After weeks of preparation, the Second Life Birthday celebrations finally start today. The builds are finished (baring a few last minute minor tweaks), and ready for the public to see them.
The area for the celebration makes up 52 sims, including eight for adult-rated exhibits not shown on this map, being some distance to the east.
This includes the SL Newser's exhibit, at southeast SLB Enchant. Built by the talented Silvia Ametza and her team, it shows how time has altered the Pyramids of Giza.
The event begins at 11AM SL time when the sims all open. At 12 Noon today is the Opening Ceremony by Patch Linden at the Royal Keep at SLB Mesmerize (245/10/76), followed by numerous music events at the stages, with the resident-built exhibits available at any time from start to finish.
On Thursday June 17, the Second Life Birthday officially began. And one of the first events was the Opening Ceremonies in which Patch Linden would address the residents inworld for the first time since the passing of Linden Lab's CEO.
Patch's comments would be delayed for a few minutes due to technical difficulties (his voice can be heard at 6:58 in the video, and the speech starts at 7:50). Finally it began, "Welcome to the 2021 Second Life Birthday Celebration. Eighteen years, and what a year behind us!" He called the biggest accomplishment of the past year being the move of Second Life data to Cloud Servers, and Second Life itself "nary skipped a beat ... Second Life saw practically no downtime," and that the efforts of the Lindens and Moles allowed all to "continue our virtual lives uninterrupted."
They were also focusing on "various initiatives" to grow the virtual world's numbers. They were working on a project to improve the experience of new users. He mentioned the marketing team "has been testing out several new campaigns to build on this momentum," such as the new homepage, with more changes to come soon there, "and new strategic partnerships." He also mentioned the several designs of new Linden Homes in the past year. Saying, "some of you want to know why this particular theme was chosen for SL18B. Well, I suppose I can't contain it any longer. The theme you see around you is part of the new addition to Linden Homes: Fantasy. This theme has several unique attributes that are sure to amaze you." He would say more would be revealed at "Meet The Lindens" next week.
Patch would then mention Linden Lab's "new ownership," saying, "Brad Oberwanger and Randy Waterfield both have nothing but high hopes to see Second Life succeed and continue to have a long healthy and prosperous future." He stated he had worked closely with Oberwanger for eight months, "as we experience his passion for Second Life together." Patch would say he took him around inworld, "he has been hugely thankful and humbled by our time and experiences together."
Patch would mention Second Life going through some highs, handling the Pandemic and the US election, "Second Life provided many with a normal that exists for all of us" that many use as an escape from the stress of life in these unusual times.
Eventually (at 12:30 in the video), he would bring up the passing of Ebbe Altberg, "Sadly we have also seen some people go. And they will never be forgotten as they touched us. They gave us the best from their hearts, their minds, and their souls. And this thing called real life sometimes knocks on our door and makes a call. This is one of those calls. Ebbe Altberg started as our CEO on February 5, 2014. He took the helm of the company, and immediately went to work on invigorating our spirit and culture. Ebbe brought a profound openness. Transparency in his operation was key. And that had many effects on us internally and externally. Lindens were again encouraged to be part of the vibrant community in Second Life, to participate in and cherish it as part oc our daily duties.
"Ebbe also worked internally on embracing all aspects of Second Life, learning about its many nuances, to understand the impacts of decisions we made, while being sensitive to those and utilizing all of our resources, which firstly included you, the community, and many of us who are deeply embedded in Second Life. Ebbe's goals for Second Life included promoting Second Life as the world's best virtual world, community, and platform. He also sought new adventures in developing next generation products. But behind the scenes, Ebbe worked tirelessly to improve the lives he surrounded himself with on our teams, and for the residents of Second Life. Ebbe would be very proud of our accomplishments today." Patch would then strain to speak as the emotion began to show, "And he, would have, been here, among us, as we celebrate Second Life turning eighteen years old. There's no doubt in my mind that he wouldn't have had it any other way.
"Now please, a moment of silence as we reflect and remember those we lost in the past year." Thirty seconds would pass, then, "Thank you. As I stand before you today, I commit to all of you our mission of making Second Life the biggest, best, most vibrant virtual world there can ever be. To grow Second Life, and to ensure the residents are respected and happy with everything we do.
