‘R.I.P Ryan Dayton’ – Teenage ‘Air’ Profits (Part 2/2)

by Alphaville Herald on 25/04/05 at 5:58 am

By Neal Stewart

[Continued from Part I]

Here is Part 2 of our interview with Ryan Dayton – the tech-savvy 14-year-old who claims to have made about $1000 US dollars in the 12 months he has been a Second Life resident. Ryan was banned 11 days ago when his mother revealed his real life age to Linden Labs during a phone call to customer support (the Terms of Service state that you must be 18 or above to enter the Adult grid). It is now Ryan’s hope to retrieve his script-work and the roughly $600 USD worth of Linden currency still locked away in his banned account, and to make a new home for himself in the newly-opened Teen Grid. In Part 2 of our interview, Ryan talks about what it was like having to pretend to adults that he was 19. He also shares his thoughts on the Teen Grid, Linden Labs, and what his parents think about his success here in Second Life.

Neal Stewart: How many people do you know of that are under-age residents of SL?

Ryan Dayton: Oh jezzz. Can’t say I know any others =)

Neal Stewart: Out of maybe 25 or 30 thousand residents, how many would you guess are under-age?

Ryan Dayton: I have no idea. Sorry, I really don’t think there are that many… there’s just a few here and there like myself.

Neal Stewart: How many people here, knew you were 14?

Ryan Dayton: About 6. All close friends.

Neal Stewart: It’s funny to think that you’re the chief officer of a technology business in SL, that you’re 14 in real life, and that you have employees in SL that are maybe mid-thirties, late-forties etc :)

Ryan Dayton:Ya I know… LOL. I was in scripting elite. I don’t think any of them were underaged.

Neal Stewart: I guess that’s something you can’t even do in the Real World :) Be a 13-year-old CEO :)

Ryan Dayton: MAYBE…. Doubt it LOL … But I technically am in a RL business. I make real world money.

Neal Stewart: How do you think the Dayton tech members would feel, knowing that you’re 14? Do they all know now?

Ryan Dayton: There are a choice few who know I am. We have told a few others, no one was REALLY phazed by it. I’m sure they were surprised though.

Neal Stewart: Do you think there are tell-tale signs exhibited by underage people in SL?

Ryan Dayton: It depends on the person. Maturity level. No one guessed I was underaged. So it depends on the person.

Neal Stewart: What are your thoughts on the age limit?

Ryan Dayton: Well I don’t like them. But how can you trust a kid to stay out of an adult area? They are needed. So the teen grid was the answer.

Neal Stewart: Teens are needed?

Ryan Dayton: Teens are not needed. Teen Grid IS needed. It solves the problem. Teens shouldn’t be here. But they are. So the teen grid was a good solution … That’s where I’m going just as soon as I can cash out and pack my bags =D

Neal Stewart: Heh heh. Do you agree with Linden Labs that there should be one grid for adults and one for teens, instead of just one for both?

Ryan Dayton: Yes. They have already started as an 18++ game. So you really can’t go back. They would lose all their customers. Plus teens want to be with other teens.

Neal Stewart: Do you basically agree that adults and teens should have separate grids?

Ryan Dayton: Yes, basically.

Neal Stewart: What do you think the new Teen Grid will be like?

Ryan Dayton: I imagine lots of shooting and chaos. LOL.

Neal Stewart: Hahah. What else?

Ryan Dayton: I think its good testing grounds for my arm computer … I think there will be yelling… fighting… shooting… and lots of suspensions… I also expect to make a lot of money.

Neal Stewart: Hahah

Ryan Dayton: I’m sure not EVERYONE will be nuts, but the majority will be teens shooting each other yes… It will be hectic, but I will be able to start over… If I can compete with 35 year-old programmers then I think I will be el presedente of Teen SL =D

Neal Stewart: Are you familiar with the latest announcements about what the Teen grid will be like?

Ryan Dayton: No.

