Anyone ever play "2d life"

[BeeR]

My niece and nephew have friends getting into this so naturally they are interested...is it "kid safe?" My sister is asking me (since I'm in IT she thinks I know all this stuff) so I said I'd do a little research. Figured someone here has at least tried it. Seems to me the potential for assorted nut jobs is considerable, but admit I don't know squat about it, except that it's like some "virtual word" you can walk around in and......I don't know what you do exactly. ?

[kpholmes]

My niece and nephew have friends getting into this so naturally they are interested...is it "kid safe?" My sister is asking me (since I'm in IT she thinks I know all this stuff) so I said I'd do a little research. Figured someone here has at least tried it. Seems to me the potential for assorted nut jobs is considerable, but admit I don't know squat about it, except that it's like some "virtual word" you can walk around in and......I don't know what you do exactly. ?

It's exactly that - a virtual world where you build up your assets and interact with other people.

 

Like any online game such as WoW, there is always the potential to come across nut jobs and people who run their potty mouths. There will be absolutely no way for the parents to regulate what the kids say, and more importantly what other people say to them within the game.

 

FWIW, My younger brother started playing online games like this when he was around 12 years old. While a lot of things went right over his head, he did bring questions to the dinner table that no 12 year old should be asking.

 

If these kids are very sheltered, it could be too much for them.. But if they can hold their own with the middle-school/high school crowd and their derogatory language, it won't be that big of a deal.

[Zooty]

http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/11/second-life-aff/

 

how mature are they?

[Egret]

I think a safer pick would be a game like The Sims. It's offline so you wouldn't have to worry about interactions with other yahoos online. You still get to control a virtual life.

[BeeR]

kp not sure what "build up your assets" means. So it's like a Sim game or one of those empire-building games, just online? I thought it was more of a socialization game, sort of a glorified chat room thing.

 

http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/11/second-life-aff/

 

how mature are they?

Or even sane? I would assume (hope?) an extreme situation, but how scary is that? See it's this kind of "adult" stuff (to say nothing of loons who so blur the line between real life and a computer game) that my sister fears, and I don't blame her.

 

egret thx but they aren't interested in those; I think it's the thing of interacting with real people that is a large part of the appeal. Also being free doesn't hurt (mom can't argue cost ).

 

Thx all, appreciate it. If they had some kids-only version of this I think it'd be the ticket, but don't see how that's really workable.

[kpholmes]

kp not sure what "build up your assets" means. So it's like a Sim game or one of those empire-building games, just online? I thought it was more of a socialization game, sort of a glorified chat room thing.

Well, in traditional MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games) you do things like hunt, or pick up a craft like tailoring to accumulate wealth. As you do this more often, your skill in the specific trait increases, allowing you to take on harder tasks that reward you with more money. You save your money and buy houses or gear, and this and that, etc...

 

In Second Life however, I believe it's more real-world, modern based. From their website:

"Virtual job opportunities in Second Life abound. There are full time dancers, models, bouncers, architects, fashion designers, psychologists, event planners and DJs, to name a few."

[Savage Beatings]

I looked into Second Life a couple of years ago, and it was a complete waste of time. I'd say it was definitely not for kids either. I think that tehre are similar virtual worlds for kids though... I know I've seen them advertised during some of the cartoons that my son watches, but I don't remember the name of this one off hand. Sorry.

[muck]

I believe that a "second life" sort of game would be a bad idea for kids (and adults too).

 

Kids ... go outside.

 

Adults ... go volunteer somewhere and help people, go get a second job in a different industry if you want variety, etc. Why would you want a simulated life when a real one is just outside your front door?

[BeeR]

Well, in traditional MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games) you do things like hunt, or pick up a craft like tailoring to accumulate wealth. As you do this more often, your skill in the specific trait increases, allowing you to take on harder tasks that reward you with more money. You save your money and buy houses or gear, and this and that, etc...

 

In Second Life however, I believe it's more real-world, modern based. From their website:

"Virtual job opportunities in Second Life abound. There are full time dancers, models, bouncers, architects, fashion designers, psychologists, event planners and DJs, to name a few."

