Consistent Message: SL is/isn't a game

I've noticed a little bit of inconsistency in message with regard to Linden Lab and its handling of the "SL is not a game" issue. I've read in more than one news article regarding Second Life that Philip is not in the business of making games, that what is being accomplished with SL completely transcends such a label (I agree with this).

David Linden also stated quite explicitly this evening that SL is not a game:



I would hold the above to be self-evident, though that doesn't stop others from labelling SL with the "game" moniker. Including, it would seem, Linden staffers themselves:



Even Robin, who I pick on with much reluctance is not immune:



Though I think on the surface it may seem like I'm splitting hairs here, I think it's pretty important that Second Life not be defined in terms of being "a game" -- and from what he has said to the press, I'm guessing El Presidente agrees with this sentiment. The moment SL becomes "just a game," it becomes a lot easier to trivialize the amazing, real creative efforts that transpire here. It becomes a lot easier to call SL "just a game" when Lindens themselves are calling it the same.

So I guess my point is, is there any formalized unity of message currently in place at Linden Lab? Does everyone there understand why Second Life is not and cannot ever be "just a game," and why this is so very important to its residents and its future?

Thanks for reading.

It's a world. It's a platform for creativity and socializing. It's an amazing place. But yes, Enabran, it's not a game.

On a side note, we've fallen into the bad habit of referring to game time in order not to add to the confusion with time zone problems. I'm thinking we should go to SL Time. Question is, should it be based on Pacific time or maybe Greenwich Mean? I think it should be a 24 hour clock, and maybe included in the interface.

Just some thoughts, but I'll link to the discussion forums, in case anyone wants to chime in.

I don't really care about it being PST or GMT, as long as the clock is 24 hour.

Also, "grid time" has a nice ring to it, yes? Release the memo!

Until "I'm utelizing the platform that is used to create content, socialize and network and allow residents to monetize their efforts by selling their content and/or services" trips off the tongue as easily "I'm playing my game," I'll continue to refer to it as a game.

If anyone is really so anal that they get their knickers in a twist over it being called a game, maybe it's time to log out of the platform that is used to create content, socialize and network and allow residents to monetize their efforts by selling their content and/or services and go get some fresh air.

Calling SL a game is missing a larger point of it all. However, there is plenty of game in SL, so anyone who calls SL a game isn't wrong, either.
The problem, for me, is that there are those - lots of 'em, too - who wield the "it's a game" phrase as a weapon. They use it to invalidate concerns, to excuse thier crappy behavior, or to tell you how you should be playing.
The game attitude engenders an expectation from Linden Lab things they aren't here to provide, as well. You all hear it from people, "The Lindens should do this, they should do that..." - all things we're expected to do for ourselves. And the "it's a game" people get quite miffed when it doesn't happen - and even more miffed if a fellow resident steps up and provides that whatever, charging for access to it.
Maybe it's just the ration of crap I was served today for being so "greedy" making me type this (how dare I charge for my work, y'know?), but I think the "it's a game" folks should take a step back and have another look at what SL really is, what Linden Lab is up to, and where they appear to be headed.

Jillian, that expresses it perfectly. Those concerns are exactly what prompted my post.

It's an interesting culture shift from "entertainment will be the killer app" mentality. Kudos.

I think localizing times is your best best to avoid confusion.

Too bad there wasn't a way to do that automatically in messages with vBulletin.

LoL!

No knicker nots here!


Jon soooo rocks!

I have said it many times! SL on the PSP is the shit. Look at that LCD screen! Not a game, my ass. I am a level 34 drag queen and I just got my elven cloak of doom!




Elven cloak of doom:

I think its different things for different people..

For me its like fiddling with legos - or farting around in gcc.. or a mix of the two...

For someone else its a very serious metafarsethingamabobie thats gonna revolutionize the world

For yet another person its a 3d chatroom with sexballs..

and for someone else its a home biz...

...... but I think we can all agree that it's really a fat man in his underwear in a lazyboy named Fred.

Siggy.
(yeah and I'm one of those 'call it a game' folks - I think it reflects how seriously I take it)

First, it's "George", not "Fred".

Second, you aren't an "it's a game" person the way I meant that; which is, someone who beats people over the head with it. So

Actually - if you want to be pedantic its Fred-George... he's Steve-Chris and Dave-Jim's cousin who hasn't returned their X-Men #41 (in mint condition I might add)..

And in a bolt of inspiration you just totally solidified my Burning Life build (should Eris be sufficiently pleased with me and grant me a plot)....

A large prim called 'GAME' that turns phys and drops when someone walks under it!


I'll just sit in a corner poking my tongue out saying 'my build gets more AR's than your build!'

Siggy.

From now on I wish to be known as Sig3gy.... the 3 is silent.

No, no, no. It's George-Fred, brother to Steve-Jim, who needs to return X-Men#42 - which has a mint stuck to its back cover.

If I get a plot and you don't, you get a corner of mine for that.

