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What keeps you in SL?
Damien1 Thorne
Registered User
Join date: 26 Aug 2007
Posts: 4,877
12-30-2008 10:14
I stay for the magic that still exists in the builds, the great people I have met, especially here in the forums, and most of all the special lady that greets me when I arrive after working two jobs in rl and want to relax. :)
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Sommerland Starostin
Registered User
Join date: 11 Jul 2007
Posts: 138
12-30-2008 10:44
From: Treasure Ballinger
This hits a chord with me. I'm getting over something similar and seems I've been getting over it for a long time now. I'm sick of getting over it. I don't understand just 'leaving for awhile' when you are 'leaving' real people, friends. How do you just dump your friends? (Not 'you', but anybody is what I mean.) I know this is just my perception. There are people, feelings, hearts, emotions behind the avi. I am pretty sure I am expecting too much and that 'true' friendship', the kind not easily dumped just isn't really possible in SL.


Well I just try to look at it like RL will come calling sooner or later. Things happen. Some friends may float into real from SL but it doesn't seem to be the norm. People come here for so many reasons, I don't even try to figure it out. Maybe partly because it does hurt & I'd rather philosophize, sp? & not think about it.
Rhaorth Antonelli
Registered User
Join date: 15 Apr 2006
Posts: 7,425
12-30-2008 11:07
From: Phil Deakins
This thread has made me stop and think (several times) about why I stay in SL. My immediate answer is easy - for the money. For a long time, I've thought that I would totally depart SL if it wasn't for the money, but your question has made me think about it.

I only log in to deal with customer things, but when I do log in, I tend to stay a while - just thinking about things there, and maybe pottering around a little - a bit reluctant to click the red cross. But now I wonder if I'd use SL if it weren't for the store, and I'm thinking that I probably would, but I don't know why. Typical things like exploring, roleplaying, clubbing, etc. have never appealed to me, and still don't. The 'romantic' side of SL used to appeal but that was a long time ago. My best guess now is that I would stay in SL to be creative, but I don't know.

You've made me think about it, Rha.



you described how I feel (except the money part, as I am lucky to cover tier, let alone make a profit such as you do heh)

but the fact that I tend to now log in to deal with customer stuff, and try to make new stuff, but find myself getting sidetracked, and end up just not wanting to do it, and logging out again.

I log in usually on alts to do my other job (for various reasons) and sometimes on my main, but that is different, it is not my place, it is someone I work for... (that is easy to separate)

for me it is my own stuff that I seem to be feeling this slump

I try to come up with new ideas new designs, new stuff, but it just feels like I am doing the same old thing everyone else does... and lately, well nothing seems to sell much.... I mean very very little in comparisons to even a couple weeks ago... (lucky to sell one or two items a day, if that)


I know I keep mentioning the low sales, it is on my mind a lot. I keep wondering if I am doing something wrong... or .... I dunno....

maybe it is just me going through a slump, a low period, and things will look better in the new year... I hope...


Thank you all for responding, it is nice to know I am not alone in how this feels... and to see the reasons for staying... they are so varied, yet people have many things in common.
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From: someone
Morpheus Linden: But then I change avs pretty often too, so often, I look nothing like my avatar. :)


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Nic Writer
Registered User
Join date: 25 Mar 2007
Posts: 740
12-30-2008 12:31
From: Abu Nasu
In a nutshell, SL keeps my brain busy.


Heh. When I first saw this thread title, my first thought was, "Darned if I know." December's been a stressful month - unexpected financial crisis, death in the extended family, some kind of weird bug, loss of my computer and a new one that doesn't seem to like SL too well... Since about mid-month, I haven't had the heart to log in too often.

When I do feel like logging in, and I know I will again, what keeps me coming back is the cool stuff - building, treasure hunts, classes, exploration...

That, and my friends. I don't have a lot of close friends in SL, but those I do have are precious to me. Even the people I just know in passing here or in groups in-world mean a lot to me. Of course, I could keep in touch with you forumites even if I never logged in again, but somehow it wouldn't be the same.
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Morwen Bunin
Everybody needs a hero!
Join date: 8 Dec 2005
Posts: 1,743
12-30-2008 13:11
I have one main reason that keeps me in SL.... and many small ones.

My main reason is that I when I am away from home for my work and sleep in hotels, I can meet my RL partner in SL. We used to talk on MSN, but SL is so more alive... as being in the same room together.

My other reasons have been mostly been mentioned by others.

