SL Video: "Sucker"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Nitwacket in March 2008, "Three residents of the Virtual World, Second Life - located in Japan, Germany and the USA. Song by Vampira Kanno - recorded with Apple Garageband. Machinima by NITWACKET - Pyewacket Bellman & Niten Altamura captured in Second Life - edited in Apple iMovie0,"

Transylvania Celebrates Twelfth Anniversary

Friday August 12 was the twelfth anniversary of the Transylvania sim. Parties had been going on all week, but Friday was the big day, or rather the big night. Residents or all sorts came by, vampires, weres, and normal humans in both dark outfits and regular clothes. Hopefully the latter brought plenty of garlic.

There was a birthday cake in the own square, as well as a number of fang emblem balloons for the anniversary, or the "fangsgiving" as someone called it. While there were plenty of vampires, there were no sightings of vampire bats, this time. Not one tried to give this fox reporter a hickey.

Vampire fans have been a part of Second Life for most of it's history. They do have an iffy reputation among some due to the "Bloodlines" game, but the vampires themselves look down on those who abuse it, calling them "leeches." While Transylvania is not the only vamp area, it is the oldest and best known one.

The real Transylvania had no vampires of course, though it is noted for Gothic architecture. It should be noted that Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for the character Count Dracula, was not from Transylvania, but what is now southern Romania. Perhaps Transylvania sounded spookier than Wallachia. But the name of the place has become so linked to vampires, no one is trying to "suck" the fun from fans of the undead.

Bixyl Shuftan

Memorial for Salem De White

A week ago, Salem De White of the Giant Snail Racing team passed away following months of illness. On Saturday afternoon, her friends got together for a memorial service in her honor. Besides the Snail Racers, there were people from the Relay for Life, as well as a group of vampires. But all were united in their wish to honor their friend.

Read more in Events.

SLife and Times: When Exploring Becomes a Pain in the Neck

After his review of Insilico (which was a fantastic review in the editor's opinion), Ozymandius set his sights on Madpea. With years of experience of making games in Second Life, surely they would have something interesting to write about. As it turned out, Ozymandius did find something, but not quite what he expected.

Read about Ozymandius' adventure in People.

Interview With Talia Sunsong, Author of "Twilight of the Star Vampires"

Bixyl Shuftan met up recently with Second Life resident Talia Sunsong. Talia, whom had some experience with journalism in real life, had recently tried her hand at satire, writing a science fiction parody, "Twilight of the Star Vampires." Between book readings, she sat down for an interview.

Read the story in People.

Vampire "Resident Hosted Event" on the Forums

It seems Halloween wasn't the last we've seen of vampires in Second Life. This week when logging in, the screen mentioned a vampire discussion thread, plus a resident-hosted event from November 7 to the 8th which offered a chance for others to learn a little more about these creatures of the night on the Grid.

Curious about vampires? You can learn more about Second Life’s vampire community in a special Resident-hosted event, held Monday, Nov. 7 and Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Pacific) in the official Vampire Forums.

Your event hosts for this special event are Second Life Residents with experience in vampire or dark-themed communities and/or blogs. Plus, check the Forums starting Nov. 2 to read interviews with these hosts as they answer questions and share their real feelings on a variety of topics, including their struggle with stereotypes and the sources for their creative inspirations. You might even read a bit about what some of the hosts really think about the “Twilight” series and the current rise in popularity of vampires in popular culture.

As Lilah Munster's picture shows, they're certainly not without a sense of humor.

Where Second Life Can Really Suck

The Transylvanian region celebrated seven years in Second Life last week, Saturday Aug. 13th being the anniversary. The Transylvania sim itself is not a true roleplay area, but a hangout for vamps. Except for the "Bloodlines" vamps, whom will be booted. If you ever feel like braving a little danger, or feel like being a "pain in the neck," check this place out for some spooky fun. Besides the gothic town you port in, there are a few other sims in the place to explore.

Transylvania is always naturally at Midnight, the pictures were set to dusk for effect.

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day

by Bixyl Shuftan

Postcard from Breezes

Stage ONe Productions
Featuring Voltaire at a Vampire club called
Asmodeus I had great time lots of fun and this is
aFabulous band made possible by Wickman
Gibbs and his partner Montana Ballard
Vampire (236, 100, 49)

Breezes Babi

Sunday Cartoon

By Bixyl Shuftan

A Second Life Ad With Bite?

Remember earlier this year when Linden Lab decided to take advantage of the popularity surrounding the hit movie "Avatar" by placing ads featuring blue humanoids with the caption, "Free Avatar" around the Internet? The ads did have the effect of raising numbers a little.

With this in mind, Linden Labs may be hoping the film being released about now, "Eclipse," which is the third "Twilight" movie around the romance between a young girl and a vampire, has enough attention pull to do similar. I found this Second Life "Be a Vampire" ad while on SL Profiles. The timing between this and the movie is certainly interesting to say the least.

It's also interesting that Linden Labs is trying to attract vampire fans to Second Life. A few years ago, the vamps in the Metaverse had a tainted reputation due to the behavior of some of those misusing the "Bloodlines" system to bite unwary residents, including newcomers. But with places enforcing "no Bloodlines" rules, as well as the vampires themselves discouraging this "leech" behavior, it became less and less of a problem. So perhaps this ad is a sign of their image rehabilitated.

Considering the "Twilight" series has been aimed at young teenage girls, though, will the Lindens have to deal with an influx of underage residents if their ad campaign succeeds?

Source: Second Life Newspaper

Bixyl Shuftan