Games Made in SL: "StudioDire Tabletop Hall"

Remember Chuu Akamine when the Newser wrote about a Relay for Life event in June 2019 in which she was selling her dioramas to raise money for charity? She and her games are the focus of  Draxtor Despress' "Games Made in SL" this week.

We know that role-playing, fantasy, and gamified events like board games, adventures, and murder mysteries are popular in Second Life. The idea of playing a part in a story and interpreting the world around you through your character can be a great deal of fun, and therapeutic for many.

 

Naturally, with both role-playing and gaming experiences being popular in our virtual world, a blend of the two would find its way onto the Grid in the form of the well known ‘tabletop’ style of game play. 

 

ChuuAkamine has taken his love for the Sorcery! Gamebook by Steve Jackson, and his favorite map cartographer (Mike Schley) as inspiration for his own projects in Second Life - functional dioramas that work with the Tabletop system from Remnant Ashbourne of  /studioDire/.

 

These dioramas are interactive, engaging ways to allow tabletop style gameplay in the vein of Dungeons & Dragons within Second Life. ChuuAkamine has started business creating and selling these dioramas and miniatures for others to enjoy - Mini A Chuu.
To read the blogpost in full, Click Here.

Review of Lab Gab Episode Two With Reed Linden

Last week, the new Second Life show hosted by Xiola and Strawberry Linden, Lab Gab, had it's first guest: Reed Linden. As Second Life's Product Manager, Reed talked about a few things recently developed, and a few things in the works such as some upcoming changes to Marketplace.

Read the review in Design.

Announcement: CDS Events This Weekend

Our 15th Anniversary weekend (and other stuff too!)

Check the forum for all the events starting tomorrow. https://forums.slcds.info/viewforum.php?f=5 gets you there.

***Think Blue & White for the Anzere Ball.***

Friday Sept 20 from 2-4pm  is the "Anzerre Be-in." We will visit our original home, after viewing it from above. We began as a LL program to build community on that date. 1stt elections were in Jan. 2005. And here we still are!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Anzere/68/174/171

* * * * *

 MoCA Exhibit Opening

When: Sat., Sept 21 10-11:30am

The NFS Museum of Contemporary Art opens 2 exhibits in honor of the CDA 15th Anniversary of its founding on Anzere sim. "Remembering" includes work from both the MoCA and Delia Lake's personal collection. The Citizen/Artists of CDS, on the Ground Floor) includes works by current and former CDS Citizens.

Where: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/186/135/181

* * * * *

 The C.D.S. 15th Anniversary Anzere Ball

Time: Sat Sept 21, 12:00-2pm
Place: Schloss Neufreistadt Ballroom on Neufreistadt

It's our 15th Anzere-versary!

15 years ago the city of Neualtenburg was founded on the Anzere sim. 15 years later The Confederation of Democratic Simulators is the oldest democratic estate in SL.

Please join us at the The C.D.S. 15th Anniversary Anzere Ball. Music by DJ Callipygian

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/245/145/203

 * * * * *

CDS 15th Anniversary: Aesopics in "The Animals Sick of the Plague" (A Fable)

Time: Sunday Sept 22, 10:30 -11:30am
Where: The CN Amphitheatre
Hosted by Kyoko Furse-Barzane (samara.barzane)

Aesopica is a multi-talented group of performers whose work include Theatre, Carnival, Gladiators and Aesop's Fables. For the 15th Anniversary of The Confederation of Democratic Simulators, they will perform the fable, "The Animals Sick of the Plague." Come see a very special performance!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Colonia%20Nova/200/205/43

*  *  *  *  *

The last event in out "Anzere-versary" weekend will be a performance by the singer and guitarist, Noma Falta,


Sunday Sept 22, 12 - 1 PM

Multi-decorated trailblazing Musician and Vocalist of the SL music scene

" .....the sting of a Look, the caress of a word..
the pitch of a sigh..the timbre of breath
the contour of conversation,
revel in the melody of life.."
-Noma Falta 2008

Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Colonia%20Nova/62/162/37

RFL Announcement: Swashbuckler's For Life Formal Uniform Ball : Sat, Sept 21st

Off Season Special
  ** In the spirit of the beloved “Fleet Week”, The Swashbucklers cordially invite you to a Formal Uniform Ball to benefit the Relay for Life on Saturday 21 September 2019 from 1 until 3 pm SLT in the Cloisters Ballroom in Rosemont Woodlands. The musical program of classical, celtic and sea shanties will be provided by Tamlorn Carterhaugh Wood.  **

 Rosemont Woodlands (155,204,3502)

Announcement: Live at The Pocket for One Night Only!

