Reader Submitted Picture: Bull At A China Shop

 

 Taken by Alden Cortes at the SLB's League of Extraordinary Victorian Roleplayers exhibit. What this minotaur is doing looking into a china shop for, he didn't say. But it's just a thin layer of glass keeping that bull from going in. 

 

 

Press Release: Roleplay for Life

The Roleplay for Life team consists of multiple roleplay sim communities representing many genres.  Roleplayers as a whole are very "COMMUNITY" focused and are a natural fit for raising money for this worthy cause.

In 2014, I decided we needed our own team for Relay For Life to focus our charitable efforts in virtual worlds where we all spend a lot of time.  We all joined to form the Roleplay for Life group for many of the typical reasons groups join Relay for Life: it's a great, noble cause; because we know someone who has been affected by cancer; and to affect positive change in our community.

We also hoped to use our unique connection with roleplayers, who often tend to be a "fringe category" of player, to raise mutual awareness between the various charities and the roleplaying community within InWorldz. We felt our involvement in Relay for Life benefits not only a wonderful cause, but also benefits those who may feel removed from the mainstream, but wish to become more involved in such events.

We raised over $285,000 Iz's during the 2014 RFL season to help raise money and awareness for cancer and its cure. Our goal in the 2015 season is to exceed that total through the hard work of our team members and the generosity of the InWorldz residents.

Bim Rasmuson, Captain
Roleplay For Life
RFL InWorldz 2015 Campaign

Star Fleet Galactic: Adventures of the USS Ironhorse

FoxyTheJamie has been boldly going where no man has gone before as he went to look at a Star Trek Roleplay. A small but active group, they continue to voyage on one mission after another. So what did our reporter think of the group?

Read Jamie's review in People.

CBS Says Trekkers Can Still Roleplay Star Trek in Second Life

On Monday February 4, following a few months of worry from Second Life's Star Trek community, CBS finally answered the question of whether or not they had a problem with Trek content and roleplaying in Second Life. In short, they have no objections, as long as no one is making money off of it.

The following letter was the most recent one of a series of exchanges between CBS's legal department, and Anthony Haslage of the IFT group.



Thank you for your patience.  As I and my colleagues have previously discussed with you, CBS Studios is appreciative of the fans of STAR TREK who dedicate their time and energy to supporting the STAR TREK franchise in the real world as well as virtual worlds such as Second Life.

    After our internal discussions, we can advise that CBS Studios is pleased that STAR TREK fans interact and role-play in Second Life, but objects to fans who create and sell unlicensed, real or virtual merchandise featuring the STAR TREK properties.  As I explained during our discussion, when users of Second Life make it a commercial enterprise to sell uniforms, costume emblems, logos, badges, ships designs, props, etc., CBS Studios is obligated to protect against the unauthorized use of its rights.  CBS Studios remains concerned such an approach may cause confusion with its current or future licensed properties.

    With regard to your inquiry about obtaining a license for CBS Studios or a sublicense from its licensee, I have confirmed that at this time CBS Studios does not wish to pursue a license with you to permit third parties to sell virtual goods in the Second Life.

    You mentioned Linden Labs’ prior actions against fans of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.  We are not aware of Linden Labs policing Second Life on its own initiative to conduct blanket sweeps related to STAR TREK as a result of our prior take-down notice pursuant to the DMCA.  Should you become aware of such activities, we would appreciate your promptly advising us.  In the meantime, should CBS Studios seek to enforce its rights against users in Second Life, CBS Studios will take reasonable steps to notify Linden Labs of the infringements with sufficient detail.

    We hope that this explanation enables your fan communities to continue to enjoy STAR TREK in Second Life.


So it would seem Trekkers in Second Life, after months of worry, can relax again. But in a meeting to discuss CBS in December, it was brought up that some had already made places in other Grids. Whether or not they'll return in another issue.

Adventures in Cadair

Grease Coakes decided to "go Medieval" for his latest story. Hearing about Cadair, a Fantasy adventure roleplay sim, he decided to get a look from the inside and joined up as a newcomer adventurer. Interacting with the others, he got a few tastes of what the roleplaying there is like, and how conflicts get resolved.

Read about Grease's adventures in People.

Return to Bronytown

Last year, the new "Brony" community found itself homeless and disoriented after it's sims were taken offline. This would be a fatal blow to some communities. But not only did this group of "My Little Pony" fans recover, but they're now stronger than ever. Xymbers Slade takes a look at the place, and interviews two of the "Mane Six" ponies.

Read the story in People.