Categories: NewsTags: layoffs, linden lab, second lifeAuthor: Claus Uriza
Time for a post in the ashes of Linden Labs layoffs yesterday. So much crap posted the last 24 hours I feel it’s time to express why I think Linden Lab will continue to exists and be the leading force among the social MMOs.
As first step I wish the very best for all the Lindens who lost their job. The few of you I knew did an amazing job big kudos to all of you!
I entered SL some 3+ years ago. Back then we had lack of stability big scale. Lots of downtime and crashes. Still we logged in each eve, partied, raced cars, went to combat well had great fun all the time. I remember I often wondered how many platforms would’ve survived these major issues on stability. I guess all webbased services would’ve faced a sudden death but SL had so much to offer such an enriched experience we kept coming night after night. Many issues on LLs way of handling stuff have been argued over and over as long as I have followed blogs etc. One day lately it hit me how many residents who never visit the web during their SL prime time. I think it’s only 10-20% of the total user base who gives a f… about what happens “outside” of SL. Well in the beginning I avoided the web while being in SL as well. Therefore it’s in one way surprising to see all the efforts turning SL into the web. Then again I think it is needed to make SL more accessable to make it grow.
It’s time to highlight my positive experiences with Linden Lab on a day like this. On customer service I have only made like 10-15 tickets over the years. Each have been replied if not promptly within 24 hours! Later on when the customer chatline became available minor issues were handled within minutes and great helpfull feedback. All to say I never experienced any lack or ignorence on that front. Maybe I’d just been lucky who knows.
Last year I went to SLCC09 community confrence in San Francisco. I met a few Lindens in person all very friendly and polite. This year we had great support during Chantal Harveys MMIF2010 Machinima Festival, also Blue Linden participated and even M Linden showed up during the festival. 
In April during our new sim design opening Jeska Linden gladly spent her time helping me out as judge in our machinima contest and did an awesome job. Later on I had the pleasure to meet Pete and Catherine Linden who currently support the SL music community. Also since Pop Art Lab joined the Solution Provider programme Lindens have been very supportive and replied fast on any inquires. This was just brief examples of what hit my mind and why I don’t get or have ever experienced all the shit I often read on blogs etc. on LLs lack of community knowledge. When all this said ofcourse I am a bit worried too on LLs future. Then again I am not. Here is what Phillip Rosedale said in one of his last posts before he left the CEO position:
“Try not to cling too tightly to what we have now. The design, the UI, the orientation experience, the tools – all these need to change, a LOT, for Second Life to become accessible to hundreds of millions. Those changes are sometimes going to be disruptive and painful. Coming back from the desert heightened that feeling of empathy – in many ways I don’t want Second Life to change either. It is magical, and it is cool to feel like you are one of the brave and visionary few who came early. But a bigger part of my heart wants to see it reach everyone, and so we must evolve. Onward!”
With this in mind I encourage all SL residents to keep calm for a moment. Imagine your sim your business your art your whatever if we all manage to keep the spirit that gave birth to this world, to be able to show all its magic for a wider population. I think LLs and M Lindens post on the restructuring makes a lot sense at least as far as on visions and goals. Whether these can be archived by a minus 100 employees well I have no clue.
Finally a culture and community as rich as SLs will remain to exist in many years to come.
Positive thoughts and love, Claus
Update June 11
The above post was made after visiting the graveyard last night!
Update June 12-13
Afterthoughts:
Glenn M. Linden who led SLE left few weeks prior to 12-13 March where he gave a presentation at Best Practices in Education (representing his own new company)
March 7 Linden Lab officially opened Amsterdam office
March 9 Pathfinder Lindens position withdrawn
March 19 Infinity Linden aka Meadhbh Hamrick left LL or position withdrawn
May 4 Jeska Linden left (appearently many Lindens were warned what to come)
June 9 Linden Lab announced 30% layoff
June 10 Linden Lab no longer mentions Singapore office on their site neither is Amsterdam included (if it ever appeared there!?)
June 10 Tom Hale (T Linden) no longer at LL
All to say the beginning of the restructuring seems to have been known since the beginning of March
