'' (
Abbreviated as '''''SL''''') is an
Internet -based
Virtual World launched in 2003, developed by
Linden Research, Inc (commonly referred to as Linden Lab), which came to international attention via mainstream news media in late 2006 and early 2007.
23 A downloadable
Client Program called the Second Life Viewer enables its users, called "
Residents ", to interact with each other through motional
Avatars , providing an advanced level of a
Social Network Service combined with general aspects of a
Metaverse . Residents can explore, meet other Residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, create and trade items (
Virtual Property ) and services from one another.
While ''Second Life'' is sometimes referred to as a
Game , this description is disputed. It does not have points, scores, winners or losers, levels, an end-strategy, or most of the other characteristics of games, though it can be thought of as a game on a more basic level. It is a semi-structured virtual environment where characters undertake activities for the purpose of personal enjoyment.
In all, more than 8.9 million accounts have been registered, although many are inactive, some Residents have multiple accounts, and there are no reliable figures for actual long term consistent usage. Despite its prominence, ''Second Life'' has notable competitors, including
There ,
Active Worlds , and the more "mature" themed
Red Light Center .
See Also: Resident (Second Life)
''Residents'' are the users of ''Second Life'', and their appearance is their ''
Avatar '' (often abbreviated to ''av'', ''avi'' or ''avie''). The basic avatar is human in appearance, but avatars may be of either sex, have a wide range of physical attributes, and may be clothed or otherwise customized to produce a wide variety of humanoid and other forms.
