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Showing posts with label experience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label experience. Show all posts

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Crystal Craze - An Interactive Game in SL- GiaBlossom Reporting...






A one-of-a-kind game, Crystal Craze brings traffic, fun, interaction, crafting, and creativity for both landowners and hunters. While I was trying out the system, I found it beneficial to boost traffic in a small-owned parcel with my limited funds. While hunting, I made friends and discovered that some people are playing the game to raise money for Relay for Life of Second Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society as well. It's their way of volunteering for a cause. 





As a land owner if you would like to build up traffic at your venue, the simplest way is to buy the Land Owner Crystal Spawner or the Land Owner Clusters Spawner for just 1L$. Place these spawners on your land and pay them the amount you would like to distribute. Alternatively, you can also pay the kiosk at the HQ Landmark. You can deposit or  withdraw funds including changing password from this kiosk. The crystal hunters would land at your venue and boost the traffic. These are unlike afk camping chairs, the hunters need to be active. The best thing about it is one cannot use alternative accounts. So, you know you get unique traffic visitors everytime. To be a Crystal Craze affiliate and supporter, one has to talk to the support team. 





While I was visiting HQ, I met Nikina Kodawari (kodawari), who explained to be the difference between crystals and clusters. “Crystals are the most common game form, crystal craze uses. You can rez the crystal spawner and then pay it and it will use the funds to periodically spawn crystals that people will come to your sim and pick them up. When the spawner runs out of funds the spawner will deactivate itself. While, Clusters on the other hand offer a different kind of collection where the people will click it to activate a timer before they can claim their reward. After a few minutes, the cluster will be able to be claimed and they will need to return to the cluster to pick it up. It's kind of like those old traffic games like Coin Hunt.”


Gia (giablossom): How much traffic is expected? Can the sim crash, has it ever happened?


Nikina Kodawari (kodawari): I'm sure it probably happened before but I've never seen it. Normally traffic isn't quite that crazy unless you spawn a huge amount of rezzers in the same area and then prompt some x10 events and everyone tries to come in at the same time. But even then I doubt the sim would outright crash, instead some people just can't come in.


Sometimes, as a hunter one can witness few people running at abormal speeds. Moving faster than normal speed is against the rules of the game. In case of an issues, its best to record and CC the support team to investigate. Nikina Kodawari (kodawari) also adds, “But most of the time people aren't moving too fast, they just have an AO that animates differently, like people using roller skates It doesn't give them an advantage, it just looks like they move faster when they don't. The crystal craze basket has a system that can usually detect when people have a faster sustained movement than normal and it will lock itself. But it isn't perfect and sometimes people find ways to get around it.”





Gia (giablossom): Could you explain  the hunter side of this game?


Nikina Kodawari (kodawari): Sure! The idea of a hunter is to pick up a crystal craze basket and explore hosted sims to collect crystals, and clusters. Each crystal provides a small bit of XP that over time will allow the hunter to level up and increases the capacity of the basket. The crystals have to be brought back here to HQ and turned in for $L rewards So it creates a constant cycle of people going into sponsored sims and collecting crystals, then returing to turn in at HQ and empty the basket, then returning to different sims to continue hunting more crystals and clusters.


Gia (giablossom): What does the levels do? Why will someone want to level up?


Nikina Kodawari (kodawari): When you start, the Crystal basket can only hold a few hundred crystals. At level 100 the crystal craze basket can hold 1 million crystals. The more crystals you can collect at a time means you can hold more capacity to make more L$ quicker without returning to HQ. Also there are other rewards for leveling up like different textures for the Crystal Craze Basket, as well as various group titles like Crystal Craze Hunter, Adept, Master & Legend.


Gia (giablossom): What is the crafting station about?


Nikina Kodawari (kodawari): Different things can be created by crafting such as limit break potions and skins for the crystal craze basket. There is a limit of how many crystals can be collected at one sim without a hunter needing to find another place to hunt. The limit break potion will increase that limit and allow people to stay in one place longer. You gain crafting ingredients by simply collecting crystals and also interacting with the Vote beacon. There are other potions like Purple Love Juice Potion that makes purple hearts come out every time you collect a purple crystal. But the limit break potion is the one thing that most people craft and want to resell. You can check the prices by clicking on the media board right next to the crafting station. The potions generally range between 15L to 20L per potion. 





