[Bobbi]

Originally Posted by wannabe

If it's considered a "game" for those that use SL for purely enjoyment purposes, what's the goal? What do you work towards? Is it to build your assets like monopoly then? How do you "win" or "lose" then? What do you "do" there?

Bobbi, that makes sense, how it could really augment RL exchanges too. Is it like a forum then (a discussion place), only with more virtual aspects to how you interact, like adding more dimensions to the exchange by giving you avatars and RL characteristics whereas a forum is quite flat in that you're only a name and words, this adds more substance to "who" you become in the virtual world? What's the 'purpose' to it for those just gaming?

I guess I wouldn't pay for membership to a forum either. And I sure didn't think I was "crucifying" anyone. ouch.

Good questions, Wannabe . I can't really answer for others (and there are so many thousands of SL members). There is another Isle, in SL, and it's by and for people with Cerebral Palsy (Live2Give); another Isle was founded by Support for Healing. Aside from health-related aspects and use of SL, some, I do know, use it as a type of release valve (winding down from stress - of RL work; some are doctors and interns) and the enjoyment of creating - items either given away or sold. Too, there are others who participate and offer "classes" and some who sell things and give monies raised to various charities.

It's not really a win/lose 3D "world," but one that is built on synchronous interaction and what individual members wish to use it for and make of it . Because it is live-time interaction, it's also a dynamic medium that ever-evolves.

So, I suppose, it all depends on whom is asked, since there are myriad reasons people have joined SL.

P.S.: I'm on vacation right now (and want to head south along the coast today); other than that, if I had more time, I'd look for a few links that could probably explain better than I've done. I may have more time tomorrow. But, for now, the beach awaits my arrival. Ohhh, sure it does .