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
Profiles
Second
Life
ABC
Games
Gaming
Islands
Website
Reviews
ABC:
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