Friday, 19 June 2009
CONNIE IN BLUE MARS
I Met a Martian I attended an interview at Metanomics with Jim Sink, Vice President of Business Development of Avatar Reality, the creators of new virtual world, Blue Mars (BM) held at 1pm SLT (6AM my time!!).Ok, maybe getting me up at some ungodly hour makes me cranky, So I can’t type something like “Quick, sign up, now, sell your firstborn for a region. OMG I wet my pants over that dress I saw in BM”It was basically a “ra ra” interview extolling what are the wonderful things you will be able to do and experience in BM. Metanomics will be offering a full transcription of the interview but you can read Bettina’s overview here http://npirl.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-answers-and-more-questions.htmlQuestions put forward in chat, but not able to be addressed in the time available will be answered later by Jim I hear. Here is a very quick rundown on the things I feel may be important to those reading about it here.
1. Many thousands of users will be able to simultaneously log into a single “city.”. So, no walking through wet mush when attending an event. If they get over 10,000 people in a region, they can “shard” that server.
2. Blue Mars Dollar ..a currency system that “lets developers easily and securely charge for items and subscriptions.” However, There are no refunds on Blue Mars currency and end users can't cash out…that is.. unless you are a developer!! For me..I’ve NEVER cashed out in SL..maybe helped pay some tier..so this isn’t an issue.
3. Not decided wether to allow alt accounts (I declare an interest..I HATE Alts)
4. They haven’t decided on whether to”allow “ sex on Blue Mars. (come again?)
5. No approval process for content..so..no sex ..but no oversight..hmmmm. So, first “developer” to pay the setup costs and open a region that allows sex wins the prize JYadda yadda yadda.Anyway, not a single “Woot” was typed, gestured or voiced the entire time. These are serious minded people folks. A registered developer I spoke to still couldn’t log in and get her SDK. Though BM is open in beta for registered Devs I hear. All the usual hiccups and fallovers are occurring I’m sure. I heard it said that this was perhaps the most well attended Metanomics interview yet. And I can imagine why. Many are looking to expand and have better tools for creation. And many are just so “over” SL it’s not funny. LL certainly haven’t read “How to win friends and influence people”.
Maybe the BM people have, cos they are leaving the “governance” to those who run individual regions. How that will work I have no idea. Can you imagine someone “tping” from ‘Virtual Disneyland” over to “Tentacle land “ for a quick ride in the swamp?On a personal note, I’m registered (back in Dec) and I expect to be in on day one. Blender installed and mouse over my shapes already. I’ll not be a Dev from day one, but I plan to rent ASAP, perhaps have some content going and have my usual pic taking thing going there as well. I’m looking forward to the digital anarchy and being a clueless noobe again..the wonder, the excitement. I may even get an offer of an “illegal” sex animation.Labels: explore, lifestyles, news, people
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