Commentary: Game Company GREED

 

If you're a gamer, you've probably seen a promising game in development, a "beta" version, gotten it because of what's promised in the future, and in the weeks and months ahead while there's some development it doesn't come close to the hype when you forked over your money. Nydia Tungsten has seen this happen time after time, as well as other occasions of "bait and switch" in the gaming industry, and decided it was time to write something about it. So what did she have to say?

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

BioBreeds Breedable Pets Shut Down

 

Second Life has one less breedable pets company. Last weekend, the BioBreeds company apparently closed down due to a dispute between the co-owners.

I found a notecard in the BioBreeds Advertising group, and the Relay for Life Volunteers group, the latter where I found it first. It was signed "Oz," presumably meaning co-owner Ozzie Drucker, the Group Management and Marketing leader.

I have always been as transparent with you all as possible from the start, so let me explain what has happened.

Our provider last fall informed us that we needed to “migrate” our server to the cloud. And needed to do so by the end of the year. At that time they would no longer provide service if we failed to do so.  Our coder, Bytecode Republic, who also is an owner, refused to do so.  He also refused to move us to another provider. Since then I have attempted a variety of ways to convince him that it was necessary so that we could continue. Then, after I took some additional steps to force a migration, and without entangling you in technical jargon, he shut us down on Friday. And in a way that it cannot be undone. Up until late yesterday I was hopeful that somehow this could be resolved.

But he refuses to re-establish us.

The notecard was in the Relay group on Sunday January 29, but not in the BioBreeds Advertising group, the largest BioBreeds group I could find, until Tuesday January 31. I couldn't find an existing larger Biobreeds group. Trying to head to the Biobreeds sim, it was closed. Their Marketplace page was also closed. There was nothing about what happened on the blog (http://www.biobreeds.com/). Their Facebook and Twitter hadn't been updated in a while.

 

I was able to send an alt to a sim known as "The Farm," which came up when I did a search on Biobreeds-related places. I only saw one to two to three people around and most of the stalls were closed. Talking to someone, she told me the creators were making an effort to preserve the pets still out there. She copy-pasted from a group I wasn't able to find on Search.

[15:30] Ozzie Drucker: Group Notice Sent by: Ozzie Drucker
Free Food Plus
DO NOT BUT FOOD!

 Around midnight tonight We will  be rezzing vendors for you to be able to use to get free food and free medkits.

Hope this helps some.

I would go by later, and there were some food and medkit packages available for free at the main building. They were at The Farm (172/207/21).

 

The notice I saw in the Relay for Life Volunteers group was a bit panicky, saying the animals were in danger of dying. Checking with a friend, her Biobreeds permapet was just fine and her regular one was sleeping but otherwise okay. She told me it was a shame BioBreeds was closing as it was her impression they were one of the few companies that tried to keep prices reasonable. 

 

Biobreeds was created on February 5, 2010, the company closing just days before it's thirteenth anniversary. 

This isn't the first time a breedable pets company has closed. In May 2017, Ozimals closed down due to a "cease and desist" order from a lawyer, the result between a dispute between the script builder and the company. 

There will likely be more details as information comes in.

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Farm/172/207/21

 

 Bixyl Shuftan

~ * Of Masks and Lions, A Birthday Celebration * ~

 

The all furry Ravenswood Theatrical Company will be holding a performance to celebrate the Artistic Director’s 33rd birthday and to re-open our doors after 8 long years!  We will be presenting scenes from our past repertoire, which includes a special performance of Act One from their smash hit, The Phantom of The Opera, scenes from their upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz, plus many more surprises to come!

This grand event will be held on Monday, August 9th at 7pm SLT.
To reserve your seats, please submit a notecard to Alexiel Czaczkes.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Alterra/128/165/1531
 

Activision/Blizzard Sued By California, Charges of Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

 

Activision/Blizzard, the company behind some of the world's most popular games, is the target of a lawsuit filed by California. Filed by the state's Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the company is charged with having a "frat boy" culture in which not only are women paid less than men while working similar jobs and promoted less often, but are "subjected to constant sexual harassment."

The allegations are not limited to simple jokes, but include "unwanted sexual advances," being groped at "cube crawls" in which men drink plenty of alcohol then "crawl" their way around cubicles where women work, and more. Activision/Blizzard is described as not investigating the numerous complaints made by women employees, and those who complained were sometimes retaliated against, including being subject to layoffs. The lawsuit also describes, "In a particularly tragic example, a female employee committed suicide during a business trip with a male" who brought sex toys with him.

Activision/Blizzard has denied the allegations, a spokesman issued a statement saying the filing contains "distorted, and in many cases false, descriptions of Blizzard's past." He would go on to say, "Over the past several years and continuing since the initial investigation started, we've made significant changes to address company culture and reflect more diversity within our leadership teams." Blizzard's President sent an email to employees saying he would be meeting with a number of them about the "extremely troubling" charges. Activision's President stated "there is zero tolerance for this sort of behavior." But over twenty Blizzard employees have spoken out against this response, including one lead game designer, "The statements made by [Activision Blizzard] do not represent us. We believe women, and we will continue to strive to do better and hold others accountable. Actions speak louder than words."

Players themselves have responded with actions such as in-game protests in support of the women involved. It is not yet known how many are canceling subscriptions in response to news of the lawsuit.

Sources: PC Gamer, Yahoo News, Aboutlaw.com

Bixyl Shuftan
 

 

Genus Project Wins DMCA Suit, Reopens Today

Things haven't been the best for the Genus Project store this year. Twice this year, someone hit them with DMCA takedown notices, the second just hours after the store reopened. Finally, after two months, the case has been resolved and the store is set to reopen today. So how was the suit pulled off and why did it take time to resolve? The owner of Genus would explain.

Read more in Extra.

Second Life Store Hit With Two DMCA Shutdowns, Second Hours After Reopening

While the Second Life Birthday and the buyout of Linden Lab have been in the headlines, there have been other news stories that might have gotten more attention otherwise. Among the companies making use of Bento mesh is Genus, which has gotten attention for it's Bento heads. But a few months ago, they were hit with a DMCA takedown order, which shut them down for a while. Earlier this month, they reopened, only to be hit with a second takedown order in just a few hours.

Read the story in Extra.

Announcement: "Holiday Dreams" by Spirit Light Dance Company

Spirit Light Dance Company Brings You
                                                       

~~* HOLIDAY DREAMS *~~
                                                  

Sunday November 25th and

 December 9th 

12:00 Noon Slt
                                              

Sponsored by
Rockcliffe University  

                                                 
It’s all about the spirit of the season . . . A spirit that is revealed through reflection, and through the soothing and almost misty images of our dreams.  Maybe the dreams have an ethereal look, or perhaps a rousing beat, or even a call to action.  Regardless, we embrace them—even cling to them—for the serenity and transcendence that they offer during this time of celebration.

The dancers of the SLDC proudly present an excursion through dreams.  The journey begins with seasonal favorites, inviting the audience to enter this special time with the pealing of bells and the rhythmic richness of classic melodies.  The opening number is followed by dreams of peace, of fantasy, of transformation, of promise, of a bright tomorrow, and of hope.  And of course, interspersed amongst these dreams are sugar-plum visions.  The dancers conclude with dreams gone wild that will make the audience clamor for Santa himself!

The holiday season offers the perfect moment for the mating of technology and art to produce the enchanting and soul-stirring expressions of dance that have become hallmarks of the Spirit Light Dance Company.  Through the artistic direction of Caryl Meredith, and her company of choreographers and performers, audience members will find themselves transported to the land in which dreams are born.  It will be an unforgettable experience.
   
Come join us on November 25 and December 9, 12:00 Noon SLT, at the Theater of Light, Rockcliffe University.  Come early to get a good seat.  Maybe you will have some time to dream!

Arrive by 11:30 to be sure to get a seat. This show is sure to fill up early. 
Please arrive with your scripts 50 or under...
Information on how to reduce scripts
                                    
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20I/120/82/3602

Real Life Businesses in Second Life (2008)

In our looking back at Second Life Newspaper today, we see how it took a look at a trend that many residents today would find odd: real life car companies trying to use Second Life to advertise their automobiles. This was a time when the virtual world was much more popular in real life media, and with the public's attention here, some felt there was money to be made. In March, Dana Vanmoer wrote about her and James taking a look at some of the cars being offered by real life automakers. So what did they think?

Read the 2008 article in Design.

Discussion on Hiring Autistics at Virtual Ability

Earlier in the week, there was a lecture at the Virtual ability sim. The subject: it was about the benefits of hiring people with autism. Following his talk, the host Gentle Heron invited people to share their stories.


Read more in Events.