Philip Rosedale, the visionary behind Second Life, has returned to the platform he founded, New World Notes reports.

Second Life, a pioneering virtual world launched in the early 2000s, is a Virtual Reality (VR) world built and programmed by its users with realtime, in-world tools. Today Second Life doesn’t often make news headlines as it did in the late 2000s. But it is still there and it has stood the test of time.

After leaving Second Life, Rosedale explored the frontiers of VR with High Fidelity, a project aimed at creating immersive, high-quality VR experiences.

Rosedale is returning to Second Life with a conviction that this platform still holds untapped potential. He envisions a revitalized Second Life that not only keeps up with but also sets the pace for emerging digital trends.

Rosedale will be Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Second Life’s parent company Linden Lab.

One of the key areas Rosedale is focusing on is the expansion of Second Life’s user base. Currently, the platform boasts a user engagement of around half a million monthly active users. His strategy includes the development of a mobile application, recognizing the shift in digital consumption towards mobile devices. This move could potentially democratize access to Second Life, making it more appealing to a broader audience who might not engage with virtual worlds on traditional computing platforms.

Moreover, Rosedale has expressed concerns about the direction of other virtual platforms, particularly regarding the limitations they impose on user creativity and economic freedom.

Rosedale is using X to engage directly with the Second Life community.

The future of Second Life

Rosedale’s return to Second Life is not just a nostalgic journey but a strategic move to leverage his experience and vision for the future of virtual spaces. His renewed involvement signals a new chapter for Second Life, potentially setting it on a path to recapture its pioneering spirit in the ever-evolving landscape of VR and digital interaction.

In particular, Rosedale wants to more Artificial Intelligence (AI)-related features to Second Life. He refers to “many experimental projects underway… that are related to AI in different ways.”

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