Gaeta 1 Stays: Linden Lab Reverses Decision To Close The Continent

 

In April, Linden Lab announced they would eventually be closing the smallest of the continents in Second Life, Gaeta 1, as part of "A New Chapter For Mainland."  The reason given was that Zindra, the unfinished continent they planned to complete, was growing in population while Gaeta had a small population that wasn't getting bigger. It was a decision that had many people asking "why," locals on the land mass as well as people who made their home elsewhere. Never before had Linden Lab shut down a permanent landmass. Why do so now?

 

Now it seems the residents who live on the small continent can relax. On Monday August 3, Linden Lab would announce it had canceled plans to close Gaeta 1.

 

After further review of resident feedback, relocation activity, and our long-term plans for Mainland, Linden Lab has decided that Gaeta 1 will remain open.

This is a significant change from the transition plan announced in April. We are sorry for the disruption and uncertainty this reversal has caused, especially for residents who made decisions or completed relocations based on the information and direction we previously provided. We recognize that those residents acted promptly and in good faith, and we are committed to providing affected residents with meaningful choices moving forward.

 

So those who have land on Gaeta can stay. For those who already moved out under assistance from Linden Lab, the announcement stated they would soon be hearing from the Lindens, who would ask if they wanted help in returning, or not, if they haven't heard already.  

 

The Lab would call this change of plans for Gaeta, "the first step in our renewed focus for Mainland." They would go on to say further plans included, 

 

Addition of several open water homesteads in an effort to improve the sailing experience around some of the mainland continents. We encourage anyone interested in sailing in SL to give it a try. 

Repairs of many legacy Mainland regions with badly baked edges, to fix longstanding region crossing issues between these specific regions, and make them more attractive overall.

Restoration of several legacy Mainland builds, including the Balloon Tour in Linden Village, the Snowlands chairlifts, and the Pomponio Crater area. 

So what did the Gaetans think of the move? When I looked at the map, the largest group was at "All Smolls Music Hall" in Vibus Ten. Going there, the tinies there told me others in the community had been talking about it earlier in the day. One remarked, "they go for the least productive ones first, never mind that those ones they are destroying are the ones that are more loyal to the rules and regulations than the others." Another quipped, "Wish they'd do something about all the bloodlines bots and Tiny World Bots." Still, they were happy they wouldn't have to move. 

 

And so, what looked like the upcoming closing of a continent has been averted. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan