Grease Coakes in the Land of the Giants

By Grease Coakes

Ever imagine what it would be like if you were small? Like that cartoon "The Littles" about the family of small people. Or there was the movie that came out a few years ago from studio Studio Ghibli, "The Secret World Of Arrietty." Once in a while there’s a movie or TV show you may have seen that explored the possibility of being small in a big world where a mouse or small bird would be a real threat to you.

Here in the Land of Giants at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Random/130/148/4018 you could fulfill that wish as the sim is created as if it was populated by giants. As you enter the sim you’ll see a large set of stairs and green arrows to lead you inside. To the right there’s a horse and carriage to ride around in. There’s a living room a little farther ahead where unless you have a giant avatar already you’re just the size of a squirrel or mouse compared to the massive pieces of furniture.

I sneaked through a tiny door filled with furniture made for small avatars like myself and there’s a huge pool table. Up above is a shiny ball of lights and glow dust that must be a small dance area. Also bumping into the pool balls moves them around like you’re kicking or pushing them forward with all your might. There’s also a TV screen which isn’t on a TV channel but instead it’s tuned into a NES game or Nintendo entertainment system. The game on the screen is super Mario bros. To add even more realism there’s a NES console sitting right there with a couple NES games. It’s just inviting you to play mega man or any other classic game.

On the floor like a mouse hole there’s a light up sign that says bowling alley. I sneaked inside before any giants can get me and there's a little bowling alley with a gummi bears wallpaper. The hotdog guy is funny looking. Every Wednesday there’s a contest for first second and third place with Linden prizes.

I read the easy directions and give bowling a try. You’ll see a percentage of your power as you mouse look and aim the ball. Hold down the mouse button for power and let go when you think you have enough power. I wandered in with no one around and played by myself. The gameplay is simple as I got a fairly good score being in the middle of the score board. You’ll hear voices and sound effects as you bowl adding to the virtual game.

I saw a warp pad and discovered a toys room. It’s fun to look around as I saw a carousel and bumper cars, but there’s also a canoe ride. I figured why not. The canoe slowly drifts on a river of soda as you see spiders and other scary things. As the canoe trip ends you end up on a kitchen floor. To the right is an "Alice in Wonderland" themed room with tea cups and the white rabbit.

At the start of the sim where you climb up the stairs is a carriage ride with a white horse. If you want to take a stroll through the sim knock yourself out. Sit on the carriage as it whickers and trots in your headphones giving you a slow tour around the sim.

All in all if you want to be lazy and see something new for an hour or two here in the grid you should check out the land of the giants. Even if you’re not a fan of the genre of being small in a giant’s world you should at least check it out for something to do if you’re bored silly.  I was impressed by the level of detail here and I think you would be as well readers of the Second Life Newser.

Grease Coakes

Land of the Giants

By Gemma Cleanslate

Since I wrote about the Greenies Tribute in LEA ( http://slnewser.blogspot.com/2014/04/greenies-tribute-at-lea.html ) and loved their house so much my editor gave me an assignment to go see another huge home. It is the Land of the Giants and is a wondrous build. Arriving at the house was an event. I was greeted by 'Papparazi’ taking my picture.  

 I entered the house, passing by some giant visitors waiting for entry,  and found a horse carriage with a driver waiting to take me around so I hopped in and took the tour. It is a house of numerous rooms filled with giant furniture, appliances and people. I was surprised because I thought they would not be home but there they were, so occupied they did not see all the tiny avatars like little insects,  exploring their dwelling. After I took the guided tour, I hopped off and walked and flew through the various rooms examining everything there. It is evident the creator also loved the Greenies. 

I learned the owner has SL children and that they are secreted in this house in their own living spaces, well hidden from the giant family but can be found scattered in various areas of the home. The kids are decorating their own areas to each taste. Randy Burt, the creator told me, “Along with the Giant's house I had to find places for my 8 SL kids.  So they have hidden rooms inside the big house, a leprechaun is usually around the secret doorways so people can explore.  The kids are making them themed, some are just rooms with their stuff, others are a mouse hole with Tom and Jerry things inside, one is a superhero theme, one is a bowling alley, one is Alice's tea party, all hidden, but open to everyone.” 


I was able to visit  several of their rooms scattered behind walls and perched high enough so they are not visible to the inhabitants. The bathtub has 7seas fishing and was happy to see that and one of the kids, Adam, hosted a contest for us.  I came across  a sign for a bubble ride in the giant kids playroom and took the ride. It is a long tumbling ride that goes for a while . At one point I found my self in a giant pinball machine surrounded by pictures of Superman! It is a fun ride but make a landmark there and go back after your tour of all the activities and hidden fun. Try the carnival rides in the child’s playroom. There are great bumper cars to rezz. 

In the kitchen, I hopped in a canoe for a ride on a stream made from a spilled giant soda bottle, and ended up in the pipes below the house. They were full of scary creatures, bugs and spiders and other nasty creatures, but I got out alive . I found another SL kids room and took a short nap after that trial. 

I discovered a TP to a maze and off I went. The maze is a temptation of goodies, every type of candy you can imagine lines the walls causing salivation with every step. There is an option to time your movement there to see how long it takes you. I chose no timing. 

Next to the maze I found that there is an event every Sunday at 6:00 PM SL time .... a demolition derby with linden prizes! Sounds like great fun but too late for me! I know there are more surprises there and I have not told you about them all.  I am still looking for the bowling alley.  Plan to spend some time in the house or to come back more than once.

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Random/126/248/4000

Gemma Cleanslate

Editors Note: The Demo Derby and candy maze are run by the Creations for Parkinson's group. The group's leader Barbie Alchemi, whom with her RL mother Fran Serenade and friends can be found at the derby every Sunday when it takes place. 

*Update* Barbie stated that the builder of the maze is Almostthere Inventor, whom also hosts the Demo Derby.