At the HQ, one can see different contest boards. The Weekly XP Contest is who gained the most XP this week by collecting crystals and clusters. The winner be rewarded with the L bonus on the kiosk. The Top Donations isn't actually a contest, it just shows the names of people who have donated in Crystal Craze's lifecycle. Nikina Kodawari (kodawari) further adds, “The weekly social contest is an experimental contest that is just here for now. It's still being worked on but at the moment it just keeps track of group chat and gives people points for saying thank you to event coordinators and sponsors.” All visiting individuals can increase the prize money on these boards by donating in the prize pool. 


When asked, how long she has been playing this game and what keeps her going, Nikina Kodawari (kodawari) answers, “I enjoy Crystal Craze as a concept. What I mean is that it provides a unique thing in SL that makes it feel more alive. Most traffic games involved people just afking (like a camping chair).  Crystal Craze is an incentive for people to get out and explore new places, meet new people, and seeing people moving around and doing stuff makes SL feel more dynamic and involved. It helps SL as a whole feel healthy in my eyes. When new people can join the game and be lead to Crystal Craze as a way to generate their first Ls they can come here and make friends and see more of the SL world rather then just stumbling around by themselves and thinking they can never have anything without paying RL money. So for that reason I feel like Crystal Craze is a great thing for SL as a whole and I enjoy volunteering some time and energy to the team here. The more people are enjoying Crystal Craze, the more they are playing SL and in the long term that keeps SL going which is the ultimate goal. At least that is what I feel like is most important. The more people being here and enjoying their time in this world the better off we all are.”


Gia (giablossom) - Did you meet people while hunting too, and did you make friends?


Nikina Kodawari (kodawari): Absolutely. I learned about Crystal Craze by accident because I was on a nearby parcel visiting a friend on the mainland and suddenly one of the neighbors' parcels exploded in traffic. And I had to know what was going on and why there was suddenly so many people over there. Turns out it was a crystal craze event. So I followed it back here to the HQ and found out that I can use CC to find new places to explore so I would occasionally come here and click on their board just to find cool new lands to look at and see what other people are building. Eventually, after about a few months I decided to join CC because I was coming here so much.  I had started to see the same people over and over again and naturally you eventually just start to make friends and chat and get to know people. And that's how it all started for me.


Gia (giablossom): Would you like to share a ballpark figure on how many Lindens you made since you joined?

Nikina Kodawari (kodawari): Me? Honestly, I have never withdrawn funds from CC and never used it to gain L$. Hahaha, I'm an exceptional case that I've never needed this for the L$ benefits.  I'm mostly here enjoying my time as a sponsor and mentor.


When one is up for exploring, or just bored to the bones lazing around, I would definitely recommend this game. It is fun, active and above all we get to meet many others. A good way to make friends. 


Visit Crystal Craze HQ: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Eduisland%202/64/7/1000


Get A Taste of the World For Free - Sheristrawberri Reporting





It is date night and you want a special dinner but you can't decide on the cuisine. Is it French, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Indian, or would you prefer a full vegetarian meal? Perhaps you have a desire for food with a Spanish, Swiss, or UK twist? Are you craving a full dinner or a breakfast, brunch or lunch?

The new Taste Of the World Restaurant offers all of this and more. And best of all, it's all free.

Amythe Moonlight has created a romantic destination for those looking to relax and enjoy each other's company in a quiet and peaceful setting. The restaurant is set in the woodlands by the sea. This gives diners fantastic views as well as a delightful soundtrack.

"I opened the restaurant late last year on Southern Comfort sim. When the sim closed I moved to my present location and rebuilt the restaurant. I had more space to build it here and so was able to change the basic design and add some things to further the concept," said Amy.

The Taste Of the World has three distinct areas, each with its own mood and menu. It should be noted that all of the menus are original designs.

"I like good looking food and have used some very realistic items in the placemats. That said, not everyone may recognize all the dishes or may wonder what's in them. The menus serve as information and to describe the ingredients in an enticing way," she added.



The main restaurant occupies two large rooms with seating spread out so that diners can enjoy some intimate privacy. Each table is set for two and has menus custom designed by Amy from which diners can choose from five different regional cuisines as well as dessert.

"If I go out to dine as a couple I enjoy my privacy. I think if you are on a date you want to feel you are having a private moment with your partner even if there are others around. The partitions serve to give a feel of privacy without blocking views completely," explained Amy.

Entrees can come from Asia, Europe, India, Mexico, or North America. As mentioned earlier, there is also a Vegetarian menu from which to choose.

"I spent hours putting together items that were available and fitted the theme. I wanted to find regional dishes that were recognizable and looked good," said Amy.

Regional options are further broken down by various countries. For the Asian menu diners can choose from Japan, Korea, China, or Thailand.

Japanese dishes include Miso soup, sushi, udon noodles, unagi eel, and basashi among other options. The Korean menu is not as extensive, offering kimchee and a Korean fried chicken dish. The Chinese options include dumplings, a braised fish as well as chow Mein. The Thai menu allows diners to choose from green curry, chicken satay, crispy pork, or fried rice.

That's just one of the five regional menus. Europe offers five national options including Italian, French, Spanish, Swiss, and dishes from the UK.

The Italian menu offers various types of pizza, lasagna, ravioli, as well as various pastas such as linguine, Alfredo, penne, and spaghetti. Other European options include Beef Bourguignon, chicken forester and lamb shanks from France, paella and tapas from Spain, steak pie and chips, bangers and mash, and roast beef from the U.K., and cheese fondue from Switzerland.

Hungry for nachos or chili? There are two types of nachos and three types of chili that can be found in the Mexican menu. The Indian menu offers such dishes as roti, chicken tikka, chicken curry, and tandoori chicken among others.

The North American menu offers six different types of burgers and three different hot dogs. There is also regular and maple bacon poutine for those wanting a taste of Canada.

For those wanting a vegetarian or lighter meal there are seven different salad options and 10 soups, though not all of the soups are vegetarian. Diners can also choose from six different sandwiches as well as avocado toast, a Caesar wrap, falafel, vegetable quiche, or two types of omelets.

The dessert menu offers a wide variety of options ranging from five different sundaes, six different types of cake, six different pastries, four different kinds of pie, two flavors of cheesecake, as well as a waffle, a crepe, and even a cheese board.



The same food offerings can be found on The Seabreeze Terrace, a picturesque patio overlooking the water. Utilize the shared environment for a beautiful, romantic atmosphere while the waves crash against the rocks and sea birds sing. The Terrace includes plenty of room to dance either before or after dinner while waiting on the dessert to arrive.

"I love dancing and dining,” said Amy. “With the Seabreeze Terrace I wanted to have a few romantic tables overlooking the sea but also have plenty of room to dance afterwards.”

In the mood for something less formal, perhaps breakfast or brunch, The Copper Room is the perfect choice. While the menu isn't as extensive there are still plenty of options to satisfy any taste.



"I created a venue that was quite formal and so wanted to add a less formal area for those wanting a drink of coffee and something light to eat," said Amy.

Amy pointed out that offering breakfast and brunch was something different for SL. "Sometimes I just want a burger or a cup of coffee. It's designed as a place people can drop into and have a chat. If it becomes popular I may add sofas and armchairs for people to gather and talk," she added.

The breakfast menu allows diners to choose between sweet or savory dishes. Sweet items include strawberry toast, waffles and cream, a fresh fruit bowl, toast and jam, muesli, or croissants. The savory options include a salmon bagel, bacon and eggs, sausage and eggs, or a breakfast burrito.

The brunch menu contains six different sandwich choices such as beef, cheese, egg, and ham and cheese among others. There are also three types of hot dogs and three types of burgers. In addition, grilled cheese, an empanada, and chicken tenders are on the menu.

There is also a rather extensive dessert menu with twelve different items from which to choose. One could pick a strawberry choux, an iced eclair, a double chocolate cupcake, a brownie, a praline creme, or a fruit tart among many others.

The restaurant isn't the only place on the sim for guests to enjoy. The surrounding woodlands offer up plenty of opportunities for a romantic stroll. The woods have several PG cuddle areas. In the center of it all is the Tropical Experience Dome.