Morwen.
Czari Zenovka
I've Had it With "PC"!
Join date: 3 May 2007
Posts: 3,688
12-30-2008 13:14
From: Holocluck Henly
btw Lexxi - for some reason, many Lindens put up BAN LINES! I found that reprehensible and I no longer go to Linden Village to explore. I think these employees in question miss the point of the use of their free company land and need a talking to by their bosses.


Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!! :mad:
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Adz Childs
Artificial Boy
Join date: 6 Apr 2006
Posts: 865
12-30-2008 13:19
There are like-minded friends here who accept me.
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From: Tofu Linden
Hmm, there's nothing really helpful there, but thanks for pasting.
Imnotgoing Sideways
Can't outlaw cute! =^-^=
Join date: 17 Nov 2007
Posts: 4,694
12-30-2008 14:11
From: Treasure Ballinger
This hits a chord with me. I'm getting over something similar and seems I've been getting over it for a long time now. I'm sick of getting over it. I don't understand just 'leaving for awhile' when you are 'leaving' real people, friends. How do you just dump your friends? (Not 'you', but anybody is what I mean.) I know this is just my perception. There are people, feelings, hearts, emotions behind the avi. I am pretty sure I am expecting too much and that 'true' friendship', the kind not easily dumped just isn't really possible in SL.
I believe that true friendship is possible here. But, we all live in the same virtual city. Like any other city, people may have to move away. The same thing happens when someone leaves SL. They didn't just walk away. They moved and your old way of connecting won't work anymore. That's the difference between your friends and your friends list. (^_^)

As for the destructive kind of person who CAN simply walk away from a friendship... Sadly, I'm doing that right now to someone who cared for me dearly. We are all imperfect people. Sometimes the romantic notion of 'friends forever' can be just as lacking here in this environment of fast and broad connections. (>_<;)

What keeps me in? I am living the social life I never had. This is the greatest level of emotional contact i've ever really had. I've made friends and enemies... Helped and hurt people... And if I had to do it all again, there would be very little that I would not want to repeat. SL gives me an experience I can't live out in my RL. That's all I wanted and it's what I get each time I log in. (^_^)y
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MadKitty Aabye
Noob Petter
Join date: 11 Oct 2007
Posts: 21
12-30-2008 14:47
It's the teleporting. While I can handle a general level of politeness and low-grade socializing with most people, I'm very quirky and tend to have to look far and wide for people with whom I connect to the point that they're more enjoyment than work. In addition to the time and money limits on travel that most people have, I do not have a car in an area that's designed for people who have one. I have taken to SL for teleporting the way some people with physical disabilities have taken to it for dancing.
Lisette Koolhoven
lucky girl
Join date: 12 Jan 2008
Posts: 33
12-30-2008 14:59
Agreed. Teleporting, flying and new places. Coming up on my 1 year rez day and still loving it!

I don't own or sell anything = no financial worries.
I'm single = no RL issues with a spouse or boyfriend that way.
My laptop rocks = no computer problems.
RL = when SL is down or the lag sucks...I just log off and go do something else!
Bodhisatva Paperclip
Tip: Savor pie, bald chap
Join date: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 970
12-30-2008 15:02
I would say that the things that keeps me coming back are the socializing with the avatars I know and the opportunities of meeting new ones as well as the ability to build things, explore and play and learn.

Lately, though I've been feeling less social and without any real exciting inspiration like I felt with my last two "major" building undertakings it's been kind of bleh. I'm about to take off on a short absence from the world and I anticipate when I return I'll be more inspired. My life's been too enclosed and internal lately. Reality doesn't even seem real anymore. Time to shake it up.

I guess it's possibility that keeps me here.
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Kokoro Fasching
Pixie Dust and Sugar
Join date: 23 Dec 2005
Posts: 949
12-30-2008 16:47
1) My Family
2) My Friends
3) My large folder of blackmail m... err.. nevermind that one
4) The fact that I can be social unlike RL
5) Wings!!
6) Hair colors that my RL work refuses to let me wear into the office
7) Chocolate
8) Family and Friends!
9) The fact that my Rat Blaster<tm> is still loaned out
Kaimi Kyomoon
Kah-EE-mee
Join date: 30 Nov 2006
Posts: 5,664
12-30-2008 18:00
From: Kokoro Fasching
1) My Family
2) My Friends
3) My large folder of blackmail m... err.. nevermind that one
4) The fact that I can be social unlike RL
5) Wings!!
6) Hair colors that my RL work refuses to let me wear into the office
7) Chocolate
8) Family and Friends!
9) The fact that my Rat Blaster<tm> is still loaned out
Um... where is this chocolate exactly?
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From: 3Ring Binder
i think people are afraid of me or something.
Arielle Aristocrat
Registered User
Join date: 9 Sep 2008
Posts: 7
12-30-2008 19:24
What keeps me in SL? While I do a lot of things -- owning/running a club, and building -- I would have to say it's my SL partner that actually keeps me in SL. I don't know if I'd feel half as creative without having him in my SL. Basically it feels like I'm in SL for him, and then while I'm there, I find a lot of things to keep me busy even when he's not in-world.

