Explore the December round of Equal10! New creations, amazing discounts, and a special holiday gift: a Christmas Gift from Minimal for inworld group members. Don’t miss this chance to refresh your style and celebrate in style!
Read more on Our Calendar: https://www.iloveevents.online/events-list/equal10/
Preparation for the holiday season carries a certain kind of magic with it, even in Second Life, a virtual world. This time around, I’ve made my decision to decorate my new home, searching my inventory for the old items and combining them with the new ones I bought during the cheerful weekend sales. This act is turning into a passage of time where I am being excited to discover the older but superbly made objects that are still endlessly beautiful.
The house is still a work in progress, yet the festive feel is already in the air. I am reminded of “The Cold Rose“, an old project I and Van completed over a decade ago, by the setting. It is a remembrance of the earlier days, which makes me think of this space as the link that connects the past and the present.
This peace area of the Second Life is not a solitary place for me. A bear has been a quiet, amiable presence in the area, playing around the pond for the most part and fishing in a very patient way. Although I have never seen him catch anything, his big, round abdomen would lead me to believe he has had his fair share of fortune. The touch of whimsy and life he injects into a quiet place makes it so attractive.
Wandering around the virtual environment has given me a very pleasant surprise. The picturesque roads are pretty, and the ambient sounds of nature—although virtual—are truly a medicine for the mind and soul. It’s remarkable how one’s brain finds it a hard thing to distinguish what is synthetic and what is virtual; the feeling of happiness coming from these landscapes is as concrete as any real-life encounter.
Living in such a real paradise would be undoubtedly optimum, but having this virtual utopia accessible, First Life, is a grace. The platform is still a home for artists, their being the people who are feverishly inventing the most amazing and amusing objects.
However, the news carries a somber note when I ponder the uncertain destiny of this virtual world. Lately, we were in a meeting with Linden Lab officials, where among other things, we discussed their agenda for the next editions of the Second Life project. As much as their plans are ambitious, it’s not clear which of the projects would actually materialize. But we believe that the best outcome will be since the users have created something here which is truly incredible—which would be an irreplaceable loss if it went down.
With my heart throbbing with sweet pain recalling the past and full of hope for we know not the future, I have chosen my home and dedicated my attention to the overall beauty of this unreal landscape. Every new addition is a declaration of love to the world I devotedly cherish—a place where the dreams and reality merge districtly.
During the recent “Blogger Town Hall,” Linden Lab outlined its plans for the future of Second Life, presenting a series of updates ranging from the introduction of the SL Mobile app to desktop improvements and new marketing strategies. While these initiatives appear promising, a more critical reflection reveals both opportunities and limitations in Linden Lab’s vision.
One of the most anticipated announcements is SL Mobile, the app that allows users to access Second Life even when away from their computer. Linden Lab has clarified that the app is not designed to replace the desktop experience but to complement it, providing existing users with tools to stay connected to the virtual world. Among the most innovative features are:
These features demonstrate a commitment to improving accessibility and continuity for existing users. However, Linden Lab has stated that the app is not aimed at attracting new users. This strategic choice raises questions: in a market increasingly focused on mobility and cross-platform experiences, limiting SL Mobile to a complementary role may reduce its overall impact. While other platforms leverage mobile apps as tools to simplify onboarding for new users, Linden Lab seems to accept the complexity of its platform as inevitable, foregoing an opportunity to turn it into an asset.
Despite its focus on mobile, Linden Lab continues to see the desktop as the core of the Second Life experience. Efforts are being made to optimize performance so that the platform remains accessible even on less powerful hardware. The “Potato Farm” team is working specifically on this front, introducing customizable graphics settings and providing hardware recommendations to improve gameplay smoothness.
This attention to desktop is understandable, as it remains the primary way users interact with Second Life. However, this centrality could become a limitation in the long term. In a tech landscape where immersive and mobile experiences are gaining traction, focusing almost exclusively on desktop risks isolating Second Life from newer generations of users.
On the marketing front, Linden Lab appears to adopt a gradual and measured approach. Instead of launching large-scale advertising campaigns upfront, funds will be allocated progressively, adapting strategies based on results. This method minimizes financial risks but may lack the impact needed to significantly attract new users.
