Back in 2006, Duran Duran announced that it would be coming to Second Life. For a long time, nothing happened. In fact, nothing continued to happen. Duran Duran never showed or opened up their site. After a while, though, most every major news outlet from the BBC to the New York Times reported that Duran Duran had in fact appeared in Second Life – which reflects rather poorly on the state of professional journalism, alas.
Now Duran Duran has announced that they’re actually going to open up their Duran Duran Universe site in Second Life at last, after almost five years.
Well, it’s been announced a second time, leastways. I’m not exactly sure how high my confidence level is in that opening right now.
Nevertheless, here’s the announcement and a note by DDU Community Manager, Chrissy Welinder:
The Duran Duran Universe is just about ready to open! Debuting on June 22nd, the DDU will soon be unveiled for ALL to see. If you haven’t yet registered on Second Life, and would like to take a look around, you can visit SECOND LIFE and get yourself acquainted with every thing before the DD world officially opens its doors.
We have a welcome message from Chrissy, the DDU community manager who keeps everything running smoothly. We are all excited to see you (in avatar form, of course) in the DD Virtual World !
Dear Duran Duran fans and Second Life visitors!
The Duran Duran Universe – the permanent virtual residence of and by the band Duran Duran in Second Life – will soon open its gates.
I am so very thrilled about it that I can hardly find any words. I am very happy to have had the opportunity to be the proud witness to the birth of a magic masterminds brainchild and I feel even more honoured to now share this amazingly beautiful wonderland with you.From the top of the lipstick tower high in the Azizi sky to the underwater UFO Club in the Sanhedralite sea the Duran Duran Universe is packed full of wonderful artistic treasures, interactive features, innovative multimedia and exciting events and games. All carefully chosen by the band members as part of their motto: “designed to make people party!”
I am looking forward to welcoming you all personally in the DDU – join the adventure and meet me there!
Yours,
Chrissy Welinder
DDU Community Manager
I shall go looking for a Barbarella AV.
Do they still smell like they sound?
(very obscure joke)
The promoter is a tad hyperbolic, but still it’s interesting (if it happens, of course). I always enjoyed their music videos during MTV’s heyday — not the stage performances, but the artsy genre. They were usually high production value and fun to watch while enjoying the music. We shall see.
Barbarella won´t work for the Duraned 1980´s, Wolf. I think Vivienne Westwood or such would be adequate. Or Sioxie Banshee. Or – for the real pervert – Maggie Thatcher.
I am not sure what it portends for SL that a has-been 80′s pop band is trumpeting their virtual debut there in 2011. And what, exactly, does the “Duran Duran Universe” entail, I wonder.
I keep flashing to Futurama and picturing the band’s heads in jars on a stage…
Remembering the size of the hair involved I think they are going to need BIG jars.
“Back in 2006, Duran Duran announced that it would be coming to Second Life. For a long time, nothing happened. In fact, nothing continued to happen. Duran Duran never showed”
I read the links closely and am I missing something or has this still not changed at all? Other than opening one or more regions in their name, are any members of the band associated with this effort at all? Are anything going to actually ever log in? There have been Duranie regions in Second Life for many many years. It’s not clear to me that anything has changed here except that this specific DDU region is having an official opening, and it looks like that is with the band’s blessing. Or is there more news somewhere?
“After a while, though, most every major news outlet from the BBC to the New York Times reported that Duran Duran had in fact appeared in Second Life – which reflects rather poorly on the state of professional journalism, alas.”
The implication from this article is that this is changing; the years of absence will have ended at some point, i.e. that they ARE finally going to appear in Second Life. Any truth to that at all?
Excellent news! Congrats to all concerned and I hope they have as much fun and support that Journey had when we brought them in to Journey Rock Band Island in 2008 for their Revelation album Promo. These things take time and I am sure that Duran Duran and their fans will add much value to the SL Experience. Rock On!!
@Jim This is all about the band having a promotional presence. So far as I am aware, there have been no plans for the band to actually use Second Life or to perform there, either this time or on the previous occasion.
This is like “Apple coming to SL” – you don’t expect Steve Jobs to be on the ground at any point.
Duran Duran has ben in SL since 2006. As a Devotee (loath the word fan) I as countless others were born in SL due to the invitation from Nick Rhodes (keyboardist).
Nick, Simon (singer), John (Basist) and Roger (Drums) all used Second Life in the beginnings.
Nick and Roger reportedly more than the two others
Yes Tateru, the original plan was for Duran to have gigs on their own islands as well. Maybe they still will but that is in the hasy future because right now Simon is going through some very difficult times with his voice.
RiversRunRed was extreamly kind to us that came to SL to wait for the islands. They gave us a place to hang out at their own region, They often came and chatted to us. They made some great builds although today when you look at it its very 2006. So if you want nostalgia that is the place to go. Sadly the new management has also detroyed some of the buildings and with not so good a result.
I personally knows people that can run rings round the current managememt both in regards to building skills and management skills.
The whole opening has been a failure from day one. No words on the official channels that Duran uses. The Duran fan group members was spammed 1-2 days before the unofficial opening (June15th) the invite to the special invite group went out the day before (14th). Some people werent even invited that should have been invited. Management has been handeling it froma personal perspectiv. Banning people that she personally has strife with. Throwing people off the islands because they didnt agree with her (meaning they didnt grief in any way).
Its DrLama/Durama in the highest gear. I myself was followed round when I came to the islands (together with a friend) and questioned. Made me feel highly uncomfetable. Ive talked to others that dont feel comfetable going over there, having a feeling they have to ask permission all the time.
The management change has been done unproffessionally. Again no word from official channles on anything.
I could go on and on but I think the above is enough to give you the gist of things
I knew that Second Life is useful for everything, even as a nursing home for the elderly
Yeh, one of the victims that did not wanted to hear what the community manager had to say to impress me and banned from all groups.
Can only say about this Community Manager: Their is a big difference managing a sim or ruling it.
I must admid I am not having a good night sleep over it. To tired after the great event in Amsterdam for that
But as a virtual world passioned user and knowing what was on the Islands before I am worried so much as some items should have been reused if research was well done. Prefab houses should not be set on a sim created for a name like Duran Duran. It is a pity whoever did this did not do homework well.
I just hope it does not bring this project in to trouble.
I love it! That is why I am in this world and explored as much. As any know the power what it can do with people. inclusive unfortunate drama.
But more important the co creation. Working together with so many around the world.
Stunning beautifull things can be done! I hope along the way the would do their research and understand that some things are not done.
And yeh will keep saying hopefully they will have a look at the artists around the virtual worlds and support them as I know DuranDuran does that dearly.
I am looking forward!
@wynochee aren’t we secretly all that