Second Life 2008 results
by Tateru Nino 
Jan 19th 2009 at 3:00PM
Filed under: Economy, News items, Opinion, Second Life, Virtual worlds
John Zdanowski (AKA Zee Linden) has published Linden Lab's Q4 Second Life metrics from 2008 mixed with an annual summation. It reflects a considerable number of positives, but reads a bit like one of the paradoxes of motion from Zeno of Elea.
There is so much spin on these figures that you'd be well-advised to keep your fingers clear. Yes, Second Life experienced significant growth during 2008, and there was indeed growth in Q4 as well. None of the figures are wrong (except for the figures reported for reduction in land, which are credibly refuted elsewhere), but like Zeno the time frames used for the comparisons jump between using comparisons between years and quarters. As such, closer reading gives a different impression than a quick skim.
A better picture of Q4 results are available from the Lab's published data. Though the Lab has not yet chosen to publish December's data, figures from October and November looked somewhat lackluster.
Really, there's nothing much to see here, and there's nothing inherently wrong with the posting other than presentation. There was a very little growth in Q4, though mostly that quarter seems to have lost some of the ground gained in what was really a much more positive Q1, Q2 and Q3. The amount of spin put on the results seems to be ... unnecessary -- unless the December results were rather worse than we're expecting.
There's not really anything wrong with the posting, except for the spin that's been put on it, which makes it appear as if there's something being concealed, whether or not there actually is. Zdanowksi's commentary and responses to questions and comments in the associated forum thread is an interesting and engaging read if you give it a chance, which makes for an almost shocking contrast between the discussion and presentation there, as compared to the public posting on the blog.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ciaran Laval said on 8:00PM 1-20-2009
I don't think they're concealing anything, the spin was seen through at quite an early stage.
At least Zee tried to engage in some discussion, he deserves credit for that.
The figures appear to be rather encouraging, if they only drop a percent or two over the next quarter then Linden Lab's claim that many other companies would love to have those sort of statistics will certainly be true. Time will tell.
This however is where they need to rise to the challenge of providing enhanced customer relations, can they rise to the challenge?
Reply
Jay said on 5:46AM 1-21-2009
No. Their current mentality is too entrenched.
They see residents as a burden not as customers.