Neal Stewart: OK. As I understand it, at first:
* Invitation-only. Manned by 2 or 3 Lindens Liasons. Open from noon to 10PM Pacific Time.
* No communication or object-exchange possible with the main Adult grid.
* PG textures only are allowed. LL will be monitoring uploads.
* Teens are able to purchase land on the teen grid, subject to credit-card-holder’s permission.
* No adults allowed, except for special occasions where the adults will be pre-screened by LL.
What do you think about those?

Ryan Dayton: Well I know it will be strict. But that’s expected. I can’t say I like it. I’ll have to deal. The invite is only TEMP, it will be open registration within the week I heard. Not that it matters. I haven’t settled things here.

Neal Stewart: Do you think LL will be able to effectively monitor uploads etc? To prevent porn?

Ryan Dayton: Nope. But they will try. I can’t be sure though. I don’t know how many people they have manning the uploads … Not that it matters – I’m not there for porn =) I’m there for the mula. $_$

Neal Stewart: :)

Ryan Dayton: Hehe. I’m basically here because I like to be able to create anything I want when I want to… It’s freedom. It’s FUN.

Neal Stewart: Do you think that most of the underage teens currently in the adult grid will go to the teen grid when it becomes available? And leave the adult grid for good?

Ryan Dayton: Maybe. I think they will go back and forth. At least this time they have someplace to go once they are banned.

Neal Stewart: What effect do you think it would have if Linden Labs offered an amnesty to Teens in the Adult grid, ie. they agreed to consider them for the teen grid if they admitted to being in the Adult grid?

Ryan Dayton: I think it would be great….. but from knowing Linden Labs they would never do that … They are “stuck up”.

Neal Stewart: Why do you think that?

Ryan Dayton: Many reasons… I can’t blame them…. but they are rude at times. I highly doubt that would happen.

Neal Stewart: Can you give me some examples of rudeness?

Ryan Dayton: Phone calls. The general ”go away…”. I think the customer service is bad. I know they don’t have to be nice… I’m here against their Terms of Service… But I can still be mad about it.

Neal Stewart: What sorts of things could they do to improve customer service?

Ryan Dayton: Hmm. I just wish they would take the time to understand things more…. I hate trying to tell a Linden about a problem and then having them say “report a bug”. I wish they could be more interactive… I guess … I want to be able to explain something to a real person.

Neal Stewart: Some SL residents seem to think that the Teen Grid will, for a number of reasons, have a very bad impact on Second Life [1, 2]. That it may even indirectly cause ‘the fall of SL’ . Can you see that happening?

Ryan Dayton: I don’t see how… How would a teen’s grid cause the main grids down fall? I can’t see it. Unless the main grid doesn’t want to lose their traffic. I’m not to sure. My answer is No, I dont see how it could.

Neal Stewart: I think one of the most common suggestions I have heard is that something bad will eventually happen to a teen in the teen grid and the negative publicity, and/or law-suits, will have a huge impact. Something bad involving pedophiles etc

Ryan Dayton: Uhgggg… They should all be lined up and shot [pedophiles] … Well, I’m sure Linden Labs will be smart enough to protect themselves in the TOS…. And to enforce as much as they can. What happens happens… What you just said sounds totally possible. I can’t say it wont happen. But I think LL will do their best … Another thing is, THERE is full of teens and full of adults. All in harmony. When you have something like SL… And you can upload any picture or stream any video you want. It’s possible. All I can say is.. BE SMART. Don’t hang with pedophiles. I understand what you mean though.

Neal Stewart: What message do you have for all the underage teens currently in the adult grid?

Ryan Dayton: Keep quite, stay out of trouble, and maybe I’ll see you soon.
I really think they should move… It’s no fun lying about your age and being around adults who think they can talk about adult things with you … Me being here, let everyone else out there believe I was an adult, and I’m not… so when they say something to me that would be for adults… maybe a break-up or about their divorce… its like mehhhhhh I don’t think they want to be sharing this with a teen … I actually feel bad… I’m sure they don’t want to be talking to be about things they would have with their friend… I may be a friend but I’m not a confirmed adult… And they are sharing private things I don’t think they want to be sharing with a 14 year old kid posing as 20.

