Pixelapproved!

When around Christmas an invite for a zoom call with LL CTO Philip Rosedale came in, stating there would be some previously unannounced features coming to Second Life, I immediately accepted, because who doesn’t like surprises? Unless it’s useless features -nice for techies, but an extra layer of complexity for regular residents, such as you and I.
I will admit I was a little bit weary, because days before that invite, the message came through that Premium members now have access to the (AI) character designer for in world companions/store csr bots etc and I’m like.. nice? I guess? First I went through the menu but then nothing happened, I have no idea how to get this in world and then I thought, why would I even? If I want to talk I talk to my friends, if I need AI, I’ll fire up Chat GTP or Copilot. Do I need a 2nd instance running to get AI in world? That would weigh on my GPU’s resources, and while I’m doing fine, I don’t have like the best rig in the world for SL!

But anyway, I am rambling and going off topic. Yesterday’s call, however, was nothing of the nice-to-have tech stuff that I don’t know what to do with! Philip directly announced that as of after our call, the first public testing phase of browser-based access for SL, called Project Zero, would start! And this is GOOD news for my not-so-amazing computer!

If you have been around long enough to remember BrightCanopy, then you will realize what a game changer this potentially will be. Ultrafast access to SL, none of the heavy weight asset downloads, just streaming pixels. If you can watch Netflix on your computer, you can stream SL! During the cal we were invited to access and I can tell you, everything rezzed super fast, TP-ing was a breeze, even to busy regions like the Fameshed which had just opened and even my out of control box in box in box inventory almost loaded instantaneously!

BrightCanopy was a subscription-based streaming access through Frame and I gladly paid for that whenever I had to travel and rely on wacky hotel internet, or when on vacation and having that sudden urge to connect. However, because streaming back then was still in its infancy, and especially complex content like SL was taxing both on broadband and on the wallet, the people behind Bright Canopy had to decide to stop offering their service.
Years have passed, and with Project Zero, LL is taking the reins in their own hands and has decided to give this a go.

I think it’s a very good initiative because the current state of SL still requires a hefty download for the viewer, an above average computer which is estimated only 50% of the active users have (so that means that the other 50% cannot fully enjoy the beauty of SL, or are abusing their computers by doing so -lag etc)
Parallel to this, there will be UI improvements, because apparently, the SL interface is a nightmare? I really don’t know about that and will take more experienced people’s word for that. I’m not a gamer. I am also so used to the SL UI, that the idea of changing this is slightly worrying me. I’m quoting Philip here from Inara’s blog who had an in depth conversation with him about Project Zero. If you want more insights from someone more knowledgeable than yours truly, you should definitely read her blog!

We’re going to re-do the interface completely, in the same way that we did with the Mobile client. We’re going to start by streaming the existing interface, but then very quickly – probably sometime in January – you’ll see us turning off the UI layers that are in the [browser] client and switch them out into a modern HTML / React style web UI on top of the viewer which should look and feel a little bit like what we’ve done with Mobile, where we’ve only been implementing the features we absolutely need, and then implementing them cleaner than they were before and in a way anybody coming into Second Life today, no matter what their age so just look at it and go, “oh yeah, that looks like a sensible UI.”

Either way, I am thrilled with this new development, and you can try it now too! if you go to https://zero.secondlife.com/, you’re welcome to try it out. Currently there is a limited concurrency as well as a 10 minute per session limit, so after 10 minutes, without warning, you will be disconnected and rerouted to the SL download page. Voice doesn’t work, nor uploads of any sorts. There are a few other limitations and issues, such as the 1080 streaming resolution. If that is not your screen resolution, you might see only part of the screen you’re used to, but you can overcome that by fiddling with the zoom percentages in your browser settings.

“But Graz” you’ll wonder, “what is this going to cost me?” The answer is not straight forward. LL is looking into the best way to make this work and advantageous to everyone. Streaming is the current technology, and streaming complex content like SL does cost money. But LL is taking a very balanced approach in this development as they do consider it an investment in the future of SL. If this brings a lot of people to the grid, who will spend more time in SL and spend more money in world, then that might balance it out. Other options to look at are included in Premium, but subscription-based for others; subscription-based for all.. per hour? A separate/new subscription just for browser access? Either way, LL strives to keep the cost as low as they can, so that it’s not going to hold users back,
Much is still to be determined, but these first images and experiences promise a game changer. I think this will be more impactful than SL Mobile.

OK, that was a lot to read, and I am sure I have confused you while doing so. Are you still with me? Then please enjoy this a little Gyazo loop with you which I took while at Anthem this morning. It was busy, but I had no issues whatsoever! Yes, That is my backside. Dancing my arse off so to speak. You’re welcome :D