New virtual world “SocioTown” lets you experience penitentiary life, meaningless work, and beatings.
I try to log into all the new virtual worlds I can. Just tried the open beta of SocioTown after reading about it at Massively. I think this might take the cake for the toughest virtual world experience ever. You log in to find that - you’re in jail.
During the first few minutes I was threatened by another inmate named Terrance and then “Police Chief McNair” called me a “MURDEROUS MARAUDER”. He also asked me to “plead guilty” which seemed like a dodgy proposition considering I still had not heard the charges. Later he said there was a mistake and then disappeared, leaving me with the talkative inmate Terrance.
It also seems that work closely resembles real life as well. For example, we find that if you are lucky enough to find a job and agree to it, then “your screen will darken and there will be a time ticking away.” Just like real life, huh! But wait, there’s more…
While on the job, you cannot do anything on Sociotown but stay as is for the remaining time. This has to be the most unusual example of “grinding” I’ve ever heard of.
But wait, there’s more…. Just like in real life, you aren’t forced to keep the browser open while you’re on the job. This brings a whole new dimension to the idea of working remotely.
There’s a video below showing how a male named “Simpson” ejects people from his house. “Simpson” and the other players in the video have a heated exchange and Simpson attacks the apparently clueless visitors. He attacks 2 males with what appears to be a baseball bat and then hurls the women out by their legs. Wow, again, just like real life! Maybe not quite as bloody. It makes you wonder why there’s not a lock on the door in the first place.
I’m not sure if I’ll log back on to see what happens if Chief McNair ever comes back…I’m still traumatized after being chatted up by Terrance and I know he’ll be waiting for me. Then again, at least he’s in the cell next door. Just knowing Simpson is on the loose out in this virtual world I might be safer in the slammer, even though I don’t yet know my charges.
Maybe it should be called Sociopath Town.
ROFL… and we thought Second Life ™ had a bad orientation. I’ll take the parrot and the beach ball any day over being in jail!
Dear SocioTown, you need design help, please contact me.