Neal Stewart: One more question: What do your parents think of your involvement in SL? Do they know you make hundreds of dollars here? Are they amazed?

Ryan Dayton: Yes. they are both amazed and my mom is really really sorry she made that call =)

Neal Stewart: Heh heh. What did she say to you?

Ryan Dayton: Well, the first thing she said when she got home was “How is your world?” I responded, “It isn’t there anymore…”
I can tell she felt bad. I never told her about the age limit so she didn’t know.

Neal Stewart: Is that what she calls it, “Your world”?

Ryan Dayton: Yes lol. She also calls it ‘air’… and she calls it THERE…

Neal Stewart: Air? :) Hahah

Ryan Dayton: Yes, she says I’m making money on air… It’s air it’s nothing.

Neal Stewart: That is awesome :)

Ryan Dayton: They make fun of me sometimes because I’m on here non-stop. But whatever. lol. They are still amazed… Especially when I got that first check from PayPal.

Neal Stewart: When this interview gets posted at the Herald, technically you’re not allowed to visit the website for another four years and will be unable to read it :) So I’ll email you a copy in the mean-time :)

Ryan Dayton: Hehe. Ya, I saw that. 18+

64 Responses to “‘R.I.P Ryan Dayton’ – Teenage ‘Air’ Profits (Part 2/2)”

  1. Your Mom?

    May 4th, 2005

    Dougal .. talk to me when you can spell something like ‘realy’ correctly. I am not the one who is ‘acting better than you’ .. that is why I even commented in this thread … BECAUSE this asshole child is.

    Ryan .. like I said, I don’t give a shit if your stuff will be on the kiddy grid – it will be worthless there.

  2. Dougal Jacobs

    May 5th, 2005

    Your Mom…. (please give up the stupid alias already, or at least change it to something that doesn’t sound like a pre-teen potty joke) I will gladly talk to you when I can spell really correctly. As a matter of fact I can (and regularly do). I wouldn’t expect you to know that I purchased a different style of keyboard the day before that comment was written though and hadn’t yet gotten used to it. I have yet to see even a hint of a shard of logic behind your hatred and disrespect from this person, and it can’t be because he broke the rules by being under-aged can it? You are already doing that, so if that is your “logic” then you have an undying hatred and disrespect toward yourself. I also wonder if you had ever actually met Ryan Dayton in-game. I seriously doubt it. Also, you seem to think that Ryan applied for this interview so he could spread his propoganda or something as such. If you will go back and read part 1 of the interview, you will see that it was NEAL who found Ryan and asked him for the interview. This simple fact shatters two of your unfounded claims against Ryan. He is not an egocentrical pity worm looking for attention by screaming out wherever possible his misfortunes. And the fact that a Second Life journalist would actively pursue him for an interview also shows that he DOES have the fame and stature in Second Life that you seem to think does not exist. He also is looking forward rather than back with his situation and has no intention of spreading a “pity party” around. Overall you have failed to analyze the article for this key information, and thus cannot make well-informed judgements. You also invalidate your own comments by stating that you violate the exact same rule that Ryan did, yet you still call him a child! And you justify yourself by saying that it is good to keep immature people out of SL! What sort of game are you trying to play? Do you honestly think people are going to take your opinion seriously or receive it graciously? You, the flaming accuser attention seeker, are the more immature under these circumstances. I expect another hateful, counterproductive reply to this, and when it arrives it will only further demonstrate my point. But please feel to bash me more so that I can shred your logic again, I’m looking forward to it.

  3. boo parks

    May 5th, 2005

    blah blah blah

  4. Dougal Jacobs

    May 6th, 2005

    boo, we already talked. There is no reason for us to continue a fight here. I’m just defending my friend. If you still have an issue please take it up with me in world, I don’t wish to make another spectacle here.

