Iria

In the 3D online world "Second Life," players can fly, turn themselves into dragons, build fantastical houses, drive supercharged hovercrafts and do just about anything else they can imagine. In short, if they have the skills to create it, they can do it.

As long as they're 18 or older.

But on Monday, Linden Lab, the publisher of the virtual world, is expected to launch what it is tentatively calling "Second Life for Teens."

"It was pretty evident for us that 'Second Life' was a terrific environment for kids," said Robin Harper, Linden Lab's senior vice president of community. "Every time a teen would sit down in front of 'Second Life,' he or she would immediately get it."

In fact, she said, company employees often found teens playing the game. But because behavior in "Second Life" can take on just about any flavor, including an erotically explicit one, it has always been for adults only. Thus, Harper said, teens discovered "in-world" were always banned.

"Second Life" is one of the leading examples of a type of massively multiplayer online game known as a metaverse. Its 40,000 users create nearly all of its content using 3D modeling and scripting tools, and they have few boundaries. Its members pay a one-time fee of $10 and monthly fees if they buy virtual property in the game.
__________
Read More / Source: News.com