HiPiHi - China’s answer to Second Life

HiPiHi (pronounced Hi-Pee-Hi) has just started the second phase of closed beta testing. This is China’s response to Second Life by Linden Lab due to the fact that there are very few players in SL that are Chinese.

What’s interesting about HiPiHi is that while it does look like a lot of it is much like SL, there are certain areas that depict a more thought out and well-coded environment. The skins of the avatars seem more refined and built better. The interface for objects are very similar to the joystick controls for aircraft in Second Life. One big thing that seems to stand out is that this beta has an environment scheme that really flattens the pre-Windlight SL. Overall, the Chinese closed beta seems to have much of what Linden lacks in environment and controls along with more refined graphics.

See the promotional video off of YouTube:

Anything that isn’t done well? Sure. It’s a beta. Like when you go parachuting out of a helicopter, it seems like the parachute is too stiff and is attached to the avatar’s head. There are certain parts of control interface that could really bring out more for creation but they seem too much like the SL interface. But the overall look and feel seems to be done better. The world itself seems to be more in the realistic sense, not seeing any avatars that are furballs like in Second Life and seeing more realistic environments based on actual buildings and areas. As they say, imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Personally, I’m curious as to when this will be released since it will definitely gain some movement if they are able to support a similar economic base as the one in SL. If so, look out Linden. We’ll be hearing more about HiPiHi.