The primary focus remains on enhancing the desktop experience, aiming to make Second Life more accessible and engaging for current users and those who may return after a long absence. However, this strategy leaves little room for innovation or experimentation in attracting a new generation of users accustomed to more immediate and intuitive digital experiences.
The initiatives presented by Linden Lab show a clear willingness to keep Second Life relevant over time. The SL Mobile app offers useful tools for existing users, while desktop improvements aim to consolidate the platform’s core experience. However, the decision not to use SL Mobile as a lever for attracting new users and the almost exclusive focus on desktop highlight a conservative approach that could limit future prospects.
Second Life stands at a crossroads: on one side is the need to preserve its loyal user base; on the other is the urgency to innovate in order to compete in an increasingly competitive market. The real challenge will be finding a balance between these two objectives without losing momentum or identity. Will Linden Lab succeed? Only time will tell, but what is certain is that the platform’s future will depend on its ability to adapt without betraying what has made Second Life unique from its inception.e two objectives without losing momentum or identity. Will Linden Lab succeed? Only time will tell, but what is certain is that the platform’s future will depend on its ability to adapt without betraying what has made Second Life unique from its inception.
This evening, at around 8:00 PM (Italian Time), a Zoom meeting will take place with the leadership of Linden Lab, during which some representatives of the Blogger Network will have the opportunity to directly engage with the company. The main goal of this meeting is to demonstrate Linden Lab’s willingness to listen to its community. Participating bloggers will be able to share their opinions, suggest improvements, or ask questions about the future roadmap.
To prepare for this event, I decided to gather testimonies and opinions from my circle of friends on Facebook, focusing particularly on the Italian community. I believe that while other nationalities are already well-represented and influential on Second Life, it is important to give a voice also to Italian users. Additionally, I published an article on my blog inviting readers to share their ideas about desired improvements for the platform. Below is a summary of the main points that emerged from this survey.
Many users emphasized the need for a native viewer for Apple devices with ARM64 architecture. Since Apple abandoned Intel processors about four years ago, modern Mac users are forced to use the viewer through Rosetta 2 emulation, which results in performance limitations. Linden Lab has not yet released an official version of the viewer optimized for Apple Silicon, although they have acknowledged and “tracked” the issue. Experimental third-party projects are working on native builds, but these are not official solutions.
Another recurring request concerns the implementation of the RLV (Restrained Love Viewer) system, considered particularly useful for script developers and certain interactive experiences within the platform. It is important to note that Linden Lab has not integrated RLV into Second Life’s official viewer. However, this functionality is available in third-party viewers such as Firestorm (where it is implemented as RLVa) and Kokua, offering users advanced options for script-based interactions.
Many users highlighted the need to make Second Life accessible even to those with less powerful computers. Not everyone can afford high-performance devices, and it would be desirable for the platform to be usable even with more modest hardware.
A problem closely tied to hardware requirements is lag, which many users find extremely frustrating. Specifically, there are complaints about significant delays in loading high-resolution photos, along with general dissatisfaction regarding the prices charged for high-quality images.
Several community members suggested that Linden Lab invest more in advertising—even paid advertising—to promote Second Life and attract new users. Currently, the platform seems to have a user base predominantly composed of older or “differently young” individuals. Greater visibility could help rejuvenate and expand the community.
With the introduction of new texture parameters in the object editor, some less experienced or older users reported difficulties using these new features. It would be helpful to implement an interactive system providing immediate explanations: for example, hovering over a specific parameter could display an icon linking to a guide or tutorial.
A major concern relates to avatar thefts. A member of the Italian community recounted having their avatar stolen, resulting in their associated credit card being drained and losing inventory valued at thousands of euros. Despite submitting five tickets to Linden Lab—one of which included a formal report filed with law enforcement—no response was received after 25 days. Meanwhile, the thief used the stolen avatar to sell Linden Dollars at discounted prices and even accessed the victim’s virtual home. This incident highlights the urgent need for an emergency procedure for recovering stolen avatars and more effective handling of related tickets.
Finally, some users reported alleged speculation in the virtual land market. There are claims that plots are purchased at discounted prices directly from Linden Lab and then resold at competitive rates, creating situations perceived as unfair competition. However, lacking direct information about these dynamics, I cannot confirm or deny these allegations.
These were the main themes that emerged from the collected testimonies. I hope that this meeting with Linden Lab will provide a concrete opportunity to address these issues and improve user experience on Second Life.that this meeting with Linden Lab will provide a concrete opportunity to address these issues and improve user experience on Second Life.
Second Life has revolutionized how users can express their digital identity through customized avatars. The quest for avatar realism has led to increasingly sophisticated techniques and products. In this article, we’ll explore how to create incredibly realistic avatars by analyzing the best solutions available for both female and male characters.
The female skin market in Second Life offers an impressive variety of high-quality options. DeeTaleZ stands out as one of the most renowned producers, thanks to their meticulous attention to microscopic skin details. Their textures faithfully reproduce elements like pores, subtle natural imperfections, and tone variations that characterize real human skin. The ability to further customize these skins with BOM add-ons allows users to add elements like subcutaneous veins and freckles, further increasing the level of realism.
Velour, while often used as a base, has earned a solid reputation in the industry. Its strength lies in the exceptional quality of the base textures, providing an excellent canvas for other creators to add additional details through BOM layers. This versatility has made Velour a popular choice among discerning users.
The Skinnery and Session Skins represent the cutting edge in reproducing natural skin characteristics. Their textures don’t just replicate the surface appearance but reproduce the depth and complexity of human skin, creating a convincing three-dimensional effect.
In the male skin sector, Stray Dog has set new quality standards. Their offering spans a wide range of tones, paying particular attention to the accurate representation of darker skins, an aspect often overlooked by other creators. Compatibility with various mesh heads makes these skins particularly versatile.
Not Found and Avi-Glam have developed skins that stand out for their ability to adapt to different interpretations of masculinity, offering options ranging from refined to natural looks. Vendetta completes the landscape with its highly customizable offerings, allowing users to create truly unique avatars.
Bakes on Mesh technology represents a fundamental breakthrough in the path toward avatar photorealism. This system allows overlaying multiple texture layers, creating visual depth previously impossible to achieve. Users can add successive layers of details like pores, surface veins, moles, and other characteristics that contribute to creating an incredibly natural appearance. Izzie’s is not exclusively a skin store, Izzie’s offers numerous BOM layers that can add depth and realism to any base skin, including details like pores, freckles, and veins
To master these techniques, it’s essential to dedicate time to learning through online video resources. Specific tutorials on YouTube offer valuable practical demonstrations of how to best use products from different brands and how to fully exploit the potential of the Bakes on Mesh system.
Creating a hyper-realistic avatar in Second Life has become a digital art form requiring patience, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of available tools. The combination of high-quality skins with the potential of the Bakes on Mesh system offers virtually unlimited creative possibilities. The secret to success lies in continuous experimentation and the search for the perfect combination of elements that best reflect the user’s personal vision.
Continued advances in texture technology and customization systems promise to push the boundaries of realism in Second Life even further, making the line between the virtual and real world increasingly thin.
Note: All links provided are to official Second Life Marketplace stores. Some stores may also have in-world locations or additional purchasing options.
Second Life Blogger Network has changed significantly.
In the past, it could be of great interest to Second Life blogs, as the articles published could be picked up by LindeLab and published on the official community page.
Now, however, LindeLab has created feeds where everything published by bloggers is automatically poured in. Anyone can naturally create feeds; I myself have feeds where I have included content and bloggers of my interest.
Creating these feeds divided by category does not seem particularly encouraging for a blogger. In the past, I was used to looking at the official community page, which I had also included in the feeds, to see the content chosen by LindeLab as the best to promote. So it could be interesting for bloggers to strive to write well to be chosen as they produce quality content. This no longer happens; the content is simply poured into feeds divided by categories.
This choice is advantageous for LindeLab, which does not have to employ staff to choose the content to publish on its pages, but it is not very encouraging for bloggers, who no longer have any incentive to create quality content to be included in the Second Life community.
I therefore consider it an understandable choice from an economic point of view, but definitely not very stimulating and encouraging for bloggers. Since this division of feeds, I am no longer interested in looking at it; I will continue to look at my feeds.
Second Life Blogger Network Public RSS Feeds for Blogger Discovery
