Second Life is officially a game, and a skill game at that: Linden Lab's new Horizons Experience on the mainland comes with a residential area, and a series of adventure games:
This 5 quest storyline takes you through various challenges laid out by the evil Dr. Talpa. Everything from vicious splorches, killer robots, laser defense systems, the terrifying pet Fluffy, all the way to hidden traps, mazes, puzzles and more! Residents will have to use the provided weapons to defeat menacing foes, while taking on other elements with their own wit.
Looks like fun (video below). The most interesting hook (which you can see in the wiki) is it appears like prizes include Linden Dollars (see screengrab above), which can then be sold and converted into real money. So play Second Life, win real money. This is an expansion of the skill games area Linden Lab launched last Summer. Assuming they can market it to the outside world well, this may actually bring in some new players. Though according to Blogging SL, new players can't just automatically grab themselves L$:
There are prizes to be won (not so great from my point of view, especially for adults) as well as ‘random’ money rewards. But not everyone can win the money. There are some hoops to make your way through if you want those lindens in your pockets.
So these games are also a way to get more players to attach their credit card or another payment method to their account. Well played, LL.
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A bit late for the train here: Linden Realms and PaleoQuest also have L$ payouts.
Posted by: Marianne McCann | Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 02:47 PM
Cutting edge graphics yet again. I mean, who, outside of SL users, would not want to play this amazing looking game! the voice acting spectacular. Would love to see it on Steam, if only to read through the rave reviews :)
Posted by: JohnC | Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 12:25 AM
I deeply feel like launching a crazy crowdfund to gather a few millions and buy SL from LL, than turn it into a decent platform, building a huge team just for real customer service and make ALL DAMM prices go down for one third and still profit for an huge margin - launch an international conference to hear everyone and tune it all up accordingly and end this damm incompetence that nowadays can barely harness one fourth of users and creators capacity and motivation - I would eat down the belky all other hyped competitors - Crazy measures make crazy heavens, sometimes
Posted by: Carlos Loff | Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 04:27 AM
The most ironical thing, as WE all know deep down on our conscience is that - IT IS STILL NOT TO LATE, AT ALL
Posted by: Carlos Loff | Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 04:30 AM
I kinda agree with Carlos Loff. No, I don't think that it's too late for SL. I do think that the platform needs help. I think the base avatars need elevated and the prices need to come down. The biggest growth opportunity that has been squelched is for the ability of residents to bring their real life friends and family into this broken mess. I'm willing to help someone I know, for a few evenings. learn the ropes. But right now, SL requires that everyone is born handicapped and has to make their way to society through surgery, Prosthesis, and grueling rehabilitation. Only to face a life of extremely expensive care. What's not to love about that?
Posted by: Clara Seller | Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 06:03 AM
Clara, great analogy, made me smile :)
Posted by: JohnC | Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 06:46 AM
I completely agree with the comments you quoted --- since they were MINE. Note that *Blogging SL* is a FEED (one that I no longer feed into on purpose but looks like it is still happening).
The original article you quoted from plus a lot of research is here: http://chicatphilsplace.blogspot.com/2016/11/linden-labs-new-mainland-experience.html
As mentioned by a previous comment Linden REALMS have been paying out money for years and at one time you could make a real life US buck a day without a lot of effort. The realms are still the most popular destination for those actually wanting to make some money -- even though the rezzing of premium crystals has been cut back a bunch.
Since only those with payment info on file, payment info used AND lindens purchased can get the RANDOM money payouts in the new game (like what 10 linden? Don't know as I haven't found many people playing) the number of folks that can automatically play for money is low -- and most likely the folks in that category are not all that interested. Put in some useful prizes like hair or shoes or jewelry and there might be more folks playing for the prizes.
I am having a difficult time wondering why that last "purchase of lindens" was added (other than that would bring a bit of cash to The Lab from fees).
Very nice area though.
Posted by: Chic Aeon | Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 11:40 AM
Good point on Linden Realms paying out L$ prizes too, I had missed that. Kinda curious why LL is not marketing this aspect more.
Posted by: Wagner J Au | Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 01:14 PM
what happened to the idea that 'gambling wasn't allowed' and they shut all those sims down ? .. or is this not 'gambling' ?
Posted by: adec | Friday, November 18, 2016 at 07:54 PM