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Second Life users raise more than a quarter million for cancer research
This weekend, saw the main event of the Second Life Relay for Life, raising funds for the American Cancer Society for cancer research. The exact figure raised for cancer research by Second Life users is a bit hazy, being reported slightly differently from multiple sources, but the American Cancer Society is reporting that the contributed amount is a very exciting US$270,388. While Second Life often receives a fairly low opinion in the media, particularly the tech media, and tends to get a poor rap from MMOG players, their contribution every year to cancer research is not to be sold short. We'd like to see some of you MMOG players try to beat that next year. In the meantime, if you're at Dragon*Con 2009 this year, you MMOGers have a chance to show you care, at the convention-wide blood drive. It'll be Horde versus Alliance versus everyone who thinks you're too self-absorbed to participate. Show you've got it in you, and let them take some of it out of you! Are you a part of the most widely-known collaborative virtual environment or keeping a close eye on it? Massively's Second Life coverage keeps you in the loop.
Annual Second Life Relay for Life to raise funds for cancer research this weekend
The annual Second Life Relay for Life raises cash for the American Cancer Society every year as a virtual environment analog of the physical world event. It's definitely one of the high points of the Second Life calendar. Though lesser fundraising events are held through the year to raise money for this worthy cause, this weekend is the big one. Second Life's Relay for Life has raised over a third of a million US dollars since its inception, and raises more each year. Look past the sensationalistic guff in the media, and one of the most remarked on characteristics of Second Life users is their charity and generosity towards those in genuine need.
Cinemassively: Relay for Life sims tour
MarkTwain White has released the first part of his three-part tour series of the SLRFL08 sims. The theme, Heroes, was put to good use. There were builds dealing with superheroes, ancient lore, and everything in between. MarkTwain, the proprietor of the Holly Kai Golf Club, was able to capture the hard work and dedication that went into this event, which ran over the weekend for a full 24 hours. For those that missed it, the builds will be up until the end of today, at which point Linden Lab will reclaim the land. Go check them out before it's too late!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: Walking the SLRFL track in real life
Over a year and a half ago, Moriash Moreau, then a team member of McDunnough's Relay Gang for the Second Life Relay for Life, created a contraption that would let him walk virtually using his real body. Channeling MacGyver, he used a treadmill, a butchered USB keyboard, and assorted spare parts to enable him to participate in a whole new way! He even outlined the steps from start to finish on his website. Set to music by Torley Linden, he documented his test journey using popular sims throughout the grid to make sure that his method worked properly. In the end, he walked a whopping 23 miles, or 84 kilometers in Second Life!With SLRFL08 coming to a close, we'll have some interviews and statistics available to you soon, so stay tuned!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.
SLRFL08: Live music and a telethon
The Second Life Cable Network is broadcasting programming live from SLRFL08. They began at 10am PST and will continue until 10pm PST. You can teleport to the Heroes 28 sim to check out their studio, or visit their website for a live stream of the events. It is also available on the 40,000 TV sets in-world that feature their channels.In addition to the telethon, there is a full day of live music going on in four different Relay sims -- Shea Stadium, New Orleans, Sci-fi, and Robinson Crusoe. There are so many people performing that the schedule is actually broken down into a complicated table, so we'll just link to it!Stay tuned for a look at activities, as well as interviews, and other exciting things as the Relay continues until 10am PST tomorrow!
SLRFL08: Opening ceremony and schedule
Emotions were high as Trader1 Whiplash, the "voice of Relay" and DJ of T1 Radio, introduced Relay chair Fayandria Foley and American Cancer Society representative Randal Moss to the audience. Over 1,000 residents gathered in the 35 sims to listen to the audio. During the ceremony, they outlined the live music portion and some of the activities, which we've detailed for you below.After that, a teary Trader1 passed the microphone over to Nuala Maracas to start off the Survivor/Caregiver Lap. Residents were asked to line up along the sidewalks and wave their flags in support of those who have survived cancer. After that, teams took to the track to bring in SLRFL08. Next up is the "EVERYONE on the track" Lap at 1:00 PM PST. The celebration starts in the Heroes 1 sim.Check out the full lap schedule after the jump ...
Cinemassively: Second Life Relay for Life starts today!
(Disclosure: I am far from an innocent bystander in covering this event. This Survivor Lap video was created by me last year for the now defunct Second Life Insider. I was a team captain last year, and this year I produced an as yet unreleased 17-minute documentary for American Cancer Society on the event.)The largest event in Second Life history will kick off today. In the four years that Relay for Life has been fundraising in SL, they have raised over $333,000 USD, of which $167,000 USD of it came from this year. The sims open up in just 25 minutes, at 10:00 AM PST, with activities going on frequently for the next 25 hours. We'll be providing you up-to-date coverage on the event, including things to do and special moments, throughout the day! To participate, visit the Heroes 1 sim.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. For this instance only, if you have any Second Life Relay for Life videos, please email them.
