2025 Summer Grid Games This Weekend

 

 A story we're a little late on reporting on, but there's one more day of it. This is the third day of the Summer Grid Games. 

 

Get ready to witness the best of sportsmanship and skill from all across the grid in a variety of thrilling sports! Whether you're a passionate athlete or an enthusiastic spectator, the Grid Games Championship promises something for everyone. The championship event runs from August 22nd to 24th, join the fun! 

 

For today, Sunday, August 24th, the events are as follows:

Boxing (Fightality HUD) – 8:00 AM
Motorsports 1v1 – 11:00 AM
Cross Country – 2:00 PM
Freestyle Dressage – 3:00 PM 

 

There is also swimming and golf going on (no time listed on the notecard) 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Blueberry/13/222/1001 

SL Video: "Becoming"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

 From Mads Easton on January 2022

 

The International Space Museum

 

It's a place most longtime residents know about, and all newcomers should, especially if they're space fans: The International Space Museum. While some exhibits have been around for over a decade, others are more recent. And people come by whenever there's a spacecraft being launched of landing that's being televised. With the 20th anniversary coming up, Bixyl Shuftan went over for a look around.

 

 Read Bixyl's story in Places. 

 

Memorial Tree In VRChat

 

Some may remember Sylys Sable (account name Sylys Weezles), who passed away last year.  Slylark "Snowy" Lefavre, told me about a spot in VRChat where there's a memorial tree in which he's among those honored. It's at Antiheat's Apartment, accessible at the Party Roof is the "Fast Travel" station, which is also known as the Lilac Lounge. Looking around, among the sights was this tree with bright purple leaves. 

 

Also known as The Ethereal Tree, Sylys was one of three people honored. As of now, unclear who the other two are. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Eye On The Blog: GTIF Mesh Import

 

On Monday August 18, Linden Lab announced a new update to the Second Life viewer, the 2025.05 gITF Mesh Import. 

 

Last year, we introduced the ability to extract and upload PBR materials from glTF files: a helpful first step. Now, with glTF model upload, you can import creations more simply, streamlining your workflow from modern tools like Blender.  

 

Import glTF meshes straight into Second Life! This release adds simplified support for .glb and .gltf mesh uploads, making it easier than ever to bring complete assets from modern 3D pipelines directly into SL.  

 

As a reminder, this update does not currently affect the Firestorm viewer, which most Second Life residents use. 

 

For more information, check the Linden blog (here).  

 

Abnormality Shopping Event

 

 For those who haven't been there yet, the Abnormality shopping event is going on. The "human alternative and furry shopping experience" takes place about every season. This August, the theme is "Sugar Rush."

 

 Going on in the sim of the same name, there are numerous shops around, in addition to the "sweet" decor. One can get avatars, mods, and more. 

 

The event will be going on for a few more days to Thursday August 28. 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Tapir

 

 Taken at the Wootstock. Among those there was someone in something I hadn't seen before: a tapir avatar. For those who don't know, they're South American herbivores with a long, prehensile nose. 

 

While more related to rhinos and horses than anything else, they certainly look like some small elephants somehow made it over across the Atlantic. 

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Shropshire

 

Gemma Cleanslate was recently at a place in Second Life based on a real one: Shropshire. Based on a small community in England founded in Viking times, there's plenty of horse-related activities, as well as roleplay, homes one can live in, and more. Gemma had a chat with it's owners, Jenni Jones (Pixie8615) and Stefan Jones (Skilledavatar), as well as having a good look around. 

 

Read Gemma's story in Places.

 

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs, Furry Fashion, and Club Scorn

 

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver, Montecito Bay, Furry Fashion, and Scorn clubs.

Club Cutlass: 70's VS 80's, Workin' for a Living, TBA

Happy Vixen: DJ Arooo, DJ Scratch, DJ Malit, TBA, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Snowy  - TBA

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  DJ Snowy - TBA

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

Club Squeaks: DJ Squeaks

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Club Scorn: W 4-6, Th 4-6, 7-11, Sat 2-12

 

Furry Fashion: Halloween, Cats and Rabbits, Spots and Stripes, Predators vs Prey

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

Steam Gaming Service Removes A Number Of Adult Games Following Pressure By Credit Card Companies, Paypal Blocks Steam In Much Of The World

 

If you're a fan of game with mature themes, there's been a development on Steam that will likely leave you worried and/or upset. It seems following pressure from credit card companies, Steam has taken a number of adult-rated games off it's list for sale. 

 

In a PC Gamer article, Value, which owns Steam, was reported as saying, "We were recently notified that certain games on Steam may violate the rules and standards set forth by our payment processors and their related card networks and banks. As a result, we are retiring those games from being sold on the Steam Store."

 

Earlier, Steam had enacted a new, and vague, rule about banning "Content that may violate the rules and standards set forth by Steam’s payment processors and related card networks and banks, or internet network providers."

 

An article in The Guardian stated the pressure by the credit card companies was due to pressure on them by "Collective Shout," a group seeking to ban adult content from Australian Internet access, saying the corporations were "facilitating and profiting from rape, incest and child sexual abuse game sales."

 

The result has been a backlash. On change.org, a petition was started protesting the censorship of the games, "not because they're illegal, but because they offend the personal values of executives or activist groups," going on to say, "These same payment processors allowed platforms like OnlyFans to operate with minimal oversight, despite multiple credible reports and lawsuits alleging the presence of real sexual abuse content involving real-life minors. That is a criminal failure of responsibility. Yet, when it comes to entirely fictional depictions, these same companies act swiftly — shutting down creators, restricting access, and acting as global censors." 

 

So far, the petition has gotten over a quarter million signatures. One who left a comment identified himself as a member of the LGBTQ community, "Banning sexual content never stops there, it always include non-sexual things. As such the fight to protect people’s right to sexual expression is vital for protecting my right to exist." 

 

Mastercard eventually responded, but denied making any pressure on Steam, "Mastercard has not evaluated any game or required restrictions of any activity on game creator sites and platforms, contrary to media reports and allegations."

 

To add to Steam's troubles, Paypal became unusable in most of the world as an option to pay for Steam purchases. It was reported in The Gamer only users in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, and countries which use the Euro can still do so. At first, Valve offered no reason as to why, but later would explain, "In this case, one of PayPal’s acquiring banks decided to stop processing any Steam transactions, which cut off PayPal on Steam for a number of currencies"

 

As of now, it is unclear when the delisted games will be restored, or when Paypal will be fully useable again. 

 

Sources: PC Gamer, The Guardian, The Gamer, Rock Paper Shotgun 

 

Bixyl Shutan 

 

Wind Phones in Second Life

 

Have you ever heard of a "Wind Phone?" For those who don't know, it's a way for those with lost loved ones and close friends to speak to the departed over a phone that's not connected to others, but presumably the words would be "carried by the wind" to the spirit they're aimed at. The idea started in Japan, and eventually spread to other places. And eventually, it came here to Second Life.  Klaus Bereznyak went to take a look at the phones here, and talk to one of the people behind them.

 

Read Klaus' story in Design. 

 

Applications Open For Halloween Shop And Hop (Until Aug 24)

 

It's only August, but already Linden Lab is making plans for the spooky season.  On Friday August 15, Linden Lab announced they were accepting applications from merchants interested in taking part in the 2025 Halloween Shop and Hop. 

 

The Halloween season is creeping up on us once again, and so is one of Second Life’s biggest shopping events! If you’re a Content Creator, now’s your chance to conjure up your best items and reach thousands of shoppers across multiple regions.  

 

The shopping event is scheduled to take place Friday October 3 to Sunday November 2. Those interested in taking part need to fill out a form on Google docs (here). Those signing up will need to agree to their items at the store being offered with at least a 20 percent discount, and one free gift to anyone regardless of whether they're in the store's group or not. The gift must be a new one as well. If a gift card is offered instead, it must be at least 300L. 

 

No items rated adult can be offered, and nothing with political themes, or politicians, is permitted. The store cannot also be used to promote items at other events. And for those wanting to take part, signing up does not guarantee a spot.

 

The deadline for signing up is Sunday August 24.

 

For more information, check the Linden blog post (here). 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

"Wootstock" In Raglan Shire

 

 From Friday  August 15 to Sunday August 17, the "Wookstock" music festival, Raglan Shire's musical tribute to Woodstock, took place. A number of DJs, and live performers, played music on stage, and attendance was well over 50 frequently.

 

 One of the first up was Nivor The Singing Chicken. When he was singing Weird Al's "Eat It," the foxes had a good laugh after the line, "have some more chicken." 

 

 Later on Friday evening was Merryjest Starchild, who sang a variety of songs, including "Nessun Dorma." 

 

 Among Saturday's performers were Jaycatt Nico and Frogg Marlowe, or "Effinjay." They did the show in their own tiny avatars. 

 

 A great time was had by all.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Bar Nun

 

 Taken at the Club Cutlass "Good or Bad" dance. The punch line came from Liska herself.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Return To VR Chat

 

 It's been a while since I was last on VR Chat, and several days ago, I finally went there and joined a couple friends who have come to spend more time there than Second Life. Some things haven't changed, such as avatars not able to be dressed like they can be in our virtual world and any attachments need to be constantly held in your hand, dropping if you take your finger off the button. But some things have such as the potential size of some regions. One was so huge, my friend told me over a hundred kilometers across, you needed a car to go across, and it took a while. 

 

So I may write more about VRChat in the months ahead. I say may as I have my hands on a few projects. Time will tell.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: "Liminal Music Video"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

 From I Am Ava on April 27, "Liminal explores the spaces between worlds — where reality blurs, memories fade, and something new begins. Written and envisioned by Ana DuBois, this original song blends human emotion with AI-crafted music and vocals. The video was filmed entirely in Second Life, using its haunting landscapes to capture the feeling of drifting between moments, identities, and realities."

 

SL Burner Gets Her Build To Be Made At Burning Man

 

Burn2's summer event may be over. But the Burners haven't stopped their activities, far from it. There was an announcement about the Black Rock City Honoraria Program. As it turns out, one SL Burner would get this honorarium, and her build for the summer burn here would be planned to be constructed at the real life Burning Man. 

 

Read Gemma's story in People. 

 

Linden Lab Announces New Gifts For Plus, Premium, And Premium Plus Residents

 

 A few days ago in the official blog, Linden Lab announced that Seraphim, a leading shopping group and website, had released their next quarterly set of gifts for residents with paid accounts, Plus, Premium, and Premium Plus. 

 

The wait is over! The newest round of SeraPlus Quarterly Gifts is here, packed with exciting virtual gifts from some of Second Life’s most celebrated creators — and available exclusively to Plus, Premium, and Premium Plus members.

 

 
The items include skin fatpacks, footwear, clothing, accessories, hair, Home and Garden items, and a "full interactive item." To get them, if you have a paid account, head over to the SeraphimSL sim at (122/154/34) and get them at the display area. You can get this set from now to October 26. After that it will no longer be available. 

 

To read more, Click Here to check out the blog page.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

SL Video: "Drivers of SL Grid Drive 2025-06-07b - Old Linden Homes Special"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

 From Zada Bury on August 9, of the old Linden Home regions, a continuation of her tour of the pre-Bellisseria ones, before they would be closed down.

 

Classic SLN Cartoons: Mice in Black

 

 

 From Sept 2008. The MiB is Anne Droid Lilly, who was a regular around Luskwood at the time. I would see her time to time, then one day she stopped coming. Sadly I recently learned why. I learned today that it's believed she passed away in 2012.

 

Link by Zorrin Froboz 

 

Cartoon by Bixyl Shuftan

 

Announcement: Wootstock At Ragland Shire, Friday to Sunday

 

 Raglan Shire, Second Life's most notable tiny community, is hosting it's annual Woodstock tribute, "Wootstock." From Friday August 15 to Sunday August 17, there will be "three days of waffles and music" with a number of noted SL live musicians, plus some local DJs.

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Raglan%20Shire/88/185/3007

 

Zooby To Discontinue Support For Prim "Legacy" Babies, Pets

 

Most every longtime resident of Second Life has probably heard the expression "prim baby." These are not child avatars, but virtual babies made to look and act much like real ones. They are not new, but have been around since 2006 when Zooby (Carrie Tatsu) began offering them for anyone wanting to pay the fee. A 2013 article by the Second Life Enquirer explains them in some detail. 

 

When animesh became available, Zooby began developing new babies with this technology and began offering them around 2019. No more of the prim, or "Legacy" babies as they were being called officially were made, the focus now being on newer babies and pets, as her Spotlight interview in 2024 shows. But Zooby continued to support them, as well as the pre-mesh pets made by her. 

 

But a few days ago, there was an announcement from Zooby that the support for the older babies and pets would soon end 

 

We will be phasing out our sculpted legacy products by the end of 2025. This includes:

• Legacy Babies
• Curious Cats and Curious Canines
• Breedable Lemurs
• Trainapet Monkeys

This means you cannot rez them and they will no longer work by 2026.

We will be removing the Breedable Lemurs and Trainapet Monkeys from Market Place and the legacy sim by the end August. We will be removing all other supplies from the legacy sim and Market Place by the end of September.

All legacy sculpted products will be taken offline by January 2026.

Zooby has spent over $13,000 USD just to keep the legacy babies alive even though we stopped selling them in 2019. 

We did this for the community. We kept paying even though we earned barely enough profit to pay for the servers.

Illegal adoption agencies continued to sell the babies even though we stopped.

We believe 6 yrs of support for a product we stopped selling and over $13,000 USD was generous and it is time now to retire these.

Zooby has always done our best to support the community and we are sending out this notice now so there are no surprises next year when we take old sculpted legacy products offline.

Zooby will continue to focus, support, maintain and develop all Zooby Animesh related products. We will keep all Animesh products online until Second Life no longer exists.

We hope you understand that it is time now to move on and look to the future and keep our brand fresh and new.

 

There was nothing in the message of any kind of compensation for the owners of legacy babies and pets. 

 

One owner of a Legacy Zooby baby, wanting to remain anonymous, came to me  She was naturally unhappy about this, "It's not quite as bad to most people as the ABC horse situation but I don't know, to some it may be worse as they are their kids. I have not spent as much as some but I did spend probably 200 USD on clothes, furniture, consumables, and the babies and pets over the years. And I do have sentimental attachment to them. They are not even offering a discount or credit towards any of the animesh, even though they are still selling products related to items will cease function by their choice shortly."

 

What do you the readers think? Do any of you have an older Zooby baby or pet? Feel free to leave comments below.

 

Image Credit: SL Enquirer  

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs, Furry Fashion, and Club Scorn

 

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver, Montecito Bay, Furry Fashion, and Scorn clubs.

Club Cutlass: B and W (Black and White?), Good and Bad, Irish Night

Happy Vixen: DJ Arooo, DJ Scratch, DJ Malit, TBA, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Snowy  - Deer, Bunnies, and Skunks

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  DJ Snowy - Oceanic

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

Club Squeaks: DJ Squeaks

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Club Scorn: W 4-6, Th 4-6, 7-11, Sat 2-12

 

Furry Fashion: TBA

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

Tripp Foxtail and The Travelers Station

 

Last week, Tripp Foxtail announced he was closing his several locations in Second Life, including the main one, the Traveler's Station. This was soon followed by him saying the Traveler's Station would be staying. I ended up having a conversation with Tripp, and he would show me a few things.  

 

Read Bixyl's story in Extra.  

A Kids Toy With A Glow About It

 

 While at the Traveler's Station (the article should be finished tomorrow), I saw this interesting gadget at the book store. You've probably seen those home science labs for kids. But what about getting your little scientist in training his or her own Atomic Energy Lab? Marketed in 1950, this educational toy including it's own cloud chamber for measuring radioactive particles. It would later be listed as among the top ten dangerous toys. The educational lab was discontinued after about a year, not because of safety concerns, but low sales due to the $50 price tag, which with 75 years inflation would be over $600 today. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Raglan Shire Event Coming Soon

 

 Taken at Raglan Shire. There's going to be a festival here soon, one that takes place every year. Some might get an idea from the picture. For the rest, details to come. 

 

SL Video: "Zada's Visits - old Linden Homes: Cape Ekim, Secret Caves (Drive 25-06-07)"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

 From Zada Bury on July 20. Here, she visits some of the old Linden Home regions, the pre-Bellisseria ones, before they would be closed down. She uncovers some hidden secrets.

 

Cartoon of The Day: Dance Pet

 

 Taken at Club Zero Gravity. Gil Otaared is often seen with her "Mini Me." But besides a small cuddly companion, another reason comes to mind.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

SL Video: "Stray Cat Strut"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From Merryjest Starchild on August 8, "It's Nationall Cat Day, so this song was pretty much OBLIGATORY. Thank you for my dancers for jumping in at the last minute to make this video a possibility!" 

 

Now who is that Felis with the guitar?

 

Announcement: Musician Grace Loudon at The CVL Library

 

CVL Marly Milena Music Library presents....

Musician Grace Loudon

Sat Aug 9th at NOON SLT

Where:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Inspiration%20Bay/20/91/23

This month's MOTM concert is part of the 2025 VWMOOC (Virtual Worlds Massive Online Open Course) Conference, and features the wonderful Grace Loudon, winner of this year's Viral Voice award in Second Life!  Grace is an award winning musician, singer & songwriter who plays piano, guitar and offers a voice that can be gritty and dark or light and pretty.  She has an impressive vocal range and unique style that allows her to perform a mix of originals and covers with skill and talent that comes through in every song.

Although this is being held on the second Saturday of the month, Musician of the Month events are normally on the fourth Saturday of each month, and we will resume that schedule beginning in September. 

Contact Francisco Koolhoven or Valibrarian Gregg

 

Cartoon of The Day: What's On Your Mind?

 

 Taken at WVEC Eduverse. Valibrarian Gregg's look comes with an open book with flying pages on her avatar. It certainly looks like she has some heavy reading on her mind.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Update on The Travelers Station, Elsewhere Blog

 

 While it's neighboring areas are gone, the Traveler's Station just got a reprieve. 

 

A couple days ago, the Newser reported on the location, made by Tripp Foxtail, the man behind the "Elsewhere in Second Life" blog, was closing. The first hint something had changed when clicking on the link to the post about the closure had changed to a "does not exist" message. Checking the website, it was gone, and the latest entry was a simple three word message, "Please Stand By." 

 

Teleporting over, I saw that the neighboring places to Traveler's Station were gone, but it wasn't. What was gone was the sign about it's closing. I noticed Tripp was around, and we ended up talking for a while.  

 

"Yes - The Station remains," Tripp told me, "I have a few others properties to let go of still - but this is my heart and I could not bear to lose it. ... I thought long and hard about this place - and I just could not imagine myself in SL and not be running it. It has been my dream for so long and I fell in love so in love with it."

 

More on the story later. 

 

Ulyanovsk Oblast (174/116/92) 

 

Do YOU Have A Story?

 

On occasion, Second Life Newser will print an article or picture submitted to us by one of you, the readers.

Have you seen a particularly well-detailed sim? Went to a great event? Found yourself in a hilarious "only in SL" predicament? We're very interested in what you the readers have to say. Send us a story or funny picture, and if we like it, we'll post it as a Reader Submitted. For pictures, jpg format is preferred.

 

This is where you the readers come in.  On occasion, Second Life Newser will print an article or picture submitted to us by one of you. We're very interested in what you the readers have to say. Send us a story or funny picture, and if we like it, we'll post it as a Reader Submitted. For pictures, jpg format is preferred.

Mail submissions to bixylshuftan(at)gmail.com.

PLEASE include your SL user name and tell us if you wish it to appear with your story.

SL-Newser reserves the right to post in the appropriate section, edit,  and to investigate any names used in submitted stories (please ask permission before using anyone's name or picture that's clearly someone or use an alias for them).

 

Miniature Horse Avatar

 

When going about Second Life, you often see avatars that get your attention. But going about getting pet food, yours truly saw one I haven't seen before, a tiny horse avatar.

 

Messaging the little filly, she was appreciative for the attention, "Breeders Choice gifted them to the first handful of people that bought their brand new mesh horse avatar (back when mesh horses were brand new) so you probably won't see them around really at all. I think they had them in a lucky chair after that for a VERY short period of time. ... This is my favorite avatar to wear to Amaretto auctions."

 

The filly mentioned Amaretto Horses would be having their fifteenth anniversary event on September first and planned to be there. So if you want to see a tiny horse check out there and then. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Waterpark At Bellisserian Fairgrounds

 

In Gemma Cleanslate latest article, she writes about the attraction this month at Bellisaria's Fairgrounds: The Oasis Waterpark. The Bellisarian Hamsters, also known as the "Bell Hammies," made it with some long, twisty slides. And there are the DJ parties, and there's the game room. So what did Gemma think?

 

Read Gemma's article in Places. 

Blogger Tripp Foxtail To Close Travellers Station

 

 Tripp Foxtail, the man behind the "Elsewhere in Second Life" blog, was also the person behind a few locations in Second Life in the Ulyanovsk Oblast sim, notably the Travelers Station. It's entry in the Destination Guide had this description:

 

Travelers Station encourages travel across Second Life and transforms your exploration into a game-like experience. It is located on Route 8B in Satori and connects you everywhere. Curated destinations and vehicles and horses are provided for your convenience. Divers Station and Travelers Park are also located here. Stay curious and enjoy your travels.

 

There was also Travelers City, Travelers Square, Hooligan Hill, Night Meadow Gallery, The Castle, the Oubliette Coffee Shop, and others. But on Monday August 4, he made the following announcement on his blog.

 

This notice was sent out today to all groups & individuals involved with my virtual businesses. This has been a very emotionally difficult decision for me, but my declining health combined with diminishing financial situations, that are out of my control, force me to take this action.

_______________________________________

Dear Friends & Travelers,

It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the closure of Travelers Station, Travelers City, Travelers Square, Hooligan Hill Farm, The Docks, and The Salvage Yard Research Facility.

The Ulyanovsk Oblast Region will be returned to Linden Lab on August 20th.

Thank you for your patronage. It has been a pleasure providing these public spaces for you. I hope you will all continue to stay curious and enjoy your travels in Second Life.

-Tripp Foxtail

______________________________________

As you know, building in this virtual world has meant so much to me over the past 13 years. I will retain my account but can no longer pay the land fees required to keep the public lands.

Our real world is changing so rapidly. We are walking through some very dark times. Hold on to hope during this passage, hold on to each other and remember that everything eventually changes and that love always wins in the end. 

 

The blog started in March 2024, but the second entry wasn't until May 2025, where there would be a number of updates, but on July he would announce a hiatus in the blog due to events in real life.  

 

Travelers Station has a Discord and a Flickr page (here).  

 

Travelers Station is located at  Ulyanovsk Oblast (174/116/92)

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

After The Sharknado

 

 

Taken at the Bouncing Bunny Beach Club. On Sunday August 3, the little beach club held a "Sharknado" party. After DJ Snowy's last song, a number of sharks were rezzed on the deck. What to do with a pile of sharks? "We're gonna need a bigger net."

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Linden Lab Announces An Indefinate "Pause" On AI Characters Starting Sept 1

 

Those who worry about AI bots in Second Life can relax soon, at least for the time being. 

 

A few days ago, Linden Lab announced they would soon "pause" both the creation and activity of AI characters. 

 

... we are announcing a pause in the Character Designer experiment. Starting Sept. 1, the Character Designer feature will be turned off and no longer available.  

 

 This pause gives us time to carefully evaluate everything we’ve learned and determine how best to evolve this technology in a way that aligns with the broader future of Second Life.

 

What this means is those who have created AI characters will no longer be able to access them, nor can any more created. The Lab would also say characters and their memories would not be saved.  

 

Linden Lab would state this was not the end of AI in Second Life, but "a thoughtful pause as we refine our strategy and continue exploring new opportunities for innovation."

 

 For more information, check out the Linden blog entry (here). There's also a thread in the Linden forums (here). 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs, Furry Fashion, and Club Scorn

 

 

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver, Montecito Bay, Furry Fashion, and Scorn clubs.

Club Cutlass: Pirates, Black and Blue Blues, Big Hair Bands

Happy Vixen: DJ Arooo, DJ Scratch, DJ Malit, TBA, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Snowy  - TBA

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  DJ Snowy - TBA

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

Club Squeaks: DJ Squeaks

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Club Scorn: W 4-6, Th 4-6, 7-11, Sat 2-12

 

Furry Fashion: Disney, Pawns & Hooves, Under the Sea

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

 

 

Merryjests Writes on "Crumbling" Lighthouse

 

For those who want to read more on the Lighthouse vs Bella Epoque, or the "Gang of Homos," controversy, Merryjest Starfield just posted a few words of his own about it, "The Crumbling Lighthouse." He would comment, "I have to admit that this wasn't exactly how I wanted to start the Star Dispatch, but times being what they are... here we are." 

 

One can read his article on his website here. 

 

News In Brief

 

 There's a few news items that deserve a mention, even if there's not quite enough time to explain all in detail today. 

 

Linden Lab announced there will be a pause on AI character development on September 1, No more can be created and any existing ones can not be used until further notice. 

 

There's been some talk about the "Stop Killing Games" movement, of which Ubisoft's CEO responded several days ago. 

 

Next month, the International Space Museum turns 20. 

 

More on these later, when time permits.

 

 

 

Musical Tribute to Tom Lehrer By Merryjest

 

On Saturday at 3PM, performer Merryjest Starchild held a tribute to musician Tom Lehrer, who passed away on Saturday July 26. He was 97, noted for his quirky darkly comical songs composed in the 1950s and 60s. The event was done at 3PM in the Varro in Queue, "Come today for a tribute to the late, great and incorrigible Tom Lehrer!"

 

Merryjest would sing tunes like "Poisoning Pigeons in The Park," and "The Masochism Tango." Of "Poisoning," one feathered member of the audience joked, "As an Avian-American, I object." The audience applauded frequently. 

 

Tom Lehrer was a professor and a mathematics teacher, but gained a following with his unique style of music that kept it's charm over the decades. In 1972, he stopped composing new songs. But what he did would continue to be played on "Dr. Demento" and be re-released over the years. 

 

Queue is rated Adult, so not everyone may want to drop by the sim.  

 

*Correction* We originally stated 8PM.  

 

Source: Variety

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Announcement: Call For Merchant Sponsors For "Spoonful of Sugar" Festival

 

 

"Join us for an unforgettable journey to Regency and 1800s England! Expect grand balls, garden parties, lively gossip, and a chance to time travel to another era while making a real difference in this one.

 

"We are deeply grateful for your generosity. Micro-donations, such as those made in Second Life, add up quickly. Over just ten festivals, Spoonful of Sugar has raised more than $160,000 USD for MSF. When we say every linden counts, we mean it."

 

"...we will be working behind the scenes to build a magnificent festival for you this September. We’ll be smiling too—as we hammer nails, plant gardens, and coordinate over 200 creators, performers, and events for you to enjoy and support." 

 

There are four levels of sponsorship, Peer, Gentry, Noble, and Villager.  12 spaces for peer, and 13 spaces for Gentry are available (as of the making of this announcement). 

 

Spoonful of Sugar is a fundraiser for "Doctors Without Borders." 

 

Merchant set-up dates are August 31 to Sept 4

 

Event time: Sept 5 to 21 

 

More information (here). 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Feeling Blue

 

 Taken at Club Scorn. This picture was used in a previous cartoon, but I thought of another punchline.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: "2025 Balloon Flight over Relay For Life of Second Life 'Magic of Hope' Camps"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

 From Cynthia Farshore on July 10, "Ride with Cynthia Farshore on the Sunbeamers balloon as she flies around all the campsites of the 2025 Relay For Life of Second Life in this year theme Magic of Hope. Second Life is a virtual world celebrating 21 years now. https://secondlife.com/ Relay For Life of Second life is supporting the American Cancer Society, since 2006 has raised more than $6 million."

 

More on the "Gang of Homos" Controversy

 

Several days ago, the Newser reported on the Bella Epoque store having to move after the landlord Lighthouse (landland.ansar) evicted the owner, Jani La Belle (Janire Coba), she posting that this was done so out of discrimination, showing him making a "Gang of homo" comment. The response was much support for her and condemnation of him. Since then, Lighthouse finally answered the Newser. But more details have come out, such as someone else going over to talk to him, as well as looking around, and feeling things aren't adding up. 

Read more in People. 

 

No Science Circle Events Saturday

 

 Checking the Science Circle calendar, there's no discussion scheduled tomorrow, or any other Saturday for a while. There are some "Moon Base" events Mondays at 10 SL time, though.

 

So that's it for "This Week At The Science Circle" for a little while.