Last Friday my friend the lovely and talented metaverse developer Ana Alves flew in from Portugal for a brief San Francisco visit, so we took some time to stop by the main office of Linden Lab, on Battery Street. Linden spokesman Peter Gray (pictured with Ana below) very generously arranged a last-minute meeting with Ana and I, on the proviso that we could not go beyond Linden Lab's entrance foyer. Which could have just meant the place was a mess and not ready for visitors, though I got the impression they were up there -- and down there, note the basement level -- cooking up some Awesome New Features. Which would be consistent with what I've heard from other Lindens in the last couple months: Big Things Are Coming.
Question is, what? I'm open to speculations. Also note that Peter Gray, whose avatar usually sports a giant fro, rocks a real life hairstyle that is remarkably and mysteriously slicked back:
Pretty slick, Pete, though I personally prefer the fro.
Awesome new features for the current platform?
Or awesome new platform?
They've never been coy about new features before, but a whole new world? THAT might be worth keeping under wraps.
The above is idle speculation. Arcadia Codesmith is not a licensed prognosticator. Forward-looking statements are subject to change; void where prohibited. Please drink responsibly.
Posted by: Arcadia Codesmith | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 02:02 PM
A roadmap from the Lab would be nice. The people that pay their bills are tired of being in the dark.
Posted by: Metacam Oh | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 02:45 PM
@Arcadia
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Some restrictions may apply. Viewer discretion advised. All rights reserved. Stay tuned.
Posted by: Stone Semyorka | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 04:01 PM
They probably don't want anyone to see the banker boxes "folding storage boxes" piled up and everything being put away while the auditors value the furnishings and building.
Just kidding. I hope. But I have a bad feeling after that SL8B hollow opening keynote.
If LL's board was really smart they would shed california wages and taxes and move to Austin and restaff. And refocus on what makes people stay in SL despite their hatred of it.
Posted by: Ann Otoole InSL | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 07:13 PM
What is coming soon (or should be):
- Direct link in from Facebook
- Revised revenue model (I suggest % of inworld sales)
- Resource cost to replace prim count
- web-based start viewer
- base 'get a flavour' app for mobile platforms
- a move to stabilisation rather than development as the company splits into separate technology and hosting areas
- encouragement of third-party developments to fill in gaps
-
Posted by: Hitomi Tiponi | Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 05:48 AM
hmm something major might also explain shareholder / share value turbulence.. interesting
Posted by: Dizzy Banjo | Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 06:34 AM
Surprise: Second Life will be closed down at 31.12.2011 to make room for the new Linden World 2.0.
Posted by: Jan | Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Why does Pete look like he was photoshopped in?
Posted by: Ann Otoole InSL | Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Not photoshopped. Augmented reality layer. :)
Posted by: Graham Mills | Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 11:49 AM
hey is the board wiped clean??? waaah, i thought that perhaps some of me lived on, but the board certainly looks blank - that's a shame =(
(who cares about residents anyway)
Posted by: Ener Hax | Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Hey Ener - the board lives on! Don't despair. We painted the office last winter and moved stuff around. It is now hanging on the wall in the Game Cave next to the Velvet Elvis.
Posted by: Erica Linden | Monday, July 25, 2011 at 12:04 PM