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Free for All: Why you shouldn't be worried while playing Second Life
Recently I've taken a great interest in Second Life. For the record, I've been interested in the game -- er, world -- for the past seven years. More specifically, my seventh "birthday" is coming up on May 26th, 2011, meaning that I have been exploring, building, discussing and watching Second Life for a long, long time. I truly enjoy wandering into groups of other players who seem to think that my fairly basic avatar means that I am either new or ignorant about the game. I love telling them that I have been playing a long time, probably longer than they have. I'm actually proud of it. Still, in spite of my history with the game, I do miss major developments. I am not consumed with the politics and goings on at Linden Lab (maker of Second Life). So when I heard about the changes that were being made concerning adult content, I sort of tuned it out and continued to play off and on. I typically disliked -- no, hated is a better word -- the adult content I came across in Second Life, so I simply avoided it. If there is one thing I am asked about Second Life, it's "aren't there orgies going on all the time?" Seriously. I get asked about orgies more than anything. I wanted to go over the official rules to reassure those curious and wary potential players that they will not be shot in the face with a sex toy -- unless they want to be. Click past the cut and let's discuss.
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.
Cinemassively: Gibson Island in Second Life
Earth Primbee, Cypress Rosewood, and the Gibson Guitar company created a video to let Second Life residents know that they're ready to rock. Tateru Nino recently wrote about Gibson's entry into the virtual world that will take place today on their island. While most companies are fleeing SL in droves, it seems as if Gibson didn't get the memo, as they roll out a 12-hour premiere and showcase their guitars. It's nice to see a company that doesn't get intimidated by a little negative backlash!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: Making shirts for Second Life in ArtRage
Second Life's new user experience can be baffling, but the worst part happens after the resident gets used to the virtual world. When it comes time to create something, the templates required are tough to master. While many residents, including this blogger, hung up their Wacoms, Torley Linden has an instructional video that just might help us out!Using ArtRage, a program that offers both free and paid versions, Torley shows us how to use the tools. Afterwards, he explains tracing and preparing the image for upload in SL. At almost 17 minutes, you're walked through every step of the process. Soon we'll all be clothing makers!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: 2008 Teen Grid Craft Fair
Most of the adult-owned educational islands on the Second Life Teen Grid are closed access for individual schools, but there are two that consistently engage the local residents. We frequently write about Global Kids, but Eye4You Alliance has done some pretty amazing activities themselves!Eye4You recently held a craft fair in SL, where they awarded prizes for categories such as apparel, decorative items, and most colorful entry. For a grid with a peak concurrency of 500 in the Summer, they had a pretty good turnout! Check out the YouTube page for a complete list of winners.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: Indiaena Jones in Legend of the Second Empire
(If you haven't seen Indiana Jones 4, you should view this with caution. Some of the plot elements of this machinima are directly inspired by the movie, thus qualify as spoilers.)Torley Linden called attention to this Japanese machinima, Indiaena Jones: Legend of the Second Empire, by 5959 Mopp. 5959 is a serious Second Life machinima enthusiast with 34 videos under their belt in two months time. They take full advantage of the beautiful scenery in the various sims that they film in as they go on their epic SL adventure, which somewhat mirrors part of the plot of the actual film. While the film doesn't really get into the swing of things until about six minutes in, it's definitely worth a watch -- if you can get past the quarky robotic voices drowned out by the music.[Via Torley Linden]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 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: The Show Must Go On!
In 2007, some of the most talented visual performers in Second Life hosted an old-time variety show, The Show Must Go On!. Osprey Therian put it together on film in four parts, featuring cycling knitters, skits, and other oddities that you'll only find in SL. Coming in at close to 35 minutes, it definitely entertains!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: Happy 4th of July
On this 232nd day marking Independence in the United States, we wanted to feature some of the patriotic videos created in MMOs. They range from quick videos showing off fireworks in platforms such as Second Life, Everquest, and World of Warcraft, to artistic videos set to Bruce Springsteen, all the way to silly safety tips from the Red vs. Blue boys. As you're planning your real life festivities this year, considering taking some time to pop into your favorite game to get in on some of the action. Happy 4th of July!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.Check out more videos after the jump!
