UsableMarkets

User centered design appears to be on the agenda for Second Life, the virtual world.

This from an interview the new CEO did with Technology Review. I excerpt the interesting bit:

TR: A lot of new users seem to have trouble getting to that place. They get confused by the controls, and aren’t sure what to do inside the world. Do you have any thoughts about how to make it easier to get started?

MK: I’ve got a lot of background in the kind of user-centered design work that’s going to be important for Second Life, especially as you look at the first-hour experience. I haven’t come to any specific conclusions yet, but I think it starts with understanding what the resident needs in order to make a powerful experience, and looking at the kinds of people that you want to attract and bring in-world. The answers will emerge very clearly from that.

My own experience with Second Life has been rather shallow. Not only does it require a lot of time to enjoy, but it is difficult to use. Perhaps future changes will make Second Life relevant to those of us who appreciate what it’s trying to be, but don’t have the patience for it.

~alex