EOTB: News From Linden Lab

 

 

A few days ago, Linden Lab would post in the official blog a summary of news about Second Life, from it's point of view, over the course of the summer. 

This Summer has had some highs and lows. SL21B was a great success – the exhibitions, the events & performances, the town halls and the beta launch of Second Life mobile app – we enjoyed celebrating with all of you! But the rollout of PBR has been rocky and we know that it’s caused a lot of frustration. ...

Now let’s catch you all up on recent product developments! Continue reading for mobile updates, server changes, news for creators and Viewer releases.

Among the news from the Lab:

The mobile viewer got an update earlier this month. There were bug fixes, such as "Water no longer appears in weird places after you teleport" and fixes for avatars using Bakes On Mesh so textures are better able to load. And there were some user-interface updates, such as the ability to add or remove a group tag. 

The Lab would state, "Some important fixes and features have made their way across the grid in the last several months." This includes taking care of the "hovering-on-login" bug, and having "shipped support for 2k textures" for content creators. 

They would also talk about a combat system, Combat 2.0. They described it as having "new LSL functions and region settings to support building flexible combat systems using the built in damage system," as well as "damage adjustment for armor and healing," different kinds of damage to "allow for vulnerabilities and resistances," combat logs, region settings, and more.There would also be a new Combat section in the Destinations Guide. 

There was a new version of the Linden viewer up for download: Atlasaurus, which helps with a number of the PBR-related issues that have been bothering some residents lately. It also, "includes support for taking large groups of items back into inventory as individual objects, instead of a coalesced bundle of items, leaving you wondering if your favorite chair is really in there with the rest of your living room set. There is also a new Max Nearby Lights slider in Advanced Graphics Settings, for when things seem too bright. Plus a sneak peek at GLTF model imports which allows you a local, preview-only version, of what an imported model will look like. Plus all of WebRTC merged in."

For more information, check the post on the Linden Blog. 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Call of War

 

Some of you may have seen advertisements for a comnat game called "Call of War." It is a World War Two themed stragegy game played on one's browser. Players assume control over one of a number of countries on the map, build units and structures to make the units, and launch attacks and defend against them. Yours truly took a look at it. So is it a good game?

Read the review in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.
 

At The Renaissance Festival (Joust a Linden Today)

 

The Second Life Renaissance Festival has been going on all week. In a four sim area next to American Cancer Society, various events have been taking place such as jousting (above), melee combat, and roleplay. But there's also been plenty of music events people can just drop in and dance. 

Besides the DJ events, there are also live performers. There was one late last night at 9PM by Dee Freund (Dilah Halostar), the "Grand Finale" that night. 

The Festival runs to Sunday October 3. Events in the final few days include jousting with a Linden or Mole today, Thurs Sept 30 from 12 to 3 PM. 

On Friday October 1, if you want to get back at the Lindens for something such as the lag or teleport crashes, you'll have your chance as several Lindens and Moles will be at the pillory. The pelting with rotten tomatoes and other less than fresh produce lasts from 1 to 3 PM. 

Saturday October 2 is also the day of the drawing of a raffle, the chance to create a new last name for residents to use (and the option to change your surname). The drawing will be 8:45PM SL time. Tickets cost 100L each, or 3 for 200L.

And for those looking for a game, there is the Queen's Quest. Somehow, someone stole her library, and there will be a reward for whom can get it back.

For more information, check the event's blog here: https://slrenaissancefestival.com/ . 

Correction: We originally reported that the Lindens at the Pillory event was on Saturday Oct 2. We apologize for the error.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Jousting And Archery At The Renaissance Fair

Quite a lot has been happening at the Renaissance Fair, with plenty of items to buy with the cash going to charity to music events. But with the theme, there were also combat events. There's been a number of jousting matches, including one I observed on Monday September 28. Lances hit home, and riders ended up knocked off their horses.

That particular joust was won by Michael von Shady (MickeyJoe1 Resident). Second was Alsedel Llewellyn. Third was Skysong (sgudeman Resident). Fourth was Kali (KALIvRAHU Resident)

MickeyJoe1 Resident WINS THE TOURNAMENT! with Alsedel Llewellyn placing a very honorable SECOND! sgudeman Resident has taken THIRD! with KALIvRAHU Resident coming in at a respectable FOURTH!

Later that afternoon was an archery tournament. This wasn't just shooting at a still target. When hit, the target would vanish and pop up somewhere else on the back wall.

First place went to Skyler Amira Constatine (SkylerAmira Resident). Second was Bo (cbrochey Resident). Third place went to Ty (Tyger) Eros Amara (torymchenry Resident). Forth was Ariell Fallen (AriellFallen Resident).

Check the event schedule for more jousting and archery, as well as melee combat matches. And keep an eye out for events with the Lindens and moles.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Second Life Destinations - Medieval Roleplaying"

Xiola Linden's post for Second Life Destinations on July 3 was of "Medieval Roleplaying," the video filmed in the area of Mystvale.

