Second Life is an application that allows users to create avatars for themselves.
The avatar exists in an online virtual space, which is referred to as the Metaverse. It was launched in 2003 and has experienced some rapid growth during this time.
By 2013, it had approximately one million users who were regulars.
However, as 2017 came to an end, the number of users dwindled to about 800,000.
Many people liken the Secondlife application to a multi-player role-playing game, but the creators, Linden Lab, insist that it is not a game. Second Life users are also called Residents.
They can make virtual representations of themselves, which are then called avatars. These avatars interact with people, places, objects, and other avatars.
In the virtual world, these avatars explore the world known to them as the “Grid,” and they can participate in group or individual activities.
Further, while in the universe, they can create things, shop, build and even trade virtual property and other services with other avatars.
The platform is available in 3D. SecondLife, however, has its virtual currency known as the Linden Dollar. The exciting part is that it is exchangeable with real-world cash.
Individuals who are above 16 years of age are the only ones eligible to play. However, teenagers between 13-15 years can also participate.
Here are some reasons why Second Life is not the Metaverse
1) It is rather challenging to set up Second Life
however, before you get the hang of things, it isn’t easy at the beginning. Many of the reviews posted under Second Life by participants indicate a complex application for beginners.
Many continuing users claim that they spend more of their time explaining to new residents how to set up microphones and other things.
2) Additionally, the events in Second Life do not happen in real-time.
This is because you can only communicate with other avatars or make moves only when you are online.
Compared to other apps like Facebook, users can connect and interact even when offline. This factor limits Second Life’s success by a significant margin.
Constant updates are discouraging- many users claim that updates prevent them from using the application.
Every time you revisit, you are compelled to upload more updates each time.
At first, this can seem incredible, but you realize that you are only inflating the spec as you continue.
Progressively, you also notice that the technological improvements outstrip the natural upgrading budget of an average PC owner. This can prove costly, which is why many people leave this application and use other similar programs.
Furthermore, other reviewers claim that they find it impossible to navigate through the program.
Some argue that they cannot get out into a larger area, and once they do, it is impossible to move around because they are no guidance. Thus, Second Life did not provide enough tutorials on how to participate in the program.
4) It’s On Limited Devices
It is not available on Consoles. While the developers claim it is not a game, Secondlife would do well in a console.
This is because the social media space is crowded, and more social apps are being developed each day, which discourages many users from using this application.
Was Second Life ever a Metaverse?
The answer to this is Yes, Second Life was and still is a metaverse to an extent in the sense that it’s a virtual world where people can interact.
However, in the sense that it’s interconnected with other virtual worlds – not quite yet.
The entire idea is creating a virtual world where one makes their avatar and lives there. While in the Metaverse, one can build, create, shop and trade. All these elements are available on Second Life.
Further, on Second Life, you can interact with objects, other avatars, and even places.
This can be likened to the real world, where humans carry out all these activities.
Second Life is great for someone who is looking to escape reality. It is a great application that has enormous potential, especially in the near future.
Social media applications like Facebook are also looking to venture into virtual reality, such as the Metaverse, an incredible experience.
What Second Life actually is
Second Life is a virtual world created by Linden Lab, a US firm, in 2003.
Users can create an avatar that resembles their personality and can live a “second life” online.
Everything in this virtual world is customizable for a price. You can get new outfits, drinks in a restaurant, or even buy a house using the virtual currency “Linden Dollar.”
Developers, however, insist that Second Life is not a game and should not be regarded as such. It is an application that offers users the ability to escape reality and have a second life of their choosing online.
Why Second Life Might Not Be The Metaverse
With some changes to the software, Second Life can be a great application used all over the world.