secondlife

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    Linden Lab Paid Me for My Pain and Suffering

    Ocean

    Gaeta 1 is staying, baby.

    This whole thing is going to go down as Gaeta Gate in Second Life history, the time Linden Lab tried to remove a small, unfinished continent, only to completely reverse course a few months later. I waited forever to be relocated from Gaeta 1 to New Zindra, but it never happened, so I eventually started selling off the land I’d bought there piece by piece because I’d already acquired quite a bit of snow land and figured I was simply going to move on.

    Then on Monday I received an email from Linden Lab basically saying, “We’re giving you some money for your pain and suffering, and by the way, Gaeta 1 isn’t closing anymore.” Suddenly the whole situation changed. You can stay if you want to. You can still move if you’d rather have a parcel in New Zindra and keep Gaeta 1 too. If you’ve already moved, you cay stay or come back to Gaeta 1! I have to admit I’m pretty happy with the outcome, even if this has been one of the biggest rollercoasters I’ve watched Linden Lab put residents through. From the original announcement until now, it’s been one surprise after another, and I still don’t think the ride is completely over.

    If you look around Gaeta 1 today, a huge amount of land is marked “On Hold,” which most of us assume means former residents are deciding whether to return. I’ve already noticed some of the larger land barons making their way back, but it does raise an interesting question about whether people will end up keeping both their new land or coming back to their original Gaeta 1 land. After all, the original reason Linden Lab gave for closing Gaeta 1 was the massive amount of abandoned land, and that problem isn’t automatically solved just because some previous owners decide to move back.

    I think Linden Lab knows they need to move quickly, and the August 17 deadline they gave everyone in the email makes that pretty obvious. I didn’t wait around because I’m easy. I replied immediately and told them I was staying, mainly because I have absolutely no interest in moving to New Zindra. I was originally interested, but have you seen the horrendous new grass texture? No thank you! My guess is they want to wrap this entire situation up as quickly as possible so Gaeta Gate becomes nothing more than a strange chapter in Second Life history, after which they can start selling and auctioning parcels in both Gaeta 1 and New Zindra again. I could even see them experimenting with more double-prim parcels if it helps encourage people to buy mainland, although I don’t expect they’ll spend time finishing the unfinished west coast of Gaeta 1 when they already have so much abandoned mainland elsewhere on the grid.

    Ocean

    I love land, so after all of this, I decided to officially move into my little Gaeta 1 parcel instead of letting it go. My friend Malayaa decorated the cozy 1,500 sqm oceanfront property for me, and it’s exactly the right size. As long as my neighbors don’t move back in tomorrow and completely ruin my view, I think I’m going to be pretty happy here.

    Ocean
    Ocean

    What I’m Wearing:
    Exile – Prisma
    The Kiwi Co – peaches Set (Top, Shorts, FlipFlops)
    Sparkle Skye – Emily Pearl Headband
    Glam Affair – Gwen (L003)
    LeLutka – Ubon Mesh Head

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    I Thought Gachas Were Supposed to Be Exclusive

    Gallery

    I mostly opted out of gachas years ago, but every now and then something comes along that I really want and I’ll spend a ridiculous amount of money trying to get the rare item. I do that with the understanding that this is the only opportunity to get it. Maybe it’ll never be sold again, maybe it’ll become impossible to find, but that’s always been the appeal of gachas. You’re paying for the exclusivity as much as you’re paying for the item itself. That’s how it’s worked for as long as I can remember. Designers have traditionally kept their gacha collections exclusive instead of retexturing them and selling them at a discount a few weeks later.

    That’s why I was surprised to see PurpleMoon release a retextured version of the Claudette Dress and Monique Shoes, which debuted at The Arcade just last month, now in The Saturday Sale for L$75. My friends and I spent quite a bit collecting, trading, and chasing those pieces through the gacha. Had we known that the dress and shoes would be available for L$75 less than a month later, I don’t think any of us would’ve spent nearly as much trying to complete the collection.

