Mal Burns / Malburns Craftster has left us, leaving a great void in Craft World Grid and Inworld Review.
I worked on his interview for a few days, together with Sergej Zarf aka Mario Fontanella; Mal sent me a recording, explaining that he was having difficulty writing. Today, for me and for all the friends of Craft World, publishing his words means giving him a voice beyond his absence. His words speak to us of a person attentive to reality, to creativity — a curious soul, adventurous in virtual worlds.
Mel Burns / Malburns Craftster was a true digital traveler who explored, reported, and gave voice to what happens in virtual worlds.
I publish his interview as a tribute to him and to his work as a communicator, and also as a testament to how, in virtual spaces, friendships and vibrant cultural dialogues can blossom.
From interviewer to interviewee: what’s it like?
Well, there isn’t much difference, to tell the truth. When I host “Inworld Review,” I like everything to flow like an informal chat, with spontaneous exchanges. What’s important is the communication, the content that gets across, not so much who asks the questions or who answers. The role of interviewer or interviewee is just the starting point.
When did you start frequenting virtual worlds? What was your first experience like?
I’ve been immersed in virtual worlds for over twenty years. I started quite early on Second Life, although I missed the very first moments, like “Lynenville” (or something like that). I think I signed up in the early 2000s. Actually, the first time I chose a username, “Malones,” but by the time I finally had the right equipment to enter, I had lost the credentials, so I had to start over.
I remember hearing about it on a BBC program here in the United Kingdom. It immediately struck me, especially because they talked about virtual art galleries. I went in and started exploring… discovering that you could fly was great fun at first! There was a group of us, beta testers of what later became Twitter. We met regularly, and from there I began to understand the potential of these environments.
I was never a role-player, although, ironically, the first lands I owned were linked to a medieval role-playing game. I lived in a treehouse, with screens, HUDs, and technology everywhere, while I had to pretend to be a wizard with futuristic gadgets! It was fun, but at some point, we started exploring what would later become OpenSim.
I was part of a group, perhaps called Oneon, along with others and also IBM. They had created an OpenSim world prototype, and we, the so-called “grid hoppers,” could jump from Second Life to that experimental world. It was all very raw: no avatars, no landscapes, just basic tools. But it was the beginning of something. Over time, OpenSim itself was born from there. Then the show arrived. At first, it was called “Metaverse Weekend Review,” which I co-hosted with my partner Tara, before it became the current “Inworld Review“. We used webcams, but at some point, we had the idea of recording the virtual world directly. So the avatars became the protagonists of the show. Many still prefer to see real faces today, but we focused entirely on immersion in the virtual world, trying to do it with a professional style.
When was “Inworld Review” as we know it today born?
It must have been at least three or four years ago when I started managing it exclusively within the OpenSim context. It was me, various guests, and James Atloud as the video technician. At some point, I convinced Ember to co-host with me; it lasted a couple of years, then Tosha Tyran took over, who knows Craft World and Licu well. It was she who suggested to Licu: “Why don’t we give him a region to review?” And so my adventure on Craft World began.
What brought you to Craft World, in particular?
I’ve always had a passion for art and crafts, and with a name like “Craft World,” it seemed like the natural destination. Although it’s not an exclusively Italian grid, many events here are in Italian. I participate anyway, even if I often don’t understand a word! But that’s fine, it’s important to be seen. Over the years, I’ve had small outposts for my show on many grids: OSgrid, Avacon, and others. When I received a region on Craft, I recreated the studio and my own personal space, a corner to get lost in, literally. I’m still arranging paths, statues, artworks… a small world of my own, where I also continue to work on the show.
What project are you most proud of?
Probably “Meta Hub” on Second Life, in the Chilbo region. And then the islands I created on the Great Canadian Grid. Actually, I don’t like to repeat myself. I like to change: from a desert island to a dystopian city, then maybe a space station… I move between new ideas, always exploring.
Do you have ongoing or future projects?
Good question. To tell the truth, I’m cutting down on activities a bit. But I continue to be very active in gathering and disseminating news: someone once said that I read RSS so they don’t have to! Every day I start that way, sharing useful links.
Now I focus more on OpenSim and a bit on Second Life, which I consider “cousins“. I would like to continue with “Inworld Review,” perhaps with more guests. Finding new guests is the most difficult part. I would really appreciate it if more people came forward: “Hey, why don’t you invite me on the show?” When I visit new regions and think they deserve attention, I often get stuck because there’s no one available to talk about them. So… yes, more connections would be helpful!
How would you describe the Craft World community? Have you formed any bonds?
Some bonds, yes, although it’s all still quite recent. People like Tosha had been here for a while, so for me, it was a gradual integration. But I think that over time, new bonds will be created. The hypergrid is a continuous jump from one world to another, but it’s nice to have a “home grid“. On Craft, I have James, Tosha, and other friends who drop by occasionally. I truly hope that connections will increase.
Where can we see your work or contact you?
There’s the “Inworld Review” region on Craft World, which is my main space. Then I’m on various social media: I still use Facebook (even if a bit reluctantly), LinkedIn, and Mastodon, where I have the main feed “Malbones@mastodon.social“. I publish news and updates there.
For those who want to watch the show, just search for “Malburns Metaworld” on YouTube. All the weekly episodes are there, as well as special interviews. I’ve also interviewed important figures like Philip Rosedale or Adam Frisbee, in addition to participating in conferences like the OpenSim community one. The show has become more visual; it serves to report news, explore regions, and disseminate information.
My only fear? That one day there will be no more regions to explore!
Thank you, Malburns Craftster, true explorer of the metaverse! Your work helps many discover new worlds, projects, and people. We hope your experience inspires many others to embark on new digital adventures.
Thank you Mal / Malburns, the memory of you and your ‘virtual adventures’ will remain with all of us, so this is not goodbye, because you will always be with us, your name will always return in our conversations.
