FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SECOND LIFE FIRST 3D ONLINE WORLD TO LET USERS POWER CHARACTER ANIMATIONS
Version 1.4 adds complex character development and more realistic movement to
online experience
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (June 15, 2004) - Linden Lab, creator of acclaimed 3D online
world Second Life, is announcing today that Version 1.4 delivers a variety of
new features enabling Residents to more fully develop and personalize their
identities and online experience through sound and motion.
Version 1.4 features include:
. Custom Character Animations – For the first time, Second Life Residents will
be able to animate their avatars to do almost anything they can imagine. Using
an open .bvh file format supported by products like Curious Lab’s Poser®,
Residents can create and upload animation files to Second Life endowing their
avatars with distinctive “moods” and movements. And, in creating everything
from guitar-strumming rock stars to world-class swimmers, Second Life Residents
are discovering they can live out their wildest dreams in-world. To date, users
have developed realistic boxing matches, recreated action sequences from major
movies and put together elaborate dance routines. The most talented Animators
will have their hands full trading and selling their work – adding to an
already robust in-world economy.
· Theme music for everyone – Live streaming audio support allows Residents to
link to Internet audio sources broadcasting among other things, live
sportscasts, talk shows, DJ soundtracks direct from real world clubs to Second
Life clubs and even programmed soundtracks for one’s own property.
· Live Connections to the Real World - XML-RPC allows data and commands to be
sent back and forth between disparate systems over the internet. In Second Life,
this means computers outside of Second Life can communicate with
Resident-created objects and scripts in-world. Some applications for XML-RPC
include faster in-world blogging, the ability to send newsfeeds into Second Life
and the capacity for store owners to manage their inventory remotely.
· Profess Your Love - With the new Profile option, Second Life couples can make
their relationships official. Married and connected Residents will be able to
designate their partners on their profiles in-world where their relationships
will be visible to the rest of the community. Can’t be married in real life?
Try Second Life.
The unique addition of Resident Created Animations to the Second Life feature
set adds new dimension to the Second Life experience. “The one thing I'm most
looking forward to with custom animations is the ability to really give avatars
a distinctive character.” says Second Life Resident and designer Chip
Midnight. “People with the motivation and a bit of skill will be able to
really make themselves unique in the Second Life world. Imagine a shuffling
bitter old man, a swaggering drunk, a hip swinging tight-rope walking
supermodel…as the community matures with the tools and how best to use them, I
think we'll see them used to create genuine character.” Some designers are
already making over USD$1,000 monthly selling their virtual clothes and goods in
Second Life—with over 240,000 transactions taking place and generating over
US$200K in sales every month.
“My fantasy is to be Uma Thurman in Kill Bill” says Philip Rosedale, CEO and
founder of Linden Lab. “And now I can. I’d pay $10 for her yellow jumpsuit
and sword moves and I’m sure other people would too. Custom Animations are
going to liberate the world of Second Life in ways I’m sure I can’t
imagine.”
About Linden Lab
Linden Lab was founded in 1999 by Philip Rosedale to create Second Life, a
revolutionary new form of shared 3D entertainment. The former CTO of
RealNetworks, Rosedale pioneered the development of many of today's streaming
media technologies, including RealVideo. Noted software pioneer Mitch Kapor,
founder of Lotus Development Corporation, serves as Chairman.
Recently named one of 2003’s Best by PC Magazine, Second Life is a digital
world like no other. Residents retain their intellectual property rights in
their creations, are able to own and control the land where they live and
congregate, are starting businesses that are paying off in real world income,
and have the freedom to shape the future of their digital reality. Second Life
is currently growing explosively at more than 30% per month.
Based in San Francisco, Linden Lab employs a senior development team bringing
together deep expertise in physics, 3D graphics and networking. Team members
have previously worked for market leading companies such as Electronic Arts,
Maxis, Disney, THQ, Acclaim, Hasbro, Mattel and RealNetworks.
Note to editors: Second Life® and Linden Lab™ are registered trademarks of
Linden Research, Inc. Kill Bill is a trademark of Miramax Film Corp.
Thanks David Libby
Related link: http://secondlife.com/
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