In Second Life, how we spend our days matters greatly to us. We spend a lot of time picking and choosing where we will go, and what we will do. Sometimes, that is to hit up the hottest clubs, or to go to charity events. Other times it’s shopping, or game nights. But how do we choose which Venue to go to, and what makes us choose one over the other?

I went around the grid to poll several individuals about this matter, and I asked them what their favorite activity in Second Life is , and why they chose that Venue over any other. I wanted to find out what was really important to them, and what kind of qualities they look for when choosing, and I loved the answers I got. I broke the responses into several categories.

Clubs

Clubbing was by far the top activity listed by all those interviewed. When asked, the top qualities looked for when choosing the perfect venue were: Staff friendliness, welcoming atmosphere, and fun events or activities. What makes or breaks a club for most , is how involved the staff is in making sure guests feel welcome and are having a good time. Residents tend to favor clubs with a rich setlist, and plenty of fun parties to attend as well as a place that makes us feel like family.

Shopping

Shopping was another popular category. When looking for a favorite store, residents look for : frequent product releases, inclusivity for a variety of body types, outfits that suit their personalities, and ease of shopping experience. When shopping, we are often looking for clothing that fits our particular sense of style, and we keep coming back for more! One individual had this to say on the matter: “If someone does their advertising properly, and it looks attractive, I want to buy the item, and if they care how things look, I like it better. Anything that doesn’t lag is also great.”

HUD/STAT Based SIMS

HUDS that allow us to change our avatars to closely mimic the needs of real life ( or to simulate real life activities) are huge in SL. With communities like Mystory, DFS, and various breedables, there are many ways to simulate doing the things we love . From growing plants, to keeping track of real life needs like Hunger and Energy, there is something for everyone. The top two responses when asked what made them choose one of these HUDS/RP SIMS over another were: realism and ease of use. It was important for most polled users to feel like they were fully immersed and like they belonged to a community of like minded users.

Themed Events/Parties
Themed parties and events were another popular choice. . The top reason to choose one themed event or party venue over another was personal interest. Since these events are theme-based, residents go in search of these events based on the things that they find fun and exciting. Another quality when choosing a party venue is ease of attendance. One particular Avi stated that they did not enjoy overcrowded places with a lot of lag, as it made it harder to participate in event activities.

I think the important thing to remember is, we are all different. We all look for our own personal ways to have fun, fit in, and feel comfortable in our thriving virtual communities. What makes a venue special to us is not only what they have to offer over someone else, but also what we want in our Second lives, and what resonates with us.