Liden Lab and Second Life to Be Acquired by Investment Group

After seventeen years active in the online space with their flagship virtual communications platform Second Life, new changes will be coming to Linden Research (more commonly known as Linden Lab) in the future. Linden Research announced last week that they are soon to be acquired by an investment group led by Randy Waterfield and Brad Oberwager – both of whom have a long history in the information technology sector. This acquisition would cover both of Liden’s significant products – the virtual world Second Life and the monetary platform Tilia.

Liden Lab and Second Life to Be Acquired by Investment Group 1

The acquisition is not complete just yet, and is “subject to regulatory approval by financial regulators in the U.S. related to Tilia Inc.’s status as a licensed money transmitter as well as other customary closing conditions”. Once approved, this will see both Waterfield and Oberwager join Linden Research’s board of directors. Very little other information is known about both services going forward, outside of the claim that this would unlock “new growth & expansion opportunities”. Understandably, some active users of Second Life may be apprehensive about this acquisition, and what some may have put almost two decades into developing. Here’s hoping it will only enhance and enrich the service for the modern-day. Perhaps with the ongoing transfer to cloud servers, they might potentially lower the price of private regions down from $349.00 USD (w/ maintenance fee of $229.00 USD) to something more accessible…

Although seventeen years old and potentially classed by some as a “relic of an older generation of the internet”, Second Life is still receiving active development by Linden Lab, which makes creating characters and environments in the virtual world up to current-day standards while also making tools available for the community to develop and sell their own assets. Whether looking to hang with friends virtually, take photos, build, explore or (erotic) role-play; the service has received renewed interest during COVID-19, to the point where the current deployment of new user-created sims isn’t possible.

Liden Lab and Second Life to Be Acquired by Investment Group 2

What the Key Stakeholders Have to Say…

We’re excited for this new chapter to begin. We see this as an opportunity to continue growth and expansion for Second Life and our money services business Tilia. We’re grateful for the ongoing support from our community, business partners and investors. Now more than ever, there is increased recognition of the value and utility of virtual worlds to bring people together for safe, shared, and social online experiences.

Ebbe Altberg | Linden Lab CEO

Both the company and its virtual world community have a unique culture and creative energy that remain important to the long-term success of Second Life. There’s a bright future for both Second Life and Tilia and we’re excited to help fuel these growth opportunities.

Brad Oberwager | Investor

Since its inception 17 years ago, Second Life has been a pioneer in the concepts of virtual societies, land and economies. I’ve known Brad for 14 years personally and professionally, and I’m confident he will bring his passion and proven strategies to help Linden Lab achieve new heights in distribution, scale, and quality while remaining true to the original vision, creativity, and community that makes Second Life unique and special.

Philip Rosedale | Second Life Founder

Sam
Sam
Founder of The Otaku's Study. I have been exploring this labyrinth of fandom these last fifteen years, and still nowhere close to the exit yet. Probably searching for a long time to come.

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