Spring Is Coming to a New Second Life

Linden Lab® CEO Ebbe Altberg and VP of Product Grumpity Linden made an appearance on the Friday, Feb. 21 episode of the YouTube series, Lab Gab, hosted by Strawberry Linden. The show started off with the answers SL’s community has been waiting for: what the future holds for Sansar™ and what does it mean for Second Life®?

According to Altberg, Linden Lab has no longer the funds to sponsor Sansar™ and is currently looking for a new owner to take over this project; until then, Sansar™ remains open to users. Detailed information about the future of this social virtual reality platform will be released in the next few weeks.

“…sadly we have decided that we as Linden Lab®, couldn’t continue to sponsor the project financially, so we’re looking for a plan B for Sansar™ to continue. I can’t say much, but we’re having very interesting conversations with several parties to help that project move forward, which I’m really excited about. But no deal is done yet. People will just have to be patient and see what happens with it, but yes it is true that Linden Lab® going forward will focus entirely on Second Life® and Tilia.” - Ebbe Altberg

 

 With the exit of Sansar™, Second Life® stands alone with strong financial support and a number of projects that will improve the platform in many ways:

•     The transition of all of Second Life® to cloud-based storage, aka Cloud Uplift, should be finalized by the end of this year. After the cloud migration is completed, the platform will have improved inventory stability and reduced latency. These are obviously great news for combat players in Second Life®, especially for users that live in the extremities on the world. Less lag is the best thing we could ask for

•     A companion app is currently being developed and it should be released in the next couple of months. The mobile app will not offer 3D rendering but will allow users to have access to text and group text, while merchants will be able to offer customer support. Users should have access to an Android version soon after the release of the iOS client

•     Premium Plus users will have a $20 discount if they decide to change the names of their avatars. The Plus plan will only become available after the “Name Change” feature is launched

•     After evaluating 2,300 entries, the final eight names were announced: Conundrum, Dismantled, Huntsman, Littlepaws, Nova, Ravenhurst, Wumpkins, Yeatley. The winners of the “Name Change” contest will be contacted via email and will be able to change their names for free

•     Transfer costs for buy-down grandfathered regions has been reduced from US $600 to US $300

•     Environment Enhancement Project (EEP) has no confirmed date of release

•     As of now, there are no plans to implement VR in Second Life®. Linden Lab® might reevaluate the use of VR after the Cloud Uplift is completed

•     The two-factor authentication might be available for Second Life® in a near future. This security method will allow users to monitor possible attempts to wrongfully access your account.
•     Linden Lab®’s marketing team has plans for new user mentoring

The Cloud Uplift is the n. 1 priority on the long to-do list of the staff at the Linden Lab®, and with a good reason. Our world's "engines" are 2 generations behind and this migration is imperative for the health and longevity of Second Life®. Such job much be done meticulously to succeed and open doors to exciting new projects. An improved platform will hopefully attract more users to our virtual world and here, is where the marketing team must find a good balance between being aggressive on promoting our world and its commodities, and continue to maintain great communication with the residents. Just like the “Name Change” contest, it would be great see other contests of same nature offering free Linden Homes, free Premium or Premium Plans or a rent-free land for an extended period of time - a great way to advertise and boost the community’s morale.

Once this tremendous task is completed, I believe this will be a refreshing, new beginning for Second Life®. And speaking of new beginnings, it is almost time for spring. A delightful Victorian spring.

"Tyrisha - Basic" Hair from DOUX (325L)

"Lady Berdie Gown Set - Tea Rose" from Silvan Moon Designs (340L - We <3 Role-play Event *February Edition*. Includes Gown, Belt and Skirt for Maitreya and SLink. Available in Crocus, Jubilee, Marigold, Mint, Silver, Tea Rose and Victorian Blue)

"Poison" Necklace from Badwolf (Free - Group Gift)

"Parasol with Lights" from Tea Time (99L) 

Location: Mimmo

Second Life® and Sansar™ are trademarks of Linden Research, Inc.