Almost 3 Years in the Metaverse: to Grids Beyond

It was almost 3 years ago when I first had some ideas about the Metaverse. Actually it was more about opensource software and web service platforms. Well, there is always some techy stuff, but what about using all these new/old/free/expensive things to create a new kind of user experience on the web. So this was the main idea--make content and create something interesting enough for people to do in an online, real-time, immersive environment. A lot of turns in the road later, and this more or less still seems like a good idea.

About 2 years ago, Rezzable got its first sims online in SL and we opened the Cannery and a sandbox. Greenies came along a little later in July 2007. We then opened about 30 sims since including places like Surfline, Stratos Iceberg/Volcano, Cascade, Darklands Cemetary, the Dump, Mars Expeditionary, the Collectors Gallery, toXic, Poison Candy. We also hosted tons of events, live music and of course the Garden of Delights with NPIRL. The Plasma City project was very cool as well, even if we didn't quite have the energy to push it through. Check the directory of Rezzable and other cool spots here. A lot of $10L uploads later, the state of our estate is 8 sims and there is still a lot going on every day.

Looking back on our experience in SL, I think of it in three main ways:

* 1) The people that use SL. It is a strange mix of global early-adopters, freaks, deviants, mathematicians, gender-benders, bi-ness people, land barons, noobs, students and of course artists. We thoroughly enjoy their company and being part of the noise. Like Soylent Green, it's the people--who are by far this is the best part of SL. We have tried to give a lot to the community on the grid as we have gained so much. (/me wipes tears of joy).

* 2) The SL grid. It was amazing at one point really to have these online worlds to explore. We understand how hard it is to keep it running and frankly are amazed that it all still works. Sure we can complain about what it doesn't do, but still it does what it does and that is pretty awesome really.

* 3) Linden Lab. Well, not much more to say about this eccentric and secretive organization other than "OpenSpace." Hard for me to drink the Koolaid for another round.  Linden Lab has consistently groped for numbers to justify itself. First it was "registered users", then it was "business millionaires (or millionairess?)", then it was "new registered users per month", then it was "concurrent users", then it was "growth in land mass". Somewhere it was "dollar turnover greater than some countries". Today it is "concurrency" and "comfortably profitable." But they are consistent really, 'cause all their statistics are crap and they can't even count them properly. So back to OpenSpaces which is a fundamental betrayal of what I thought the spirit of what SL was and the new foundation for LL's future.  Hard to imagine what random thing LL will do next? Sell their own skins?

Well 2 out of 3 points ain't so bad? So we beat on, prims against the digital void, borne ceaseless out into the ether. But I am getting a little weary of paying LL each month for the privileged.

Anyway, we are thinking about where we take Rezzable from here. We are trying to find the right steps to stay connected with the people on the grid and also find a tolerable way to work with LL. We are making an effort now with the Hobos to run a Noob Gateway. Maybe it is just about spending time with noobs and trying to find a few reliable people at LL to work with. Dunno if that is going to be enough tbh. But let's try.  Selling stuff on the grid frankly isn't too interesting as it cost more to make and manage stuff than we can ever hope to get back. And we still have to pay for the regions with whatever money is left.

We are putting a lot of effort in Virtual King Tut, so if you want to see what we think is a good use of the grid, I welcome you to check out this first pass on what seems like a very positive direction. We also think things like OpenSim are very interesting and can be a serious alternative to SL.