Jaw DROPS! I think this is the first time someone from LL has come out with such a bold and honest statement. I'm shocked. I always thought of SL as a game, a form of entertainment. To me entertainment and game go hand in hand in an adult sence. So if this is not a game and I am not here to be entertained. I gotta start asking myself... what is it agian I am paying for? Oh that's right, the ability to merchandise my user created stock that rests in my inventory on a server owned by linden labs. I'm just paying rent

Now that we have that finaly crystal clear.... well hell I don't know where to go from here. Guess my little fantasy of playing an Elf as a form of RPG is shot to hell. After all that is part of the game for me. I guess its time just for us all to turn into Barbie and Ken, and rent us some mall space perhaps become a sales lady. I mean realy arn't we taking this all a bit to seriously. I would say call it what you want as long as you continue to subscribe. However that is just MY Opinion. Have a good one.

Cat

This is a very interesting point. When you accept SL not as a game but a platform and virtual community, then "it's just a game" phrase becomes less justifiable for certain actions. For example if you are playing world of warcraft as an alliance member in a PvP serer you know it's ok to kill horde members at sight, you are playing the game. But in SL, you don't really know what game, if any, the person you are interacting is playing. He/she may take it much more seriously then you do.

I think in this regard it is very important to educate new "players" (I like to propose to call SLers, instead of players) that SL is not a game per se, but it can be a game for you or a business or a singles bar or a training environment for your social skills, whatever you make of it. That distinction becomes crucial to make sure everyone understands "it's just a game" would not apply in SL.

Well if we are going to be so upfront with new players....

Then
....don't allow women playing men
....don't allow men playing women.
....dont allow furries.
....don't allow efin.
....dont't allow any thing that isn't REAL.

....then take away our screen names. So how REAL we wanna get?

Come on now. This is just nutty. What honestly bothers me is how far ppl will take this now that LL has come out and said SL is not a game.

It's not? well that's news to me.

PFFT on seriousness.

PS: BTW I too have been asking if its a game or not, and since BETA LL has not come to the fourms and said one way or the other. Not that they couldn't, they wouldn't.

So why now?

Not really. Entertainment can be in many many different forms. You can be entertained by watching TV, listening to a concert, by chatting with your friend, planting flowers in your garden, shoping, and even by dreaming and million other possible things.



I believe you do not have to pay anything to enjoy SL, if you are then perhaps you need to ask yourself why, not to Lindens. They made it clear the subscription is for the land they rent to you in their server, not for any content they promised for you to "play".

It's a culture shift, Catherine.

Culture shifts are often complicated, painful, messy affairs.

This often happens when you bring in a new #2 guy (which David Linden is, btw).

It's unclear to me that doing the shift in this way, a correction to someone in the hotline, was necessarly the best way to migrate the community.

However, pandora's box has been opened. It's out there. Now we just have to hope it doesn't spoil the party (assuming there is one to be spoiled).

I'm a little confused. Since when is "SL is not a game" news? Am I the only one reading the news stories about SL?

Did I say I felt I didn't need to pay anything? Nope. Please don't put words in my mouth. I'm honest in my thoughts ok.

What about the one time pay ppl they don't own any land. As for content, ppl make their own and keep it in their inventories, which provides fun and entertainment. What you don't have a watermellon gun. They are great fun. Like many things that are in our inventories when we first start out. Well I started a long time ago so I'm not real sure if you also have a funny nose and glasses from LL but I do

I am taken a back by the sudden news bare with me ok

I see many flaws in the idea that sl is not a game. Mainly because to many it realy is. Do I think they will lose subscribers? Naw probably not. Well not unless SL gets too serious then, of course.

However I don't think they will gain any new subscribers who think of SL as a game either. LL is a small company I would think they would be wanting subscribers any way they could get them. This isn't Sony, or EA after all this is LL.

So just so we are clear here, I pay LL a subscription fee to be here, and more for any land I own. That gives me access to my land, the ability to build, the ability to role play, socialize, goof off and access to what ever is in my inventory. A fee I have no problem paying as long as I am having fun and finding it entertaining. The moment SL becomes just a means to a marketing end. Yeah I will hit the road, and no I do not believe I would be alone. I hear that Wow is fun.

Cat

Oh, come on, Enabran. Since when is the news really reliable *or* tech savvy?

Nods Blaze I agree with you there, sound reasoning.

Cat

Truer words were never spoken.


PS: I haven't said it yet but I need to "Awww SL is not a game? Damn it I was having so much fun too ." Thanks for hearing me.

I don't think calling SL a game is missing a larger point. The point should be our actions, not what we call SL. I can call it a grilled cheese sandwich, and it doesn't change my actions one bit. Nor does it mean I'm missing the point of it all, nor the seriousness (far too much at times) people attribute to it.

The attitude you refer to is annoying, yes. So is the attitude that anyone who is here for entertainment (a game) just doesn't 'get it' and doesn't contribute anything and isn't worth as much. There are extremes on both sides of the 'what to call it' issue, and both are using their side as an excuse to be a jackass and cry to get things their way. Calling it a game or a platform that is used to create content, socialize and network and allow residents to monetize their efforts by selling their content and/or services makes little difference, their attitudes wouldn't change either way.

I don't really care what people call SL. Game, platform, metaverse, visual chatroom, interactive tard porn, Fred... doesn't change it one bit for me. I use it for entertainment, and I don't really go for pretentious titles, so I call it a game.

Edited to add: I think what it boils down to respecting how each person wants to play and contribute, and it shouldn't have anything to do with what we call it.

what one says is indicative of what one thinks. people calling it a game tend to have a particular mindset. how a person thinks is one of the greatest determinants in what a person does.

the argument isn't about the words. it's about the ideas.