebook). So I had myself a virtual boyfriend, what next. When I signed back on I could not find him again. It was a short relationship.
Over all I still dont grasp all that is Second Life. I can see how people like being social with other people but not having to show who they really are, but are they just wimping out on reality.
One more thing.... I saw this episode of MTV True Life: I have another life on the web. One girl they focus on connects more with her avatar than her realself. Here is a you tube clip..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THM16t5Cm_4&feature=related.
Also one more thing I found. There was a law suit based on virtual land in Second Life in 2006.. to read more.http://www.wired.com/gaming/virtualworlds/news/2006/05/70909
That's quite the interesting looking avatar you got there...no wonder justin became your virtual bf...
ReplyDeletemoving on, I think Chris had a very similar experience to Second Life that I would picture myself having. It sounds a lot like sims. To me this makes a little more sense than WOW because that was just something that I did not get at all. Second Life seems to be a little more of a real community since there are people and real conversations instead of lonely worlds and killings that so frequently happen in WOW. However, I still am not sure why people would want to spend money to create an avatar and talk to people in this fake world instead of just focusing more on talking and connecting with people in everyday real life. Maybe its fun, or an escape to be someone who you are really not? I could see how that could be kind of fun, just like how SIMS was fun back in the day.
Overall interesting idea, not something I fully understand like Chris said. I think the important thing about Second Life is the world "second"...thats key. I think its a fun idea to use this world and do something out of the ordinary, out of your real life but when it comes to the point where Second Life is taking over your first and real life, then I think thats going overboard. But, to each their own I guess!
Although I don't know a lot about Second Life, I think it holds potential for creating a sense of community since you get to hold virtual conversations and interact with other avatars. Again, this all depends on your level of commitment and interaction within the game. Similar to WOW, the people who choose to become extremely involved often times build somewhat lasting relationships with the people they meet through these cyber games. In this sense, online games such as WOW and Second Life center around a virtual community which can benefit those people that wish to escape reality.
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