And you thought Second Life could not get any cooler? In Kenzo TPed me over to an incredible, enormous virtual reality simulator on Commonwealth Island built by Stephane Zugzwang. You stand on a small suspended, semi-opaque platform high above a mountain range. As you click on a large sampling of images on a floating screen, a gigantic 360 degree panoramic image is displayed around you. The level of detail and versimiliture is simply breathtaking. Click on the image for the hi-res version of Paris, or just head over to Commonwealth Island.
I caught up with Stephane and chatted with him about the build and somehow got on the topic of corporations in Second Life. Keep reading for Stephane’s thoughts on this.
[Image credit: Eric Rougier. Check out the rest of his amazing panoramic photos at http://fromparis.com]
Stephane: Resident developed technology is expanding what serious investors/players can do in SL, proving how Linden Lab is right in its model.
Me: So are you feeling the need to push back against the corporate invasion?
Stephane: oh, I think corporations are going to be the best CUSTOMERS of the community. They can’t MAKE significant money out of SL, but they have to become part of our fabric, just like in real life. Only, I think the producers and inventors are in a much better place to keep control of what SL is.
Me: I think of the analogy of western consultants parachuting into third world countries tell them how to run their social services as an apt metaphor. i.e. not relying on local talent.
Stephane: I think for the time being corporations are going to be our CUSTOMERS — not running the show.Look at what Starwood is doing – learning from the community.
Me: I think Prok does have a point about how a lot of htis is being funneled through a small handful of in-world development / marketing companies. I.e. Electric Sheep, Millions, Rivers Run Red, etc.
Stephane: Yes, they have VERY talented content creators and efficient workflows. Also they charge USDs and GBPs so they make a living 🙂
Me: yes. But his point is that lots of in-world party and club promoters do much better resident promotions, but don’t get these huge corporate gigs.
Stephane: Yeah. Different public, different workflows. They’re making money off the corporations, residents are making money off other residents. Two economies that don’t mix at all. The corporations are not interested in the SL economy, but in the SL community.