Pixel Scoop

Well, this was intended for the January in world edition of Pixel Scoop. However, as we won’t be continuing with the in world publications, I’ll put it here instead!

7Seas is a fantastic networked fishing game that has taken Second Life™ by storm. The game involves catching all sorts of aquatic creatures, in essence. Though with the extras to catch, the aquariums to set up and hundreds of people setting up their own fishing areas with custom prizes, there’s so much more to it than that! I caught up with game creators Seven Shikami, Meissa Thorne, Jen Shikami to find out more.

When did the idea for 7Seas come up?

Back in February or March we started talking about new activities or games we could use at our island, Flotsam Beach. Seven already had experience creating arcade games in Second Life so he was prepared for the code end of it, and Meissa and Jen were experienced builders which helped with the fish-making part.

How long did it take to put together and implement?

It probably took about a month to get the beta test rolling, then another month of beta testing before full release in April.

How many 7Seas locations do you now estimate there to be in game?

As shown at the top of the fishing areas page, there are over 523 fishing areas. (There are lots more at private residences and clubs that aren’t listed here; this is just a list of public ones.)

What were your expectations? Did you imagine the level of success you have had?

We knew it would be at least somewhat popular, particularly since the arcade games Seven already sold through Insert Coin Arcade went over so well. But we had no idea it would become half of our business! It’s such a great thrill that people love the game so much.

Jen adds: Personally I had no idea people would continue fishing even after catching all the fish (completing their collection.) Of course, custom catches from the community have expanded the game dramatically.

With so many people playing, do you find yourselves bogged down with support requests?

Our customer support person, 7Seas Sass, works about an hour or two a day on support. That seems pretty reasonable considering that there are LOTS of fish and purchases traveling through our servers every day. So the vast majority don’t end up needing help. Of course, the community has also been really understanding about non-deliveries, whether due to SL or something on our end. Our chatters in the “7Seas Social Chat” group help a lot and people will use the forums to ask questions too.

How many different 7Seas official catchables are there now?

There 318 official catchables.

How many players are there in game?

We’re not sure! Thousands, definitely. Each of our two official user groups have about 1100 people in it, but we know there are many more people playing than that.

What future plans do you have in the pipeline for improvements and expansion fo 7Seas?

Of course we’re always building new fish. We plan to make more salvage items too, as those are very popular.

You can find the 7Seas website here: http://7seasfishing.com/ and the new forums here: http://7seasfishing.com/forum/

Thanks to Seven, Jen and Meissa.

My name is Josue and I’m a….. well…. I just… I…I can’t say it. Ok, deep breath. Let’s try this again. My name is Josue Habana and I’m a 7Seas-oholic. The truth is that I like to stand around pixel places, dipping my fictional rod into Linden waters and catching virtual fish. So special are these fish that they don’t even need water. They float around my head, surviving perfectly well breathing nothing but pixel air.

I first realised I had a problem when I looked into my inventory and realised that a good twenty percent of my 4000 strong inventory started with the prefix (7S). It was then that I realised just how consumed my life had become by fishing. Was it the competitive element? Was it the fact that I wanted to catch the best virtual fishies before Jenee? Was it the fact that I just liked to have a big (colour customisable) rod?

I don’t know.

But anyway, that’s enough of that! How frikkin awesome is 7Seas? For anyone who has not got a clue what I’m going on about you can find their website here. It’s an in game fishing game that seems to have taken off spectacularly well, with lots of people getting involved and many of them creating their own custom catches and holding their own tournaments.

For the best (in my opinion) custom catches, get your butts over to Screwball’s 7Seas Area! What could be cooler than fishing for Smurfs afterall?

Go on…. you know want to!