By Amanda Vasilikos
A yellow beach towel is being held in front of virtual me as the beach begins to take shape on my computer screen. The last few palm trees develop on the horizon against the evening sky, which has recently changed to a pinkish orange color. No, I’m not dreaming. I am in Virtual Laguna Beach.
Just a few months ago MTV Networks, along with Makena Technologies, created a 3D world for fans of the hit series “Laguna Beach.” Virtual Laguna Beach is an online community in which viewers become 3D versions of themselves, or “avatars.” From there, fans live in an environment that is almost identical to Laguna Beach, Calif.
Through the free program, fans are able to shop, attend official events and even catch in-world appearances from Laguna Beach cast members.
Mariana Agathoklis, a spokeswoman for MTV, says users can view Season 3 episodes of Laguna Beach in one of the in-world theaters the night before they air on MTV.
While I stand by my belief that the lives of these sun-baked and spoiled teenagers aren’t that interesting, I admit I have been sucked in.
Why did I give in and sign up? Well, it is free and I am a college student who loves to procrastinate.
Step One: pick a name.
Well, if I am going to be a member of Laguna Beach I need a completely original and posh-sounding name.
Paris. “I’m sorry that avatar name is taken.”
Coco. “I’m sorry that avatar name is taken.”
Brit. “I’m sorry that avatar name is taken.”
I settle for AV24 — surely no avatar has taken that. The name is a blend of my initials and my birth date, something I am sure to remember.
After I have chosen my name I am told to pick a gender and a look. There are eight model avatars that I am able to choose from. Much like the young women on the show — all eight avatars look exactly the same. The only difference between avatars is skin and hair color. I decide to go for the better of the two brunettes – mine is sans cowboy hat. That’s just not my style.
I finish by filling in my birthday, e-mail address and password. I click, “Sign Me Up.”
Suddenly my screen enlarges and a red and blue “Laguna Beach” logo is flashing before my eyes.
So here I am on the beach — it looks compellingly similar to the real Laguna Beach. I see other avatars with odd names such as “PeytonJustine” and “xXBabyGirlxX.”
I notice that my fellow female avatars are dressed in trendy ensembles. I, on the other hand, look like a Laguna loser in a white tank top and jeans. I decide my first mission is to go shopping.
Virtual Laguna Beach equips each avatar with currency called MTV bucks. I walk over to Muse — an actual boutique in Laguna.
I pick out a denim mini skirt and a vintage flower camisole for a small fortune of $125. I am finally looking Laguna ready. Now all I need are some hot friends.
Where does one go in Laguna Beach to meet up with friends? I decide I have three options: the beach, the pizzeria or the basketball court.
I opt for the beach — good choice — lots of hip-looking avatars here.
I try to go up and start conversation with them, but as soon as I do, green sunglasses pop over their faces. The shades, apparently one of the safety features of the program, are used when users do not want to communicate with others.
“Our members’ safety is of paramount concern for us,” Agathoklis says. “Users have the ability to turn off chat applications and block others from communicating with them.”
Reporting buttons are easily accessible for users to report inappropriate behavior, she says.
According to Belinda Banks, a spokeswoman for Makena Technologies, profile pages for the program do not include fields for the display of personally identifiable information such as a user’s real name, address, city, phone numbers, or school names. Each member’s geographical location is only identified by country and teen members aged 13 through 17 cannot display their age.
“Each world also takes proactive steps to educate members about behavior guidelines and safe ways of interacting online,” Banks says.
One of these steps includes the regular promotion of safety tips in newsletters, and in-world at high traffic locations.
I walk along the beach and I notice two avatars locking lips. Little pink hearts surround the avatars as the two heads seemingly connect.
Agathoklis says kissing is as far as it goes. Avatars cannot depict sex or sexually explicit situations.
“They can’t make obscene gestures either,” she says. “In fact, the characters have three fingers: a thumb and a forefinger, with their last three fingers melded together.”
I realize for the first time that she is right. My hands resemble lobster claws, so there is no chance of avatars flicking people off in this world and that isn’t really the point.
Banks says people visit these worlds in their spare time to relax, have fun and meet new friends.
“Many also use virtual worlds as a way to spend time with their close circle of friends and family when they can’t be together offline,” she says.
Agathoklis could not provide internal numbers or projections about how many members have signed up so far for Virtual Laguna Beach.
“Suffice it to say that our ultimate goal is to create a new and unique experience for our audience,” she says.
As the popularity of these worlds grows, MTV is keeping with the trend by introducing two more virtual worlds to be released in 2007. The first, tentatively called, “Music World,” is developed around MTV’s original forte: music.
“It’s built upon our music heritage and will engage the broader music community in an environment promoting the discovery and sharing of music,” Agathoklis says.
The second community will be designed for viewers of LOGO, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Here fans can build their own world as they would like to see it and live it.
I learn after my first experience in Virtual Laguna Beach that I am more of a real-world kind of girl. I prefer real shopping, although the fact that I earned MTV bucks for simply putting together a stylish outfit, well, that could grow on me.
