New and have no clue

Ok, I know this is a diffrent style of game but I am completely lost. I really don't see a huge point in the game or understand what there really is to do. I've tried to talk to people in the game but I must have "outcast" written on my head as they seem to act as though I am a ghost. When I did actually get someone to talk to me and I asked the question what is this game about and what is there to do, they said "Have sex". Just kind of seems lame to me to come to a game to have virtual sex, unless I suppose your lacking it in real life and need some kind of substitute.

I was highly impressed with the character creation which is why the slight motivation to keep poking in from time to time. But coming from other games like Ultima online and Worlds of Warcraft I'm trying to find ways to progress through wealth and character. I assume character advancement is by progressing in better appearance. The wealth issue frustrates me though. Is there no other way to make money then to craft things or spend real money to gain virtual money? Is there no NPC's who will buy up virtual garbage that I find in the game, or is it even possible to find virtual garbage in the game to sell? Can I go fishing and sell my catches? Can I go mine or pan for gold?

Any information would be helpful, and if someone could direct me to where I can make friends that would be helpful as well. Just a shame most of these other online games don't add in more world building by the players like this game does. I think its neat to see new emotes created by the players, or items. Maybe the future of online gaming will combine both the RPG's and the Barbie Doll nightmares together to create a truely amazing game.

Hihihi!

There's tons of things to do, just have to find a group of people with like minds etc... Will be glad to IM you the next time I am on and give you a hand in understanding the aspects etc... if you see me just holler

always willing to help!

-hugs-

First of all, coming from those kind of MMO's, you need to throw that thinking out the window. This isn't a fantasy MMORPG with only game mechanics. There is no structure, there is no end game, there are no levels. It's purely a social thing.

Everything here is user created. You need to find a talent and use it to earn money to spend. It's a better version of the Sims Online. Make clothes, build stuff, scripting, etc. are ways to earn money off your own ideas. Working as a host, DJ, dancer, photographer, etc. is a job to make money. Or you could always just buy it.

It's real life, in pixels. You go to places you find interesting, you work to earn money, and you shop. Yes, you can have sex too, but I rarely have sex, and I'm still here so it's not only about sex. I create low rez clothing that is cheap. I DJ and I chat with friends and watch movies in their houses.

The games you came from, force you to play their way. Here's it's totally up to you how you do whatever it is you want to do. (Unless for that day, there are db issues.)

Well, friends would be a nice way to start and I'd be even willing to work for free for a while just to get the hang of things. And I may even be a great addition having programing skills in real life. I usually log on later in the day (4:00 mountain time) so if any of you are willing to help a lost soul find his way around this odd world I'd like to give it a shot.

And I do understand this is a diffrent style game. I do expect more socializing then dragon slaying. Its the customization that seems to draw me to this game but I was just wondering what there is to do and how to go about making friends and finding people who will help me get on my feet.

Thelxepeia, please keep me in mind and look for me. Unsure how to locate people when they log on or even tell if someone is online. So if you see me pop on and want to become friends, please find a way to contact me.

Asking "What is the point of Playing SL? What are the things you are supposed to do?" is like asking the same thing about visiting France, or America. Second Life isn't a 'game'. It is a PLACE, an on-line world where people from all over the world can meet, interact, appear as they wish, and do and create amazing things.

SL does not have "Levels" or "Advancement". It does not have "a way to win". No more than New York City has one.

Think of Second Life as a new country that you can visit and explore, where you can meet new people and make new friends. Learn to use the building and scripting tools, and you can learn job skills that people will pay you real money for.

But if you try to play SL while locked in a 'RPG Mindset', you won't find what you seek here, except in small pockets where people have established roleplaying communities, much as in the Real World people set up Historical Reenactment clubs or Live Action Role Playing groups.

It's a date! But do me favor..convert your mountain time into EST so I am sure to be around...better yet, I'l be on about 7 pm est at the latest and I'll give ya a holler

-hugs-

Where are you asking people? You need to try different places, there are lots of friendly people around in the world. You might like to try visiting "the Shelter" or "New Citizens Inc" (both of these can be typed into Search -> Places) where you'll hopefully find lots of friendly people.



How do you want to advance? If you want to advance in wealth or appearance in SL, then you can, but you'll have to devote yourself entirely to one of them - or accept that you won't advance as high as those who do devote themselves. There's other things you might want to advance in, too. But there isn't a single measure, like "level", where people who're higher level are Just Plain Better.



You can get in-world jobs - some of these have already been described on this thread. Don't think of L$ as being like regular game money - they're special equivalents of real money. Most Western MMOs don't have them, but many Eastern (especially Korean) ones do, and some Western games are starting to get them.



Actually, there is one MMORPG that does allow users to build areas now - Ryzom Ring. Unfortunately, it's kinda restricted compared to Second Life - you can only make things out of a set number of blocks provided for you.

To give you some examples:

This morning I met with a friend from Canada, and was able to give her a hug... while my Player is in Texas.

Later I spent an hour doing a roleplay with another friend, sharing an hour of pleasant in-character interacting.

