On Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, Linden Lab announced a new partnership with Essential Inventory to bring Second Life subscribers and users “more discovery, more rewards, and more ways to experience everything the grid has to offer”.
With this new partnership, Second Life Subscribers (Plus, Premium and Premium Plus) and user will be able to benefit from the following:
Second Life subscribers:
Five curated gifts every month across a variety of categories – with the first gifts becoming available at 12:00 noon SLT on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 at the ACCESS shopping event, and at the dedicated Essential Inventory Premium Gifts region.
Early access to some of Second Life’s most popular shopping events – with the first early access opportunity being Sunday, May 10th, 2026 at the ACCESS shopping event.
All Second Life users:
Access to a new publication – What’s Hot in Second Life – which will be published every Tuesday at 1:00 SLT.
What’s Hot in Second Life is intended to be a curated guide highlighting “the most exciting and relevant content across the entire Second Life ecosystem”.
Essential Inventory began as a community-driven discovery platform of the kind encouraged by the Second Life Creator Partnership Programme. Whilst there are few details relating to the group(s) running Essential Inventory, the website does include the following information:
Founded in September 2022.
Boasts 3 million views over a 20 month period, with 285,487 site sessions in August 2025.
Has over 3,000+ e-mail subscribers.
Offers paid advertising for brands, etc., including “social boost packages”.
A “one-time free coverage” option to help promote a brand or event through Essential Inventory.
I first visited Astoria, a Homestead region held by Eromara Vita and Dots (Dotties Stoop), in December 2024 (see: Astoria’s wintertime in Second Life), and had intended to make a return view a lot sooner. However, things have been what they were, so to speak, and so May 2026 marks my first opportunity to make good on that hope of a revisit; and it turns out that being able to do so now is rather serendipitous for me, as the region had, for spring 2026, been redressed as a most pleasant Zen environment – oriental themes for region designs being a favourite for me.
Step into a sanctuary of stillness, where nature and serenity meet. Whether you seek meditation, a yoga session, or a moment of silence away from the noise of daily life, this tranquil space offers the perfect escape. Come as you are. Leave renewed.
– Astoria’a About Land description
Astoria, May 2026
In this iteration, the region stands as a series of six small islands, each of which features Alex Bader’s excellent Zen Garden building kit (a personal favourite of mine) as the foundation for their overall look. Arranged in a rough circle, the islands are in turn surrounded by an off-region range of rugged, forested hills which enfold them in a gentle hold, cutting them off from the rest of the world somewhat and adding to their sense of tranquillity.
Separated by deep, clear waters, five of the six islands are connected one to another by a mix of bridges and stepping stones, allowing visitors to move between them without getting wet. However, the sixth is somewhat separated from the others in that no stepping stones or bridge runs across to it.
Astoria, May 2026
This separation appears to be by intent rather than any oversight in providing either a bridge or stepping stones, as it stands as a venue for music events (the next being May 15th and featuring Bsukmet – click the information board on the island for a direct Landmark). Given this use, the island is also a little different in appearance to the others, being formed as a stage, with a dancefloor of stones floating before it on the water for dancing.
The Landing Point for the region is located on the tallest of the six islands. This is topped by a small teahouse offering views out over the other islands. A short gravel path with seating links the teahouse with steps leading down to the water’s edge. Here, stepping stone branch out from the island to provide the means to get to two more of the islands.
Astoria, May 2026
One of these island is home to a shrine which has suffered some external damage. However, Buddha still sits serenely inside while a statue of Bishamonten (a Japanese form of the Indian god Vaisravana) outside, keeping his proper place and guarding Buddha. A short bridge connects the shine island with a small, flat island topped by a gravel circle with a place to sit and a bamboo fountain.
Buddha is also to be found on the other island which can be reached via the stepping stones from the Landing Point. Here, he resides outdoors in the lee of a tall rock. A pillow is placed before him for those wishing to meditate with him, while a yoga mat on the other side of the rock offers the opportunity for exercise. The entire island takes the form of a small Zen garden looped by gravel paths with water features and places to sit.
Astoria, May 2026
A long span of a bridge allows the Zen garden walk to continue on the last of the larger island in the group. This is again low-lying and offers places to sit and contemplate, the peace only broken by the slow clunk of another bamboo fountain as its arm fills with water before dropping to deposit the water into another little stream.
As well as the islands and their walks, the waters here also present points of interest for photographers: lanterns float on the water under a bridge and among lilies; a small dragon fountain sits on a rock rising from the waters, whilst a large water dragon appears to be keeping an eye on the Landing Point and teahouse. The gardens also have lots of little touches to bring them to life without every breaking from their sense of serenity.
Astoria, May 2026
In all, another engaging and pleasant design from Dots and Ero.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 