Comments on: Op/Ed: It’s the Avatar, Stupid.

By: IntLibber

IntLibber — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:16:15 +0000

Kate makes a good point, but group building is something that is really a function of the content creator/merchant creating a believable theme around their venture and attracting users who give the creators work credit enough to become fans and loyal repeat users. A good example is the Merczateers/[Operations] relationship as a model. Same same with Toxian City, and any number of other themed communities. The community serves as a viral marketing fan-core for the business that helps fund the groups land and other activities. This is a microcosm of LL’s own crowdsourcing methodology.

By: Kate M.

Kate M. — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:09:48 +0000

Very well expressed Tizzers, but I would argue with your opening point that character advancement is what keeps people invested in virtual worlds. In my experience, the social group one forms in virtual worlds, and especially SL, is what keeps people coming back – they feel like they have a community to belong to, and friends they like to see.

By: archie

archie — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:55:23 +0000

My single most repeated comment in how to improve the SL experience forums has always been thus:

Improve the avatar rendering

4 years and I have still the same choppy dynamics I had when I started.

By: Jumpman Lane

Jumpman Lane — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:52:13 +0000

Tizzeh! Tizzeh u was my onleh frend on that borefest metaplace! blue mars sux1 nice op ed! Es la verdad! Ciento por ciento puro!

By: P

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:31:51 +0000

“I hate to say it but….. Woodbury/4chan = New W-hat 2.0. Now with Vitamin E.”

I don’t know what the hell you just typed.

By: JustMe

JustMe — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:17:44 +0000

Tiny Empires and other in world games have helped satisfy the desire for “points” and “advancement’ for those who need those types of fulfillment. Plus, the “armies” and “battles” help with this need, also.

Thus, SL is a social outlet with business capability, plus the opportunity to game as well. I see SL continuing well into the future for those reasons alone. SL is versatile enough to accomodate almost everyone’s online needs.

By: Inniatzo

Inniatzo — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 09:44:02 +0000

This is an excellent op/ed, too often they are pointless screeds against LL. This is right on target.

By: Bro Wassep

Bro Wassep — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:01:26 +0000

I hate to say it but….. Woodbury/4chan = New W-hat 2.0. Now with Vitamin E.

By: P

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:15:29 +0000

4chan get out

By: Rock Ramona

Rock Ramona — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:26:36 +0000

Wow!!!!I walk in the door,set down my luggage and go to checking my email and I run across your article in the herald.Best article ive seen in ages,all until the last paragraph.I just spent 2 weeks basking in the sun and sucking down rum drinksat a private island of my friends in Turks Caicos,in the Carribean.My wife and I and 10 of my geekiest hacker buddies spent hours on the beach discussing the future of our hobby and for some,our jobs.In the 10 minutes they allowed me to discuss Second Life,we all came to the conclusion that Virtual Worlds will continue to appeal to a niche crowd,just like chatrooms,video games.The majority of the population will remain logged into real life.3 of these people working in upper management at Microsoft,2 being university professors from tech schools,1 an editor from a leading pc magazine,and the rest,game developers at some time of their life.I really think this group of people had come to a fair and balanced conclusion.But I truly cant wait to see more articles like this from you Ms Foxchase/me applauds