Game Review: Saints Row IV

Nydia Tungsten is back with another gaming review. This time she writes about Saints Row IV. The fourth game in the series, the characters have grown from humble orgins as a street gang to high profile public heroes. As part of the game's over-the-top plot, the player and his team and allies now have to contend with an alien invasion. So what did Nydia think of this crazy game?

Read Nydia's review in Other Grids and MMOs.

Game Review: "Wolfenstein: The New World Order"

In the early 1980s, Apple and PC games played the "Castle Wolfenstein" computer game on their 48 Kilobyte processor home computers. The game would inspire sequel after sequel on ever better computers. The latest: "Wolfenstein: The New World Order," was just released. The price is a bit steep at $60 on Steam (the price at stores may vary). Nydia Tungsten gave the game a try. Like in previous games of the series, there's no shortage of Nazi-killing action. However, the plot in "New World Order" depicts a world a decade and a half after a Nazi victory and conquest. It is a depiction, Nydia felt, the game's producers in some ways did *too* well.

Read Nydia's review in Other Grids and MMOs.

Game Review: Borderlands & Borderlands 2

Second Life Newser has a new reporter on it's staff. Nydia Tungsten, whom regular readers will remember for her several reader submissions, has officially joined the newsletter. In her first article, the self-professed "Jill of all Games" reviews two favorites: Borderlands, and Borderlands 2. "There Ain't No Rest For The Wicked," and there may be no rest for you either as you find yourself unable to take yourself away from the 'puter if you get this game.

Read Nydia's review in Other Grids and MMOs.

Two Second Life Games: "Star Trek Battle Game" and "Attack on Titan"

Two neat looking games have appeared in Second Life recently. One is a Star Trek game created by Loki Eliot. Loki had been "experimenting" with creating "Star Trek" style ships, and decided to make a battleship game out of it. The game pits a Federation ship against a Klingon one. The Federation ship has stronger shields and longer range weaponry, but the Klingon ship has more guns.

Second Life Newser may do a more in-depth article on the game. But for now,  readers can check for more information on the game on Eliot's blog (Click here). One fan, Natascha Rantt, made a video based on the game (Click here).

The other game is based on the Japanese anime "Attack on Titan." It was created by a fan, Moeka Kohime, and quickly gained a following. Shamera Kohime (no relation) did a good article on the gameplay (click here). To get into the action, one needed to get uniforms in addition to power swords and "3D maneuver gear" that allows you to run and jump around like a movie ninja.

"The detail on the gear is amazing, and there are quite a few animations included for flying through the air, falling, landing, running, attacking, etc. I've certainly spent hours at this place just honing my Titan killing skills ..."

 There was just one problem. Although the uniforms were free, the gear was not. So technically that was a violation of the anime's copyright, owned by Kodansha Ltd. And it seems they ordered to Moeka to stop selling the equipment. The vendor where it was available is gone, with the words "this product is discontinued" in it's place. The arena itself is still up for those who already bought the gear at MontSaint Michel (226/144/3901). But it seems for now no more can get into the action.

Last year there were worries about Star Trek items being taken down from Second Life due to copyright concerns. But a deal was worked out, and Trek on the Grid continued. Similar case with "Battlestar Galactica." Not all science-fiction producers have been willing to cut deals. In 2009, "Dune" roleplays were ordered to rename themselves and certain items after Trident Media group, which owned the rights to "Dune," complained to Linden Lab.

With Second Life residents finding out about the anime through the game, one would think the company involved, Kodansha, might be willing to cut some kind of deal. Ciaran Laval in her blog suggested that Linden Lab could establish a process where deals could be worked out between copyright owners and content creators, noting that Amozon Kindel had procedures for fan fiction.

In the meantime, the future is looking iffy for the "Attack on Titan" game, much to the irritation of the anime's fans in Second Life. Star Trek fans, secure in the deal made earlier, can boldly go and play Loki's game to their heart's content.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: SL Aviation Magazine - Issue 1

(Click Here if the video fails to load)

Luke Flywalker hosts "SL Aviation," in which he attends a flight by the French Air Force Acrobatic team, and goes to the set of the "War in Vietnam" film.

Game Review: Torchlight 2

Grease Coakes recently took a little time off his rounds on the Grid to take a look at a game: Torchlight 2. Taking place years after the events in the original game, the player character takes on a quest to stop a one-time hero gone bad. So how did Grease like the game?

Read the game review in Extra.

Press Release "One Billion Rising"

COME AND DANCE: ONE BILLION RISING IN SECOND LIFE

SECOND LIFE® RESIDENTS JOIN GLOBAL CAMPAIGN “ONE BILLION RISING”

TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

February 14, 2013 to be V-Day’s Largest Day of Action Ever

On February 14, 2013, for 24 hours starting at midnight Pacific Standard Time, Second Life residents will join with activists around the world in a spectacular 24-hour dance event for ONE BILLION RISING, the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls.
 

ONE BILLION RISING began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. On February 14, 2013, men and women in Second Life will join activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities, and people across the world to Walk, Dance, and Rise as a show of unity, individual strength, and the need for change.

The Second Life event will feature a four-region stage where 200 people can dance together, surrounded by an area of art installations and informational exhibits. A variety of performers will play over the 24-hour period, enabling people all over the world to attend this virtual event no matter their timezone. The regions will have a General maturity rating to allow all residents an opportunity to participate. Pictures are welcome on the event's Flickr group.

The objective of the event is to raise awareness, not to raise funds; however, information about real-world organisations will be available for those wishing to donate.

One Billion Rising in Second Life is sponsored by: Alchemy Immortalis; Bits and Bobs Animations; Cheeky Pea; The Domineaux Effect; Dutchie; Galland Homes; Garden of Dreams; Gos Boutique; Gwen Carillon Designs/Serenite; Heart Garden Centre; Kaerri; Maven Homes; Meshworx; Prime; and Spargel and Shine. In-kind sponsors are: CaLLie CLine; Fruit Islands; Home and Garden Market; KittyCatS!; and Prim Perfect Publications.


For more information:
Our blog: http://onebillionrisingsl.wordpress.com/
Our webpage at One Billion Rising: http://onebillionrising.org/page/event/detail/startarising/wd8
Our Second Life Group: One Billion Rising
Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Billion-Rising/493344827375934?ref=hl
Our Twitter Stream: https://twitter.com/OBRinSL
Our Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/2169739@N23/

Saffia Widdershins

The Sunday Night Demo Derby

For those looking for a more exciting event on Sunday evenings, or want a car race with a twist, check out the Demolition Derby in Random. One gets to participate in a number of races with a number of kinds of vehicles. If you like racing or vehicular combat, you'll have a "smashing" good time.

Read more about the derby in Events.

SL Youtube: Dranopia Quest

A youtube from Timi Allen, of the upcoming Dranopia game in Second Life.

"Are you brave enough, you plunge into the depths of the canyon of lost souls? Grab a dragon and rescue the souls from the evil dragon monsters, the Groms. Be there from 26 January 2012, then starts the first flight event of Dranopia. Be brave, become the protector of the dragon souls. Win the grand prize and have fun. We look forward to you."

SL Hockey Playoffs SCORE!

You've all heard the jokes, "I went to a fight, and a hockey game broke out." So what is hockey like in Second Life. Any1 Gynoid recently attended a game in the playoffs at the Virtual Hockey League sim

Read the story in Events.