Red Light Center

Red Light Center (RLC) is a privately owned Massively Multi-User Reality (sm) site that was made available to the public early in 2006 by Utherverse Inc. Its tag line is "Live Your Fantasy".

Red Light Center is modeled after Amsterdam’s Red Light District. The online community site offers users virtual nightclubs, hotels, bars, movie theaters and stores. There is a virtual currency called Rays, which members can earn and use for services in the community.

Recently added as of late 2007 a new area called Virtual Vancouver or VV for short was established, containing places like Blur, a Skatepark and a Boardwalk. Zaby's and the roller rink were transferred from the Red Light District to VV in early 2008, In late 2008 you may be able to own your very own apartment in Zaby's .

Red Light Center offers Community Events, such as parties, classes, meeting rooms, live music with dancing and art-gallery openings. These events are broadcast within the online universe. Users also have the ability to put on their own events to real audiences within the various Redlight Center theaters. In many locations, one can smoke hookahs of ganja and eat magic mushrooms, which can have their effects shaken off at the user's choice.

As an adult playground, RLC features a sex function for VIP members. The users are represented by avatars, which may be customized personally to suit a user's tastes, and may be used to have sex with another. Certain areas of RLC provide a bed for the users and cater to various popular fantasies. Users have access to underwater caves, locker rooms, a hotel, and bordello rooms, all of which are private spots. There are several themed and equipped rooms available for BDSM play. The avatars are all anatomically correct and the sexual activity is detailed and animated. Users chose a position or action from a menu and then watch it happen with their avatar partner. Since both partners have the same menu to choose from, the result is a visual cybersex.

As of November 2007, there were 700,000 active users of RLC. [AppScout.com April 18, 2007 "The New Amsterdam: An Interview with Utherverse CEO, Brian Shuster"]

Roles within the community

Within the RLC metaverse, there are several roles and functions which are provided solely by currently active members of the RLC community.

"Guide" is the first role available for most members. Guides have the role of helping new members learn their way around, giving tours, answering questions, and helping with minor disputes.

"Hosts and Hostesses" take over where the guides leave off. The job of hosts and hostesses is to make new members feel welcome and to ensure that everyone has a good time. Hostesses help the members have a good time and party. They introduce new members to other members so they will get to know people sooner.

The next role is "Leader", which is a promotion for those guides who have shown themselves to be seriously dedicated to helping the community. They now have the added responsibility of helping the guides, trying to settle disputes, and assisting the protectors in any way they can.

A "Protector" is the highest role that most members can reach. This is someone who has proven themselves to be very dedicated to the community; they are essentially moderators. Protectors are entrusted with helping the guides, leaders, and all the other members. Protectors step into situations that the leaders or others can't get under control. Protectors try to reason with members, and if after an ample amount of time and warnings, booting a member if needed.

"Community Supervisor" is the newest position. They are in charge of helping, training, and moderating the guides, recommending promotions, as well as assisting the leaders. They are protectors or leaders who have been promoted to this leadership position. They have the same roles as the leaders and guides, but with these added responsibilities. They also work closely with the protectors and Community Moderators.

"Community Moderator" was created in tandem with the growing amount of members joining the community. In addition to being protectors, community moderators are there to assist everyone. They help guides, leaders, and protectors with any problems or complaints they may have, and act as a main pipeline to the higher staff. They also help with members' complaints and problems. This is a growing position, and only the protectors that have truly proven themselves and made a definite mark in the community are considered for this role.

References

Press

* [http://www.appscout.com/2007/04/the_new_amsterdam_an_interview_1.php The New Amsterdam: An Interview with Utherverse CEO, Brian Shuster]
* [http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-ca-webscout4feb04,1,5239561.story?ctrack=1&cset=true RLC in the LA Times]
* [http://www.eyebeam.org/reblog/archives/2006/10/red_light_center_on_gay_marriage.html RLC Gay Marriage On Eyebeam]
* [http://www.hightimes.com/ht/news/content.php?bid=358&aid=3 Free Pot? High Times Story on RLC]
* [http://www.newscientisttech.com/channel/tech/mg19025566.400-the-irresistible-rise-of-cybersex.html The Irresistible Rise Of Cybersex on NewScientistTech.com]
* [http://www.wired.com/news/columns/sexdrive/0,71530-0.html?tw=wn_story_page_prev2 Wired Red Light Center Exposed]
* [http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/commentary/sexdrive/2006/08/71530 Wired.com article]
* [http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2146898,00.asp PCMag article]

External links

* [http://www.redlightcenter.com Red Light Center (http://www.redlightcenter.com)]
* [http://www.utherverse.com Utherverse (http://www.utherverse.com)]
* [http://www.YetAnotherPaper.com YetAnotherPaper user Magazine]
* [http://www.rlcaa.com Redlight Center Addicts Anonymous]