This afternoon I'll spend some time working as an Estate Manager. I design, build and manage sims for other people, and get paid real money for it, using the building and scripting tools that I learned to use in-world, and my skill with Photoshop on my home computer. One of my clients is in California, but he could just as easily live anywhere in the world. I also design custom textures for people to use making their own projects in-world, and I design and sell clothing in SL.

Later tonight I'll meet my friend from Canada again, who is also my Partner in SL (my roleplay mate), and we'll chat and work out some roleplaying scenarios for a future RP session that won't even take place in SL. But we can sit and talk while we sip green tea in our Edo-Period Japanese home.

Through most of this, I don't have to be an ordinary girl from central Texas. I'm usually a pretty Kitsune, a red fox with three tails that is a creature from Japanese folklore. I don't even have to be female. I can just as easily play as the opposite sex, and no one will have any reason not to believe me, if I do a good enough job of acting like a male.

"Wealth" in SL is earned by working at tasks that require real creative skills and effort. Think of L$ as the poker chips in a casino. They are not money, but they represent money. You can buy them with a credit card or Pay Pal, and that is advisable when you get started, before you learn enough skills to earn money in SL. You can also cash them out, getting real money back in your bank account.

SL does not have any realistic "jobs" where someone with no skills can 'pan for gold' or 'mine iron' or 'chop wood' to earn game money by wasitng time doing some repetitive task. You will hear of "Camping Chairs" or "Dance Pads" where people will pay you a few cents per hour in RL money terms to sit still in their business. Those are just a rip-off - people gaming the system to increase the "popularity" ranking of their business in the search feature, so they can get more business and make more money. What they pay you isn't worth the electricity it takes to run your computer for that period of time.

Hi Virgil!

First thing is not not necessarily think of it as a game - so "character advancement" doesn't exist per se. I do kinda count meeting new people, seeing new places, and learning new skills (especially with building) as advancement points, though.

From the sound of things, maybe you're over in the clubs or just welcome areas. Go a little further afeild and you can find some really neat people and places. Check out things like The Shelter for a good welcoming experience, and check out some of the other sims and locations out there - try doing a places search and put a word or two about some of your interests, and see what comes up.

Mari

I guess my second life is pretty average: I work on my house, shop (too much) for my avi and my house, spend time with my partner, and attend events that I am interested in. I definitely don't think of it as a game...I'm not playing at anything - it's an extension of me I know others view it differently - they have businesses or spend time in combat sims - but for me, it's me...virtually.

Says it all really .. nicely put Gillian

I meet my real life fiancee who lives a fair way away and we pub'n'club and dance a lot. A lot of socialising happens in the clubs - you meet some really interesting people.

welcome to SL Virgil!!

i spent my first few weeks in sl exploring, and meeting people, got a job my first day while visiting a club, shopping.

this isnt Ultima Online but You can find sims that RP (roleplay).

Thank you to those who said hello to me last night and made me feel welcome. Its nice to know there are kind people out there. Sadly I was having connection issues and wasn't able to stay on for very long but hopefully that is all taken care of and I'll be able to play around a little more tonight.

I understand this game isn't your normal MMORPG. Most of those seem way too targeted on killing creatures and leveling up your characters. But what is seriously lacking is the social settings in those games. People seem more concerned about loot and being the most powerful that events just to hang out and have a conversation to them is a waste of time. Why talk when they could be advancing even more? I really enjoyed Ultima Online in the day because once you reached a level and were maxed out, the game more turned into a social setting where players created events. The social part is the most important issue to me which is why someone suggested this game. However I do feel you need a little more then just sitting around talking all of the time which is why I was wondering if there was more in this game to do. I guess I still need to wander around a bit and see what the game has to offer. Really if someone needs me to play a role I would be happy to get involved in whatever activities you may need me for. I'm not even asking for money but just an opertunity to play some sort of role and get to know people in the game. If you want to contribute some better clothing to this "Bum" character of mine then I would be greatful, but if not I am satisfied with the clothing on my back and not having a place to call home. So let me know if you have any social gatherings and wouldn't mind a visit from the "Virgil", and again thank you all last night for the welcome to this world.

hi virgil, just want to welcome you to SL. Stick around the longer you explore the more you find

I myself have tried an assortment of things, from stripping to clothing designing.

At the moment I DJ at multiple places, I own my own pub, I create and sell my own clothing line and even made 3 pairs of shoes, and am working on making hair (HARD), and also have a resale shop for all the stuff I bought and now dunno what to do with LOL (mainly clothes)
Strange part is I dislike shopping in RL LOL

my current project is building and renting "shacks" yes you read right, run down shacks hehe

low rent cuz well they are a shack, very little furniture but hey it would be a place to call home. What more could one expect for 100L a month rent LOL

(actually it is kinda cute and for someone who wants to "shack up" it is perfect for the word play hehe)

I will try to look you up if I get a chance again welcome to SL

Actually, to win the game of NYC you need to collect mad lootz until you can purchase a midtown penthouse, and the second to last boss is Donald Trump. I have no idea who the final boss is, you only find that out if you progress to that level, and there are no more save points after Trump.

Mayor Bloomberg