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New Release Candidate - html on a prim phase 1 is the big news!
Over on the official Linden Blog, news of the Second Life Release Candidate 1.19.1(RC0) was released a few minutes ago. This combines Windlight into the main RC line, and thus soon into the main stream. It also, in a rather more exciting move to many, includes a change to the media streaming system to let you see web pages IN Second Life. The system is still in an early stage - there are no interactions, no flash and the like as yet (although interacting with web pages and shared browsing will be along sometime in the future), but it works. Look closely at the picture - that's not a mock up, within seconds of being in Second Life with the new RC, I had Massively's website on a prim. That simple.[UPDATE: there are a couple of twiddles too - the "debug" menus (from Cntl-alt-shift-D) have been compressed into a single "Advanced" menu, same keystrokes though]
Second Life viewer for Linux goes beta
Yes, we know that technically it's already been beta since 6 February 2006. However, Cory Ondrejka called that a an alpha test, so we're willing to more or less go with that. The Linux Second Life viewer entered closed alpha, and open alpha a mere four days later. Now, just over two years later, the Linux viewer is finally considered to have entered the beta phase. With the introduction of gstreamer support for media, and 3D voice support, the viewer has finally achieved comparable functionality with the viewers for Mac and for Windows -- only it runs faster and smoother. On average about 15% faster on the same hardware than the Windows version based on our tests. Four days from closed alpha to open alpha, then 25 months to open beta. How long until production, we wonder.
RealXtend releases updated software
Barely a fortnight after their initial version 0.1 software, Finnish developer RealXtend (in conjunction with OpenSim, Admino Technologies and LudoCraft - I think we might have to just start calling it the 'RealXtend Project' in future to save on typing) has released the next version of their software. An avatar portability system that allows your avatar to be transferred to any compatible world where you have an account is definitely a handy feature now that additional Second Life style grids are starting to spring up all over. "We have been testing and fixing bugs as much as possible and we have a few new major features. One of the new features is the Avatar system, under RealXtend your avatar has been completely redesigned to support transfer between virtual worlds. Earlier avatar systems used by other virtual worlds have been tied to one world or grid only and could not travel with the user," said RealXtend project manager Jani Pirkola. RealXtend's viewer is licensed under the GNU GPLv2 (sans quicktime components), and all the server-side code as a part of OpenSim is under the BSD license, which is a very broadly permissive open source license.
New Second Life release candidate viewer: 1.19.0(RC4)
Linden Lab has released a new 1.19.0 release candidate viewer, 1.19.0(RC4), fifth in the 1.19.0 series (release candidates start counting from zero, rather than from one). We've only got two fixes in this release, so it looks like it is the last. If this release passes the acid-test of being in front of users, there wouldn't seem to be any barrier to releasing this as the official viewer later in the week or early next.
New Second Life release candidate viewer: 1.19.0(RC3)
Linden Lab has released a new 1.19.0 release candidate viewer, 1.19.0(RC3), fourth in the 1.19.0 series (release candidates start counting from zero, so this is RC3, rather than RC2). This release looks to be getting close to final, fixing only a handful of items. Best guess would be that this version will become the official viewer some time next week, unless some showstopper bug is reported.
Warhammer video shows real PvP
Remember the WAR 'this is glory' video from a few weeks back? It was a scripted pile of crap, but anyone with some common sense knew it didn't actually portray WAR's RvR realistically. What is realistic? Chaotic bedlam! This new video ganked from Gamespot showcases how PvP plays out on a smaller and more nubish scale. Classes in on the action: Witch Hunter, Chaos Chosen, and the Witch Elf. Paul Barnett appears, surprise, and dials down the hyperbole explaining in calmer terms the hobby experience that will make WAR a free-time friendly fun MMO to play. That way WAR players can still go to the bar wearing Warhammer shirts, and bring along some Warhammer figurines to impress the svelte ladies or the burly gents. While I really enjoy the hobby versus immersion outlook, there will always be hardcores that take it to the immersive extreme and play until someone in a bio-hazard suit shows up with the eviction notice. It's nice that there are some MMO developers that want to make sure their players stay safe and function as normal law-abiding citizens that can afford their subscriptions and buy all sorts of WAR loots. I still have a bad feeling WAR will be an immersive soul-sucking experience. I better get to work on fire-proofing whatever I can. If you still hunger for more footage, and like me you're stuck back in the line for a beta invite, there are more gameplay videos to watch. If you want to join the line, be sure to register for the Warhammer Online beta. [via Keen and Graev] [Video Source]
New Second Life release candidate viewer: 1.19.0(RC2)
Linden Lab has released a new 1.19.0 release candidate viewer, 1.19.0(RC2), third in the 1.19.0 series (release candidates start counting from zero, so this is RC2, rather than RC3). This release fixes some freezes when opening the map, UI issues, compilation problems under g++ v4, focus and hotkey problems with the communicate window, and more.
