What is Second Life ?
Launched in 2003, Second Life is an on-line 3D virtual world created by Linden Labs. Much like massively multi player games, Second Life provides an immersive environment for users to play and interact in. However, Second Life goes beyond a game, allowing residents to build and create their own environments; and interact with others from around the globe.
Key Features of Second Life:
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Completely user-generated content – it’s an open world that gives users creative control.
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Relatively easy-to-use built-in building and scripting tools allow users to create almost any object or any experience they can imagine.
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Customisable avatars – users can create highly individualised ‘virtual selves’.
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Users own the intellectual property for their creations.
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A real in-world economy with real money transfer makes it easy to buy and sell creations (and profit from them). More than $5 million USD is transacted between users every month.
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Audio and video can be streamed from the web and played in-world.
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Linden Labs takes a hands-off approach to governance, allowing the residents to self-govern (although residents are expected to abide by the Terms of Service and Community Standards).