  5. Ryan Dayton

    May 11th, 2005

    Lol… This is my first time checking these in awhile. I see that “your mom” is still trying to pick a fight, thats somthing he isnt very good at. Dougal continues to make him look like a fool =D. Dougal was always good at that =). Anyway, hes a good guy and just defending his friend =) I encourage you to get his new creation. The “DJ Master” ive seen it and its awesome. You have my testimonial that it is a qualty product. =) I hope everyone is doing well in the Main Grid. Feel free to AIM me @ “RyanDaytonSL”, TTYL, -Michael aka Ryan Dayton

  6. Your Mom?

    May 11th, 2005

    I’ll be honest – I didn’t read that post .. I skimmed through about 5 lines of it. You’re a moron – I don’t hate myself, I just hate the fact people like Ryan Dayton whine over something that they deserved. BTW: Your excuse for not spelling really correctly is sad.

    Ryan if you can not spell “something” right, I’m not the fool. Also how did he make me look like a fool .. he wrote a huge paragraph that I think no one read by you.

  7. Stinky Queso

    May 11th, 2005

    Hey Ryan, sorry to hear you left. Send me screens of how the new teen grid looks would ya? Good job scripting man, you learned so much more than the average 30 year old gun toting redneck learns in this game. Or should I say this life? meh, who’s going to read this anyway.

  8. stacy maracas

    May 12th, 2005

    *waves*
    HI Stinks! I READ IT! :-) )))

  9. Ryan Dayton

    May 12th, 2005

    Lol, ever hear of the typo, its not a mortal sin lol…. anyways wow…. I don remember ever whining for this somthing that i dont deserve. I dont know you, i have never talked to you, and you say that i whine about things. And YES, he makes you look like a fool every time you post. If you dont think so then why are you so defensive and say that no one reads these. Thats incorrect. Stacy Maracas herself said she reads these. Your comments are a waste of peoples time. Stop complaining to me and quit posting already. Thats solves both of our problems doesnt it. Anyways im done speaking to you…. Hey stinky, ty =) Ill let you know just as soon as they let me in :-p.

  10. Ryan Dayton

    May 13th, 2005

    at least i left knowing i was loved by many and i left my mark on all. i will try to do well in the teen grid, and i know there wont be people as nice as some, like Ontay, Fala, Devon (who can be kinda gay at times, but ur cool) Dougal, and some others im too tired to mention. But i will get over this as time heals all, and i love u all! ONTAY AND FALA AND DEVON AND DOUGAL U WERE MY KAILI CREW…well not fala cuz she wont buy land, and Ontay didnt want to but i made him, and now every1 is gone cuz of me…but what ever!

  11. my little secret

    May 16th, 2005

    First off I would like to mention I am underage and I play SL.I’ve been playing for over a year now. I do not plan joining the teen grid and admit that I’m a teen to the lindens because I’m scared of not getting any invites from anyone. Also I am scared that I will not like the people or set up of the teen grid. I prefer the freedom of main grid than it will probably on teen grid. This story has inspired me to try hard in getting more interested in scripting. I am pretty skilled in scripting for my age but have never thought I make money off of my scripting.

  12. Ryan Dayton

    May 19th, 2005

    Hey everyone. I’m sitting in tech class….. We are doing a media kit project for out 8th grade portfolios. It requires a “News Release” about a interesting event in my life. Think this interview qualifies? – Michael aka Ryan Dayton

  13. soli

    Jun 8th, 2005

    hey guys i just read this thing and i agree with Ryan…
    also ryan, can i ask for a invite to the teen grid if you get extras??
    iv been playing sl underage for about a year know and love it but would rather script and play with people my one age (14).
    you stroy is heart touching and i hope you get your money and scripts back…

    Dear boo Parks,Your mom? : You are both retarded, motherf…ing, c…s….ing,Monkey wanking t…t bags…. [edited by the Herald. this is a FAMILY tabloid!]

    if you want to yell @ me go for it my email is
    solidub@gmail.com

    thank u for your time
    Solidub

  14. Just browsin

    Jun 23rd, 2005

    I find the whole age thing kinda funny… you can be a very immature 18 year old that has nothing to offer and probably rather annoying to the masses or a very mature level headed 17 year old who’s smart and has a lot to contribute but it just comes down to you being 18 or not…

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