    For me, it changes how I look at the brand going forward. If something new catches my eye, why buy it immediately if there’s a chance it’ll show up in a weekend sale a few weeks later? I’ve always thought of weekend sales as a place for older releases or brand new items created specifically for the sale. I’ve never expected to see a reworked version of a gacha collection that was still practically brand new. I barely had time to unpack mine before another version appeared for a fraction of what many of us had spent.

    This isn’t about telling a designer how to run their business. They can sell their products however they like. I’m simply saying that decisions like this affect customer trust. People remember when they paid full price, especially when that full price came from a gacha system designed around chance. If customers start believing they can get the same item a month later for almost nothing, many of them will simply wait. I also wonder if this is happening because so many creators participate in weekend sales that they eventually run out of older products to discount and start dipping into very recent releases instead.

    Gallery

    Today’s outfit is a mix of PurpleMoon’s Claudette accessories from last month’s Arcade gacha with the retextured Claudette Dress from The Saturday Sale. Ironically, I actually prefer this printed version over the original solid dress. For anyone who missed the gacha, it’s an incredible deal. I just think there should be a little more consideration for the people who paid the premium the first time around. Gachas aren’t normal purchases. They’re intentionally designed to encourage people to spend far more than an item is worth in pursuit of the piece they really want, and more often than not, that’s the rare one. When that same design comes back almost immediately at a deep discount, it’s hard not to feel like you wasted a lot of money trying to get it in the first place.

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    A New Face for Summer

    A New Face for Summer

    I’ve been wearing the Lumi skin from Glam Affair since it was released back in March. In real life time, that’s not very long at all. In Second Life time, though, it feels like ages ago. But does time even matter when you like a skin? You could probably wear the same skin for years and never feel dated, especially with the current state of Second Life. Until LeLutka releases the new PURE mesh heads, most of us are still wearing EvoX heads, and skin designers continue to create beautiful 2048 skins with the same level of skill and quality. There is really no rush to change your look unless you want to.

    A New Face for Summer
    Glam Affair – Alix skin | w/ Tattoo Layers added to soften the pores/freckles

    That said, in Gogo time, four months feels like a long time. I spend an embarrassing amount of time staring at my own face, after all. So today, even though it seems like Glam Affair releases dozens of skins every month, I finally found a new face. The new Alix skin from Glam Affair is available at Equal10. I like most Glam Affair skins, but if I’m going to call something my face, it has to feel instantly familiar. It’s that little moment of, “Ah, there you are,” when I put it on. That’s exactly how I felt with Alix, even though I already knew I would be reaching for Izzie’s to remove the freckles and pores. As you can see, I did just that, and I love the result. The original version is beautiful too, and honestly, a lot of skins in Second Life are released looking more like my edited version. People then use Izzie’s or other tattoo layers to add freckles, pores, highlights, and other details back in. I sometimes go in the opposite direction and remove those details instead. The fact that we can customize skins so easily now is one of my favorite things about Second Life.

    ISON recently had a 40% off sale, so I picked up something I do not normally wear, a leather outfit. Paired with the new Truth Verse hairstyle, the whole look reminds me of an anime baddie, and I am kind of obsessed with it. Maybe I need to stop wearing pastel pink and white all the time and lean into dark leather. Then again, let’s not get carried away.

    A New Face for Summer
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  • Could Reborn Be My Next Body?

    Could Reborn Be My Next Body?

    Even though I’m not a creator, I still appreciate when brands actively support their products. One thing I’ve always respected is when a brand keeps its Dev Kit updated and makes it easy for creators to access. That’s good for creators, and ultimately it’s good for residents too. So when Reborn recently released an updated Dev Kit, I was impressed.

    Last week, I said I’d probably stick with Maitreya LaraX until something better came along. After thinking about it a bit more, I started looking at all the body options we currently have in Second Life. Maitreya is still the dominant brand, but it feels like they’re relying heavily on that reputation these days. Creators constantly talk about how difficult it is to get access to the Dev Kit. I can’t personally verify that, but it’s a complaint I hear often.

    As a wearer, my frustrations are different. Updates feel few and far between. Are we ever getting PBR support on LaraX? What happened to the push-up boobs they teased back in February 2025? Maitreya, where are you? The body is still solid, but it feels like the rest of the market is moving faster.

