How SecondLife and Sansar should have dominated the virtual reality domain in the current scenario and what were the reasons they failed to do so?

The virtual reality industry has been touted as one of the most promising technological advancements in recent years, with projections of its worth expected to hit over $30 billion by 2026. While the likes of Oculus, HTC, and PlayStation have been making great strides in the industry, there are two virtual worlds that were seen as the pioneers of virtual reality: Second Life and Sansar.

Second Life: An Online World of Endless Possibilities

Second Life is a virtual world that was launched in 2003 by Linden Lab. It is an online platform that allows users to create their own avatars and interact with others in a three-dimensional virtual world. It is a place where people can explore, create, and connect with others from all over the globe.

In Second Life, users can create their own virtual identities, known as avatars, which can be customized to look and act however they want. They can also create their own virtual environments, known as "simulations" or "sim", which can be anything from a simple room to a sprawling virtual city. Users can buy and sell virtual property, goods, and services using the platform's virtual currency, Linden Dollars.

courtesy: Linden Labs

One of the most unique features of Second Life is its user-driven economy. Users can earn real money by creating and selling virtual goods and services, such as clothing, furniture, and even virtual land. This has created a vibrant marketplace where users can showcase their creativity and entrepreneurship.

Second Life has also become a hub for virtual events, with users hosting everything from concerts and art shows to business conferences and educational lectures. It has even been used for virtual protests and political rallies.

In addition to its entertainment and economic potential, Second Life has also been used for education and research. Universities and museums have created virtual classrooms and exhibits, while researchers have used the platform to study social interactions and behaviors.

Second Life: Gameplay

Despite its many advantages, Second Life has also faced criticism and controversy. Some have criticized its emphasis on consumerism and materialism, while others have raised concerns about its potential for addiction and the possibility of virtual crime and harassment.

Despite these concerns, Second Life remains a popular and influential online platform. It has given people the opportunity to explore new identities and experiences, to connect with others from all over the world, and to participate in a truly global community. It is a place where anything is possible, and the only limit is one's own imagination.

SANSAR: The next update to SecondLife

Sansar was created by Linden Lab, the company behind the hugely successful Second Life platform. While Second Life remains popular, Sansar represents the next generation of virtual worlds. It is built on a completely new platform and has been designed from the ground up to take advantage of the latest technologies, including virtual reality.

At its core, Sansar is a platform for creating and sharing virtual experiences. Users can create their own environments using a range of tools and assets, from simple landscapes to intricate buildings and objects. These creations can then be shared with other users, who can explore them in a fully immersive 3D environment.

Getting Started with Sansar

One of the most exciting aspects of Sansar is its support for virtual reality. Users can explore environments using a range of VR headsets, including the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. This allows for an even more immersive experience, as users can move around and interact with objects using natural gestures and movements.

In addition to creating and exploring environments, Sansar also supports a range of social features. Users can chat with each other, make friends, and attend events. There are even virtual marketplaces where users can buy and sell virtual goods.

Steps to Create a Sansar account

One of the key strengths of Sansar is its focus on creativity. The platform provides users with a range of tools and assets to create their own environments, but it also encourages users to push the boundaries of what is possible. The Sansar team regularly runs contests and challenges to encourage users to create innovative and engaging experiences.

Overall, Sansar represents an exciting new frontier in virtual worlds. Its focus on immersive experiences, social features, and creativity make it a platform that is both fun and engaging. With virtual reality becoming more mainstream, it seems likely that Sansar and other virtual worlds like it will become increasingly popular in the years to come.

Why Second Life and Sansar both promised great success?

Second Life was launched in 2003 by Linden Lab, and it quickly became a cultural phenomenon, with over a million active users in its prime. The virtual world enabled users to create their avatars, interact with others, and build their virtual homes, businesses, and communities. The platform was known for its diverse user base and its ability to offer users unique experiences, from concerts to art exhibits.

Sansar, launched by Linden Lab in 2017, was billed as the successor to Second Life, a platform that would leverage the latest advancements in virtual reality technology to create a more immersive and engaging experience for users. The platform featured a comprehensive set of tools for creators, enabling them to build complex, interactive, and photorealistic environments.

Both Second Life and Sansar were heralded as the next big thing in the virtual reality domain, with experts predicting that they would soon dominate the market. However, things did not go as planned, and both platforms failed to reach the level of success that was expected of them.

Why they could not live up to their promise?

One of the primary reasons for their failure was the high cost of entry. Both Second Life and Sansar required a powerful computer and a virtual reality headset to use, and this meant that only a small percentage of users could access the platforms. The high cost of entry meant that many potential users could not afford to access the platforms, and this severely limited their user base.

Another significant factor that contributed to the downfall of both platforms was the lack of innovation. While Second Life was a trailblazer in its time, it failed to keep up with the advancements in virtual reality technology. The platform was slow to adopt new technologies, and this led to a stagnant user base. Similarly, Sansar failed to differentiate itself from its competitors, and it was unable to offer anything new to users.

Moreover, both platforms were plagued by issues of accessibility and usability. The user interfaces of both Second Life and Sansar were complicated and difficult to navigate, making it challenging for new users to get started. This led to a high churn rate, as many users would give up on the platforms before they could experience the full potential of the virtual worlds.

