Going on a Virtual Treasure Hunt Within Second Life

Second Life (SL) is a virtual platform hosted on the Internet that was created by Linden Labs as a virtual hub where people can recreate themselves as avatars and can meet with other people in social and business settings created by users for other users to share.

Treasure, booty, goods or just plain free stuff!! Whatever you choose to call it, Grid Wide treasure hunts are drawing denizens to them, with the hopes of getting their hands on free items to fulfill their SL wants and needs. As a hunt lover myself I see the appeal. You never know what you're going to get when you find the box, magnifying glass or mirror, but that is half the fun. Searching and camming around every little surface in search of that item is tiring, frustrating and sometimes headache inducing, so what keeps us coming back for more?

For me, it's the thrill of the hunt. Ok, well the free stuff is nothing to slouch at either. I am in the process of my third full grid wide hunt and I'm planning on continuing on the others that start tomorrow, because...well... I'm completely addicted!! I can't seem to help myself. I always say after a long and exhausting 200 store trek that I'm done with hunts, they are too time consuming and cause too much sleep deprivation to be worth it, but there I am at the next one raring to go.

There have been many an ugly comment to the store owners who participate in the hunts because some of them choose to make it a very hard search, whether that is to add to the thrill or simply jack up the ratings of their place, remains to be seen, but none the less they have gotten grief from those hunters who think that they are having to search too hard for their free stuff. There are always groups dedicated to giving clues to those who are "stuck" in one place too long, and need a bit of help, and kudos to those great clue givers, without them I would probably still be stuck on store # 76 in the Twisted Hunt.

There are also blog sites that give clues and hints and some that show the prize from each store, so that a hunter can determine if its something worth their time. I will admit that I have frequented the blog site recently for clues, but only after I have been stuck in a store for more than 30 minutes. I have met the greatest people on these hunts, some of whom I remain friends with to this day.

Each hunt is based on a central theme, for example the Twisted Hunt is just what one would have expected, it took hunters to the more obscure stores allowing them to get a feel for the more alternative side of SL, and I have to say...some of the coolest things in my inventory came from that hunt. One of the more popular hunts that is taking place right now is the Through the Looking Glass Hunt, which as you might be able to guess has a central theme of Alice in Wonderland's Through the Looking Glass.

These prizes might range from full avis based on the classic Alice in Wonderland characters to the more dark versions of the same. I am loving every minute of it, as Alice in Wonderland has always held my attention for the more interesting parts of it bordering on nightmarish in some instances. But I digress. Treasure hunters SL wide are never at a loss for things to do, as there are always hunts of some form going on, some on a smaller scale that might only be known to members of a store's group such as the recent Twisted and Spoiled hunt, that was limited to the store's confines but offered quality items from the store's fabulous clothing line (yes I am a bit biased, TnS is in my top 3 favorite stores in SL).

Often times there are several hunts going on at once and it is possible for hunters to find "clues" for more than one hunt in the same store, allowing you to double up on hunt gifts. The major dilemma I am facing with that right now, is which trail to follow. So I pick things up for both as I go along and know that when ive completed one, I am well on my way to completing the other as well. I know that I will never be at a loss for something to occupy my time as long as there are hunts to be had in SL, Im sure that I will meet some of you along the way, and I hope that you hunt experience is one to keep you hunting for weeks, months and even years to come. Happy hunting!!!