    If I want push-up boobs and PBR right now, Reborn already delivers both.

    Could Reborn Be My Next Body?

    This weekend I decided to upgrade my Reborn body and give it another chance. The first time I tried it, I couldn’t really make it work for my personal style. It felt like too much body for me. This time around, I spent more time tweaking it and trying to make it feel less “all booty” and more wearable. After doing that, I have to admit that Reborn is probably one of the strongest body options in Second Life right now if your priorities are active development, frequent updates, and broad creator support.

    That doesn’t mean I don’t still have complaints.

    I still think the wrists are too slim, which creates that “spaghetti arms” effect I’ve mentioned before. The butt is still too large. The upper thighs are still too large. I’d also love shorter almond-shaped nails as an option. But overall, there’s a lot to like here. If Reborn ever released an update that allowed for a noticeably slimmer body profile, I think they’d lock in their position and win over a lot more residents. Some Maitreya loyalists might even make the jump. Residents like me.

    One thing that surprised me this weekend was how deep I went down the rabbit hole of body deformers. Even with my butt slider at zero, I still felt like the shape was too curvy for my taste. Clothing creators are obviously designing around the popular Reborn silhouette, which means many outfits continue to emphasize that bubble butt shape. For residents who prefer a slimmer look, it can feel a little exaggerated.

    After trying several options, I ended up going with the eBODY Reborn Deformers from Pretty Liars. At L$299 for the pack, I thought it was a fair price, and the difference was immediately noticeable. I liked them so much that I bought the LaraX version too.

    Watch the video to see the Reborn Body deformer in action!

    Now that I’ve customized Reborn more to my liking, I can honestly see myself switching someday if I decide to move on from LaraX. What surprised me most was how easy the transition would be. For these photos, I didn’t have to buy a single new outfit because almost every brand I already shop from includes Reborn sizing. That’s probably Reborn’s biggest advantage right now. If you decide to switch, you’re not starting over or abandoning your entire wardrobe.

    That doesn’t mean I’m giving up LaraX. I still like it, and I could absolutely see myself wearing it for years. But it’s nice knowing there are legitimate alternatives out there. Competition is good. Options are good.

    And if those options happen to include PBR materials and the occasional push-up boob feature, I’m not complaining.

    Could Reborn Be My Next Body?
    eBODY Reborn Bod with Deformer add-on for smaller butt
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    Frankly, My Dear… I’ll Continue Wearing LaraX

    Frankly, My Dear...

    “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

    Most people know this iconic line from Gone with the Wind, but have they actually sat through all four hours of the movie? If you haven’t, you should at least once. Scarlett O’Hara isn’t exactly likable, but she was a survivor, and that’s probably why she’s remained such a memorable character all these years later.

    I recently rewatched Gone with the Wind to get in the mood for photographing my current obsession from this round of The Arcade.

    My friends were absolutely gushing over the Monique dress from PurpleMoon, and of course we all wanted the rare Floral version. With the right styling, it looks like something Scarlett herself might have worn while dramatically descending a staircase at Tara. As you all know, I have a weakness for period-inspired fashion, so even though the print does remind me a little bit of a floral sofa, I was willing to overlook that minor detail. The gloves are a lovely touch, and I’m even wearing the matching heels underneath the dress, though you can’t see them in these photos.

    I normally don’t pay much attention to gacha these days, but once in a blue moon I’ll keep playing until I get exactly what I want.

    Frankly, My Dear...

    Speaking of that famous line, let’s circle back to it for a moment.

    The thing amusing me this week is watching some designers encourage other creators to drop support for LaraX, while also suggesting customers should simply switch bodies instead.

    This dress is made for LaraX. I bought it because it’s made for LaraX. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have.

    I’ve never switched mesh bodies just to wear a particular outfit, and I probably never will. If something isn’t made for the body I’m using, I move on. There is so much talent in Second Life that no single brand is irreplaceable.

    Until something better comes along, I’ll continue wearing Maitreya LaraX. It does everything I need it to do. It’s funny to me that there are still residents happily wearing system bodies, yet some people act as though using a mesh body that’s still one of the most widely supported on the grid somehow makes you outdated.