The Dome, or what Amy often calls the Tropical Greenhouse, sits among the trees and is filled with beautiful flowers and plants. It is almost like an indoor arboretum.



"I first built a Tropical Greenhouse on the old sim. I didn't advertise it and it had so many visitors I was shocked! When I moved here I thought it would be nice to recreate a newer version of it. It's built as a place to sit quietly listening to the frogs and sound of the water falling and watch the pond life while experiencing the beautiful foliage of tropical countries as butterflies dance all around," said Amy. There are also tables here where people can enjoy a full lunch menu.

"I hope people will enjoy date nights here and have fun exploring everything there is to offer. It's a peaceful place with a lot of potential for friendly gatherings and parties or just to have a tranquil place to bring a loved one," said Amy.


The new Taste Of the World Restaurant 

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Radiant%20Ridge/33/40/21


Preferred contact: Amythe Moonlight

Friday, February 28, 2025

NeverendingSL: The Shadowartist – A New Chapter Begins

 



The world of NeverendingSL expands once more with the opening of its latest theme, marking the beginning of Book 14: The Shadowartist. This immersive journey invites visitors to step into the Artist’s world once again—only this time, the greatest mystery lies within himself.


As light and darkness intertwine, the Artist embarks on a pursuit through mirror worlds and hidden paths, following the traces of an enigmatic figure. Is this merely a journey through his art, or a deeper quest for self-discovery? The lines between reality and illusion blur as he navigates this shadowy domain, seeking answers that may redefine his very existence.


With its signature blend of storytelling and immersive design, NeverendingSL continues to offer visitors a unique and thought-provoking experience. Dare to step into the unknown and witness the unfolding of The Shadowartist.


https://neverendingsl.blogspot.com/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/197209176@N04/


http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hidden%20Reef/10/245/18




Friday, April 18, 2014

What is Second Life to You?- Mikile Vinciolo Reporting…



 Well, according to secondlife.com, Second Life(c) is a “3D world where everyone you see is a real person and every place you visit is built by people just like you.” Meaning, that Second Life is a platform in which you can create a unique experience for yourself.

The user’s experience is enriched through exploration and discovery, making new friends that share the commonality of being a Second Life user, those crafty enough can create designs for sell with the Second Life economy and commerce system. Second Life is a place full of surprises and adventure for just about everyone.

Monday, July 29, 2013

The SL Experience through My Friend's Eyes - Shon Charisma reporting...

Every resident of Second Life experiences it differently. It's the beauty of the sluniverse, a vast place full of wonderful, engaging, unique goings on. AND the ability to create the life and space and places you might want to be a part of. My experience has been a fully-lived one that has brought me closer to my faith, that has expanded my family (even into first life), that has helped me recapture my love of video and storytelling, that has educated me on research interests of mine (race, online spaces, and identity), and that has brought me my wonderfully-awesome SL mate (love you, Earth!).

Recently, I snagged a dear friend of mine, Sweetz Fierenza [check her out on Facebook], and talked to her about her experiences in-world. She's been in-world a year longer than me, 4.5 years, and that time has shown that many of the experiences found in-world mirror what's experienced in first life.


Monday, May 27, 2013

Spotlight on Elese Faulkes; An Avatar in Second Life- Vapor Paragorn Reporting…




Second Life is indeed a fascinating virtual platform, where you can meet interesting people from all over the globe. You can explore different lifestyles and can learn new things. Socializing is certainly the most prominent feature of SL, which allows us to interact with people in variety of ways. Our random and friendly interactions with people impacts on us in a number of ways, which helps us to better understand people and life as a whole.

Every interaction either short or long term, teaches us something and helps us to improve as a person. Every new person we meet is like reading a new book, a book that stores new stories for us, new experiences and sometimes new lessons too.

Through one of my random interactions, I met Elese Faulkes. Reading her profile I found her to be an interesting person. So I decided to talk to her about her Second Life experience and activities in the virtual world. Elese is a real life artist and exhibits her work in Second Life. She kindly invited me to her sim, which houses her gallery.


Interview with Elese Faulkes

 
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