When it comes to the history of Second Life, there are many who may claim to hold some of the facts and figures and legends and tales. However, were the truth to be told, there is really only one person who has spent years carefully building what is perhaps the most complete history of Second Life’s long and growing history, and then synthesising it down in a manner that can be easily digested and appreciated: Sniper Siemens.
For the last decade (or more!) Sniper has been gathering, compiling and curating information representing as much of Second Life’s history as possible. Since 2014, this information has been displayed by Sniper in a series of installation at events and venues across the grid. I personally first encountered it that year, when it was hosted by the Linden Endowment for the Arts (LEA), and have also covered several iterations of the History since then over the years. So when Sniper IM’d me to tell me the History has a new (and hopefully permanent!) home, I knew I’d have to make sure it went to the top of my list of places to visit!
This new home is on land graciously provided to Sniper by Xerses Goff , creator and curator of the Primitive Museum, of which the History now forms a part, sitting as it does within the campus alongside the Learning Lighthouse (itself part of SL’s history although currently being refurbished by Xerses) and just across the water from the original Primitive Museum (with the two connected by shuttle pod). In fact, the campus is an ideal location for the History, being located in Sansara’s historic Old World regions, and the hub of a developing educational project Xerses is bringing together.
For those unfamiliar with the Old World, it is the name given to what are many of SL’s earliest / original regions, including Da Boom. Also to be found within it are Rosedale, Kapor (for Mitch Kapor, the founding investor in Linden Lab), Omidyar with its eye-in-hand craved onto the seabed, and more besides. Similarly, a number of historic and important centres are also awaiting discovery / visit here – such as the Ivory Tower of Primitives, where many first learned (and continue to learn) the magical pleasure of shaping and trimming prims and then gluing them together.
The History actually starts outside its main building, where a small garden acts as the landing point. Here can be found a number of artefacts, together with introductory boards easing visitors through the doors of the main building. It is flanked on one side by the dock where shuttles across the water can be obtained, and on the other by a large plaza presenting images, information and landmark givers for some of the historic locations around SL which remain available to this day for visits by the interested / curious.
Within the garden, Sniper offers a dip into a little of SL lore, providing the story behind the platform’s association with hippos. More lore (some of it perhaps known by many, perhaps new to others) can be found just inside the main building’s entrance, where boards provide short histories behind terms such as Land Baron, Prim Hogging and more, whilst revealing the history of Linden Bears and why those who have been in Second Life a very long time might still be awaiting receipt of their mule (does a pony really compensate?), the origins on Linden Bears and more.
From the entrance, the history unfolds year-by-year as visitors travel around the building’s halls, with information imparted via written boards supported by images and interactive elements (be sure to mouse-over the different displays to see which might be clickable!). And in case you’re a veteran of past iterations of the History and so are tempted to hurry through the “early years” because you’ve seen it before – don’t! There are elements and information which are new to the History, and again the result of Sniper’s tireless investigations and research.
In all, the ground level of the History takes you from 1999 and The Rig, through LindenWorld to Second Life as it was in mid-2009. A teleport at the end of the level’s walk carry visitors up to the next floor, where 2009 continues before passing on to 2010 and the years through to 2021. Above this, 2022 and 2023 await, with the rest of the floor ready to be populated as 2024 unfolds.
Throughout all of it, Sniper presents a rich and engaging mix of SL’s history, covering technical developments and innovations (server updates, viewer changes, capabilities from mesh to PBR, etc.,), through to many more of the legends and general history of the platform, together with looks at the (sometimes confrontational) relationship between residents and Lab; recalls some of those most notable for their impact on Second Life – Linden Lab personnel and residents alike; and remembers various notable communities and events. Each display area is carefully separated from its neighbours, allowing each to be focused upon without distraction, while the use of visual media is exceptionally well-considered and balanced throughout.
As well as the history of Second Life, the History building also presents a celebration of the Burning Life / Burn 2 celebrations held in-world in reflection of the annual Burning Man event held in the western United States – just take the teleport from the upper level of the History to the rooftop terrace to tour it. Plus, for those seeking more Second Life history, there is the Primitive Museum Teleport Trail, a trip through 25+ historical places across Second Life. Just look for the historic landmark sign to the front right of the History building, between it and the Learning Lighthouse.
For history enthusiasts and / or those curious about the platform in which we spend so much of our time and how it got to be what it is, Second Life History is an invaluable visit / resource. Kudos to Sniper for the many years spent gathering and curating the information it contains, and thanks to Xerses for providing the land on which it can be hosted.
Slurl Details
- The History of Second Life, Primitive Museum (Immaculate, rated General)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 