This Friday September 20th at 11 PM Wread Writer returns to Second Life music with his new project 'The Rubber Gecko Band' bringing your favourite songs to life with a new three piece band. Lots of ukulele goodness and sweet harmonies.

At Midnight OhMy Kidd and Saraine Sands hit the stage with a set of their trademark hippie music with a haircut. Saraine's years of drumming experience make her a force to be reckoned with on her mini percussion kit, and a great backup for  OhMy Kidd as brings out his favourite guitars and songs.

Happening this Friday September 2oth from 11 PM PDT at The Pocket in  our original location at Fendahl.  We're on mainland, so arrive early, and don't forget to set your draw distance to 128 or below.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fendahl/202/45/22

Image from 2014

Goodbye Premium

When Linden Lab made the decision to raise the yearly price of Premium level accounts for Second Life residents in May, some predicted many people affected would downgrade their accounts. Recently, Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich)'s Premium account was up for renewal, and he had to make the decision to accept paying the higher rate or downgrade to basic. After some thought, he chose the later. In his latest article, he explains why, the price increase being just one of the reasons.

Read Cyfir's story in Extra.

Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day

"Arrrrrrr! It be 'Talk Like A Pirate Day!' So all ye lanlubbers git ta speak in th' manner of th' Brotherhood of th' Coast.' Be on th' watch fer pirate-themed happenin's at various clubs 'cross Second Life."

Announcement: This Week in The Science Circle - "Virtual Worlds Teaching Manual" and "The Face of Dementia"

"Virtual Worlds Teaching Manual"
by Gregory Perrier 

Sept 19 , 10 AM to 11 AM SL time

Experience has shown that Virtual Worlds (VWs) can provide students a unique interactive educational experience that many students see as a fun way to learn. VWs go beyond just offering text to read or a video to watch. In VWs students interact with objects. For example, a student can study the diagram of an ear online or in a textbook; but in a VW the student can walk through the ear, a whole different experience. Studies have shown that students learn more from doing, than from reading or listening to a lecture, and VWs have the potential to provide this hands-on learning experience in a cost-effective manner.

Furthermore, teaching students to function in virtual environments provides them with skills that will be beneficial, if not critical, for success in the future job market.

The aim of this manual is to help educators incorporate VWs into their courses in ways that enhance student learning. It will guide one through getting started and show them how to use VWs to make classes more fun and interesting. It will help them avoid the common errors educators make in VWs and allow them to build on the successes of others. The advice presented here comes from work in the VW called Second Life (SL), but much of this advice applies to other VWs, such as Open Simulator and Kitely, as well as to virtual reality (VR).

For more information, Click Here

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chilbo/167/53/97

*  *  *  *  *

"The Face of Dementia"
by Robert A. Hendrix, MD

Sept 21, 10 AM to 11 AM SL time

DEMENTIA affects approximately 50 million of the human population globally. This presentation will review:

General definition of DEMENTIA

distinctions:

Lewy body dementia vs Alzheimer’s disease dementia

Alcohol-Related Dementia (ARD)

Symptoms and diagnosis

Phases of dementia

Etiologies and associated conditions

– head trauma

– including metabolic disorders including:

diabetes

liver dysfunction

– sleep disorders

– depression

– cigarette smoking, oxidative stress and inflammation

– drug abuse

– commonly used medications associated with dementia,

– nutrition factors

Treatment & prognosis

Artistic depiction by patients with dementia

Risk factors and Prevention

 For more information, Click Here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32

Cartoon of the Day: "Gotta Go Fast!"

Taken at the Happy Vixen. Someone had this Sonic avatar and was zipping around. When going sufficiently fast, the legs would look like they did in the video game. As a character, Sonic loves going at top speed for it's own sake. But what if he suddenly had the universal incentive to try and go faster?

By Bixyl Shuftan

Linden Home Camping Area Appears in Bellisseria

Remember the Linden Home campers that were up on display at the Second Life Birthday this year? Well, some were finally made available for people to claim. A number of sims have been added to southern Bellisseria. But these are different than areas made earlier.

