OpenSim User Growth Slows as Weather Cools – Hypergrid Business

As the seasons change and the cooler weather sweeps across the US, there’s something comforting about retreating from reality into the boundless adventures of virtual worlds. It’s no wonder that there’s been an uptick in both user registrations and the expansion of lands within public OpenSim grids. Yet, curiously enough, there’s been a significant dip in the number of active users—over 2,700 to be precise.

True, several grids faced challenges this month. Moonrose, which previously boasted over 900 active users, is grappling with website issues and has yet to release its recent stats. Vida Dupla hasn’t shared its user numbers either, and the Great Canadian Grid, with more than 600 active members last month, has sadly shut down.

Others are also seeing a slump in activity. With OSgrid reports showing a decline of over 800 active users, Craft World reporting a decrease of over 200 users, and five other grids shedding more than 100 active users each, it’s clear this trend isn’t simply due to closing grids or reporting hiccups.

Could it be the Halloween festivities drawing people away from their screens? Or perhaps the delightful nudge of brisk autumn weather encourages more people to join the real world for sweater-weather strolls?

Actually, as our trusty reader Paul Clevett of Wolf Territories points out, the drop is primarily due to OSgrid being down for maintenance. After a bit of digging, I found their announcement detailing the situation—thanks for the tip, Paul!

Apparently, OSgrid is addressing storage constraints, having accumulated 17 years’ worth of data, translating to several hundred million assets. The issue is compounded by storing redundant copies, wherein each asset appears larger than it really is. To solve this puzzle, they’re moving millions of assets and erasing the unnecessary space, all while the grid remains in maintenance mode to avoid disrupting user experience.

They haven’t specified exactly how long this maintenance will take, but reassuringly, no assets are expected to be lost in the process.

Moving on to the latest stats, I’ve been monitoring 2,677 public grids, out of which 295 were active this month, with 232 publishing their statistics. If your grid isn’t on our radar yet, drop me an email at [email protected]. We’ll ensure your grid gets mentioned in future monthly reports, boosting visibility both with search engines and users alike.

Interestingly, despite OSgrid’s temporary challenges, it remains the largest grid by land area with 32,867 standard region equivalents, even after pruning over 2,000 regions. Wolf Territories Grid, meanwhile, topped the ranks in activity, amassing 7,379 unique logins over the past 30 days.

Our stats exclude most grids operating on DreamGrid, a user-friendly OpenSim version often used for private settings. For those unfamiliar, OpenSim serves as an open-source alternative to Second Life, offering a platform where anyone can swiftly create and explore virtual worlds without hefty technical know-how. It allows free server hosting options for the technically minded, or commercial hosting starting at less than $5 per region.

For budding creators and curious users, a list of OpenSim hosting services is available here, while the recommended Firestorm viewer can be downloaded here. Resources for sourcing content for your OpenSim world or region are conveniently listed here.

For those keen on staying updated, the Hypergrid Business newsletter is now a thing—delivered every 15th of the month, hot on the heels of our stats report. You can sign up here or simply fill out the form below.

Diving further into grid dynamics, when it comes to social grids, more users often equate to a livelier experience, attracting merchants and event organizers alike. This month’s most bustling grids include:

1. Wolf Territories Grid: 7,379 active users
2. OSgrid: 4,046 active users
3. GBG World: 2,498 active users
4. DigiWorldz: 2,190 active users
5. Alternate Metaverse: 2,058 active users

…and the list goes on, showcasing diverse communities and vibrant activity.

Shifting focus to marketplaces, Kitely Market continues to dominate with 20,973 product listings across 632 grids. Nearly all growth here channels into exportable content, highlighting the market’s reach across varied grids. Kitely also embraced PBR materials and larger texture support this month, pushing the creative boundaries further.

As for grid dynamics, we’ve welcomed a newcomer to our database, NakedWorldz. On the flip side, nine grids faced suspension including Angel Grid and DreamNation. If any have simply changed their login details or website, a heads-up to update our records is appreciated.

In terms of land area, here’s a peek at the top-holders this month:

1. OSgrid: 32,867 regions
2. Wolf Territories Grid: 29,987 regions
3. Kitely: 18,126 regions

To stay in the loop with the ever-evolving world of OpenSim, or to report a grid we might have missed, don’t hesitate to email [email protected].

Finally, about me—I’m Maria Korolov, the editor and publisher of Hypergrid Business and a writer with a penchant for speculative fiction. When I’m not diving into the digital realms, I cover facets of technology, from AI to cybersecurity. For a deeper dive into my work, you can explore my Amazon author page or catch up with me on social media. Email is always open for any inquiries or connections.