SL Video: "The Drax Files: World Makers [Episode 35: Project Bento]"

(Click here id the video fails to play)

Published on Feb 5, 2016 by Draxtor Despress, "'Our users create content all the time: this world is not bounded, it is not finite!' says Coyot Linden, describing the reason for the sustained success of Second Life amongst digital creatives: in this universe you have the freedom to be and do whatever you want!

"And precisely that open world concept is a daily challenge for Linden Lab engineers who have to operate on a "live patient" when trying to optimize performance or implement new features.

"Project Bento which added over 100 new joints/bones to the standard SL skeleton was such an endeavor, spanning months of intense collaboration between Lindens, residents and the ever busy SL content making contractors - the Moles.

"Now live on the SL test grid Aditi, Project Bento is bound to give the diverse culture in Second Life an even more expressive edge: complex facial animations for humans and fantasy creatures alike are now possible, hands have fully flexible fingers, multiple tails, wings, ears and even two heads are now thinkable: only one's imagination would be the barrier for identity exploration through colorful avatars.

"And all that new activity will be adding little load on Second Life servers, as animations would be running on local machines rather than SL servers.

"More information on Project Bento can be found at http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Bento_User_Group

"And the discussion is ongoing on the forums at https://community.secondlife.com/t5/Building-and-Texturing-Forum/Project-Bento-Feedback-Thread/td-p/2987290

"Thanks to Cathy Foil, Siddean Munro and Matrice Laville for their work on Bento and thanks to the fabulous content creators who showed up to film with their brand new avatars: Aki Shichiroji, Mahadma, Medhue Simoni, Onyx LeShelle, Asra Orfan, Teager, Flea Bussy, Toady Nakamura.

"Thanks to Kennylex Luckless, Kris Spade, Jeet Kling, Inara Pey, Flufee, Shaman Linden and Simon Linden for being part of this film as well.

"Many moles showed up while filming = Bat, Ancient, Sylvan, Millie, Quartz and Frost.

"RL footage was shot by Siddean Munro and a global team of Lindens including Aura, Coyot, Oz, Pete, Troy, Vir and Xiola.

"Animations were made by Abramelin Wolfe and Silent Mole.

"Set design by Marianne McCann.

Mystic Bastion by Death Row Designs.
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"Mole Lair set, Flying Pig, Angry Imp and Bento Supers by Pico Mole.

"Super special thanks to Torley for helping to shoot the in-world footage: it was just wonderful to collaborate on this piece!"

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Read more in Design.

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Read Xymber's findings in Design.