Some of the trailers looked unclaimed or ready to be moved into, either they actually were unclaimed (rare for a Linden Home), or someone did and hadn't moved in yet.

Others had signs that they were claimed. And there were a variety of camping homes available. There was even an electrical outlet pole next to each.

The scenery of the park area was well-detailed too, with dirt roads and railroads.  Of the latter, I found rail bridges, as well as railroad car rezz stations, water towers, and signal lights.

There were streams in some sims. In others, rivers. One sim had a large lake area. The Linden Moles are still at work in developing the new continent. And this new area is definitely worth a look, even if you have no intention of getting a Linden Home.

Bixyl Shuftan

Luskwood Council Bulliten

Late last month, things at Luskwood were getting a little strange as the place took on a bit of a distopian look and posters proclaiming rebellion against the "Council". Michi Lumin, one of the founders of the community, recently sent the Newser a copy of a poster just released by the Council.

We all want a bright and happy future. But the threat of darkness and sadness is ever present. What if you could help? What if you could help simply by eating the ice cream? You like ice cream. Join the Council and get free ice cream for an eternity. 

If the sun does finally rise again on our noble tree, what will you say when they ask this question? "Did you help?"

One wonders, just how bad can eating the ice cream be? No word on whether or not the ice cream at Luskwood is from Halo Top. 

Bixyl Shuftan

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs and Furry Fashion Lounge

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver, the Montecito Bay clubs, and the Furry Fashion Lounge

Cutlass: Best in 'N' and Tribute, Trigger Happy, Swimsuits

The Happy Vixen: Long Hair or Fur, Taco Tuesday, TBA, Under the Sea, Pirate Party, Red and Green, Noob Night, Black and White, Naked Night, TBA

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Montecito Bay: TBA

Furry Fashion Lounge: CAYA, Rock, Magic, Mythology, Throwback Thursday, Japan, Goth, Horror, Late Night, Royalty

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.  

Reader Submitted: Stranger in a Strange Second Life

Well I have been in this strange life for years.

Been through many wars and many injustices.

Before I ever got here the Gambling wars happened.

In the destruction after the gambling banned happened laid wasted to Second Life.

Sure it got better but it was never the same.

I never knew SL before the war, I thought it had always been this way.

Gambling was not even why this happened, It was Greedy Governments.

I DID suggest moving everything to Nevada  where this was completely legal, But no.

So I found this place....

Thousands Upon Thousands of Slot Machine's.

WHAT was the point of the ban?

Yes I know California VS Nevada Laws.

Um.... In Nevada earning a profit is not yet illegal.

Zorro Wuramunga

Editor's Note: Although early Second Life had numerous casinos with games like blackjack and roulette, Linden Lab officially banned gambling in 2007. A few years later, some games began appearing, their makers claiming an element of skill was needed in order to win. In 2014, Linden Lab would clarify this under their "Skill Games" policy. To many residents, the difference between skill games and the banned casino games seems technical at best.

Happy Birthday Firestorm - Interview With Tonya Souther

On Saturday September 14, Team Firestorm celebrated their ninth anniversary. Besides their captain Jessica Lyon, there was another team leader present: Tonya Souther, whom is in charge of updating Firestorm's Apple computer viewer. Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich) was there at the party, and had a few words with her.

Read Cyfir's article in Events.

New Infohub and Pod Station Launches in the Heart of Historical SL

Of the thousands of sims in Second Life, Da Boom was the first one. It came online in Second Life's beta days in November 2002 months before the Grid officially went online. After the virtual world's first few years, not a great deal has happened to this old area. But recently something did happen. There's a new infohub and pod station in the sim. Klaus  Bereznyak dropped by, and took a look at what the new location had to offer.

Read Klaus' article in Places.

Firestorm Anniversary Party and the RFL Pajama-Rama

This weekend saw two big celebrations in Second Life. On Saturday September 14, the Team Firestorm anniversary party took place. The event was from 3PM SL time to 5PM.  At one point, over a hundred people were at the meeting point of four sims were the music events took place. Two people performed live for the crowd, which included team leader Jessica Lyon and a few others from Team Firestorm.

Besides the music, another attraction was the free gift that was being offered. At a few locations, there was a statue of a firey mule. One just had to click on the statue to get a copy.  For those who didn't get the mule, it should still be available for a few more days. To get it, head to Firestorm Dow Forest (219/229/3901).

On Sunday September 14 was the "Pajama-Rama" party at the American Cancer Society sim. The event was from 11 AM to 3PM SL time. There was a live music performance from Keeba Tammas and the Tiny Maniacs.

Nuala Maracas of the Relay for Life Committee told the Newser, "The Pajama Rama Family Fun Day was an awareness day for Childhood Cancer month.  We reached out to kids communities and groups to engage the role play families in Second Life who many not know about The American Cancer Society campus in the virtual world.  We had a large turn out of over 60 people coming and going through out the 4 hours of the event and were able to raise a lot of awareness about childhood cancer, the survivor and caregiver group here in Second Life, and the services available to everyone at www.cancer.org.   The hunt, sponsored by Sweet Tots, was a huge success.   It was an amazing family fun filled day!"

Second image from Nuala Maracus

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

Check out the stories and the storytellers at www.seanchailibrary.com

All stories told in open voice unless otherwise noted. All times SL/PT

*MONDAY - September 16th, at 7pm:  Charles de Lint's MOONHEART with Gyro Muggins.

*TUESDAY, September 17th, at 7pm:  POEMS LIKE JAZZ, LIKE POEMS with Ktadhn Vesuvino, live on stream.

*WEDNESDAY, September 18th, at 7pm: THE NIGHT BEFORE PIRATE DAY with R. Crap Mariner, Da5id Abbot, Corwyn Allen, and The Dread Pirate Caledonia at The Pirate Cove.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Deep%20Blue%20Lagoon/189/140/23

*THURSDAY, September 19th: Note - both Thursday sessions will happen at The Pirate Cove in Honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day
 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Deep%20Blue%20Lagoon/189/140/23
  
~ at 7pm: Robb Kidd's story YOUNG JACK SPARROW - The Siren Song, Concludes with Shandon Loring (Also in Kitely!  Find teleport from the main Seanchai World grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI)

   ~ at 9pm: SEANCHAI LATE NIGHT - Contemporary Sci-Fi-Fantasy from online sources such as Lightspeed, Escape Pod, and Clarkesworld with Finn Zeddmore

All sessions held at the Seanchai Library in Second Life unless otherwise indicated. Schedule subject to change. 

Cartoon of the Day:

Taken at the Happy Vixen. I could have called it "discount hot tub," though some of my online friends have been passing around some "redneck" jokes lately. But in this case to "redneck" something is to repair something or improvise on what you need, and you don't particularly care what it looks like.

By Bixyl Shuftan

RFL Announcement: Pajama-Rama - Sept 15 - Family Fun Day

Pajama-Rama Family FunDay For Childhood Cancer Awareness

Sunday Sept 15th@ [http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/128/96/22  American Cancer Society campus]
11am to 3pm

Pajamas are the battle wear of Childhood Cancer Patients

Slip on yours and come to Pajama-Rama for a day full of FUN!

PJ HUNT sponsored by Sweet Tots
Keeba Tammas and the Tiny Maniacs sponsored by T1Radio
Games and Rides
Information

SL Video: "Kiss Me Aishiteru"

(Click her if the video does not play)

From Furry SLife on April 2015

Firestorm Ninth Anniversary Party Today, Saturday Sept 14

It was nine years ago that Team Phoenix was formed, the team behind what would quickly become Second Life's most popular viewer. Today as Team Firestorm, they're celebrating their anniversary with a birthday party.

JOIN US Saturday, September 14th, 2019, 3–5pm SLT as we celebrate the 9th anniversary of the Phoenix Firestorm Project, Inc.! Savannah Rain  will be performing live 3-4pm, taking requests and wowing us with her amazing voice! DJ Trick Rembrandt From HotWaxRadio will be mixing the tunes with his very special sauce and skills! 4-5pm! 

Besides the music, there will be a gift for those coming over.

ABC , Awesome Breed Creations, is excited to celebrate the 2019 Firestorm Anniversary!
This year’s exclusive collectible pet has been in production for quite some time. The creative team tirelessly worked to capture the essence of Firestorm in the design of the coat and eye.
The gift will only be available at the party location.


Once again, the party will be from 3-5. The mule will probably be available for a few days afterwards, though it is unknown for how long it will be available.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Firestorm%20Dow%20Forest/219/229/3901

Hat Tip: Kἶէმƈεlἶმ Lմἶղƈօɾἶმlօէε Kεlνმɾl (Kitacelia Resident)

Bixyl Shuftan