Desktop "always on" SL Launcher (like bnet client)
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Nya Jules
I know that game launchers can be controversial, but hear me out.
I envision an SL game launcher that offers a similar functionality like the Blizzard bnet client.
The launcher has the following features:
- Messenger client: you can chat your with friends. Clicking TP-offers automatically launch the viewer if not active.
- News page: you see general SL news as well as upcoming events. Clicking event links automatically launch the viewer if not active.
- Button to launch the viewer
SL by default does not open the Viewer directly but starts the launcher (you will still able to open the viewer standalone.) The launcher by default automatically starts with Windows. The launcher consumes only little system resources and by default hides in the system tray when closed. It therefore offers an "always-on" presence. Your online status shows a special flag when you're only online in the launcher.
Why do I think that this would be anything special?
I came to this idea when I heard people talking about how they can reliably reach people outside of the viewer. Some SL users are on discord but only a fraction. Some are on Primfeed but only a fraction. Neither really connects SL residents outside of SL, and neither will in the future. An "always-on" launcher would solve this issue. Even if your viewer is closed you are still connected to your SL friends if you want.
It would increase engagement between users because it's easier to communicate (the limitation that both need to be on in the viewer at the same time is gone) and it could also increase the engagement of the user with the platform if the news/event content shown in the launcher is interesting and relevant enough.
Essentially the launcher would be optional but enabled by default, and act like existing game launchers that people are used to.
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Nescolet Resident
The SL phone app already works like this: it opens onto your dashboard (launcher), from where you can check IMs and group chats without fully engaging the graphics side of SL --you still can hear any sounds playing around your avatar though. And after you close the app, part of it that allows you to get IM notifications keeps running in background.
Zalificent Corvinus
"...act like the existing game launchers that people are used to..."
You mean the really annoying ones that sane people hate, loathe and despise?
Let's NOT, and say we did.
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Nya Jules
Zalificent Corvinus like I said in my first line, game launchers can be very controversial. That happens when they bring no visible benefit to the user.
Why the heck do I need to start the Rockstar launcher to play GTA? I feel like that because the Rockstar launcher doesn't give me any added value. There is not even a friends list (afaik) and if there were I wouldn't use it because I don't socialize in GTA, I know everyone I play GTA with from outside of GTA. The launcher is just an annoyance.
The bnet launcher is different. It provides a friends list, and since I do socialize in WoW, it lets me easily stay in contact with people without adding them to 3rd party chat applications that people may or may not use.
I believe that the communication aspect, being able to easily stay in contact with people by running a launcher that doesn't consume many system resources, would be a huge benefit.