Add-On Games in Second Life

The following is a transcript of "Traveling Avatar's Quick and Dirty Tips for a Richer Life," a podcast from QuickAndDirtyTips.com. The audio program is available via RSS feed here and at TheStreet.com's podcast home page.

(Editor's note: You may need Second Life software installed on your computer to access the addresses below.)

Will Ross here, welcome to The Traveling Avatar's Quick and Dirty Tips for a Better Second Life. On this show we discuss tips and tricks for the game Second Life, created by Linden Labs.

Today's episode: Fun HUD-Based Games in Second Life

Heads-Up Display Games

On today's show we're going to talk about games. Second Life is a game with a lot of downtime, and sometimes that can get a little annoying. Lately I've been using HUD games to break up the monotony of sitting around and waiting for something to happen, and I'm going to share a couple with you today. HUD is short for heads-up display, and a HUD is any tool that sticks to your computer screen.

Tiny Empires

The first game, and the one I've been most obsessed with lately, is the multiplayer HUD game called Tiny Empires. The purpose of Tiny Empires is to group with other Second Lifers in a Machiavellian struggle to have the largest amount of land and power. To do this you buy acres of land, earn gold, upgrade your manor and equipment, and build up a war chest you can use to bribe, steal, sabotage and back-stab other players. It's kind of like being in a presidential primary, except you don't have to spend all that time in Iowa.

My experience with the game has been very entertaining and social, with IM's coming in from complete strangers looking to bribe me away from my liege. And if you really get into it and absolutely have to know, I'm a marquis in Princess Pannie Paperdoll line of subjects. (Trumpets) All hail Princess Pannie! (at least until someone bribes me with a better offer!)