Second Life's low population density

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Filed under: Culture, Opinion, Second Life, Virtual worlds

One of the things that comes up repeatedly in third-party discussions about Second Life is the low population density, often with concern that it represents some manner of deficiency or failure. Two general points are made: Firstly that the Second Life grid lacks the ability to support very high densities, and second that the Second Life grid is largely "a deserted wasteland", due to the low active population per square metre. Take a moment to imagine the digital tumbleweeds.

Actually, there's a good reason for the second, and it makes the first rather irrelevant. Sure, the population density is low -- because, apparently, that's the way the users prefer it. Many individuals might prefer higher population densities within Linden Lab's virtual environment, but as an aggregate population Second Life users tend to actively select against that in practice.

Are you a part of the most widely-known collaborative virtual environment or keeping a close eye on it? Massively's Second Life coverage keeps you in the loop. Continue reading Second Life's low population density



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