Second Life Indagatrix: The Wastelands

I'm not sure why I have a fascination with industrial waste, but I do. Maybe I spent to much time breathing the cool Appalachian breezes as a child and the contrast is needed for spiritual balance, but for whatever reason I have some innate appreciation for rusted steel and decay. I don't want to live in it, mind you, I just like to observe which is why today's indagatrix moment thrills me so.

Welcome to The Wastelands. According to the note card you can retrieve upon arrival:

The Wastelands are a set of residential post apocalyptic sims. If you're trying to picture it in your head, think along the lines of: Fallout, Mad Max, Judge Dredd, Tank Girl, Auto Assault, Half Life 2, NeoCron, etc.

Be still my post war heart.

I stumbled around the sim for a while until I saw what I *thought* was an ironical display of a partly embedded Reuters news board, but upon closer inspection found it to be the hovel, sweet hovel, of none other than Warren Ellis aka Integral Danton in world. I purchased one of Integral's offerings, a book entitled 13 that includes 13 "flash fictions" from the man himself. I *actually* purchased 2 items but alas, the Second Life under lords decided that only the one would be delivered to my inventory. I'm sure it's for the best, the other had to much "zen" in the title and I may have been forced to start writing reviews. But, I digress.

The Wastelands sim is a mix of residential and commercial plots, most obeying the "stick to the theme" covenant with the exception of Warren's shiny Reuterism which unfortunately is thrust into the very heart of the sim but if you click your heels and spin around three times you may not even notice.
The sim business model is that of a land reseller, or an intermediary. In this case, you do not have to be a subscriber to "own" land, you purchase and pay tier directly from the sim owner, and resell at your leisure. It is a model that reflects the creativity of entrepreneurs in Second Life, and one that has become rather popular. Azure Islands may have been the largest entrant in this space, making way for many others in recent months due to the burgeoning population and scarcity of mainland and now even more so as the First Land program has been eliminated.

So if you have to some time to kill and are wondering where to wear your favorite Tank Girl tank and combat boots ... take a walk to The Wastelands.



Share Some Grace:

Second Life Indagatrix: Leo Burnett

This is the first post in a new series I'm calling Second Life Indagatrix (with apologies to my good friend Poinky Malaprop). If you know what the latin word "indagatrix" means these posts will be self explanatory, and if you don't look it up and exercise your brain - it's good for you.

Today we're exploring the Second Life island of Leo Burnett. If you are not familiar with this icon of advertising, then while you are looking up indagatrix, spend some time learning about this creative genius and his company.

The apple story is an important piece of Leo Burnett legend and it was a logical extension to erect an enormous apple tree on the island. The development was commissioned by Millions of Us, but the work of crafting what might be the largest single tree in Second Life fell to Foolish Frost. This avi can build a tree.


The inside of the Tree (I feel like it should be a proper noun on this island) has a library, garden and museum to explore as well as a few platform type observation decks. Which reminds me, I'd love to play a live music gig in a tree!

The apple tree is the island centerpiece, but it is offset by smaller interesting fantasy-like structures built by Versu Millionsofus. Versu, of the Datavision sponsored 3 days in real life/second life fame, developed a series of fantasy like platforms and birdhouse dwellings that are so cute I may just move in.


Visit Leo Burnett's place in Second Life. You can clutter your inventory with a flying pencil .. from which we know come big ideas, and who doesn't need one of those?
Share Some Grace:

The City Breathes .. Myst Online Uru Lives

Let me just start by saying that Rand Miller, the co creator of the Myst franchise, is a rock star. I've had the pleasure of meeting Rand on a few occasions and he's basically the patron saint of the gaming community but as a person Rand oozes creativity, energy, passion and as they like to say in Canada, he's good people. But I know this, I got to meet him in the flesh.

Yesterday hoards of adoring fans flocked to the opening of the Myst Uru Live island in Second Life to celebrate the release of Myst Online Uru Live and to meet Rand and several members of the talented Cyan World development team in their pixelated form. I've been to a good number of "celebrity" functions in Second Life, but at none have I witnessed such adoring and overwhelmingly appreciative fans. The island was full for a solid three hours and the sim crashed at least once.

Henry Jenkins take note, you haven't covered the landscape of true fans and attendant communities until you've spent some time in the caverns.
Share Some Grace: