Inspired by Nigel Linden’s recent competition announcement for ‘build a station’, I checked out some of the Second Life Railroad sites today, and came across a few people who are entering stations… there’s some stiff competition, but my entry may be considered suitable; we’ll have to see.
However, one thing that I did find somewhat odd was the fact that very few people actually seemed to consider the SLRR important enough to incorporate into their builds. I view the SLRR like a Linden Road; something that enhances the value of a plot of land, yet it seems most people just consider it an inconvenience that means they have an odd shaped parcel of land.
If I had land next to one of the stations, I’d build access to it from the station, and take advantage of it – yet I’m seeing everywhere things like big walls and hoardings to even block out the fact the thing exists!
I never realised that the rail network crosses through 53 sims before; it’s huge, and these sort of things really need encouraging in SL. For me, SL is being able to recreate things that, in reality, I could never do. Changing the colour of a wall? A few mouse clicks in a few seconds, rather than a week with a paintbrush. Want to move that tree? Click and drag, no need to hire a digger. Whilst I can appreciate people’s imaginations, whimsical and fantasy builds, I enjoy nothing more than being able to walk along a street and look at the buildings and gardens just as if I were doing so in first life.
I hope that the SLRR competition is a success, and this valuable in-game resource gets the attention it deserves. Ding ding!
