WHY CHOOSE US?

Far too often money is thrown at Second Life® projects without a proper understanding of how this virtual world actually works. This usually results in sterile environments with no visitors. A presence in Second Life® is not like a website. It needs to be designed and maintained to provide an ongoing interest to its millions of residents. Sim Development Services is the Harmsworth Consultancy's Second Life® wing.

BEST VIEWED AT 1280 x 800 SCREEN RESOLUTION

OUR SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS IN Second Life®

Over the last two years we have learned our virtual-world trade by building our own project in Second Life®. As part of our Real Life business we are involved in consulting for visitor attractions and other tourist businesses and also run our own tour agency. It was logical, therefore, for us to build something relevant to our own business as this would allow us to discover what integration there could be between Second Life® and real life marketing.

Below you will find a map of our simulation. Second Life® regions are square so you are seeing five regions here. From right to left they are named Inverness City, Urquhart and Augustus, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. The whole comprises our Scottish Highlands Estate. Note that these names, once used are ours in perpetuity so, like the Internet, an early commitment has its advantages. As the bulk of in-world movement is by walking, it would not be practical to have a full scale model of Loch Ness and the Great Glen. Visitors would get bored and leave, and so we have used a scale of approximately 1:80.

Our experience has shown that successful sims need to include relevant networking, relevant competitions or games, relevant education and relevant interest. The key word is obvious ... "relevant". There is no point in putting a game about Welsh dragons in our Scottish sim. If your business is mechanical engineering then don't provide education on foreign languages. Although this sounds obvious it is surprising how many sims miss the point completely. One computer giant's sim has no visitors because it provides nothing of interest to its customers. One large television company has created a wonderful simulation of its studios, but no one stays in the sim very long because it is sterile and provides no real interaction.

Our sim is busy. People visit it if they have an interest in Scotland, if they have a fascination with Nessie, if they love history, if they want to know about medieval castles etc. We attract visitors because we provide what they want. We will use that expertise and knowledge in the project we undertake for you.

Some photographs of what we have created appear below. Hover over each screenshot for a description of what you are seeing.