Havok 4 early adopters updated
Sidewinder Linden reports that Havok 4 early adopter simulators (all 435 of them) have been updated with a fresh code drop, fixing a tidy bundle of issues. When it comes to bug-fixes per week, this has to be some kind of record for Linden Lab at the moment. We've never seen them put out so many fixes in such a short period of time as they have in the last couple of months.
New Second Life release candidate viewer: 1.19.0(RC1)
We were expecting Friday, but apparently Thursday has brought us a new 1.19.0 release candidate viewer, 1.19.0(RC1), second in the 1.19.0 series (release candidates start counting from zero, so this is RC1, rather than RC2). The fixes in this release are mostly relatively minor (unless you're Korean, in which case the last release blew up in your face when you tried to start it). So far, release candidate viewers have not included Windlight, and this release is no exception.
Second Life release candidate 1.19.0(RC0) released. Again.
After the weekend's somewhat premature release of Second Life release candidate viewer 1.19.0(RC0), the viewer has been released a second time. As near as we can tell, it's actually exactly the same binary that you already downloaded over the weekend, if you were one of the ones who got it then. You might have just a little difficulty actually downloading it, as everything but the Linden blog (which is hosted elsewhere) is choking due to an apparent ongoing failure with the redirectors, but this has been coming and going in bursts and should clear up soon.
Pirates of the Burning Sea: Dead men do tell tales
Like many of you, I am a fan of all things Pirate. I know the difference between Calico Jack's flag and Blackbeard's flag, and I know the difference between Stede Bonnet and a Bluebonnet. It goes without saying, but since I'm a columnist I get to say it anyway, that I was very much looking forward to Flying Lab Software's new MMORPG, Pirates of the Burning Sea. I was fortunate enough to meet the good folks at Sony Online Entertainment at Dragon*Con this year and begged for a beta key. Thanks to them, I was able to take a sneak peek at the game.To their credit, Flying Lab does a wonderful job of listening to their beta players, and while the game is not yet completely polished, I have seen many improvements in the game in the short time I've participated in the beta. There was much consternation when Flying Lab announced that they would be partnering with Sony Online Entertainment to publish the game, but aside from the Station Pass and front-end patcher, Sony actually has very little input into this game. To be clear, this is very much Flying Lab's game, not SOE's. But how is the game, you ask?
Hands-on with Dream of Mirror Online
Dream of Mirror Online is currently in the news for IP bans, and unexpected regional segregation between service operators. Leave all that go for just a few minutes. Forget the disputes between the game operators and focus on the game. What is Dream of Mirror Online all about, what is it like to play, and most of all, is it fun? We've had our hands on the beta for a while now, and we've got some hands-on impressions for you. %Gallery-11191%
Massively's Pirates of the Burning Sea mission preview
Not that we're excited to be playing this game or anything, but we can safely say Pirates of the Burning Sea is the most fun we've had in an MMO in a long time. One of the best parts about this rollicking high-seas adventure is how they deal with missions and questing. Each mission you receive falls into two basic categories, but before we even venture into those waters, we'd like to talk about the personality of the missions in this game. Our first character in the game, naturally was a pirate – heck, who are we kidding? So was our second one because we had so much fun with the character creation – and we quickly learned that this is a game where you simply must read every scrap of text on the mission screen. This isn't because you will miss sneakily placed information or anything, it's because the banter is just so much fun. This is a game with a sense of humor, and every response your character makes to the questions she is asked is definitely worth the time taken to read it.
Everquest I and II expansion beta key giveaways!
What, 24 hours of Tabula Rasa schwag isn't enough for you people? Fifteen days of action-packed sweepstakes not keeping you satisfied? Fine, then -- we'll have to resort to giving out some beta keys to you greedy mofos. Check back later this morning for chances to win 10 EverQuest: Secrets of Faydwer beta keys and 15 EQ2: Rise of Kunark beta keys courtesy of the lovely folks at SOE. See you soon!
Conan and postcards from the edge
We all love to receive a postcard from a distant, exotic land. Well, at least I do, and what's twisted your soul so badly that you can't enjoy a cardboard piece of love from a friend? Huh? Anyway, this week's Friday Update from Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures is all about showing off screenshots to those not lucky enough to be living within the beta. One thing intrigues me about what he says regarding the game. Players are immediately immersed head-first in the game, being shipwrecked on an island, and the scavenging for survival element can be truly visible in the haphazard way the players dress. They grab armor not from a prim little shop in a village somewhere, but from the corpses of their dead enemies. Well, for a game like AoC this makes sense I suppose. Again, the more I read about this game, the more I itch to play it. Can my next postcard from the beta include a beta key? Please?
Get your Call of Duty 4 public beta invite today
Like a jilted lover on a drunken binge, duty is calling for the fourth time. Unlike that ex-bf/gf though, you might want to answer the call, as it may just be your entry into the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta. The first round of invites will be sent out at 12 p.m. PDT today on a first-come, first-served basis to those who activate the link found here. You'll also have to answer three Call of Duty trivia questions. Yeah, go figure.This round is just for players in the United States, but international players can take heart. Infinity Ward has announced that the beta will also be available in Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Details will be announced soon, so keep an eye on the site for more details.