"Thank you to everyone for being here, part of this wonderful world we enjoy so much together: Second Life. Thank you to the Moles, the Lindens, the residents, and volunteers who work so hard to bring this event to life every year. Here's to an awesome remaining 2021."
Patch then announced the schecule of "Meet the Lindens."
Monday June 21: "a special double-header of a Lab Gab" at 2PM SLT Tuesday, June 22 : Patch Linden at 1PM SLT Wednesday, June 23 : Grumpity Linden at 2PM SLT Thursday, June 24 : Brett Linden at 1PM SLT Friday June 25 : "Meet the Moles" at 1PM SLT.
All of these events will be at the Auditorium.
Patch would then talk about the Music Fest and the musicians. He also mentioned there would be a special set of last names coming out later that day. "So with that, bye for now, have fun, and stay virtual." He then declared the region with the Fantasy Homes open, "Now go find it. Thank you everybody."
Strawberry Linden would speak for the rest of the video, heading from the main stage to the Tapestry of Time, where there was a statue of Ebbe Linden set up, and then other places around the SL18B grounds.
Stay tuned for more information about the Fantasy Homes, and more about the SL18B.
After a few months of planning and preparation, the Second Life Eighteenth Birthday is finally ready to begin. There will be 23 sims with much to see and much to do. There will be numerous music events, both DJs and live performers. There will be at least one "Meet the Lindens" event, on Monday June 21. In some separate sims there's the "Shop and Hop" event. It is believed there will be one reveal of new Linden Homes. And of course there's all those resident exhibits.
Among the exhibits is that of the Second Life Newser. Build by Silvia Ametza (with help from Kimble (kimblecoles) ), the build reflects the theme "hidden worlds" with a look at the Earth's core (and a poke at the flat-Earthers). The build is in Pizzazz (187/171/23).
The sims are scheduled to open at 9AM SL time. At 11 AM is the Opening Ceremony at the Main Stage.
The 1st Annual SL Renaissance Festival brings Medieval Realms and Roleplayers together to Crusade against Breast Cancer
Opening Ceremonies - September 25 - 3:00pm SLT
Join us at The Medieval / Renaissance Fundraising Event to support Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Shopping and Entertainment, Classes, Jousting, Sword and Archery Tournaments, Parade of Knights, Royal Gala
The Medieval / Renaissance Festival Sept 25 - Oct 4, 2020
Minstrel's Corner Entertainment:
Ren Fest VI (8,68,28)
And finally, it's open. After weeks of reporting on it under a "no pictures" rule, we're finally able to show you what the Second Life 17th Birthday celebration grounds look like.
At 11 AM, Patch officially opened the event at the opening ceremony at the Main Stage (picture from Linden Lab's Youtube channel).
There's a lot to see with 23 sims making up the SL17B grounds (the Linden Home Demo Area is still off-limits for now).
There are a number of builds, and several sims made up of resident-made exhibits.
Among them is the Newser's exhibit, a tropical vacation island courtesy of Silvia Ametza, the "Azure of Tonatiuh," located at SL17B Stunning (210/254/23).
Silvia did a great job in miniaturizing things for the build.
Yesterday was the "Soft Opening" for those already in the SL Birthday group, and there were a number in the gift area getting freebies.
Among the exhibits was a Bleriot monoplane flight simulator, recreating the flight of Lous Bleriot's crossing of the English Channel by air in 1909.
There's a lot more to see, but further descriptions will have to wait until another article.
Stay tuned for the Meet the Lindens schedule at the Auditorium.
After weeks of waiting, "The Birthday" finally arrives today, Friday June 19. Things start officially at the auditorium at 11 AM SL time with the opening ceremony held by Patch Linden at the Main Stage. After that will be various music events at both there and the DJ stage. And of course there are the many dozens of exhibits to see.
Unfortunately, the Lab doesn't want the Newser to post pictures even a few hours before the sims open. But what I can post are a few goodies you can grab as part of the gift package: an SL17B flag, an SL17B visitor badge, a SL17B laynard, and a collection of SL17B visors (wearing the blue one).
We'll have some pictures up later today. In the meantime, see you at The Birthday.
From Jara Lowel on July 16, a recording of the Relay Committee speaking at the Opening Ceremony, and of the Relay Track on the Survivor and Caregiver's Lap. Jara was the girl whom walked the track with a cart behind her.
