EOTB: New Senra Starter Avatars Now Availabler

 

When Patch Linden spoke at the SL20B a little more than a month ago, he stated that the first of the new starter avatars that were announced last year were almost ready. On Tuesday August 1, Linden Lab announced that two were ready for use by both newcomers and existing residents, the Senra avatars. 

We're excited to announce the launch of our new Starter Avatars! These avatars, called Senra, are a fresh mesh take on the classic Second Life avatar, with a customizable modern and stylish look. These avatars will give new residents the opportunity to get started with a mesh body and personalize their own unique look the very first time they log in to Second Life and get a taste for the endless possibilities of avatar customization available to SL Residents.

The Senra avatars come with a variety of body shapes, skins, and hair styles. We've also created a whole new wardrobe of clothes that are specifically designed for these avatars. There are more than a billion possible combinations, so you're sure to find the perfect look.  The Senra avatars and clothing have been designed so that any avatar looks great with any clothing. Mix and match to your heart’s content!

We're also pleased to announce that we'll be providing dev kits for creators to make their own clothes for the Senra avatars. That way new and established residents alike will have plenty of ways to express themselves and create amazing new looks for the Senra avatars. 

 

For newcomers, the avatars are now available at the start, as demonstrated by this SL University Youtube video. For existing residents, the avatars are already in inventories (those who have left their avatars inworld for a few days may need to relog), "Search for 'Senra' and you will find the full variety of clothing and bodies." 

 

The Lab invited content creators to make clothing and other items for the avatars on a Fashion thread in the official forums, Patch Linden saying, those interested needed to read a license agreement, technical information, and fill out an application process. But the reaction in the forum thread was mixed. Some were having issues with some details in the license agreement, "This is pretty much (dead on arrival)," and there were opinions that some questions raised about the avatars at the SL20B such as the polygon count were not listened to. Others went to the Lab's defense, "The Senra system seems to be intentionally unlike the current system, which new users find to be extremely confusing and difficult to learn to use. And if they don't have strict rules about it, it will become just another body option, and very unapproachable just like the rest."

How well will the new starter avatars do? Will they get more use by residents, or be just that to most, a start that will soon be replaced after a few days? Time will tell.

Bixyl Shuftan