Have you ever thought about writing your own Medieval novel? What if you could live through your very own battle of the throne without any of the very bloody and finite endings you’ve seen on television? Hold court, joust, ride forth into battle on the back of your trusted steed, or simply embrace the photogenic romance of living in an era long passed - it’s all possible in SL.
 

That’s where communities like MYSTVALE and other role-playing communities within Second Life come in. Tailored to immerse you in an experience that blends history and fantasy together, and allows you to begin making your own history through creative story-telling. Talk about choosing your own adventure!

Put on your favorite medieval outfit, grab your preferred party of adventurers, and cross the virtual veil into MYSTVALE.  

For the blog post in it's entirety, Click Here. 

Reader Submitted: Game Review - World of Tanks

Rita Mariner, who sent us a series of articles on how to get through Subnautica, recently sent us a review of a noted game that's been out for a few years: World of Tanks. Developed by Wargaming in 2010, "WoT" as it's called for short was the company's first Massive Multiplayer Online game, and remains it's most popular one. Rita has been a longtime player of the game. But in her opinion, the game has not gotten better with age.

Read Rita's reader submission in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

The 2018 Roma Lupercalia Weekend

Second Life has a number of historical roleplay communities. Probably the best known one, Roma, entertains both residents and visitors with monthly festivals. For the month of February, their festival was based on ancient Rome's Lupercalia. The festival back then was best known for naked men smacking women with thongs made from hide. But the residents of Roma did more for the Second Life version.

Read the story in Events.

Game Review: Conan Exiles

One of the newer survival games out there that's been getting a little chatter is "Conan Exiles." Many are probably familiar with the title character from the 1982 movie. But there's been a number of games about him and his stories, including an MMO from several years ago. The survival game is a bit glitchy, more than a little buggy, and deals with a subject some will have a problem with: slavery.

Read the review in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

Game Review: War Thunder

When it comes to multiplayer WW2 combat vehicle games, most will probably think of "World of Tanks" or "World of Warships." But there are others out there. One that's gotten some attention is "War Thunder." Starting off as an air combat game, it's been expanded over time to cover ground, and more recently sea battles. But even if one sticks to the tanks, there are a number of differences from it's more famous counterpart.

Read more in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games

Game Review: Overwatch

Many of you have heard of "Overwatch," the latest game from Blizzard, best known for it's long running "World of Warcraft." Playable over computers and game console, the game is a first person shooter where the player is part of one or two teams fighting it out in an arena. Grease Coakes recently got his hands on the game. So what did he think?

Read Grease's review in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

Looking Back: Aria Clash

Second Life isn't really a game, though residents often call it one for the sake of simplicity. But we can play games on it, some of which have rivaled the MMOs we put down money for.

It was five years ago in which the Newser reported on Aria Clash, an anime-inspired combat game, what one described as a “feudal Japan/sci-fi crossover” fought either with melee or ranged weapons. In my personal opinion, this was one of the best combat games in Second Life developed before, or since. Sadly, Aria Clash did not last, shutting down a little more than two years later. Developer Kamiko Fazuku stated she had to close down the gaming area and further development of the game due to real-life complications, and credited the loyalty and faithfulness of her team for the reason it had lasted so long, saying she had heard of many others fall apart due to internal drama.

Yours truly would return to Aria Clash several times since the article, having fun with development team memeber, Aasha “Geecku” Kohime, or my friend Daniella Looming in the picture above. This included at least one "boss fight" which was just as big a pain as an MMO boss fight ro win.

While yours truly has come across some games since, there's been nothing quite like Aria Clash. What games have you the readers been playing?

Bixyl Shuftan

Roma 2016 Paganalia Festival

Tomorrow, the Roman historical roleplay community has it's monthly festival. For this month, the theme is it's Paganalia. Four events from 10AM to 2 PM SL time cover different activities from a roleplayed Roman ritual to skating, to fishing, to a "deathmatch" combat (fortunetly for avatars, revival is just a keystroke away). So if you're in the mood for a "Roman holiday," stop on by.

Read the schedule in Events this Week.

Game Review: Fallout 4

One of the games generating the most buzz among circles of gamers is Fallout 4, the latest in it's series with the first sold in 1997, this particular game selling 12 million units 24 hours after it's release. Set more than 200 years after a nuclear war that devastated the world, the player takes on various quests, deals with NPCs, and of course takes on bad guys while leveling up. So what did Nydia think?

Read Nydia's review in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

Game Review: World of Warships

Nydia Tungsten is back with her first gaming review in a while. Here, she looks at "World of Warships." The game is from Wargaming.net, the makers of the popular "World of Tanks." Gameplay is a little like the noted tank game as there are units of different strengths and one with long range fire. But "the other WoW" as it's sometimes called is not simply the tank game moved to the water.

