Linden Improving Second Life's New User Signup Experience (UPDATE: Linden CEO Rod Humble Supports Adding Non-Human Avatars to Sign-Up Menu)

Here's a look at Second Life's new user account creation process, recently introduced for new users. Sleek and engaging, selecting your starting avatar look is now more interactive and animated, and unsurprisingly, it's reminiscent of The Sims, the Electronic Arts franchise Linden Lab's new CEO Rod Humble helped turn into a mass market phenomenon:

I think Linden is missing an opportunity to include some non-realistic avatars among its mix, but other than that, pretty cool. Of course, the real test is how well this new onboarding process will add new users. Video by Michelle Leckrone via Daniel Voyager.

Update, 4/19: In Comments, Linden CEO Rod Humble says he supports adding non-human avatars to this sign-up process, such as (in the words of another reader), "a furry and some kind of robot or alien included!" To which Mr. Humble says, "I agree! But just one? We can do better than that."

Comments

[Ann Otoole InSL]

Much better! Good to see.

[Merry]

Yeah.. there should be at least a furry and some kind of robot or alien included!

[Timo Gufler]

Looks very cool! Still, I wish, LL could focus on old user experience as well. You know, the region crossing problems are still there...

[Ann Otoole InSL]

@Timo I was able to fly across mainland from Abbot's to my home with no issues at all (until i hit a parcel next to mine that had no free prims). Teleports have been around 1 to 2 seconds for me lately. Perhaps you have too much script memory and/or attachments or a problematic HUD going on?

[June Stormcrow]

Have to agree with Ann on this one. Had bandwidth issues one night and my experience was crap, but in general, sim crossings and teleports have been great for me. I even tooled around mainland a bit last week and didn't want to scream. I don't do a lot of scripted attachments tho, and pull out resize scripts and the like or don't wear the clothes, so your mileage may vary.

[Alia Baroque]

Great step ahead, even if seems people is having issues in seeing the data, maybe a choice with pictures if the data or browser doesn't load could be nice.

Also there shall be an improvement of the standard LL basic movement, this preview presumes you are already using an AO. We all know that the AO makes more than 50% avatar charme so would be a shame they get discouraged when logging in and moving a bit like pinocchio.

And yes, more imagination maybe to show the actual possibilities of SL on the low range. (aliens, tinies, dragons, furries, orbs, etc)

Nice to see we are getting all polished and cool, I like that, and thanks for keeping track of it Hamlet, without you and Tateru I would have no idea what is going on for new users.

[Rod Humble]

"Yeah.. there should be at least a furry and some kind of robot or alien included! "

I agree! But just one? We can do better than that :)

[Hitomi Tiponi]

So far all the changes I have seen since Rod has been getting involved have been positive. At last someone who understands that it is Very Hard for new users to become engaged in Second Life and has the experience and ability to fix it.

[Hiro Pendragon]

"I think Linden is missing an opportunity to include some non-realistic avatars among its mix"

It's worse than that. They're all the same height and Body Mass Index. At least they have black people - some virtual worlds I've seen don't even have dark complexions.

[Argus Collingwood]

I think a Tiny would be a great addition to the mix;-) Raglan is always so embracing and fun for all. Channel your inner Warthog or Bunny. Let's get small

[Doreen Garrigus]

Ooooh! Yesyesyes, Argus! Mr. Humble, could we have a Tiny option, please? We would really love to have more Tinies in the Shire.