Starting today, Second Life residents can help us test access to Second Life directly through the browser, with no download or GPU required.  Initial testing will use the standard viewer UI, but in the next phase of work we will dramatically simplify the user interface, with the overall goal of greatly improving the accessibility of Second Life for a larger audience.     

How to Participate:

• New Residents: Beginning next week, a fraction of new registrants will be randomly selected to experience their first Second Life session through their browser during the sign-up process.
• Existing Residents: You can try the new browser-based experience for yourself by visiting zero.secondlife.com.  During our test phase, the web version of Second Life is not meant to serve as a replacement for your desktop Viewer or mobile app. We are still in early experimental development of this project, so please note that capacity is limited, and wait times may occur. Session durations will be time-restricted during this phase.

Important Notes for Current Residents:

• No Changes to Existing Viewers: The downloadable Second Life Viewer and popular Third-Party Viewers (like Firestorm) will continue to be fully supported. This browser-based initiative is an addition to existing platforms, not a replacement.
• Testing in Progress: While we encourage you to explore the browser-based version, we kindly ask that you avoid creating new accounts just to access this feature, as this may skew our testing data.
• Known Issues:  For the initial release of this browser-based Viewer, you cannot upload files, voice chat is not yet enabled, and chat history and preferences are not stored across sessions. However, we do plan to address some of these limitations in future updates.
• Give Feedback: Your feedback will help us in the design process. For this first phase, we are most interested in finding any failure cases where you are unable to connect at all. 
• Forum Post: Join the conversation in our designated forum post for this topic.  

‘Project Zero’

Our internal name for this initiative is ‘Project Zero’, because our goal is to reduce to zero the barriers to getting into Second Life:  the system requirements, the possibility of not being able to install or crashing, and the many barriers present to getting accustomed to the interface.  

Roadmap

To make Second Life accessible to a larger audience, we will begin by using cloud-based servers to render the world, adding a simplified, modern UI built from web components.  We will start with basic UI elements like chat and navigation, using design patterns similar to those we are using in the mobile client.  Then, working closely with Second Life content developers, we will re-write the most difficult components, such as HUDs and editing your avatar.  The final experience will be a dramatically simpler and more accessible UX, without reducing the full richness of experiencing the world.  Server-side rendering and streaming means we can increase frame rates without reducing graphic quality, while reducing and ultimately eliminating crashing and other bugs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wasn’t streaming tried in the past?   
Yes, a couple of times. However, the price/performance for the underlying streaming technology and service has changed greatly in the last couple years – partially because of the rise of AI and GPUs in the cloud. It is now possible to stream pixel-perfect 1080p with no detectable lag. As part of this experiment, we will be closely monitoring operational costs in relation to its positive impact on growth and retention for return on investment. 

Isn’t streaming too expensive?  
Yes, it is still pretty expensive, which is partly why there are limits on access right now.  But we believe that prices will continue to rapidly decline, aided in part by the interest in GPUs driven by AI projects.  SL is unique in both being very graphically rich, as well as being used by a lot of non-gamers with older PCs.  We think streaming could help bridge that gap.  

What does this mean for Firestorm and other Third-Party Viewers?  
No changes:  We aren’t changing anything with Third-Party Viewers, who remain an important and preferred way for the majority of residents to access Second Life.  We may also partner with third party viewers to experiment with streaming their versions as well.  

Do you need a fast internet connection?  
Anyone who can watch Netflix can use Second Life in the browser. And, as mentioned above, you can still access Second Life from the official or third party viewers. 

Will it work on mobile? 
No.  This project is designed for laptop and desktop access, but without the need for a download, fast CPU, or graphics card.  The streaming technology might be adapted for future mobile use, but not right now.  The SL Mobile Client is available on iOS and Google Play stores.   

What about shopping?  
In the first phase, there will be no changes to the shopping experience in Second Life. As we complete the second phase of UX changes, we will include avatar dressing, HUDs, and shopping, working closely with SL content developers.

What about avatar customization?  
Initially there will be no change, but we will start modernizing UX elements and we probably won’t get to avatar customization in Q1.  We are certain that in the long-term, there are needed changes and improvements. 

Will you charge for this in the future?   
Hopefully not.  We’ve not figured out the costs yet. 

Have A Great Weekend And don’t forget to check out The Nocturne Project  Taking waiting list spots now!

Happy December, Residents! The holidays are here, and we’ve packed the season with festive fun for everyone. From epic shopping sprees to snowball battles, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate in Second Life this winter. Here’s a peek at what’s coming your way:

2024 Holiday Shop & Hop

The 2024 Holiday Shop & Hop is almost here with 320 participating merchants across 16 shopping regions, bringing you loads of festive fun! Every store will have at least a 20% discount on all items and a free (non-group) gift for shoppers or a gift certificate valued at L$300 or above!

The event formally opens to the public on Friday, December 6th at 9 AM PT/SLT – but who wants to wait when you can get early access?! If you can’t contain your excitement, join the official Second Life Birthday group inworld to be granted immediate access.

Before you jump inworld, you can get a sneak peek at many of the items that will be available in the official Second Life Shop & Hop Flickr pool. And don’t forget to share photos of your haul after your shopping excursion!

