Better known for creating Second Life, Linden Labs is very close to releasing an alpha of its newest game, Patterns. Anyone familiar with the gameplay found in Minecraft will instantly feel at home with Patterns.

The biggest differences between Minecraft and Patterns are that the worlds in Patterns are built to be shared, are built from triangles/pyramids (and so are much more customizable and unique), and   use impressive physics which give the world a bit more life and make for a unique experience.

No word yet on exactly when the $10 alpha will be released, but sources say it could be as early as this week. Looking forward to giving it a go.