Last-Minute Halloween Places

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

 

As I write this, Halloween is gone. It was a blast, but all good things must come to an end. But I had a little time this weekend to see a few Halloween-themed places. Keep in mind that they won't be up much longer. In fact, one or two may be gone by the time you read this. 

 

Checking out the Destinations Guide, one place caught my attention:  "Inspire Space Park - Shadows of the Mist." Inspire Space Park has always been a cool place to visit (article). But this promised to give the picturesque attraction a new look.

An eerie mist has rolled into Inspire Space Park, cloaking the asteroids in shadow. The park is haunted, and whispers tell of secret treasures hidden in the dark. The hunt begins here; dare you step into the mist? But the adventure doesn’t end there. Stick around, float in zero gravity, and enjoy the custom radio mix of eerie, soothing Halloween sounds while you celebrate among friends. 

 

 Dropping by, the place had a darkly beautiful feel to it. The music was described for reading a Gothic horror story. And to my surprise there was a hunt

 

 Welcome to Inspire Space Park's Shadows of the Mist Hunt! Start your adventure by finding the Haunted Places hunt bag on the other side of the arch. Follow the clue to your first prize! Further instructions will be available there.

Head there at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shinda/98/208/1559

 

 I also decided to check out a place called "The Ratking's Sewer."

 

The endless tunnels of the Ratking's sewers in the town of Northbridge will have you lost in a maze of wonder and adventure. Each passage may lead you to new and exciting worlds, but beware of the Ratking's experimental subjects.

 This place was, dark. I ended up going around in mouselook at times as I was worried about being taken by surprise unless I could see right in front of me.

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Vigdorova/148/228/2958

 

 I'd heard about "Firestorm Ghost Town," and decided to check it out. 

 

 Nothing super terrifying. This was an old-fashioned carnival ride. 

 

 https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Firestorm%20Ghost%20Town/171/72/505

 

 And what's Halloween without a good vampire story? I went and checked out " Castle Dracula - Gothic Horror Experience."

Castle Dracula offers a chilling Gothic Horror experience, blending immersive storytelling with Victorian gothic legends. Enter the eerie halls of Count Dracula's castle, uncovering haunted secrets of vampires, ghosts, and werewolves. New in 2024, the Frankenstein expansion deepens the horror, inviting visitors to explore a spine-tingling journey through the heart of Transylvania.

The starting location let's you know you're in for an experience that isn't kid stuff and some flashing lights, and you'll need to accept experiences. You'll find a HUD attached going through. 

 

The story begins on a train, in which a train is taking you to Transylvania. A friend of yours went there to conduct a real-estate deal with Count Dracula, and vanished, and you've taken it upon yourself to find him. You get a letter from the Count himself inviting you to his castle, so head over, stopping at the tavern first.

Outside the tavern, a dark carriage is waiting to take you there, the coachman greeting, ""My master the Count bids thee welcome to the Carpathians. He awaits your coming eagerly...." And he gives you a ride to the castle, talking some along the way, "A land of wolves and ghosts...? Such is often said of this land by those abroad...

I haven't checked out the game very far, but it looks great for those who have the time. 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fort%20Nowhere/21/240/1401

Be sure to check out more haunts in the Destination Guide: https://secondlife.com/destinations/haunted

 

That's all for now for spooky sights. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Gemma's Explorations

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

Saturday morning my first activity is to go collecting new stamps for my passport . The Gazette always has a list of where owners have placed new terminals. This way I add to my passport and find new places in Second Life that I may have never seen before. Some of which I return to and explore and perhaps write about them for you . Today I hit the jackpot in visiting places that were in themselves compact enough and also familiar and think you would like to visit.

The Welcome Hub for new residents has a whole section of representative builds of recommended places to visit installed by the members of that location. The new one I saw this morning is wonderful in representing Burn2, the virtual part of Burning Man here. Huntress Catteneo infrastructure builder at Deep Hole and a an artist who does many builds .has placed this installation and it is delightful. By clicking on the wall you get to see 360 photos of Burning Man in the Nevada desert. One can also watch a video of events in Second Life. There is a teleport door to visit Deep Hole the permanent site of Burn2. To experience this delightful introduction to Burn2 here is the site.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/WelcomeHubCommunity/220/33/29

The next site I visited , though it did not have a terminal was the Art Gallery at Firestorm where they exhibit various artists every month to highlight their work. It was related in a way to the Burn2 exhibit because one of my fellow Rangers at the Burn is the artist of the month. Radioactive Rosca is also a community builder for many events at the Bellisserian Fairgrounds and other events. I also use some of his photos when my laptop does not let me get good photos… with his permission of course.

