Cybin Monde

Beau, great article!
Of course we could all debate semantics about what "the point" of SL is.. (building, socializing, etc.), but in reality I think it's ALL of it. It's the ability to craft your own experience, no matter what you want it to be.

The point then, would be that there isn't one.
But that's besides my actual, point(s).

I had to log in and comment to point out a couple things besides chattering on about what "the point" is. As I saw a couple false statements in the comments.

For instance, "In 7 or 8 years the default animations are unchanged and utterly dreadful." That's simply not true. Linden Lab has updated the default walking animation, as well as all of the starting avatars. They also did away with "Ruth" and have been using a wispy cloud instead, but that one's a lot more obvious.


Also, in reference to this:

"For what you get it's ludicrously overpriced - a month's worth of MMO subscription gives you 'ownership' of a piece of land you can walk the length and breadth of in 10 seconds."

If you pay by month on SL, it's US$10. Quarterly it's US$7.50/mo and Yearly plans only cost US$6 per month. So, these are not as much as the normal US$15/mo fees.
Besides that, you get the allowance of L$300/wk along with the ability to own up to 512sqm of mainland. It also includes extended support, but i believe that's suffered a lot and currently we're back to "hoping for better". That L$300 stipend translates into getting about 75% of the money back that you spend on a Yearly subscription.

There's more i wanted to say, but i have to go take care of some RL obligations.

Beau, if you want some more information on how the whole "adult re-sectioning" went down, i was keenly aware of how things were being handled and could fill that story out a little for you. Feel free to contact me in-world (Cybin Monde) by notecard (i'm one of those "barely there" oldbies) or through gmail.

Until after now...

Actually, there is a concurrency dip during the summer months. It's not a HUGE dip, but a noticeable one.

Basically, all i'm saying is that we need to compare Quarter to Quarter (annually), not month to month.

It really amazes me sometimes when i read comments throughout the blogosphere about how horrible SL support is.

You do realize you're taking issue with.. what? a dozen people? handling the in-world and abuse claims of several dozens of thousands of people? Trust me, it's not an easy job. Not to mention, the amount of feedback, treatment and interaction that belittles and berates those who go to work everyday to do everything they can to help and support the community... it requires a rather tough hide to perform that job.

Sorry, i went off on a bit of a rant there. Getting back to the OP issue...

I believe the lay-offs and decline in expenditures is purely coincidental. Every year, logins, finances, etc... they all decrease during the summer. The best comparison for Max growth is probably to compare Q1 from year to year. (when it's cold and people aren't so prone to leaving their computers for social outdoorsy things)

Basically, from where i'm sitting... i see LL is still in a fairly lofty position amongst virtual worlds. A layoff of staff doesn't say "we're losing money" to me, it says "we're in he middle of re-organizing our strategies and output, this is part of that process".

Aimee, i agree that the end result that Tomas mentioned and with which you resounded is what this can realistically accomplish.

also, i'll try to remember to IM you in-world, but in case i don't.. i would like to host a kiosk on my land. :)

character customization, eh? if you REALLY want LIMITLESS possibilities, go try Second Life. the graphics aren't on par with WoW/CoH/EQ/etc.., but there is NOWHERE else that gives you the options that SL does.

Second Life is 18+, but there is also a Teen SL for 13 - 17 year olds. secondlife.com will tell you all you need to know to get a handle on what i'm talking about.

granted, it's not really a game.. but it is an MMO where (almost) the entire world is built by the residents.