Finally, the lack of support from Linden Lab, the company behind both platforms, was also a significant factor in their failure. Linden Lab failed to provide the necessary resources and support to enable both platforms to thrive. The company's focus shifted to other ventures, leaving Second Life and Sansar to stagnate and eventually fall behind their competitors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Second Life and Sansar were seen as the pioneers of virtual reality, with the potential to dominate the market. However, their high cost of entry, lack of innovation, usability issues, and lack of support from their creators contributed to their failure. With the virtual reality industry projected to continue growing at a rapid pace, it remains to be seen if there will be another virtual world that can rise to the top and dominate the market.

Important Links:

SecondLife

SecondLife Website: https://secondlife.com/

Steps to Install SecondLife:

• Go to the SecondLife website at https://secondlife.com.
• Click on the "Join Free" button to create an account, or log in to an existing account if you already have one.
• After logging in, click on the "Download" button on the SecondLife homepage.
• Choose the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows or Mac) and click the "Download Now" button.
• Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
• After the installation is complete, launch SecondLife and log in using your account information.

System Requirements for SecondLife:

Minimum System Requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 7, 8, or 10 / Mac OS X 10.9 or later
• CPU: Intel Pentium III 1 GHz or equivalent / Intel Core 2 Duo 2 GHz or better
• RAM: 1 GB / 2 GB or more
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or better / ATI Radeon 9500 or better / Intel 945 chipset or better
• Internet Connection: Broadband (DSL or Cable)

Recommended System Requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 7, 8, or 10 / Mac OS X 10.9 or later
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2500 or better / AMD Phenom II X6 or better
• RAM: 4 GB or more
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or better / AMD Radeon R9 270 or better
• Internet Connection: Broadband (DSL or Cable)

SANSAR

Sansar Website: https://www.sansar.com/

Steps to Install Sansar:

1. Download the client from the Sansar Download page.
2. Locate the file in your browser's download folder.
3. Double click SansarInstaller.exe to start the installer.
4. Agree to install the program.
5. The Sansar Installer appears. Click Next to begin the installation process.
6. Review the License Agreement, select the box to Accept, and click Next.
7. You may choose an alternate install location for Sansar, and choose to add shortcuts to the desktop and startup menu.
8. Click Install to install Sansar.
9. Click Launch to run the Sansar Updater.
10. The Updater installs the latest version of Sansar and launches the program.

Note: Sansar is also available for download on the Steam platform. For information about how to install Sansar with Steam, see Steam integration.

Upgrading Sansar

It is not necessary to uninstall Sansar to install the latest version. The Sansar Updater automatically checks for and installs the newest version of Sansar.

Uninstall Sansar

To uninstall Sansar:

1. Access the Windows control panel.
2. On the control panel, select Uninstall a program under Programs.
3. Choose Sansar from the list of programs.
4. Click Uninstall. This opens the Sansar Installer.
5. Follow the prompts on the Sansar Installer to uninstall Sansar.

System Requirements:

Recommended system specs for VR users

Operating system	64-bit Windows 7 SP1 or newer
DirectX	DirectX 11 or higher
CPU	Intel i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350 equivalent or greater
Memory	8 GB+ RAM
Disk space	3 GB, plus additional disk space for VR Headset Installation
Video card	NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD Radeon R9 290 or greater
Bandwidth	10 Mbps recommended; 5 Mbps minimum. Check your bandwidth.
VR	To experience Sansar on Vive, you must install Steam and Steam VR. Steam and Steam VR is not required for Oculus Rift.
Audio	High-quality headphones recommended for an immersive spatial audio experience. Microphone required for voice chat.
Other	Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output
	2x USB 3.0 ports
Optional	Xbox One or Xbox 360 game controller

 Minimum system specs for VR users

Operating system	64-bit Windows 7 SP1 or newer
DirectX	DirectX 11
CPU	Intel i3-6100 / AMD FX4350
Memory	8 GB RAM
Disk space	3 GB, plus additional disk space for VR Headset Installation
Video card	NVIDIA GTX 960 / AMD Radeon R9 290 or greater w/ 4 GB dedicated video memory
Bandwidth	10 Mbps recommended; 5 Mbps minimum. Check your bandwidth.
VR	To experience Sansar on Vive, you must install Steam and Steam VR. Steam and Steam VR is not required for Oculus Rift.
Audio	High-quality headphones recommended for an immersive spatial audio experience. Microphone required for voice chat.
Other	Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output
	2x USB 3.0 ports
Optional	Xbox One or Xbox 360 game controller

 Recommended system specs for desktop-only users

Operating system	64-bit Windows 7 SP1 or newer
DirectX	DirectX 11 or higher
CPU	Intel i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350 equivalent or greater
Memory	8 GB+ RAM
Disk space	3 GB
Video card	GeForce GTX 760 or greater w/ 2 GB dedicated memory
Bandwidth	10 Mbps recommended; 5 Mbps minimum. Check your bandwidth.
Audio	High-quality headphones recommended for an immersive spatial audio experience. Microphone required for voice chat.
Optional	Xbox One or Xbox 360 game controller

 Minimum system specs for desktop-only users

Operating system	64-bit Windows 7 SP1 or newer
DirectX	DirectX 11
CPU	Intel Core i3-2100 / AMD Phenom II X4 945
Memory	4 GB RAM
Disk Space	3 GB
Video card	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 450 or greater w/ 2GB dedicated video memory, AMD R9 280 or greater w/ 2GB dedicated video memory, Intel HD Graphics 5500 w/ 2GB dedicated memory
Bandwidth	10 Mbps recommended; 5 Mbps minimum. Check your bandwidth.
Audio	High-quality headphones recommended for an immersive spatial audio experience. Microphone required for voice chat.
Optional	Xbox One or Xbox 360 game controller