The gallery is lovely itself and Radioactive added to the gallery with a pond. He takes massive numbers of photos of scenes of activity like boat tours , helicopter rides , train rides and more. I think he grabbed a photo of almost every event that happened last month at the Bellisseria Anniversary. Take a look at him working on the art exhibit and beyond can see more photos of that event last month. https://www.flickr.com/photos/radioactiverosca/albums/72177720316520757/

Congrats for being the featured artist ! Stop over to see for yourself. Firestorm Social Island

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Firestorm%20Social%20Island/190/174/28

The other new sweet little gallery at the CDS where I stopped to get a stamp belongs to AmandaT Tamatzui, a well known artist who often builds enormous installations as she did at the SLEA a few months ago. However this is a tiny gallery containing examples of her art pieces and various styles with which she works. 

 

Amanda is a part of the BBB who makes many of the stamps for the terminals also. I can’t wait to see her next installation! Visit this gallery to get a taste of her talent.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Locus%20Amoenus/36/98/24

Gemma Cleanslate 

 

NekoZone Central : A Futuristic City Within Second Life

By Wesley Regenbogen

NekoZone Central is based on the future version of Los Angeles out of the sci-fi movie “Blade Runner." The sim was created and founded by Fox Daviau and was created in the year 2007. He came up with the idea and created it all by himself.

 The sci-fi themed sim is set at the end of the 21^st Century, where Earth has become a place where destruction, overcrowded cities and flying cars are found in every city. But flying cars could become a reality in the near future, that’s what Fox Daviau thinks, at least.

When you wander around in the city you get the feeling you are actually in the Blade Runner movie itself. Bring your umbrella with you, because it can be rainy there most of the time. In my opinion this place is well made and really gives you the feeling you are in a futuristic city and you see the flying cars in the air all over the place.  

There are numerous shops, but also many free spaces for shops as well sadly. They also offer apartment rentals starting from L$ 200/week for a place with around 50 prims or so. The urban life style may take getting used to, but if you are into sci-fi, you have found the place to wander around and explore it further. There are “camping” places where avatars are standing and hoping to get free L$ while camping there. In the center of the teleport area there is a fountain, a relaxing place, to relax when you want to escape the chaos of NekoZone Central West. When you take the escalator upstairs there are even more shops and places to visit.

There’s a dance club called InFuzion, which is open 24/7 offering music all the time. If you are a dancer or a DJ you can apply for a job at the sign you see in the club or just outside the club. Their events are listed on the Second Life Events website.

All things considered, this place is cool when you are into sci-fi and want to get a feel of it in Second Life. If you are not into sci-fi, you can wander around and see what this sim has to offer for you. Either way, it’s a nice and cool place to wander and explore, in a late 21^st Century scenery.

You can find the place at :

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FireStorm/113/127/30

 Wesley Regenbogen

Firestorm Support Center

By Gemma Cleanslate

Ed Merryman, one of the wonderful Firestorm support team members called for some help in the group  to test a new service item over at Firestorm Support Center Island. I was more curious than really helpful so went over to help test.  What a surprise ! I had never been over to the Center Island before,  only to the classrooms in the sky. After I assisted in the test, which is for a new more personal system that will begin  when it is ready and will be  announced in the blog. 

 I went for a stroll around to see what was there. The team has a marvelous tutorial for newbies . One of the best and simplest I have seen lately. On arrival, the avatar  takes a stroll along a pleasant path stopping at billboards that teach the basics of Second Life starting with walking, jumping, sitting flying and progressing to more activities one needs to learn for ease in second life. A barrier “teases” the avatar to learn the task before passing on or won’t let you go.  I was glad to see clear directions on using the camera which is so important. Instructions are simple to follow and give a notecard with further help for” ifs and buts.” Example: an Apple computer with different instructions as having only one button on the mouse. 

There are also clothing freebies  along the way and changing rooms. At the end of the instructions there is a set of billboards with landmarks to more help places in SL where you can find more information, freebies and people to meet. I liked the etiquette section for newbies that aided in meeting people and the best way to fit into conversations and make friends easily. I think everyone should take a walk along the path just to see it. The directions are set for any viewer help. 

Firestorm is my favorite viewer, so I was glad to see how helpful their classes are too along with the wonderful support help group. I learn so much just from listening to the answers to questions from other users. I applaud the effort the volunteers  put into making Firestorm so good.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Phoenix%20Firestorm%20Support/50/161/25  

Gemma Cleanslate