For some, gaming is an essential ingredient in Second Life, whether it be HUD based games such as Tiny Empires (my favorite) or game tables where you play with friends or against the system…and then of course, there are the unofficial ones that exist almost as an undercurrent, not always seen but very real. If you’ve spent any significant amount of time in Second Life, you might have heard of one called “The Game of Homes”.
As I mentioned, it’s not an official game, nor a product of Linden Lab, though it could definitely be seen as a byproduct of the Lab. There are no hard and fast rules either—like most things in Second Life, people figure out what works for them and just run with it. Instead, this is a community-driven phenomenon—part obsession, part pastime, and part competitive sport—centered around the acquisition, trading, and occasional flipping of Linden Homes.
I say “competitive sport” here, but let’s be honest: for some, it borders on Olympic-level competition. There are a few gold medalists on the grid who could teach masterclasses in snagging prime parcels. I won’t name names, but over time I have learned that their skill at landing the cream of the Linden crop is nothing short of awe-inspiring. If you’ve never heard of this sport—or if you just want another take on this very unofficial but very real pastime—read on.
Perspective: What Are Linden Homes?
For Plus, Premium, and Premium Plus account holders, Linden Lab offers residential parcels known as Linden Homes.These are scattered across themed continents with ready-made houses, landscaping, and infrastructure. Claiming one gives residents their own patch of land without paying extra tier fees.
Recently, eligibility expanded to include Plus memberships as the entry-level tier for Linden Home ownership, with each level offering increasingly bigger lots, homes, and prim allowances. Premium Plus members hold the trump card: not only do they have access to Premium Plus-exclusive homes on the largest available parcels, but they can also submit a support ticket to request a specific home they want. And yes, that means any available home, not just Premium Plus exclusives.
But, just like real-life real estate, not all Linden Homes are created equal. Some parcels boast sweeping ocean views, quiet corner lots, or proximity to scenic pathways. Others are less fortunate, wedged between neighbors like sardines or clinging to the edge of a continent.
Desirability tends to follow resident preferences: water views, adjacency to parks, nearby rez zones for boats or cars, or even novelty features like lighthouses and airstrips. Personally, I lucked into a ranch house on a corner lot with ocean views to the north and east, a park next door, and a railroad track for good measure—a “tick every box” kind of home.
With demand far outstripping supply, competition is usually fierce. Right now, everyone’s laser-focused on Ranches, Stilts on Water, Tikis, and the shiny new Ridgewood Enclave. But don’t think for a second that Victorian cliffside homes, Log Homes by the lake, or vintage Houseboats with fantastic views have lost their fans. The market moves like an online stock exchange—constant churn, occasional seismic shifts when new themes release, and a ripple effect of migrations that open up gems in older regions.
The Thrill of the Hunt
Here’s where The Game of Homes really begins. Players stalk the Linden Homes website like hawks, refreshing endlessly in hopes of snagging a coveted parcel. When Linden Lab releases new homes—whether an entire region or a handful of regions—news travels at warp speed through Discord servers, inworld groups, and social media.
The process feels like a digital lottery: you roll the dice, claim a home, and then decide whether it’s a keeper or headed straight back into the pool. Some residents play casually, waiting for the “right one.” Others go full-on Vegas high roller, swapping homes daily (or hourly) in pursuit of the dream spot.
Of course, there are limits. An account only gets five rolls in a 24-hour period. Use them all and you’re left with two choices: ditch your fifth home to try again tomorrow (by which point the desirable new releases might be gone), or settle for what you’ve got and practice patience. Spoiler: patience is not a trait widely found among Game of Homes players.
Flipping Homes: The Gray Area
Technically, you can’t resell Linden Homes. They’re non-transferable. But flipping still happens, in a more social sense. Residents often abandon a home parcel at a scheduled time so someone else can swoop in and claim it. Entire groups organize around this, turning parcel handoffs into a kind of underground marketplace.
There are even whispered networks where players announce upcoming drops like they’re passing along treasure maps. A stilt on the water? A chalet with a lakeside view? A Victorian with double-corner frontage? All fair game. Some people share generously, helping newcomers get their dream spot. Others play it like high-stakes poker, keeping secrets close and waiting to pounce on the rarest plots.
The Community Behind the Craze
What could be a lonely grind has become a vibrant community activity. Discord servers, Flickr groups, and forums buzz with chatter about new releases, mapping strategies, and “hidden gem” finds. Screenshots of ideal properties are proudly posted like trophies.
It’s not unusual to see someone announce, “Dropping a stilt on water at 3:15 SLT—good luck!” and watch the scramble unfold. Miss the window by thirty seconds and you’ll find yourself shaking your fist at the grid gods.
Ticketing a Home
For Premium Plus members, the “ticket a home” option can feel like a magic key—but it’s not foolproof. If the home you want is part of a new release or a high demand theme, ticketing won’t save you. Nothing is more deflating than finding a perfect empty home, submitting a ticket, then getting an email from Wendi Linden saying your dream home is gone, assigned by the lottery system to whomever got lucky enough to roll for it while your ticket was still warm.
On the other hand, if you spot an abandoned log cabin with a lake view or a houseboat with uninterrupted horizon, ticketing may be your best friend. The longer a property has sat empty, the better your odds. Just click “About Land” to see when it was last claimed. Many of the best parcels come available when long-term holders finally abandon them for the latest shiny theme. Many have found their dream home sitting abandoned in themes that aren’t in the most demand, sometimes for months and with a ticket, that home could be yours.
More Than Just a House
At its heart, The Game of Homes is about more than just virtual real estate. It’s the thrill of the chase, the joy of discovery, and the fun of belonging to a quirky, ever-churning community. A Linden Home isn’t just four walls and a patch of land—it’s a stage for creativity, a ticket into a neighborhood, and a piece of the ever-expanding tapestry that makes Second Life feel alive.
Many GOH players juggle multiple avatar accounts just to collect homes, rotating them like baseball cards. Some call it dedication. Others call it madness. Personally, I call it Second Life in a nutshell.
For some, the game ends when they finally secure “the one”—the home that makes them put down roots and start decorating. For others, the chase itself is the fun, and the next perfect parcel is always one refresh away.
Whether you’re a hardcore hunter, a casual participant, or happily settled in the same house you’ve had for years, The Game of Homes remains one of the most challenging—and rewarding—pastimes in Second Life. Patience is oftentimes the key, though luck plays a role too I think.
Happy hunting!
Arabella
Second Glances with Arabella 
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