Have you been to Manchester’s Second Life yet?

Manchester’s alter ego in the virtual world of Second Life is now over six months old. So, have you visited yet?
If you haven’t, then you’re certainly not alone because not many people have.
As the M.E.N website reported back in February a collaboration between the Urbis museum, Manchester’s Digital Development Agency (DDA) and consultants Clicks and Links has created a virtual version of the city with some its best-loved landmarks.
There’s entertainment venues, plenty of pavements, the Urbis(below) and now there’s the Hacienda (left) – complete with dancefloor and a groovy widget that gets your avatar strutting its funky stuff.
As one of the few to seek out thrills in a shiny new city, I’ve so far found my attempts to soak up the atmosphere somewhat disappointing with so few people around to share the experience.
There’s only so much fun an avatar can have dancing in an empty virtual Hacienda!
Vin Sumner of Clicks and Links said my lonesome experience is not unusual – but that a planned re-launch and promotional push will take the venture to new heights.
“It’s not exactly teaming with people at the moment. We are still doing things to attract people in, he said”
So far, an event held in July to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hacienda has proved to be the project’s high point.
“Peter Hook did a track and 40-50 people turned up to that. It’s those sort of events, where’s something going on, that SL is good at,” he said.
So what’s planned to take the project to the next stage?
The exhibition space Manchester Central ( formerly G-Mex) is now on board with exhibitors being offered virtual space alongside their real stands. The consortium is also talking to property developers about showcasing apartments in Second Life so that prospective buyers can take a tour of their new home before its even built.

Head of the DDA Dave Carter explained that funding for the project was from various institutions and that no council taxpayers’ cash was being spent on the activity. He said it has cost less then £5,000 so far with funding secure until the middle of next year.
”It’s been a very steep learning curve” he said.
“We broadcast the Big Chip Awards this year with an avatar of Tony Wilson, which was very poignant as he didn’t live much longer.
“It is a bit quiet at the moment, we have to build it up.”
Vin agreed; “Virtual relaty sites like this are going to be very much in demand in a few years time but it takes time for people to get their heads around them.”
I’ll update you with developments as they happen, but in the meantime I’d like to hear about you experiences of Manchester SL, what you think of the project and how you would like to see it develop.
Useful links:
Urbis museum.
Manchester Digital Development Agency (DDA)
Clicks and Links
Manchester Central.
Second Life Factfile.
Second Life.