Cinemassively: The Orange Island 100
(In order to avoid confusion created by the comments below, we would like to note that there were two fan-made videos of the event, and the one we chose to feature has music created by Orb Gettarr and Spiraling Cycling.)If you've never been to a popular Second Life event, you wouldn't have experienced the pain of a packed sim. The number of avatars in a single sim usually gets to around 70 or 80 before people start crying of lag, ruths, and missing images. However, those wacky Metaversatility kids took to Orange Island in an attempt to set a record for most avatars in a single snapshot. Jade Lily was shooting for 100 -- and it wasn't easy. As documented by Daneel Ariantho and Natty Foggarty in pictures, and Osprey Therian in this video, people wouldn't rez properly, floated away, and lost connection. After many minutes, they were able to reach their goal, but it took about two hours without SL before this blogger's computer felt right again!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: Virtual Africa
Lifefactory Writer, a Second Life machinimator, has been working on a docu-narrative, Life on Life, about the virtual world. It will contain multiple vignettes, including today's Cinemassively, Virtual Africa. Little is known about the rest of the project, which will hopefully be released soon.Lifefactory takes us on an African safari, where she befriends a meerkat and tours the non-profit sim. It appears as if she is narrating it from the point of a public speaking engagement where she tells a story. If you would like to find out more about the sim she visits in this machinima, you can visit the Africa in Virtual Worlds website![Via the Machinimatographers group in SL]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: Draxtor Despres wishes Second Life a Happy Fifth Birthday
Draxtor Despres takes us on a sentimental journey through the last year of Second Life. His take on the past year includes making friends and revisiting old ones, being happy that all of the shady real world businesses finally abandoned us instead of pushing their products on us, and hoping that the parents, Linden Lab, will take care of their growing child. Our very own Tateru Nino recently did the same thing on the SL side of Massively with her ten-part Year in Review. Be sure to check both out!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: Real Biz in SL chats with Millions of Us
Christian Lassonde, of Millions of Us, appeared on the Real Biz in SL show to discuss their work in Second Life. They recently announced that they would be bringing celebrity likenesses into virtual worlds, including SL. Cybergrrl Oh grilled Chris on the important questions, including their investment in the platform, their return on the investment, what kind of metrics they employ, whether it's worth being there, and if MoU will continue to stay. While most of the answers sounded prepared, it was still informative! To check out the full half hour program, visit the show page on SLCN.tv.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: Narien Arrives
Insomniaddict Productions is hard at work on his new machinima series, Narien Asks. In order to promote the series ahead of time, he created this humorous trailer, Narien Arrives. While the video was mostly created with World of Warcraft and the WoW Model and Map Viewers, he also used Second Life to customize the truck featured briefly in our favorite scene. There's no word yet on when the series comes out, but we hope it's just as funny as today's Cinemassively![Via Warcraftmovies.com]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 Warming Day in SL
Draxtor Despres and BuhBuhCuh Fairchild, the self-titled "uncrowned masters of machinima," have collaborated to make Second Life residents aware of global warming in real life. While the subject matter is very real, we're not sure how much of the actual machinima is. Some of it seems almost mocking, although obviously there was some dramatization. The website, Turning Up the Heat, offers more information for those that are interested.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: Our Brilliant Second Life
While a lot of news reports focus on the breaking up of real marriages because of Second Life, a surprising amount of partners actually log in together. One couple, Blair Fizz and Alegria Garden, were in a documentary, Our Brilliant Second Life, last year. Created by Mixin Pixel to show a different side to virtual relationships, it ended up being shown at the Aspen Shortsfest in 2007!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.