Maybe I shouldn't even ask but you've lost me again. "Virtual jobs?" Real jobs suck bad enough, why in the f would you want to play a game where you......go to work? Gee do you get to do household chores too? Virtual dusting and vacuuming maybe?

 

 

I believe that a "second life" sort of game would be a bad idea for kids (and adults too).

 

Kids ... go outside.

 

Adults ... go volunteer somewhere and help people, go get a second job in a different industry if you want variety, etc. Why would you want a simulated life when a real one is just outside your front door?

Exactly muck. I'm guessing laziness and the instant gratification (not like that you sickos I mean entertained easily) thing. But yeah it all seems to me a very strange wtpho. Like those medieval online games except without the medieval part. I can at least get that appeal, ie playing a game where you slay the monster or whatever and your friends are online doing it with you. But except maybe for chit chat, what's the appeal to an ordinary looking virtual world? I could maybe see if you were crippled or bedridden for some reason and had very limited options, but otherwise......

 

Anyway my niece and nephew have been lobbying hard for me to say it's OK, lol. PS they are old enough to know the birds and bees and kinda getting past that "Disney" innocent stage, so I think it's less a question of my sister freaking out on adult stuff (it's basically cartoon figures, how bad can it be, even they have probably seen the real thing by now) as it is just the bizarro factor in general...not just weird people online but she's heard about people doing these online games and becoming near addicts, and wants them move involved in non-computer stuff, esp as they're pretty bookish/nerdy and not into sports/etc...thing is that makes most of the "get out there" things are a hard sell. I'm trying to play neutral but gently back them away...they are countering with the "just try it! How do you know if you don't see for yourself?" bit (they aren't stupid, copied it from their parents getting them to eat dinner ) - I told them even I'm scared of it and that should be a clue, but of course that gets the "your generation doesn't understand" eye roll. Anyway thanks all.

[Savage Beatings]

I saw the commerical again this last Saturday morning... it was a site called Free Realms. It bills itself as being safe for kids, but I don't know that it is. Might be worth checking out.

[BeeR]

Thanks SB. You may have saved me from signing up to this thing to confirm it's inappropriateness. whew.

[matt770]

Anyway my niece and nephew have been lobbying hard for me to say it's OK, lol. PS they are old enough to know the birds and bees and kinda getting past that "Disney" innocent stage, so I think it's less a question of my sister freaking out on adult stuff (it's basically cartoon figures, how bad can it be, even they have probably seen the real thing by now) as it is just the bizarro factor in general...not just weird people online but she's heard about people doing these online games and becoming near addicts, and wants them move involved in non-computer stuff, esp as they're pretty bookish/nerdy and not into sports/etc...thing is that makes most of the "get out there" things are a hard sell. I'm trying to play neutral but gently back them away...they are countering with the "just try it! How do you know if you don't see for yourself?" bit (they aren't stupid, copied it from their parents getting them to eat dinner ) - I told them even I'm scared of it and that should be a clue, but of course that gets the "your generation doesn't understand" eye roll. Anyway thanks all.

 

Just wrong framework of discussion IMO. Adults decide what is appropriate and healthy for a child; if something is unhealthy, it's not open for debate. Instead of saying you don't understand it or you fear it, say you looked into it and it's a waste of time at best and an unhealthy escape from reality with addictive potential at worst, and kids should be outside interacting with other real people.

[detlef]

I believe that a "second life" sort of game would be a bad idea for kids (and adults too).

 

Kids ... go outside.

 

Adults ... go volunteer somewhere and help people, go get a second job in a different industry if you want variety, etc. Why would you want a simulated life when a real one is just outside your front door?

Werd, I feel bad enough spending so much time on a FF message board. The absolute last thing I need to do is go totally reinvent myself and party in some parallel world with a bunch of other vinegar bags doing the same thing. My cousin actually worked for the company who puts 2nd life on. Over drinks one night I asked him to break it down for me and, well

[BeeR]

Just wrong framework of discussion IMO. Adults decide what is appropriate and healthy for a child; if something is unhealthy, it's not open for debate. Instead of saying you don't understand it or you fear it, say you looked into it and it's a waste of time at best and an unhealthy escape from reality with addictive potential at worst, and kids should be outside interacting with other real people.

