From the Wyverns nest

Returning to Whence it came…

On the 18th of June 2008, Abalus rose from the deep.  Sometime towards the end of December and early January 2009, Abalus will be returned to the deeps.  This is the unfortunate consequence of a policy change by Linden Labs in which the cost of the Open Spaces product has been dramatically increased and severely limited.  I can’t stand here and say that we had been perfect and the sim had always been a true open space, but rules are usually there to be bent and subverted.

Linden Labs are probably acting within what they feel the market will support. Even with the new limits, the Open Space sim is still the most cost effective product in terms of Land at ~L$5 per 16m² per month. Contrast that with the raw cost (sans premium fee) of a small 512 m² plot of mainland which will cost ten times that in tier.  If you need prims however, it is probably the worst product to have. Even the new Homestead sim is not exactly poor value in terms of L$ per prim, being less costly per prim then a 4096 m² mainland plot – the main difficulties lie in the yet to be disclosed scripting limitations that Open Spaces and Homesteads will be subject to.

However, Abalus can not continue as is in the form of a revised Open Space or a Homestead, and by itself it does not generate enough revenue to be a full sim.  Therefore the decision has been taken to merge Abalus with our close neighbour and friend to the east, Equus.

Currently Abalus has it’s winter coat on and is a fairly pretty place to see.  After Christmas I will most likely start picking non-copy objects off the sim and towards the end of the year I may empty it.  So it’s probably best to come visit whilst it is still here.