Philip Linden: So this is the metaverse…
Philip Linden: but the part Neal didn’t cover was how it all started…
Philip Linden: which was by the population building games and other forms of digital fun.
Philip Linden: Kind of like we all live on this island,
Philip Linden: together,
Philip Linden: and the ‘export’ that keeps us fed and clothed is entertainment.

A part of the chat that undoubtly stroke me! Having a fervent liking for Snow Crash myself, and with the way SL is shaped, the underlying reference to the Metaverse itself is quite evident, and has been from the start. This has always raised quite an amount of questions and thoughts for me, about the way we perceive ourselves in it, the way it may play a role in how we do shape ourselves (remember my Avatar Thoughts entry), the “personae” we become – and this, way more than in any other game, given the high degree of customization we have here, what with being able to make almost real-looking skins and create our own brands of ideal clothes… Sure, there are differences, but the similarities are way enough to realize that it indeed may be the closest thing to a “Metaverse” that we now have. The comment about its beginning, too, was pretty fascinating. Yes, what if? It’d be quite some fun to be able to say, a few decades from now on, “I’ve seen the beginning of the Metaverse as we know it today!” chuckles and daydreams

Of course, this meeting raised some questions that are just as interesting! Including an admittance that 1.5 was indeed too rushed, and a bit of talk about what I think are interesting features and inquiries into problems. It seems to me that this way of communication between “the high ups” and the player base is an excellent approach; it helps in building trust and understanding, and in spite of my own lack of experience in most online games out there, I don’t think many game companies actually do that. Maybe it’s not that much in itself… but I’m sure it means a lot no matter what.

Even though I went back home too late to attend it… there was a transcript of yesterday’s Town Hall meeting on the forums. Someday I will have to attend one, really, even if they don’t seem thatan exceptional thing in Second Life. But without further ado, and whether this is to be used as reference for myself or for potential readers… here’s the transcript!