Do you have kids I don't, but even I know it's hardly that simple.

 

PS and I totally hear you on "not open for debate," but kids have a way of pestering, and these kids are good kids on the whole and from what I can tell, persistent but not obnoxious about it, although to be honest my sister and her Griswald husband aren't the firmest parents in the whole world....she lets them play video games anyway, so I think was figuring if they're being creative in some way and/or interacting w/people, that's better than killing another dragonbeast or whatever. It's just who they're interacting with that's the question.

 

The unhealthy escape/etc won't wash either, because their friends are loving it. From their perspective, who would you expect them to believe about how fun it is?

 

Exactly.

 

Anyway, against my better judgment I agreed to check it out first-hand because the kids agreed they would let it go if I did, as I've always been straight with them. wtph I'm unemployed, not like my time isn't flexible to do so. Pray for me.

[Big John]

Do you have kids I don't, but even I know it's hardly that simple.

No he doesn't

[matt770]

Do you have kids I don't, but even I know it's hardly that simple.

 

PS and I totally hear you on "not open for debate," but kids have a way of pestering, and these kids are good kids on the whole and from what I can tell, persistent but not obnoxious about it, although to be honest my sister and her Griswald husband aren't the firmest parents in the whole world....she lets them play video games anyway, so I think was figuring if they're being creative in some way and/or interacting w/people, that's better than killing another dragonbeast or whatever. It's just who they're interacting with that's the question.

 

The unhealthy escape/etc won't wash either, because their friends are loving it. From their perspective, who would you expect them to believe about how fun it is?

 

Exactly.

 

Anyway, against my better judgment I agreed to check it out first-hand because the kids agreed they would let it go if I did, as I've always been straight with them. wtph I'm unemployed, not like my time isn't flexible to do so. Pray for me.

 

I don't have kids, but I've seen a lot of parenting up close and I see what works. I have one uncle who ruled with a firm hand, but was also open and honest about his motives and gave a lot of his time to listen/coach/play outside/etc. All three of his sons earned degrees and are successful. I have another hippy-ish uncle who didn't want to squash his twin sons' creativity and rarely dished out any kind of disclipline, and they are both drug addicts who can barely hold jobs. These are extreme examples -- my point is that firm discipline can be tempered with love and respect, so the kids understand where it is coming from and don't become resentful. In fact, over time as they experience more and more of the human garbage being spewed out into the world by crappy lenient/absentee parents, they will appreciate their own foundation of discipline and common sense all the more.

 

If these are good, grounded kids as you say, then they will be receptive to an explanation of why you and their mom believe the game is a waste of time and potentially harmful. If you're saying they are used to wasting time with video games anyway and there are no existing ground rules regarding the time they can spend in front of the idiot box, then it becomes a more difficult battle. But I would say now is the time to draw that line in the sand because it's not going to get any easier as they reach their teens.

[BeeR]

Well said, in fact you're preaching to the choir 110% as I've soapboxed this many times, but again it's not that simple. And yes their parents are on the lenient side which makes it harder, but not way to the spineless hippy drippy deep end (usually). Basically they are old enough to reason with, but also old enough (and smart enough) that "because I said so," no matter how it's put ie firmly or tactfully, is going to cut it.

 

Anyway I'm committed now. Or I will be after this experience. I feel like I need to put a deep sea outfit on like in that movie Abyss.

[driveby]

good info here

[BeeR]

Charming.

 

I've almost wrapped up the time I promised to spend with this. My sister wanted me to sign up as a woman to see what kind of "hitting on" might go on (and language etc) but I couldn't bring myself, just too weird. I will say I haven't seen or heard anything like these little cartoon figures having sex or outright porn. (and I looked and looked! ) But it's weird/scary in other ways, including some not-for-kids ways. Let ya know more when I'm done and upset the kids w/my conclusions. If you dare read that is :shiver:

Edited March 29, 2010 by BeeR

[ABearWithFurniture]

I got to the part that said... "an adult hooked up to a teledildonic device"

[BeeR]

lol

 

OK my trial - which is a good word to use in more ways than one - is over and I learned more about this than I cared to. I consider this my good deed for Lent. Here's my .02 for anyone interested; would hardly blame you if not but again if you have or know kids interested....this is largely what I'm emailing to my sis (and a friend who I stupidly mentioned it to and also wanted to know about for similar reasons).

 

----------

 

First and to be fair, have to admit the news isn't all bad or scary. For starters, only once (more on that later) did I see/hear anything really pornographic or so "adult" that I would freak about kids - meaning like teens, not a 6 yr old - playing it. Not saying I advocate it, but it's not like diving into a porn shop by any means. And I looked and looked. Apparently the really adult areas are pay only (which is a good thing). Oh also you don't have "genitalia" - think Barbie/Ken dolls. Further, only once I did I see anyone really talking "dirty" and even swearing was pretty rare.

 

To a large extent it seems to be about what you'd figure, ie basically a zillion glorified chat rooms, except in "3D" with your character who can walk around/do whatever, so there is sort of an "action" aspect to it too. In fact re that, people largely don't just sit around and chat that I could tell; for ex there are apparently many games you can play much like other online ones, tho I didn't (I think this was the main draw for my nephew/etc and their friends). If they had that separately from the rest, it could be a great kids' site, no idea why they don't. Anyway -

 

You can walk around/check out admittedly a ton of number/types of places, which were often pretty detailed, even creative...if you're into computer graphics, esp if it relates to "virtual worlds" or maybe gaming, I could see joining to check it out. Along with stuff I expected like parks and "cities" (more like a city block or 3), I saw things like beaches, a winery, castle ruins, island getaways etc - even some re-creations of real places which I heard were accurate.

 

Also tons of malls/stores where you can "buy" almost anything, but far as I could tell mostly clothes, so I can see strong appeal for girls there. Lot of it is free, but they do have their own in-game currency (which you can purchase for real) to get other stuff. Apparently you can even buy your own plot of land and house (why you would want to I have no idea). Oh one other thing was I admit wasn't half bad: a lot of "pubs" which had streaming music - sometimes I went into a rock or blues place and just had it in the background like any online radio. In fact a lot of other places had streaming music too, all kinds (made the chatting more bearable if nothing else).

 

OK tried to give credit where due. Now the lame/scary parts. Don't read this right before going to bed.

 

One of the first things people told me was that my character (aka "avatar") looked too "noob" (newbie) and several people pointed me to places where you could not just get free clothes but essentially get a new body (if only we could do that in real life eh ). And yes, sure enough, there were places we went and they had big huge poster boards with a a lot of naked men and women (minus the male wankers) and you could buy one and with a few clicks bam, you look like them (anyone else flash back to some Twilight Zone show along those lines?). And there were people milling around doing the same. You can also then tailor it a lot ie tweak your height, weight, build, down to nose shape and eye color. "Odd" is putting the whole thing mildly. (note: this was the point where any lingering doubts I had about giving this a big thumbs down to my sis flew out of sight like an F-15 with afterburners blazing)

 

Even that aside, I wondered why would you want to play a game where you just walk around these places and/or stop to chat, as for me this got old pretty quickly. This also got lame if not outright scary pretty quickly, ie talking to people. Not all, but most. I expected a lot of kinda kiddie-ish, talk-about-nothing stuff, but I didn't expect (I guess I should've) all these people with either a lack of ability or even willingness to keep a sharp distinction between this thing and reality. More than once we would be talking about stuff like buying a house or relationships or going out tonight and turned out while I was talking reality, they were talking about it all within the confines of the game :shiver: ....oh and many get offended if you call it a game or dare to point out that it's not reality, no matter how tactful/delicate you are. Verrry scary, esp given that despite being easy to circumvent the age requirement, I gather most people on this are adults, or at least in late teens. You want more? Get this: people "get married" on this thing. Talk about be afraid.

 

PS: again all that said, I can see some legit application here. eg college courses online, the computer graphics aspects, maybe even the social aspect for people who are say handicapped or etc. But beyond that.........uh whatever......not for kids, but not because of porn worries. Hell it's not for anyone with a working brain that I can see.

Edited March 31, 2010 by BeeR