Read Nydia's review in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

Commentary: Military Combat News Feed

Jamie has been on the scene of the SLMC, a group of thirteen groups of combateers (separate from the New Bastogne WW2 combat RP which the Newser also reports occasionally about). While doing their share of fighting, there's also been some bickering and accusations among them. Jamie gives his opinion on what's been going on.

Read Jamie's article in People.

Commentary: The Boys From Brazil - The Megiddo

Foxythejamie has been in Second Life's combat areas again. This time, he writes about a team called Megiddo. Made up of Brazilians, and other combatants from around the world, Jamie writes that other squads have been questioning their performance. He went on to say that these rumors are false.

Read Foxythejamie's commentary in Extra.

SL Video: "Baa Baa NAS Misfits - Episode 1"

(Click here if the video fails to load)

Filmed Feb 2015, from SL Premiere Magazine, starring Cahuet, Diana, Dsnipe Hotshot, Florence Philly, Klaus Von Rictor, Mojo Greywolf, Mr. Pilot Sinn, and Trans Sands

Gaming Review: A Look At Eve Online

You might have heard about "Eve Online" before, the space MORPG game noted for it's player versus player battles that at times can be extremely huge with many hundreds of participants. So what is the game *really* like? Bixyl Shuftan decided to give it a try.

Read more in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at a combat sim (not New Bastogne). Nydia Tungsten was doing a video shoot at the 1940's Europe style streets when a couple wise guys started taking pok shots at us with their bomber. Unfortunetly for them, they got a little close to the ground, and ended up stalling and making a hard landing right onto the streets. As you can see, taking off again from the position was impossible, so they just left the plane.

Bixyl Shuftan

Various Halloween Happenings

Second Life has no shortage of Halloween fun. There's a number of haunted houses, woods, and other locations around. But suppose you're looking for a party or some other public activity?

If you want to party with the wacky neighbors of the community the Newser office makes it's home in, the Sunweavers are having their Halloween Party at Club Cutlass. Club owner Jenni Greenfield takes to the stage to spin the scary tunes tonight in what promises to be a spook-tacular event.

6-8 PM Sunweaver Space (176, 62, 125)

Steelhead has it's own Halloween party tonight at 7PM. But that is not all. Halloween is the last day of the "Go Fish!" hunt.

At participating locations there are dead fish lying about, it is your job to find them before they stink up the place. Some are easy to find, other's you'll need therapy after you do find it. ... please get them before they really rot.

Among the places taking part in the hunt is the "Malarkey Manor" also known as "Toby's House. Located at Steelhead Harborside (100/114/24), one can drop by here to get a notecard with a list of the locations where one can find the dead fish. The Malarkey Manor has two, with the clues being, "survive to get your TROPHY" and "dig much deeper."

The Creations Dance Club, of the Creations for Parkinson's Charity group, is having a Halloween event that seems a bit more light and a bit less dark, the "Hallow Eve of Light, Happiness, and Love."


Be prepared to be amazed! You and your friends are invited to a Unique Alternative Halloween Celebration Dance. Friday, October 31st 6-8 pm SLT Let's come together to create an uplifting positive evening filled with Light, Happiness and Love. At our New Dance Club at the Etheric Center of Living Light. encourage costumes & clothing to enhance the positive energy of this evening. 12 fabulous free gifts!
 
The dance is from 6-8PM at Creations Park (124, 118, 4055) 

 The World War Two combat roleplay of New Bastogne has been getting into the Halloween antics with the invasion of zombie soldiers. How combatants began raising from the dead is unknown, some say an experiment by Nazi scientists gone horribly awry, others say a curse by a powerful witch furious with the war. Moderator Vickster Khun described the event in a notice.

Today, and tomorrow (Halloween), WWII players are permitted to play as zombies. They will be using a device that gives them greater HP than normal infantry, and will have a melee attack only. Any player using this device should be dressed as a zombie and play on Team 3. Zombies are authorized only between the hours of 5PM and 12 Midnight, SLT (PDT). On another note, you are asked to engage zombies with infantry weapons only. Have fun!

 The Zombie AO made those wearing it walk about in a stumbling, shuffling, often bent over manner. Jessicabelle Dayafter suggested those hunting the zombies on the hours they come out might be allowed some additions on their outfits that would normally make them out-of-uniform, such as a melee fighter's shoulder guard.

Those whom aren't yet in the combat roleplay, but are interested in taking part can head to read about the rules and get some starter gear at New Bastogne (117/156/37). Please take heed of the rules and listen to the moderators.

Luskwood, which last week celebrated their 11th anniversary, is whooping it up again with their Halloween event. The Big Tree is set to have some spooky scary fun.

That's right everyone!  We're going to be haunted yet again.  Feel free to start prepping those wonderful costumes for tomorrow the tunes will rise from the grave. Expect lots of our DJ fun and feel free to let your friends know to come on down then!

The haunted fun is listed as officially starting at 7PM, but people are likely to drop by in costume at the social area much before

All this, and more awaits those who brave the darkness in Second Life on Halloween.

Trick or Treat.

Bixyl Shuftan