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Teen Grid

Private Islands: Teen Grid Style!

Previously, we looked at several non-profit and educator-owned private islands and the first teen-owned private islands in Teen Second Life. Having seen that running a private island is potentially profitable, teens are catching on and the number of privately-owned teen islands has grown.

Let's take a look at one of the newest additions to the archipelago...

A store in Leviathan, a private
island on the Teen Grid

Leviathan is the most recent teen-owned island to be made open to the public and in short time it's seen considerable growth. According to estate owner Puck Rinkitink, there are 27-30 renters currently building on the island. Numerous stores, hang-outs and residences have been built or are in the works. "But it's not like I'm packing them in like sardines" says Puck, which is evident upon arrival to the spacious and welcoming telehub created by Intra Fraina.

The plots are divided by Shawn Ay's professionally built roads, which are named after streets in NYC, where Puck spent a vacation. Puck muses that the predominance of streets leaves the sim looking a bit dry..."I plan to try and replace some of the roads with canals."

Despite the growing number of teen-owned islands that pay for themselves by renting land, Puck doesn't feel that there is any feeling of competition between sim owners. "It's easier for a lot of people to pay for land with $L than to get a credit card and buy tier."

This phenomenon is not uncommon with adults who make Linden Dollars by selling their wares or services, or for non-US residents who aren't as likely to choose to own credit cards. The model of private island land rental works well across the age divide. Although there doesn't seem to be any need to worry that the market for private land rentals will dry up anytime soon, one has to consider the potential competition. Puck notes: "there seems to be plenty of business now, but I hear some other people are getting island and they may become competition"

So considering the current market and the inability to bring mainland investments to the adult side of SL upon "Rezuation", private island purchases maintain their appeal to savvy teens. We will continue to look to new island owners to continue to define this unique alternative to the McJob.