    I’m not resistant to change. I’m not afraid of trying new things. I’m just not interested in switching to something that doesn’t offer me anything better than what I already have.

    So frankly, my dear…

    I don’t give a damn.

    Frankly, My Dear...
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    Hair Fair 2026

    Hair Fair 2026
    Truth Collective – Mochi

    Hair Fair is open!

    I remember when Hair Fair was the event to look forward to every summer in Second Life. These days, with shopping events happening every month, it doesn’t quite have the same sense of anticipation. Back then, by the time Hair Fair rolled around, everyone was absolutely starving for new hairstyles.

    You can join the Hair Fair Demo Group (secondlife:///app/group/2e30d166-f3e5-e2de-ff72-b3da2d06ded2/about) and have all the demos delivered to you, but I actually prefer walking the event and visiting each store. I like browsing the booths, collecting demos manually, and discovering the gifts along the way. One thing I also appreciate is being able to see exactly how much each hairstyle is donating. Every participating hair contributes a percentage to the charity, but some creators go even further and donate 50% or even 100% of their sales.

    There are a lot of charity events in Second Life throughout the year, and I think it’s wonderful when communities come together to support a good cause. At the same time, I think residents should pay attention to where their donations are going and how transparent an event is about its fundraising. That’s one of the reasons I’ve always appreciated Hair Fair. The event’s relationship with Wigs for Kids is publicly acknowledged by the charity itself, and every year Hair Fair posts the donation receipt and thank-you letter after the event concludes. I like that level of transparency. It allows residents and designers alike to see the impact their generosity is making, and you can feel confident that your shopping is supporting a real-world cause.

    Hair Fair 2026
    Kuni – Manu
    Hair Fair 2026
    Exile – Never the Same

    I was excited to see some of my favorite brands participating this year, including Truth, Kuni, and Exile. It was also interesting to see Truth represented solely by hairstyles and accessories created by Litterbug. I noticed fellow Truth Collective creator Wasabi at the event as well. One thing I like about collaborations such as Truth Collective is that the individual creators are acknowledged for their work. There are plenty of brands in Second Life that describe themselves as a team, but you never really know who created what. I like following creators and recognizing their individual styles, even when they’re creating under a larger brand.

    I also can’t leave Hair Fair without mentioning the Bandana Booth. I picked up this adorable bandana by Alaskametro, and there are several other prints available as well. Pretty much everything Alaskametro makes is beautifully textured. If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you already know I’m a fan.

    Hair Fair 2026
    Alaskametro – “Bling” Bandana for Hair Fair

    Another new addition this year is Linden Lab’s contribution to the fundraiser. Residents can purchase three exclusive last names: Style, Strand, and Salon, with proceeds benefiting the charity. If I wasn’t already having an identity crisis with my avatar, I’d probably be changing my last name to Style immediately.

    Linden Lab will also be auctioning off Premium Lifetime memberships during the event, with more details coming soon. If you’re someone who gets a lot of value from Premium benefits and plans to stick around Second Life for the long haul, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.

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    AYAstorm Viewer Finally Fixed Hair Alpha Glitch

    AYAstorm Viewer Finally Fixed Hair Alpha Glitch
    Other SL Viewers | AYAstorm Viewer fixes hair alpha glitch

    Stop what you’re doing and download AYAstorm Viewer immediately. (Direct download link on this page: https://github.com/mayatonton/phoenix-firestorm/releases/tag/v7.2.4-ayastorm-r31-bugfix-1)

    I’ve been watching Second Life residents showing off all the features on this new Third Party Viewer based on the Firestorm code, and the main thing I care about is this:

    IT FIXES HAIR ALPHA GLITCH.

    For a virtual world built entirely around visuals and eye candy, why have we all just been suffering through this for decades? Suddenly out of nowhere, AYAstorm comes along and delivers us from the alpha glitch nightmare. Did nobody else want to fix this? Did Linden Lab just not care? Because this changes EVERYTHING for in-world photography.

    I love landscaping, plants, trees, dense nature scenes… and all of that has always been a complete nightmare because of alpha rendering issues. Hair breaking. Layers flickering. Photos ruined. And now? FIXED. OMG.

