Well, it’s official. As of today, MSL (operated by Anshe Chung) now effectively owns Azure Islands.
What does this mean? Well, overall, it means that a single land owning company now controls some 7.5% of private estates. May not sound a lot, but it is a bit of a clouting stick.
For Azure Island residents, it hopefully means that things will continue more-or-less “as is” under the new management, and both the outgoing Azure management and the incoming MSL team have stressed this, while indicating that perhaps some 5% of Azure residents may have to face relocation as MSL move to break up some of the Azure estates to provide “greater privacy and less lag” (to quote the MSL note to Azure residents).
The Azure team themselves are stating the reason for the transfer is simply that they’re in need of a change after some 5 years in the business – and as I previously noted, Adam Zaius does have his OS Grid interests that must be taking up a lot of time.
Change is a natural part of business. While some Azure residents may be adversely affected by the hand-over, it has to be said that while unfortunate, their disaffection doesn’t spell the end of SL or anything else; one can sympathise, but one isn’t going to chastise the Azure management or anyone else for the woo that some may encounter.
To me, the burning questions remain related to the wider implications of this move. While on the one hand, one cannot blame those behind Azure for wanting to move on to new challenges, there is still something deep down about the timing of this change that concerns me – although what it is, I can’t rightly say.
Then there is the potential impact on smaller private estate owners. MSL / Dreamland is now a very powerful voice in LL’s ear, and one wonders at possible future implications in this. Again, none may be forthcoming, but given Jack’s penchant for behind-closed-doors deals, one has to wonder.
The entire – topography – of land sales and rentals is changing; the Azure move is in many respects “simply” another part of this. Doubtless some will cheer what appears to be another step in Adam Zaius’ departure from SL, while others will point to the sky and claim chunks of it are falling. I don’t think either is the case – but by the same token, I’m glad I’m no longer in the land business myself.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 