ABC Island A new destination in Second Life


Media Release

ABC Island a new destination in Second Life

The ABC is set to become the first Australian media organisation to establish a presence in Second Life (secondlife.com) when ABC Island opens to visitors on a trial basis on Monday 19 March 2007.

ABC Island is a dynamic and distinctively Australian destination providing visitors with opportunities to design and create objects, discover a hidden underground music club, listen to Indigenous stories, wander round an environmentally friendly eco house, experience ABC audio and video in a social environment and attend live screenings and concerts.

Future developments on ABC Island will include more live events such as comedy gigs, concerts and interactive discussions as well as new 3D content.

The island has been developed collaboratively with 3D, sound and design students and staff from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), with creative writing from Jackie Turnure (AFTRS/LAMP) and direction and significant building from SL expert Gary Hayes. Interested Second Life residents known as 'ABC Friends', Lisa Dethridge (RMIT) and renowned artist and animator Nathan Jurevicius were also key collaborators in the project.

"Second Life presents the ABC with the perfect space to explore the 3D environment and test new ways of presenting content and creating interactive experiences" said Abigail Thomas, Head, Strategic Innovation & Development.

"Everything we have learnt - and will continue to learn - from our first foray into this virtual world will stand us in good stead for a time when 3D environments become commonplace online."

A Four Corners report on virtual worlds, their prospects and pitfalls, is screening on Monday 19 March. This program features Second Life and will be simulcast from 8.30pm (AEDT) on ABC Island as the national broadcaster opens its newest platform for ABC content. Potential visitors are urged to arrive early as ABC Island - as with all Second Life islands - holds only 40-50 visitors at once. If the island is full, you can also watch the Four Corners program on ABC TV or online as part of the Four Corners Second Life Broadband Edition at abc.net.au/4corners The Broadband Edition also enables you to delve further into the television program with extended interviews and interactive features.

Second Life is a 3D virtual environment created by US-based Linden Lab in 2003. Within the computer-rendered world, 'residents' can explore a territory larger than 42,000 acres in real-world scale. It is not a game as there is no scripted or objective play. Rather, it is a world where users can create their own identity (known as an 'avatar[1]') and interact with others in a lifelike social space.

More information is available at abc.net.au/services/secondlife ABC Island welcomes feedback about the project from visitors. Access the ABC Friends Group while you are in Second Life to contribute.

For further information please contact:

Nicola Fern - Tel: 03 9626 1606, Mobile: 0418 494 252 or email: fern.nicola@abc.net.au

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