    As much as I still love Aperture Viewer, it hasn’t been updated in forever and it doesn’t have this fix. This alone is enough reason for me to switch immediately.

    And beyond that, there are actually a bunch of really cool features if you’re into lighting tweaks, so definitely check it out. Since it’s based off Firestorm, most Second Life residents will already feel familiar with the layout.

    Also, if you end up loving this viewer too, please go thank the creator of AYAstorm either in Second Life or over on X/Twitter, because this is one of the most exciting viewer improvements I’ve seen in years.

    AYAstorm Viewer account – https://x.com/VAyastorm
    AYAstorm creator – https://x.com/aya_tokyo_sl

    If you get motion sickness, go to the AYAstorm menu – Motion Blur – and uncheck Enable Motion Blur. Go to SSR – uncheck Enable Screen Space Reflections to remove glitchy water shadow too.

    Update: Some of you commented on the quality difference between the viewer and I just wanted to note that I forgot to change the texture resolution to 2048 on AYAstorm (it was shot at 512 by accident). Go to Preferences – Graphics – Texture Rendering – Restrict maximum texture resolution to: change to 2048 pixels.

    AYAstorm Viewer Finally Fixed Hair Alpha Glitch
    Photo taken with AYAstorm Viewer
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    AI Editing in Second Life and the Double Standard

    AI Editing in Second Life and the Double Standard
    Raw SL Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gogolita/55278513107/

    You know when you’re looking at an AI-edited Second Life photo, right? You have eyes. You know that hair doesn’t really look like that, the surroundings are way too realistic, or something is just slightly off. Not quite Second Life. It’s above what Second Life is capable of. I think Second Life looks amazing now, but I rezzed during the system Ruth avatar era. I remember what we used to look like.

    Many Second Life brands are now marketing to us, the residents, with flawless AI-edited photos, but they’re not being honest about it. They want you to think they’re just amazing at photography/editing and that you too can achieve that look if you buy their products. AI editing is basically the same thing as 3D rendered ads at this point. It’s just too good to be raw Second Life.

    I have an amazing computer, and it frustrates me sometimes when I can’t render images that look that good. But I’m not against AI editing at all, since I can’t be deceived, but maybe someone new to SL may be. What amuses me is that whenever a resident posts an AI-edited photo for fun, fellow residents attack them, but when brands do it, nobody says anything. I was telling my friend that residents go after each other, and especially bloggers, because attacking us has no consequences. They don’t dare confront their favorite brands for fear of the brand’s fans attacking them back, or the brands themselves responding.

    All of this to say, I was happily surprised when I was scrolling X (Twitter) and came across this prompt post by Sopha Portal, the designer of MudSkin. She also posted the raw image from Second Life so you could compare what is SL and what is AI-enhanced. I used her prompt exactly as it was written to generate a similar image. I love it. Have you noticed all the amazing backlit photos in SL lately with beautiful glowing hair? They’re probably using AI. It takes two seconds.

    Use this prompt: { “image_generation_prompt”: { “subject”: “A beautiful female character with fox ears based on a reference image, maintaining the exact same three-quarter view, facial angle, and composition. Her eyes, nose, lips, and sad expression must remain identical to the reference.”, “enhancements”: “Upgrade the details to ultra-high-definition, adding hyper-realistic individual strands of soft pink hair and photorealistic, detailed human skin texture with natural lighting reflections. Remove any tears from her face.”, “background”: “Completely replace the solid green background with a dreamy, soft-focused magical forest filled with a pastel pink haze and ethereal light beams. The atmosphere should be whimsical, glowing, and cinematic.”, “effects”: “Add a dynamic effect of fluttering pink cherry blossom petals and vibrant green leaves swirling gently around her, creating depth and a soft-focus fantasy vibe.” } }

    I edited the prompt a little and made another image, this time with a city background and changed the colors to blue. These were created using raw images I took in SL for a previous blog post. I’m very comfortable with the fact that I can take a great raw SL photo, and I have no problem using AI when I want to, just for fun.

