Where do all those ‘virtual worlds’ keep coming from? For being a ‘total failure’ as some people claim, Second Life must sure as hell be inspiring! Next in ‘can I haz virtual world’ line is Next Island, based on MindArk’s Entropia Universe. Host and co-founder of Next Island is Katlean de Monchy, - apparently - a famous television personality. Next Island seems a bit confusing offering real money and prizes and virtual fantasies at the same time. Tagline: ‘Live your fantasies in a Virtual World!’ I wonder if that means they are inviting all the furries over, and how they plan to distinguish between ‘commonly accepted’ and ‘down right dirty’ fantasies.

update: Sign ups for Next Island will be fixed/restored/working again starting Wednesday (that’s the 1st of October) I was told. Release for the world itself (as previously mentioned, based on the Entropia Universe, so it is more or less a planet - is scheduled for January/February 2009.

“Next Island Membership (which is free) will be able to set up and live a virtual life in a parallel universe paradise, find a fantasy profession with real cash benefits, pioneer new lands, even time travel.” According to David Post, Next Island’s creator, “the mission is to have netizens keep coming back because the experience is both fun and financially rewarding.” Next Island will be officially announced September 22, 2008.

Although Next Island did not launch yet, the site promises rewards for joining and some functionality already: ‘Next Island’s revolutionary virtual world will launch later this year. But you don’t have to wait—you can win free gifts, choose and learn your virtual career, bid on a celebrity, and make new friends NOW. All you have to do is SIGN UP—it’s free.‘ I must note that the ‘click here to see who’s winning what’ link is a dead one! :D Looking at their ‘what you can do in a virtual world’ video there is nothing we - second life avies - can’t do. As far as their claim that they will have the first ‘virtual comic club’, I am sure that Zoe Demar, who even participated in ‘mixed media SL-RL comic shows’ will protest that.

Regardless, I have attempted at signing up - not sure if it works, I get referred to a ‘under construction’ page and did not get an email reply - and took a list at their - virtual - job offers. Oh, and they promise you will ‘get your starter kit to help you succeed in your new profession’ and kick start your virtual career. Worth a try? ;)

Next Island Jobs I’d consider

• Blp Sniper - Hunt other Players for a living (Mercenary is one of those real life jobs I don’t have the guts for, but sound appealing.)
• Colorer - Have a good eye then provide colouring services to all tailors and manufacturers. (Where did I put my crayons?)
• Film/Video Maker (Just because I’m hoping the starter kit contains a license to Adobe Premiere Pro! ;))
• Professional Revenger (See Blp Sniper)
• Talk Show Host/Producer (Everybody does say the accent is cute. :D)
• Professional Detective (Ruining people’s ‘real lifes’ by doing investigation work for a jealous wife or husband? Oh yes, please!)
• Spaceship Pilot – Warp Speed Captain? Taxi Driver, Bus Conductor, Smuggler or Pirate hunter all these hats belong to you. (I learned from the best alien drivers: Greenies!)
• Make Up Artist – paint the Faces of your Fellow Colonists – Real life Skills apply here (You mean I can be a great skin designer?! Woot! Let us call it a hidden fantasy! ;))

I definitely do not want this virtual profession

• Animal Tamer – Tame certain animals to be pets and Sell them. (That’s like Furry BDSM, right?)
• Mentor – Train Noobies and Be Rewarded when they Graduate. (I just don’t have the patience to over and over tell people to chat using correct spelling and grammar! ;)
• Banker (Did they learn nothing from Second Life?!!)
• Graphic Designer – Create Signs for shop owners, banners for the forums and Sigs for the Avatars (It’s my virtual, fantasy world, right?)
• Journalist – get out there and start Writing about what’s going on. Forum pwners will love you. (I suggest this profession to that what shall not be named. Unless, she wants - for once - a different career.)
• Community Developer – Find a job working for land owners (Hell no!)

What profession would you pick, if you were to start your ‘virtual career’ all over again? Take a look at the professions of ‘Next Island’ list here, or try to sign up for their service - let me know if you’re more successful at that then I was - here. Oh, for comparison reasons, does anybody know if the official secondlife.com ‘example virtual careers’ page still exists?

Hat tip to Ak Yip

Tags: entropia universe, metaverse, next island, virtual professions, virtual worlds

• Next Island send me mail! ;)
• Exit Reality : Including the web into the metaverse?
• Weblin, a 3D chat overlay on your browser (IE or FF)