I have gotten tired of SL at times, for sure... My main AV has been in SL for over 2 years... but the main reason I'd consider cutting way back on SL is not so much getting sick of SL, wanting to bring the creativity and aliveness I feel in SL into RL... that's the ultimate challenge, I think.
Argent Stonecutter
Emergency Mustelid
Join date: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 20,263
12-30-2008 19:52
My DSL modem!
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Love Hastings
#66666
Join date: 21 Aug 2007
Posts: 4,094
12-30-2008 20:01
From: Argent Stonecutter
My DSL modem!


Electrons!
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Susie Boffin
Certified Nutcase
Join date: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 2,151
12-30-2008 20:12
What keeps me here is the fact that SL is only a game and does not really exist! :rolleyes:
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CapeAble Scribe
Registered User
Join date: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 2
Is SL a Game?
01-02-2009 08:07
From: Susie Boffin
What keeps me here is the fact that SL is only a game and does not really exist! :rolleyes:


Is it? I have been here for about 2 years now. If SL is a game, please explain the following:

Where do you find the rules? What are the rules? What is the goal? What are the levels to reach the goal? Is there a point system? How do you win the game? How do you lose? hmmm None of these common game features exist? Then, how is SL a game? Don't most games have these features? *rolling your eyes back to ya!*
Love Hastings
#66666
Join date: 21 Aug 2007
Posts: 4,094
01-02-2009 08:15
From: CapeAble Scribe

Where do you find the rules? What are the rules? What is the goal? What are the levels to reach the goal? Is there a point system? How do you win the game? How do you lose? hmmm None of these common game features exist? Then, how is SL a game? Don't most games have these features? *rolling your eyes back to ya!*


Rules are in the TOS. The goal is to win. Or successfully log in. Your score is measured by drama and frustration. Or for some crazy nutters, through earning money.

PS, she was being facetious.
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Brenda Connolly
Un United Avatar
Join date: 10 Jan 2007
Posts: 25,000
01-02-2009 08:17
From: someone
Computer game designer Chris Crawford attempted to define the term game using a series of dichotomies:

Creative expression is art if made for its own beauty, and entertainment if made for money. (This is the least rigid of his definitions. Crawford acknowledges that he often chooses a creative path over conventional business wisdom, which is why he rarely produces sequels to his games.)

A piece of entertainment is a plaything if it is interactive. Movies and books are cited as examples of non-interactive entertainment.

If no goals are associated with a plaything, it is a toy. (Crawford notes that by his definition, (a) a toy can become a game element if the player makes up rules, and (b) The Sims and SimCity are toys, not games.) If it has goals, a plaything is a challenge.
If a challenge has no “active agent against whom you compete,” it is a puzzle; if there is one, it is a conflict. (Crawford admits that this is a subjective test. Some games with noticeably algorithmic artificial intelligence can be played as puzzles; these include the patterns used to evade ghosts in Pac-Man.)

Finally, if the player can only outperform the opponent, but not attack them to interfere with their performance, the conflict is a competition. (Competitions include racing and figure skating.) However, if attacks are allowed, then the conflict qualifies as a game.
Crawford's definition may thus be rendered as: an interactive, goal-oriented activity, active agents to play against, in which players (including active agents) can interfere with each other.


Plaything. That definition works for me. At least for my use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game
Cappy Frantisek
Open Source is the Devil!
Join date: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 400
01-02-2009 08:36
From: Susie Boffin
What keeps me here is the fact that SL is only a game and does not really exist! :rolleyes:

Wow, here come the "I run a business" flames! :eek:

On topic: I dunno what keeps me here, silly habit I guess.
foehn Breed
More random than random
Join date: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 1,142
01-02-2009 08:36
I DON'T KNO ANYMORE *rocks*
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Rhaorth Antonelli
Registered User
Join date: 15 Apr 2006
Posts: 7,425
01-02-2009 10:10
From: foehn Breed
I DON'T KNO ANYMORE *rocks*



best answer yet!!

so fitting... describes how I feel (really)
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From: someone
Morpheus Linden: But then I change avs pretty often too, so often, I look nothing like my avatar. :)


They are taking away the forums... it could be worse, they could be taking away the forums AND Second Life...
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