    AI Editing in Second Life and the Double Standard
    Raw SL Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gogolita/55279827155/

    I wish SL residents would leave people alone if they want to use AI, and before they try to shame someone for it, realize that many of their favorite brands are already doing the exact same thing. At the end of the day, I don’t think people are actually mad about AI. They just pick and choose who they’re comfortable criticizing.

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    Exile’s New Textures & Hair Fair

    Exile
    Exile

    Exile quietly released new textures! I tried on the latest Signe hairstyle and immediately noticed the redesigned HUD too. Obviously my favorites are the Blondes pack and the Fantasy pack. The Choice pack is great too if you’re indecisive and constantly bouncing between hair colors. I couldn’t decide between light pink or light blonde today, so I just wore both.

    I always let my hairstyle lead the way when it comes to building an outfit. This whole look started with this playful hair. I wanted a giant bow to finish it off, and the Vale Headband from C’est La Vie ended up being perfect. I’m also wearing colors I normally avoid. Does orange and teal actually work together? I think maybe it does.

    Exile

    My last post about using AI to judge my face caused quite a stir on Facebook. I think Second Life residents on Facebook can be especially rude compared to other social media sites. I don’t know if it’s the demographic, and I don’t necessarily mean age, but something about Facebook makes people react with hostility to absolutely everything.

    Moments like that make me appreciate the genuinely nice people I’ve met in Second Life over the years. One of those people is Kavar Cleanslate, the creator of Exile. A lot of you probably don’t know this, but Kavar has been my friend for a very long time and is honestly one of the nicest people ever. We actually live on the same region. Well… technically one day he told me I could rez my house there, and I just never left. It’s been decades now. LOL. I don’t think he knows how to ask me to leave, but honestly, would he even? He’s that nice.

    Exile

    And since this is a a hair-themed post, would you like to win early access to Hair Fair? You have six chances to win. Just follow Hair Fair on social media and like/comment with your SL username for a chance to get in early. I’ll be at Hair Fair before opening, so hopefully I’ll see some of you there!

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    Second Life Brands That Understand Loyalty

    Spring

    Even though many brands in Second Life create amazing products, the way they treat customers can leave a sour taste in your mouth. When that happens, it makes you think twice about spending money with them again.

    I’ve encountered more than a few brands I’ve supported that ignore simple customer service issues, like refunding a double purchase or answering a basic question. I’m sure most of us have experienced being completely ignored by a store owner or customer service rep. Some people know how to create great things in Second Life, but they never learn how to build loyalty.

    On the other hand, the brands that go out of their way to be kind and helpful earn my support for years.

    One example is Everfaery. Every time I’ve had a question or needed help, they’ve responded in a way that was even nicer than expected. Honestly, the fact that they respond at all already puts them ahead of many brands. Recently, I asked a question on Flickr and got a quick reply. That reminded me they also give L$50 monthly store credit to group members. On top of that, creator Fever Fae is incredibly talented, making clothing, hair, shoes, décor, and more. She has range, and she’s had staying power in SL for years.

    Spring

    Another brand that consistently treats customers well is Izzie’s. I’ve said it before, but it’s true. A few days ago, I saw their Nail Beds set and thought, “I didn’t even know I needed that.” Now I can’t imagine not having it. It adds another layer of realism, and I appreciate creators who think of those details. Plus, Izzie Button has always come across as genuinely kind.

    Then there’s Truth. Creator Truth Hawks regularly gives gifts to the VIP group and runs solid sales throughout the year. I’ve also been a Truth hair blogger for years, and their relationship with bloggers has always seemed professional and respectful. That kind of relationship-building is one reason some brands last so long in Second Life.

    My list of brands doing it right is actually pretty long. There are many wonderful creators in SL. But when a brand ghosts me after I’ve supported them, I remember it. I’m too classy to name names, but you know the type. We’ve all encountered them.

    There’s one brand where I used to buy every fatpack. Now? Maybe I’ll grab a single item during a weekend sale and spend the equivalent of a real-life quarter. Why reward bad customer service with full-price loyalty?

    At the end of the day, customer service matters. Talent may get people through the door, but kindness and reliability keep them coming back.

    If there are any brands you love that treat customers right, let me know in the comments!

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