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Global Agenda's Sandstorm patch arrives to test server tonight
The much-talked-about Sandstorm patch for Global Agenda, also known as patch 1.3 and the Big Patch of Awesome (tm Sera), is set to arrive on the test server late today. Fans of Global Agenda have been scouring the patch notes since they released, anticipating how things will change and looking forward to the day they can experience it firsthand. That day is here -- well, sort of. Patch 1.3 is now being released in four separate stages, which is reflected on the public test server as well. The first stage is scheduled to arrive on the public test server late today in US time. It will be focusing on low level progression and weaponry, so you'll be required to create a new character to work through the tutorial. Plan on the server's availability being a bit uncertain throughout the testing period as Hi-Rez makes changes and updates, but don't worry. The test will go until May 10th, so you will have plenty of time to play. If you'd like to participate, you can find the most current round of patch notes as well as instructions for joining the public test server over at the Global Agenda site. While you wait, watch for our in-depth analysis of the patch later today.
Cinemassively: Global Kids films Race to Equality
Global Kids recently completed their annual Teen Grid summer camp. During that time, they taught their New York program students important issues worldwide, then machinimated them. In Race to Equality, they learned about countries that give preferential treatment to students of one race over the other, thus putting them at a disadvantage when it comes to proper education. To view the entire series of videos of their premiere, check out the play list![Thanks, Joyce!]If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them. Please note that due to the high volume of Second Life submissions, we would prefer submissions from other platforms.
Cinemassively: Global Kids Kofi Annan Simulcast to four different virtual worlds
Global Kids has been quite busy with their activities this year! They recently streamed Kofi Annan receiving the MacArthur Foundation's first International Justice Award. Not only was this event special and meaningful in the first place, but it was also fairly unique in how far it reached. The award ceremony was broadcast to the web, Second Life on both the main grid and the teen grid, There, and Whyville! Could this be a glimpse of the future of event outreach? For more information, check out their site, Holy Meatballs!If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them.
Cinemassively: Global Kids' practices science on Teen Grid
Two weeks ago, we wrote about an interactive science lab being used for education on the Teen Grid in Second Life. Today, we'll look at another campus, Global Kids, and how they work on their scientific projects. Global Kids has one of the most popular groups of islands on TG, as part of their program is open to everyone, while the other part is exclusive to their real life after school program.In the video, the students are building homes and then measuring their carbon footprints. They are displaying the data on signs that reflect the usage of water, power use, garbage, recycling, and food products. They then discuss how they can make better environmental choices. Why wasn't stuff like this around when we were students?
Cinemassively: Interactive Science Lab
The days of science lab fires are over. The STEAM, or Science and Technology Enrichment for Appalachian Middle-schoolers, project lets middle school students experiment with science through Second Life. Teen Gridders that are part of the Ohio STEAM sim will be able to put on a HUD, or Heads Up Display, and receive everything they need to complete their lab work.While some educational programs, such as Global Kids and Eye4You Alliance, are open to the TG public, others, like the Appalachian K-12 program, are closed to only their students. I really enjoy seeing videos of the progress that these communities make. If you enjoyed the Interactive Science Lab video, check out the rest of their videos, or their project website!
Visions of Global Justice
This coming Wednesday, 19 March, the USC Network Culture Project will feature the work of thirteen talented virtual world artists on the theme of justice, all specifically created for this event to celebrate the International Criminal Court. The artists involved are a talented set indeed from visual, audio and performance fields: Tuna Oddfellow, AM Radio, Pavig Lok, Tooter Claxton, Juria Yoshikawa, Dancoyote Antonelli, Filthy Fluno, elros Tuominen, Chance Abattoir, Adam Ramona, Josina Burgess, Velazquez Bonetto, and Junivers Stockholm.
Cinemassively: Inside Eye4You island on Teen Grid
As an adult with access to the Second Life Teen Grid, I can only go to two estates there, Global Kids and Eye4You Alliance. However, I'm sure that many educators and Main Gridders would like to see what parts of TG look like. HVX Silverstar posted some brief machinima clips leftover from 2007, covering such topics as teen drivers, meetings, and machinima.The clips are meant to show off the island and their projects. I'd have to say that my favorite part of the footage is where they watch Red vs. Blue in their theater. Machinima being viewed inside a machinima is so meta! Some other things I'd like to point out are that Storm Basiat manages the island for the teens, Brooke Barmy built the theater, and at least one of the residents in the video, Mercury Metropolitan, is already on the Main Grid!
Cinemassively: Civil Liberties in Teen Second Life
I'm going on a field trip to the Teen Grid today to learn more about some of Global Kids' new projects. In the meantime, I want to show you the cutest video about the teens. It was prepared by the GK in-house Machinimator, Kathy Vega, for their discussion on Philanthropy and Virtual Worlds.In the video, Blue Linden talks about some of the efforts that the teens have made to protect their grid. One resident, Cheesepuff Barnard, was discouraged by all of the adults present in their world, so he put up a protest sign asking for them to leave. This led to a meeting, where Linden Lab took action by redistricting. Another example used was the protest march, led by Alex Harbinger, for inter-grid commerce. Unfortunately, that issue hasn't been resolved yet.[Via Rik Riel]
Teen Grid: A sad state of affairs
I logged into the Teen Grid this Saturday to attend a Machinima tools presentation by HVX Silverstar. Before I could teleport to Eye4You, I ran into a group of teens gathered on Global Kids island. Alex Harbinger was holding his monthly intern meeting, with this one being about the state of the Teen Grid. Since this topic concerned me, I decided to stick around and weigh in. What I learned was downright depressing. Most of the teens were very unhappy with their current experience on TG. I gathered some of their experiences, including pictures, to share with the Massively readers. I hope this helps you get an accurate description of what they're facing over there.The first part of the event involved a human barometer, with three choices. For each statement, you would choose from Agree, Not Sure, or Disagree. Some of the results were surprising. The second part involved an informal discussion where they could sound off about anything.Continue after the jump to see the questions and highlights from the event ...
