Makena Turns Four

by Softly Dreaming

 

 

On Wednesday night There celebrated four years since the creation of Makena, Michael Wilson's creative child born to save the world he loved, There.com. It was a nice, fairly quiet gathering of which I missed most, thinking it was starting later than it did due to the time zone difference. Emma asked the Island guide group for help. My There boyfriend worked the party giving out Kites as prizes for different games. A scavenger hunt was part of the celebration. There were three layers and prizes for Dancers, motu motu winners, a board game called Konverge, buggy basketball winners and bingo winners. When I arrived quite a few well known Therians were hanging about and quite a few newbies. I saw Francis_7, Disky in a male avatar and Percy. I summoned Blackout and a lively conversation followed with a newbie trying to kick us all out of the zone. The atmosphere was laid back. Since the party was announced I kept thinking about when There started, how Mike Wilson came to love it, how Black Friday changed it and how it was saved. I thought about the partners and what they do for There and what the future of my virtual home away from home would be.

 

Wikipedia comments that There is a 3D online virtual world created by Will Harvey and Jeffrey Ventrella. There Inc. was founded in the spring of 1998. Closed beta began in July 2001, with various stages of beta following, and ending with an October 2003 launch date. Now I know Percy who started his There life one day before the official launch date and others like him whose passion for There and its essence is what makes There and its community something worth fighting for, and who make There part of the great world it really is. Mike Wilson shares the passion of these long time Therians and he makes sure that Makena gives them a voice. And his passion is being demonstrated in the new Town Hall meetings, the expansions, and in all the new additions and the landmarks.

In June 2004, There Inc. went through a restructuring and announced major layoffs. This caused the loss of many engineers which became known as what many long time members call Black Friday. In April 2005, There Inc. announced that the commercial side of the company would be branching out to form two companies Forterra Systems (the government contracted client), and Michael's baby Makena Technologies (the commercial client).

 

In 2006, Makena Technologies announced a partnership with MTV Networks to provide the technology platform for their virtual worlds which include: Virtual Laguna Beach, The Virtual Hills, Virtual Pimp My Ride, Virtual Real World, Virtual Newport Harbor, Virtual VMAs (Video Music Awards), Virtual Kaya, Virtual Rob and Big and Virtual Life of Ryan. Makena Technologies also has a partnership with Trilogy Studios.

Corporate brands that currently have a presence in There.com include Coca-Cola, CosmoGIRL!, Humane Society of the U.S., Scion, Capital Music Group, Paramount Studios, bebe, NaCo USA, K-SWISS and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

In 2008, Makena Technologies launched ThereConnect, allowing There.com members to showcase their in-world profiles, skills, groups and upcoming events on their Facebook pages. They also announced ThereIM, a lightweight instant messaging client where users can communicate with other members’ avatars, whether or not they are signed into the virtual world.

With Makena being four I think about the many loyal Therians who feel Second Life and other virtual worlds are a four letter word. Their passion is to keep There.com strong, fresh, and recognizable as the virtual home away from home they have loved for so long. How these members work hard to help new ones see just how great There really is. Fan sites like the Voice of There, groups that have been member inspired and company nurtured such as Island Guide central, landmarks like Avie sacrifices and new places like the Welcome Walkway. Members such as the long time passionate talented designers who have significantly contributed in so many outstanding ways. As Makena celebrates its four year anniversary I look forward to the future of There.com with wonder and amazement, knowing what possibilities may come.