Second Life v1.1 now available

Linden Lab announced the release of Second Life version 1.1 on its official Web site. The upgrade--which is free to existing Second Life subscribers--boasts improved visuals, a new vehicle system, more detailed avatar customization options, improved maps and online directories, land-owning features, and the ability to capture in-game movies while playing.

"In June 2003, Second Life launched with a single general store, a disco, and a couple other attractions we built to get things started," said Philip Rosedale, Linden Lab founder. "In the hands of our aggressive early adopters it has grown to hundreds of stores, dozens of small towns, and has challenged us to rapidly grow the capabilities of the system to match the imagination of our population. With version 1.1, residents will be able to build and drive their own vehicles, form land-owning groups and communities, and advertise their businesses in a public directory."

The world of Second Life currently stretches over almost 1,000 acres of land and contains more than 200,000 user-created objects, including clothing and accessories, nightclubs, and even an amusement park with more than 30 rides. For more information on Second Life, check out our previous coverage of the game.