A Second Life Online
February 12th, 2007 by Jason Pearce. Popularity: 10%.
This weekend, I spent a few hours immersing myself in the video game Second Life. While I do enjoy playing video games, I traditionally stick to the Xbox and Xbox 360 gaming consoles. This was my first time trying out Second Life, which is played on a PC.
What drew me to Second Life was an article about how universities are beginning to use the game’s virtual world as a method of distance learning. Instead of meeting in a traditional classroom, more than 70 universities have built island campuses in Second Life; enabling students to meet online to conduct class.
Curious, I wanted to see if this could also be an opportunity to establish virtual fraternities. As you can see from these screen shots, I found one (two to be exact).
One or more members of Phi Beta Sigma have created a virtual fraternity house complete with a museum, living room, bar, pool table, and dance floor. After letting myself in, I introduced myself to about six “people” who were hanging out in their living room, chatting.
They were all pleasantly friendly, had pride in their virtual chapter house, and welcomed me to stop by anytime.
So, is there a future for virtual Lambda Chi Alpha chapter’s? Perhaps. One of the biggest problems would be authentication, for anyone can create a virtual character and claim to be a member of Lambda Chi Alpha. At this time I don’t see it likely that the Grand High Zeta would charter a virtual chapter or permit online initiation ceremonies, although this could be done within the Second Life construct.
As for a creating an online presence for Lambda Chi Alpha members and friends to visit, I don’t think it will take long for a Lambda Chi to one day build us a chapter house. Who knows, maybe Second Life will even have its own Greek row.
February 13th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Brother Jason,
I am ready to pledge. When is Initiation scheduled?
Can I wear my Toga?
Where do I send my dues?
Yours in ZAX
Mike Raymond
February 18th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Is this game like a Sims game where you control numerous characters, or is it more like World of Warcraft where you have one character at a time (and have to pay subscription costs?)… btw, in case anybody was wondering, i don’t actually play either of these games, my ex was obsessed with the former, and half of my chapter is obsessed with the latter…
In ZAX,
Jon Wood
EY1392
University of Tulsa
February 18th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Brother Wood,
In the game Second Life, you play a single character. It’s an Internet-based virtual world that enables users to interact with each other through avatars, providing a social network service combined with general aspects of a metaverse.
While it is referred to as a game, it does not have points, scores, winners or losers, levels, an end-strategy, or most of the other characteristics of games. Users visit this virtual world almost as if it were a real place. They explore, meet other residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, and buy items (virtual property) and services from one another.
I suppose this is why some schools are using Second Life as a virtual classroom, which is the same reason I was exploring its potential to have a virtual fraternity/chapter.
In ZAX,
Jason Pearce
February 26th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
sounds really interesting, i’ll have to check it out… thanks for replying to my comment, i realized shortly after posting that i probably could’ve just looked it up myself, but i appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me!…
In ZAX,
Jon Wood
June 14th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
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