To visit the 2024 Holiday Shop & Hop – start at any one of the Regions – but be sure to visit them all to see everything that’s available. Happy shopping!

Scroll to the end of this post for a complete list of all 320 participating Shop & Hop Merchants and their direct slurls!

Winter Last Names 2024

To celebrate the winter holiday season, we have released some festive new last names!

The following winter-themed names are only available for a limited time:  
Candyclaws
Merry
Frostlake
Candlewick
Prancer
Silverbells
Mistlefluff
Alegria
Befana
Hollyberry

These names for winter are seasonal and may come back around this time next year, for a limited time.

We will continue to make additional updates to the available last name pool, so if these options aren’t for you, stay tuned for future updates. You can also suggest your favorite name on our suggestion form, the new names were chosen from there! 

For more information about the costs and how-tos involved in name changes, read the Changing your username FAQ. Click to change your name now!

New Winter Premium & Premium Plus Gifts

Premium members, get ready for a special treat! Enjoy an exclusive, limited-edition Premium and Premium Plus gift designed to bring extra holiday cheer and charm to your inworld adventures. Drop by one of the Premium Gift kiosks and pick up your exclusive holiday gift!

Santa Patch & “The Molelves”

Mark your calendars for Friday, December 6, 2024! From 12 PM to 3 PM PT/SLT, join us for a special festive event with Santa Patch and the “Molelves”!

Stop by for holiday fun, photos, and plenty of cheer. Share your Christmas wishes, and don’t miss out on the exclusive Frosty Puff Boopie, available only at the Christmas Expo!
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

📍 Location: Santa Patch & The Molelves

Linden & Resident Snowball Fight

Grab your warm clothes and prepare for some snowy mayhem at the Winter Wonderland Snowball Fight Arena! This year’s event promises sparkling snowballs, big laughs, and a chance to face off against your favorite Lindens.

Event Details

• When? Friday, December 20th
  • First battle: 8 AM – 9 AM PT/SLT
  • Second battle: 12 PM – 1 PM PT/SLT
• Location: Winter Wonderland Snowball Fight Arena

Arrive early to snag your free snow-launching gear from vendors around the arena. Assemble your squad and prepare for the ultimate showdown. See you on the battlefield! Mark your calendars!

Winter Wonderland

Explore Winter Wonderland by Linden Lab, opening at 7 AM PT/SLT on Friday, December 6, 2024. Winter Wonderland is your go-to holiday destination! You can access this magical region through Portal Park or by direct teleport. Once inside, dive into the action with competitive snowball fights in the arena, race down the slopes in an exciting sledding mini-game, and glide gracefully across a picturesque ice skating rink.

Join the Snowflake Hunt to discover hidden treasures and collect the exciting new 2024 Boopies as your prizes! The Snowflake Hunt is open for everyone to enjoy throughout December.

Snowflake Hunt: Collect Limited-Edition Boopies

The Snowflake Hunt is an exciting activity within the Winter Wonderland regions! This hunt is all about tracking down snowflakes scattered throughout the frosty landscape to win exclusive prizes.

Collect all the snowflakes to claim limited-edition 2024 Boopies! These adorable and festive collectibles are only available during this event, making them the perfect winter keepsake.

How to Join the Snowflake Hunt:

1. The hunt kicks off at 7 AM PT/SLT on Friday, December 6, 2024.
2. Visit the Winter Wonderland region and pick up your Snowflake Hunt HUD.
3. Locate hidden snowflakes throughout Winter Wonderland.
4. Collect snowflakes to unlock your exclusive Boopies!

The hunt runs throughout December, so there’s plenty of time to track down all the snowflakes. Happy hunting!

Second Life Swaginator Hunt for Winter

Are you ready for a winter adventure filled with even more prizes? The Second Life Swaginator Hunt returns with a seasonal spin, offering frosty fun and fantastic treasures!

How It Works

• The hunt kicks off at 7 AM PT/SLT on Friday, December 6, 2024.
• Start your journey: Pick up the free Swaginator HUD from one of the kiosks inworld.
• Solve the clues: Explore winter-themed locations and uncover unique prizes.
• Collect all the gifts: Complete the hunt to gather an exclusive bundle of seasonal items.

This exciting treasure hunt runs throughout the entire month of December, so bundle up and dive into the adventure. Hidden treasures await—don’t miss out!

Winter Swaginator Hunt

The Second Life Swaginator Hunt returns with a seasonal spin, offering frosty fun and fantastic treasures! Pick up the free Swaginator HUD from the kiosk, attach the HUD from your inventory and teleport to winter-themed locations, then complete the hunt by gathering an exclusive bundle of unique prizes and seasonal items. This exciting treasure hunt runs throughout the entire month of December, so bundle up and dive into the adventure. Hidden treasures await! Happy hunting!

More Info Teleport

Winter Attractions on the Destination Guide

If you’re looking for even more winter activities, there are already 100 snow-covered locations in the Winter Attractions category on the Destination Guide. We’re adding new regions daily, so if you have a spot you’d like to invite other Residents to explore, make sure to check out the submission guidelines and submit yours today!

Wishing a safe and happy holiday season to everyone in our virtual community! ❄️🎄🧑‍🎄

A complete list of all participating Shop & Hop Merchants and their direct slurls is below: