 |
 |
|
 |
|
New Neighbors: Second Life Opens Public Beta
The Second Life society is about to get a whole lot bigger! We're thrilled to announce
that next week, Second Life will officially open the beta test to everyone! Look for the
upcoming announcement in Current News on the website.
What does this mean for current residents? For starters, expect to see more
residents in-world than ever before, making it even easier for you to meet, work,
and play with people who share your interests. And more good news - we'll be adding
more land as more residents enter the world, so there'll be plenty of room to accommodate
everyone. Log-in hours will continue to expand as well, so you'll have even more time to
accomplish everything you want to in your Second Life.
So keep your eyes peeled for new people in the coming weeks, and please help welcome
them into Second Life!
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Second Life Through The Looking Glass
Do you have what it takes to follow the white rabbit? Second Life residents
took up the challenge this month with Phaylen Fairchild's event, which mixed
scavenger hunt elements with themes from Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland"
novel.
Players met at Phaylen's house, and were greeted by Alice herself. After a short
introduction, players were given their first clue (to search for "the long-eared
one" at "the place where four corners meet") and were sent on their way to track
down the clues.
The adventure found players traveling all over the Second Life world, stopping off
at locations such as the Four Corners Club and Amphitheater in pursuit of the White
Rabbit, Caterpillar, and Cheshire Cat. Their quest ended with a confrontation with
the Red Queen, swinging a giant mallet and screaming "OFF WITH THEIR HEAD!" Players
had to best the Queen in combat and knock her off the high platforms of the SLB game.
Upon doing so, they received the Oracle and then returned to Alice to claim victory.
Phaylen's event drew immense praise from everyone involved, and it shows how Second
Life easily allows for "social games" not found anywhere else. Phaylen has an even
bigger event in the works, and residents are eagerly looking forward to the next challenge!
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Resident: Dave Zeeman
It's difficult to attend many Second Life events and not run into Dave Zeeman.
However, those who know him will tell you that's a good thing, as Dave seems to
add an extra dose of fun wherever he goes.
One of Dave's most recent creations is the Breakout game in the new Rizal sports
area, where players compete in two teams to push blocks into their opponents' zone.
Also, Dave was one of the first residents to join the new Mentoring program, where
veteran players meet with new residents, give tours, and show everything they've
done and learned within Second Life.
We managed to track Dave down and have him answer a few questions about his Second Life.
Q: How long have you been in Second Life?
I first came in-world at the end of January, and got hooked! I've been a regular visitor ever since.
Q: What interested you the most about SL before you played it?
Before SL, I had never really played a full-fledged MMORPG. I never had the time and didn't think it was right for me. SL looked like the kind of place where I could just hang out and relax without the hassle that regular games put on players.
Q: What do you like most about Second Life?
Definitely the scripting possibilities. I never expected this engine to be so open-ended!
Sometimes I surprise myself with the wacky creations I can come up with in my head and then
actually replicate in-world.
Q: What is the coolest thing you've done or made in Second Life?
The coolest thing I ever made would have to be my Plinko board, hands down. Although I
find that not enough people out there watch "The Price is Right" and don't really know
what "Plinko" is, it's still a great game to play whether you're betting money or not.
I built the thing in order to stress test the physics engine that SL has, but it turned
out to be much more fun than anyone expected.
Q: Your Breakout game was the first resident-created game in the Rizal sports area.
What inspired you to create the game?
I've been hearing a lot of talk from the new people about how they want to "destroy"
things in SL, so I'm trying to cater to this destructive need. The game starts off with
a large wall in the center of an enclosed arena. This wall is made up of smaller blocks,
so once the game starts, it's your team's job to knock this wall down, and eventually get
as many blocks on your opponent's side of the arena as possible. I've even added a couple
of different gravity modes for some really crazy play possibilities. And let's face it,
nailing somebody in the head with a high velocity block is rather amusing to watch. =)
Q: How do you like your involvement in the new Mentor program?
It's a lot more fun than I expected it to be! I think it's a great way to express to new
people why I love SL so much, and hopefully it helps show them just how deep and involving
this game can get. I feel like I'm contributing to the community best by being a mentor.
Plus it's a good way to keep on top of organizing my photo album. ;)
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for newcomers or future Second Life residents?
Shop around! Everything is selling at different prices in different places. You'll punch
yourself when you realize that the 300 dollar piano you just bought was going for 100
somewhere else. But besides economic caution, the most important thing to do in Second
Life is to have fun. =D
Thank you Dave!
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Places: Themed Communities
One of the newest additions to the Second Life world is the five new Themed Communities,
where residents have teamed up to build towns, cities, or villages dedicated to a theme
they've created. Since the last newsletter, all the communities have grown by leaps and
bounds, and should be a must-see stop on every Second Life resident's list.
Dark Wood has set up a small medieval village, based off of Tolkienesque lore as well as
other online games. Buildings have gone up quickly, from churches to forges to a windmill,
and residents have quickly gotten into costume. Be sure to try out Dark Wood's Wishing Well.
Shangri-La has built an Asian village complete with three impressive pagodas. Residents
have created outfits and bladed weapons and begun moving into and customizing their houses.
Work has begun on the wall surrounding the village as well.
Venice has been picking up steam in recent weeks, creating a city above water as well as
below it. The system of canals within the community adds an entirely new dimension to
the experience.
Cyberpunk City has done much the opposite, by taking to the skies. The city's sewer network
is impressive (and watch out for those fans!), but what many residents notice is the towering
skyscrapers that hover above the community's landscape.
Oak Grove's Native American community is set within the same peaceful canyon area as Wild West
Town. These two projects combined will give residents a wonderful view of the American frontier.
If you haven't seen the new Themed Communities, you're missing out! All these groups are
located on the far west end of Second Life, just past the new Welcome Area in Ahern/Morris.
Back to Top
|
Dark Wood's Wishing Well
Cyberpunk City
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Activities: Rizal Sports Games
Several new events have been built recently in Second Life, and there are now many games
available in the new Rizal sports area. Here's just one fun example.
Sumogun has undergone a renovation during its move to Rizal. The objective is still
the same: players put on a gun and chuck balls at one another. Getting hit knocks you
back slightly; step outside the circle, and you're out of the game. The concept has been
taken to a new level by the new platform for Sumogun: getting knocked out of the ring
sends you falling a short distance below.
There are many other games available in Second Life, from soccer to basketball to bowling,
with new ones being built every day. If you haven't been to Rizal yet, check out the action!
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing and Legal -- The (Mighty) Fine Print
We hope you liked this newsletter. We'll do our best to make it both
useful and entertaining. We welcome your comments, suggestions and
story ideas. Send them to: newsletter@secondlife.com.
Copyright 2003, Linden Lab. All rights reserved.
You may forward this newsletter to friends, as long as you send the whole thing,
including the copyright notice.
To unsubscribe, please go to http://secondlife.com/newsletter/.
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
