What hath gaming wrought?: A critical look at Second Life.

This is a machinema project I did for a new media art class at UCSD. It's more of a montage than a machinema, but I think it turned out well. (Of course I do.)

I poke fun at elements of Second Life that I find simultaneously funny and troublesome. Having been exposed to the game through this project, I am fascinated by this virtual sandbox we have created, where anything goes. I am further amazed (and disturbed) that real money, to the tune of a million dollars a day, is spent in this game.

Here's for after you've watched it: No, I'm not ripping on John Edwards. I'm questioning the idea of having a virtual campaign headquarters. He just happened to be the only candidate who has one.

Make sure your volume is turned up, as I was a little too successful in making sure it wasn't too loud.

(And yes, the use of the song "Kernkraft 400", by Zombie Nation *hint*, was deliberate.)

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Second
• Life
• Gaming
• Machinema

[Hawkins1701]

Interesting comments for my silly little project.

To anyone who might ever again view this video:

Yes, it is out WAY of date.

I leave it up for pure vanity reasons. I'm sure much has changed in Second Life since then.

[Hawkins1701]

Thank you all who were able to leave a comment without resorting to childish obscenities.

[Hawkins1701]

Good comments all. Thank you for being respectful.

[Hawkins1701]

As I said in the video description, make sure you have your volume turned up.

It's a bit on the soft side.

[Pendragon1989]

I agree, but still it's fun, I have friends on there, and I wake up each day and can't wait to get on and see them and go do things lol.

[JoshGandMe]

out of date man but it was okay, i play SL and quit twice but came back. But my 1st life will always be first...and no you DONT have to pay to play..funny how when people JUST get on there, they assume from what they see for the first time. and dont take time to gove it a chance..but to each his or her own..

[saskabush2006]

Re:CaptchaU - Did they change the rules re: verification? Last I was on SL back in the spring you didn't need a credit card to be able to buy items. Land, yes, but not items. You could also purchase most "adult" services. By "camping" and doing other things it's possible to make money in SL without having to pay real money. Me, I gave up SL 6 months ago as a huge bore. The technology isn't there yet to really make this a viable "second life" IMO. Get back to me when it's all FMV.

[CelticReject]

The VAST majority of people that I have encountered in sl have been Interesting, intelligent and articulate.

I really like the whole package..... but my 1st life comes first!!

[norcalforlife707]

I'm okay with my first life thanks.

[shatter6]

Cute montage though even if its a bit out of date :)

[shatter6]

Being as the date of this video is rather old and things have been updated (including that casino's have been banned) I wouldn't be overly concerned with this fella CaptchaU though your right SL deserves a better rap then this. Most of his comments in there shows ignorance by the very fact he calls it a game and not a virtual community explains it all.

OS just an FYI you do not need verified payment to purchase anything in SL other then Linden (mainland) land. Very easy to bypass that.

[CaptchaU]

I will also add that SL is very very emphatic about NO child avatars and NO children playing an avatar, allowed on 'mature land'. At all. And mature land just means not G rated. They are very strict and comply with Fed authorities on enforcing this. SL deserves a better portrait than some give it.

[CaptchaU]

Interesting. It's good that you examined this, but you've left out some things which make this misleading. 1. Verified payment must be on file to buy things/purchase ad space and kids don't have that. 2. Use of pejoratives are against TOS. I hope that F****** sign got them bounced. 3. There are many things in SL that are admirable. Creativity, schools, meeting places for citizens all over the world. Opportunities. Concerts, Shakespeare, open mic, you name it. Why be closed minded? Be fair.