There's no doubt that the Lab would have prefered that this year's Second Life Birthday be remembered when it showcased it's PBR update and finally brought out it's mobile viewer. While that's part of how it will be, unfortunately there are some details the Lab would prefer we the residents forget.
In late February came allegations in an anonymous online article that a number of Lindens and Moles had been involved in ageplay, offering no real evidence. Despite the caution of the Second Life media, the Newser and others only giving hints of what was going on or limiting themselves to saying there was an investigation, and that the host website took down the article, word got around as rumors do. While most may believe "all remain innocent until proven guilty," some instead were "once accused, always suspect." A few Lindens and moles named in the accusations were regulars on Bellisseria chat and stopped chatting, laying low. They would not appear at the WVBPE Conference and one would briefly show up at the Fantasy Faire. Finally at the Second Life Birthday they would appear as normal. This was a relief to most, though there were still one or two people going, "Hide the children!"
About a month and a half before the Second Life Birthday came the Linden response to the ageplay allegations: more restrictions on child avatars. They would all need to have "modesty layers" under their clothes. But more importantly would be completely barred from Adult-rated sims, even if there was nothing overtly sexual outside private homes and the rating was there only because those making their home there were afraid the Lab would ban them for what went on behind closed doors under any milder rating. The Moon Dance and possibly a few other Relay events were barred to child avatars, and while Burn2 once allowed both nudity and child avatars, it is currently deciding which to do away with. Marianne McCann and possibly others whotook part in the past may not be able to do so any more without changing from the look they've been known for.
Soon after, it was announced that the mobile viewer could not be used to take users to Adult-rated areas either. The viewer could be gotten only through Google Play and Apples App Store, both of which had rules about what products available there could show. Between this move and the rule about child avatars, for better or for worse Adult sims were no longer as acessible as they were compared to Mature ones. For some places, this brings up a choice. Do they remain Adult to soothe nagging fears by some who make their home there about what the Lab will do if they spend a little private time with a loved one (or friend with bennefits), or do they lower the rating to make the place more accessible?
And this was the time in which Firestorm, the most popular viewer, released it's PBR (Physical Based Rendering) update. And so the majority of residents were now able to see objects made with this feature, notably the first truly functional mirrors. It was a joy to a number of residents. But for others, notably with older computers, it wasn't. A few people I talked to complained of greater lag and even crashes. Former Newser reporter, who was scheduled to DJ at the Second Life Birthday, had to cancel as he lagged heavily and repeatedly crashed. He would make the decision to leave Second Life for good. How many others did the same is unknown. And a better computer isn't always better for Second Life. I was told about someone's brand new expensive PC that was "barely able" to play the new viewer.
In some ways, it's a reminder of Linden Lab's delima. Unless Second Life is updated, fewer new users will come in. But the problem is, updating means higher requirements for computers. And so those with older machines end up with slower virtual experiences that can make going about here less easy and more difficult, and eventually not able to get on. And 21 years after Second Life's creation, working class residents often have less disposable income than their forebears, and it takes them longer to save for a better computer, if they can save at all.
The Second Life Birthday itself would reflect some of these happenings. People cheered at the sight of certain Lindens and Moles who had been lying low for a while. Much of the terrain, and many of the exhibits took advantage of the new PBR technology, which was a treat for those who could see it. The theme "Elements" was an odd one, but thankfully one didn't need to make their exhibits adhire strictly to the theme. And there is quite a variety of exhibits to see. Plus with this year's SLB lasting a month, more time to see them.
There was one other difference from previous recent birthdays. Instead of a Musicfest at the start with a lot of DJs and singers at the begining weekend with a smaller number of stage events the rest of the celebration, this year all the scheduled performances were in the first ten days, then no more. But there will almost certainly be a few performers step up in the closing hours to help end things with a bang.
As with previous birthdays, there were a few things that raised eyebrows, but much to celebrate, such as despite all the naysayers saying we were doomed, the glitches, the recessions, and the occasional Linden blunder, we're still here.
Happy twenty-first birthday, Second Life. And here's to many more.
Bixyl Shuftan
SL Newser
