AKANGA ISLAND LIBERI ISLES - FOR THE FINEST IN ROLEPLAYING SIMS: JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIS) REPORTING

I was checking Pixel delivery orders the other day to see who had recently ordered truckloads of pixels.  This can be evidence of heavy construction going on, and I hit Paydirt...or rather.. “PayPixels”  As it turned out, there was some MAJOR construction going on at Akanga Island, the grid’s newest Role Play build.  There I met Renita (Jacquotte Anne de Graaf) and Clawtooth (M/Roach Aker), taking a short break from the day’s labors.  Fascinated by what I saw, I KNEW that this would be something for RPers everywhere.

Josh (Thomas1 Belic) JB:    So tell me, Renita.  Just what is Akanga Island Liberi Isles all about?

(Renita) Akanga Island:Liberi Isles is the RP brain child of my friend Clawtooth Aker and myself that is set in the 18th Century and based off of both fiction and nonfiction histories of Madagascar during that era. Akanga Island:Liberi Isles is fictionally located off the coast and lost in time which is where the multi-verse RP comes in. The Lore has a fantasy flair to it which incorporates both fact and fiction all in one so that the player can either develop within the created storyline or create their own.

We started this RP back in 2010 and decided to rekindle it with a vaster storyline that inter-fuses everything from Libertalia pirate history to the cannibalistic tribesman in the dense jungles and then everything in between.

We wanted an exciting and diverse place to play and have fun that is built for players by players.

JB:    What a phenomenal build.  Did you do this all yourself, of did you have help, and what did they do?

(Renita) I am glad you enjoyed it. Feels like it took forever! I did the build myself yes. I started this particular build back in early 2021 after Claw and I decided to make a go at reopening this RP after 10 years. I wanted the build to be very realistic but allow for players to add their own flare to it. It was challenging to say the least. There were a lot of cuss words. Let's just leave it at that.

 JB:    Where did you get the inspiration for this build?

(Renita) The history of the Libertalia is what started it 10 years ago and so this time around I painstakingly researched Madagascar regarding their landscapes, wildlife, fauna, insects, even their people and villages that were around at that time. It was important to me to make sure that it was done correctly. There is nothing I hate more than to walk onto a sim, see primmy builds with textures sloppily slapped on and objects, wildlife or even trees that were never even in that timeline or location. Unless it is all fantasy, it just doesn't make sense. Make it make sense and that's what I did.

(Clawtooth) While Ren took the visuals angle for our game design, I focused mostly on the mechanics of RP and interactions. I come from a very game-centric background, Role Playing to some degree is a large part of my experience. I wanted to make sure there was a baseline created so that everyone was playing on a fair, interactive game field, regardless of the style of play that was chosen.

JB:    What can we hope to discover in Pirates Cove?

(Renita) So many secrets to be told!! Can't give away too much but there is quite a lot of fun to be had in the Liberi Cove. I wanted it to look like a hybrid of Pirates Cove and the Pirates of the Caribbean shipwreck island. We have everything from the quack doctor to a historian and even a greedy trader's office. We have a ton of housing available with some really cool ones, some even on cliffs,  and of course, the ability for people to live on their ship if they like. Wow, there is so much,... the marketplace, the taverns, the faction headquarters, the blacksmith, the carpenter and so much more to do just in that cove for sure.

(Clawtooth) The Cove is more or less the heart of the Liberi, it serves as the main bridge between the land and sea folk. In a way, because the sim low key touches on the idea of the Multi-verse, it's also a cultural stew pot, exposing characters from various settings to one another to create something new.

JB:    How about the Desert Build?  What is THAT all about?

(Renita) Ahh, the desert, isn't that magnificent? So if you take a look at Madagascar it has a number of landscapes and climates all on that one island. You have jaggy rocks, desert landscapes, dense tropical jungles, and mini islands off it called isles that can be habitable. With that in mind, we created a desert landscape on Akanga Island. On the one side of the desert, you have the dwellers and these are common folk who are on the mainland and have found community in that area. They have a marketplace, a tavern, housing and so much more. Now on the other side of that desert are the Bari people and they are the desert tribesman who raises cattle and live peacefully as long as they are not provoked. They trade spices, chickens, and pottery and live in a very highly patriarchal tribe where polygamy is practiced among them. The Bari have their own secrets. Everyone does...we love secrets.

JB:    Are these areas built for free-play, or is there an existing storyline for each area?

(Renita) We encourage both! We love when the players develop their own storylines and incorporate it into either the existing lore or start their own. We are an immersive RP sim and most of our players do para or semi para RP. Claw masterminded the HUD system and it is optional, but it's great to complete your character.. You can build, earn in-game funds to trade, and so much more.

 (Clawtooth) Bottom Line, we wanted to create a choice for everything... immerse yourself in what exists, or forge ahead into the future and make something new. Rome wasn't built in a day, nor did it last for nearly a thousand years by focusing on what was. We want the players to take what we made, and make it their own.

JB:    I imagine the Jungle Build can give way to all kinds of RP scenarios.  How do you see that playing out?

(Renita) I had fun on this build and really wanted people to get lost in there and I think I accomplished that because I get lost all the time (laughs). The Dayuks were a challenge though, they really are a pivotal part of the Lore and I wanted to make sure their area really represented the danger, mystery, and magical powers behind this important tribe.

(Clawtooth) It's dense, crawling with critters, like Ren said it is easy to get lost in. Any number of scenarios can play out here, it really depends on the player, anything from the simple harvesting of resources, to raids, or even a simple walk through the jungle. Make a farm, explore Lore. If the Cove is the center of culture and knowledge, the Jungle is definitely the seat of the unknown.

 JB:    Do you plan any special events here, and if so, how might people learn about them?

(Clawtooth) We have a few event types planned, which can all be found in the Active Stories section of our Website. Active Stories represent a sort of timeline for events that stand out over the course of story progression, as time goes on and more events take place, a more formalized format will be adopted. Some events may never end and typically rely, to some degree, on the HUD/Meter system to operate while others may simply take you to a point of interest to find an object or present you with a clue.
 

JB:    Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

(Clawtooth) Akanga/Liberi Isles is in OpenAlpha stage Development. We fully expect players to take what we've created and run with it, that is, we want them to break the status quo, and make it their own. We have created a place rich in history and lore... and a flexible, interactive HUD system so players can represent their characters. This includes a crafting system that allows players the freedom to customize their own RP experiences. While we have plans that expand into the distant future, we have come to a point in development where growing and making everything even better only comes with community-driven play and support. Want to get in on the RP? We got you. Don't have $Ls? You don't need them to progress and RP. Got ideas for the game systems? We have ears and the skills to make it happen. Want to be a part of something big? What you see on sim is only a fraction of the plans we have for Akanga Island: Liberi Isles.

So.  There you have it folks.  For the finest in RP sims, drop on by Akanga Islands.  Stay an hour…or stay a lifetime…or anything in-between.  You’ll be glad you did.

SURL:   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Liberi%20Isles/124/116/3002

 

 

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VIRTUAL WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT – VWE FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY - JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

It all started as I was chillaxing at one of my favorite Nightclubs in SL on a Friday night.  I was sitting at the bar, tossing back a cold one, and admiring a group of cheerleaders that had just walked into the bustling place, when I felt a tap on my shoulder and a sultry voice said “You’re Josh, that writer fella, ain’t ya?”

“Who wants ta know?” I answered over the din of the jukebox, as I turned around.

“I got a story for ya.  A story that NEEDS to be told.  The world needs to know, and I want you to write it”.

The gorgeous brunette who had disturbed my reverie stood there.  Nattily attired, she was wearing a belt with a large buckle…the kind wrestlers wear on television. She slipped me a piece of paper with a SLURL on it and said  “Be at this address in 90 minutes”.

And then, just as mysteriously as she appeared, she slipped back into the crowd and was lost from view.

I headed off at the appointed time and found myself standing outside a sports arena with a big “VWE” written in flaming letters above the door. Swept along by the crowd, I entered the arena just in time to hear a tuxedo-dressed announcer say “Let’s get ready to Rumbllllllle”

And thus began one of the most fascinating, entertaining, and engaging evenings of my life!  I had arrived at the Gold of City, Friday Night Smackdown.  Over the next 90 minutes, I was amazed by the wrestling spectacle before me.  The crowd cheered and booed the various competitors, as they clawed and scrambled for leverage both inside and occasionally outside the center ring.  Running commentary provided by a crew of three announcers adding further color to the proceedings.  Men and women entered the ring at various points in the evening, and at the end of each bout, one would be carried out by friends or stretcher, and other danced around the ring, hands raised high in a victor’s salute, having just vanquished a would-be competitor.

Following the final bout, as the lights came up, the arena became a beehive of activity. Some guests headed for the doors and back into the parking lot.  Others climbed into the ring that had only minutes before been a scene of intense conflict and transformed it into a dance floor of sinuous, writhing dancers.  The competitors came back out and mingled freely with the fans.

I approached the mysterious brunette from the bar, Viola Beaumont, and asked if I might have a word with her.  She agreed, and along with a couple of others, we sat down for an interview.

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB):    So, tell me.  When and how did you all first become interested in Virtual World Wrestling?

Viola Beaumont (VB): I first got involved in Virtual Wrestling in 2015 when a now long-gone Federation in NMW recruited me. It was the start of 2016 however when I made my debut in VWE and this has been my home since.

Michael Karsin (MK): I started back in 2011 in a company called HKWF. I Then moved on to XWA which ultimately rebranded to VWE. I got into SecondLife to do boxing, but shortly after I logged into the grid, my brother found wrestling. That's where I ended up putting all of my focus.

JB:  What a fun Build here.  How did you happen upon this theme?

MK: Thanks! The idea behind our theme was to make something a bit more urban and not too overwhelming so that the focus would be on wrestling. We decided on a small seating area for the fans and a subterranean hallway system for our staff.

JB:  Any connection between your décor here and the RL conflict in the world today?

VB: We plan our shows far in advance, and the setup takes many weeks of work. There is no connection to what has unfortunately transpired.. and we hope that conflict ends soon.

JB:  Describe for us what an evening at the arena is like for guests.  What can they expect?

MK: What our guests can look forward to is an entertaining and interactive event packed with solid wrestling matches. We love to tell stories that make you get invested. You can cheer for your favorite wrestler and tell off those that you don't like. At the end of the night, everybody is playing an exaggerated character. We are all very nice, and we love to greet the fans after the show.

JB:  I understand, Viola, you are the top Female Wrestler at VWE.  What does it take to climb to the top of the heap in this sport?

VB: Constant practice, constant studying. Learned from those that came before me, while also being able to apply my own unique mark on Virtual Wrestling. Having an open mind and being willing to accept criticism, not to mention having myself being my own biggest critic.

JB:  How big a staff does it take to run an operation like this?

MK: It can take anywhere from 5-10 individuals to run the show. That includes our media, pyro, and lighting systems, as well as the bookers who put the show together. Certain shows do take more resources as we hold large-scale staple shows every couple of months.

JB:  I see other related storefronts in the area with the VWE Logo attached.  What other businesses are connected to VWE here?

MK: VWE is helped by F!GHT Sporting Goods which is owned by Michael Karsin (hoyce.fang) which is where most of our creations originate from, other than that VWE is a self-sustaining company.

JB:  Do you use the arena for other activities as well?  Dances?  Cattle Auctions?  Dramatic presentations? Anything?

MK: As of right now, we don't use our venue to host other events. But it is something that has been discussed and could be considered in the future.

JB:  In RL Wrestling, most people think the matches are all "fixed"  and the winner is usually the one with the most elaborate costume. So, your secret is safe with me (and our 70,000 viewers each month)...Are the results of VWE Matches "pre-determined"?

MK: So yes, the premise is very similar. We make sure our wrestlers have the proper preparation they need in order to put on an entertaining event. Everything else is our little secret!

JB:  How can people find out what events are upcoming?

VB: We have a fan group in world as well as a Discord server where we are happy to invite those who wish to join for information on our events.

JB:  Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

VB: Absolutely! Come to City of Gold, some Friday evening, and have a great time with the rest of us. And who knows, if you like what you see, maybe you can stand across the ring from me or Michael Karsin someday ---  if you are brave enough!

So, there you have it, folks.  Are you getting maybe just a little tired of the “Club Scene” on Friday nights?  Learning who is now dating whom?  Who are on this week’s list of Cool people, and who are not?  Break out of that rat race. Guys – take your Gal.  With all that testosterone on display, she can’t help but wanna snuggle up next to you as you enjoy the Show.  And Ladies….What guy wouldn’t LOVE to see a hair-pulling, screaming catfight in the center ring as ladies duke it out for the chance to wear the Champion’s Belt?  Guaranteed entertainment and fun for the whole family. For a change of pace, hop on over to City of Gold for a truly entertaining way to spend your Friday night, alone, with a buddy, or with that truly special someone. You won’t want to miss this!

Be there

Aloha!

JB

https://www.vwewrestling.net

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/City%20of%20Gold/129/139/36

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Stacey Visits The STOP WAR Sim - Stacey Cardalines Reporting

 

War is very unpleasant to think about, and many would view SL as a means of temporary escape. One can't actually do anything about those tanks, but one can get away from it for a while on SL. In a broad sense, it is sort of what SL is for.

However, what if you don't want to escape? What if you want to talk to other people about what is going on? SL is good for that, too. Many sims on SL get Ripped From The Headlines, and after a while it rebounds back to someone like me and what is Ripped From The Headlines becomes the actual headline. I visited one of those sims today.

The world watched in outrage as Russian armies attacked the Ukraine. It is a horrible thing to watch, and it has catastrophic potential implications if other players become involved. You'd think "worldwide plague" would be enough, but we just upped the ante. Russians have reasons for acting as they do, and "obscure SL sportswriter column" is most likely not where those reasons need to be debated.

Russia's invasion of the Ukraine is not fun stuff to play out at a sim. I'd greatly question the integrity of someone who made a first-person shooter Russia vs the Ukraine war game sim... right after I played it for a few hours, of course. Just kidding, I don't think I could perform the moral gymnastics needed to play something for laughs as people are dying for real in the Ukraine. I do some hardcore RP too, so my bar is pretty high, and my refusal to war-game the Ukraine horror is thusly notable.

STOP WAR is a sim which just went into effect last Friday. It is not a grand sim in any design way, it is in fact very simple. There are a few pictures, a chart showing NATO countries, a dispenser where you can get a free Ukraine flag and a game table. Nothing there that will stop a war, and at this point it is important to remember that wars aren't going to be stopped by video games, and in fact often resemble video games when you see someone guiding in a missile and so forth. 

Pela, who runs the STIP WAR sim, is no fool, and her sim title is more Idealistic than an aspect of a mission statement. I spoke with her a while while visiting her sim in the early US morning. She put the sim up Friday, and will leave it up as long as it is active and stays relatively positive.

Pela recognizes that, in times of war, people get traumatized, or even just upset, or even just intrigued. They need somewhere to go where they can discuss it. It may not be polite to take over someone's nightclub and turn it into a NATO discussion format. However, at STOP WAR, you can chat about the war all you like. 

Human nature being what it is, people sometimes choose Battle over Reason. However, there are places for both, and this sim falls into the camp of the latter. Anyone getting too close to the former will be asked to leave. This sim is meant to allow people to seek some comfort.

They are getting some good traffic for a sim that started Friday, so there is definitely interest in the topic among those who play the Linden way. Pela is running the sim for all the right reasons, and hopefully good beats evil. Pela told me that some Russian themed sims were having some problems with people arguing, and hopefully that doesn't go down at STOP WAR. 

I got some Ukraine gear from the SL Marketplace, not the STOP WAR sim. Pela- who seems pretty nice, and dresses cooler than I do- isn't running that sim to make a profit, and the only gear they had there was a free flag. I may wear my Ukraine outfit at my dancer job, although it might cost me Russian tips. I've had no luck finding Belarus gear. I do have a USSR gymnast leotard, which I saw at a store and I thought looked cool. I can switch between outfits from different nations, depending on the political affiliations of my customers. I never imagined that I'd have to think geopolitically when I accepted the dancer job at the wrestling sim, but that's how things shake out sometime.

Yes, that's my ass in that picture. Never let it be said that Stacey Cardalines shirks from the horrors of war. Spasibo.

STOP WAR = http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Coverdale/140/23/3820

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VALENTINE CHARITY AUCTION: DATING FOR A GOOD CAUSE – JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

Cancer deaths rose to 10 million globally in 2019.   Cancer was the second leading cause of death, after heart disease, in the United States, with nearly 600,000 deaths.  Team One More Light is a SecondLife team that helps raise money to support the real-life Relay for Life organization.

Relay For Life of SecondLife is the largest virtual event in the world and in 2020 was ranked 5th among more than 5000 Relay for Life events. Since 2004, Relay for Life of SL has raised more than ONE BILLION LINDENS. That’s more than $4 MILLION DOLLARS in support of the American Cancer Society.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

In hopping around the Grid a few weeks back, I landed in the backyard of the Schitt Family.  Lene Schitt, the matriarch of the clan, was orchestrating a BBQ for her family and some close friends.  I noticed a poster on the backyard fence, promoting something called a “Valentine Charity Auction” and Relay for Life, and I asked Lene what that was all about.   Gracious beyond measure, she stopped what she was doing and addressed my questions.

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) JB: So, Lene, tell me about how you first came to be associated with Relay for Life?

Lene Schitt (LS): Last year after meeting Abby Lemongrass and Bob Bayilner the team captains for One More Light group; I was so blown away with their events and how they were raising money for this incredible cause. I could not believe how huge Relay for Life was here in the virtual world and I knew right away I wanted to be a part of it.

::Lucid::  I was first introduced to Relay when my friend introduced me to Bob and Abi and they asked me if I was interested in making some things to sell for a relay event.

JB: Have you hosted events like this before?

LS:  I have hosted smaller parties for myself and for friends but never an event like this. But I am looking forward to hosting more; this has been an incredible turnout and a whole lot of fun.

JB: You have quite an operation here.  Do you do this by yourself, or did you have help?

LS: Oh no, there is no way I could have done this by myself... From the start this has been a team effort, from the build of the sim, coming up with ideas to include everyone, planning the pantie hunt, making the note cards, flyer's, free gifts for everyone that visits the sim, flick pick of the day, coordinating events at That's Amore Cafe, all of it has been a Team Effort... One More Light is quite the Group and we are growing.

Lucid: We have a team, One More Light. It’s a team effort, but special recognition goes to Lene Schitt and Lily Cloud as it would be nothing without them.

JB:  What types of reactions have you had to the Valentine Charity Auction?

LS:  I have to tell you the amount in donations alone from this event thus far speaks volumes. We have had a great reaction from everyone, so many people have shown their support in many different ways. Not only our friends but also people that don't know us or just heard about the event through advertisement; everyone wants to be a part of it somehow.

Lucid:  Overwhelmingly positive reactions, everyone has been having fun and we've met so many new friends.

JB: The “Pantie Hunt” was fun. How did you come up with THAT idea?

LS:  Well, the Pantie Hunt wasn't my idea. That idea was Lily Cloud and the Cookie Monster.  Lily Cloud is one of our Team Members and she and Cookie thought a Valentine Pantie Hunt with love stories would be a great idea to promote the auction. So many people enjoyed the Hunt, we will most likely bring it back next year.

JB:  Tell us more about the auction.  I understand that, unlike most auction boards, you actually have a couple of different categories?

LS:  The idea of the Valentine Charity Auction was to include everyone. We wanted to be able to have everyone participate, so we came up with 3 categories Romance, Friendship and Kinky.

·         ROMANCE: Single and Want to Mingle then this is the right category for you. Looking for that perfect someone to settle down and perhaps be your forever SL partner?

·         FRIENDSHIP: Looking for like-minded friends, or something platonic, one in which people share a close bond but do not have a sexual relationship, then this is the right category for you.

·         KINKY: Do you desire something Kinky or have some Erotic Fetish? Want to go on a date and meet someone with some Kinky Fetishes, then check out this category?

We thought that by having different categories everyone would be able to participate in the auction and I got to tell you, breaking the auction into these 3 categories was really worth it, the response has been amazing!!

Lucid:  Yes, we wanted it to be a really inclusive event, and not everyone is looking for the same things, we wanted everyone to be comfortable and to enjoy themselves.

JB:  As part of my in-depth research in support of this article,  I agreed to be one of those who was “Auctioned off” for a good cause.  As a result of this event, I made another friend in SL.  Such a delightful way to get to know someone – going on a date to help fight Cancer.  What a concept!

JB:  This looks like a LOT of auction boards!  About how many people have participated in your Auctions?

LS:  We broke up the Auction in two rounds and each round had about 125 boards, most people in round one came back to participate in Round 2 and some that hadn't had a chance are still coming to sign up.

JB:  How are you doing on fundraising this year?

LS:  The  Season is just starting and I have to tell you we are blowing it away so far. This event has put us right at 30% of the goal for this season. Our Goal this Season is to raise $6,000 US dollars.

AL: That’s Six Thousand US Dollars – and not Lindens.  Overall, Relay for Life of SecondLife has set a goal of $500,000 US dollars for the year.

Lucid:  We are over a third of the way to our goal already, with four months to go.

JB:  What happens with the money you raise?

LS:  All money raised at our events including this one will go to Relay for Life of Second Life.

AL:  In 2021, SL Relay for Life was the #4 organization across the world.  Relay For Life of Second Life has raised over $3.2 million for the fight against cancer.

Lucid: Every Linden we raise goes directly to Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. Our team leaders go so far as to pay for this sim out of pocket so no money gets redirected at all, straight to Relay.

JB:  Do you have specific events planned?  Can you share some details of those?

LS:  One More Light Team has a list of upcoming events for the Season. The calendar is getting full already and our next big event is the Mr/Miss Multiverse Pageant, which is going to be so much fun. We also have an Easter egg hunt/Tea, surfing event, Roller Disco, Golf Tournament, Comic Con, live singers and you won’t want to miss out on The Great Gatsby Themed Weekend Event... We have so many great events upcoming...

Lucid:  We have oh so very many things. In addition to the activities Lene mentioned, we have an event called Keg and Eggs, and a really special Art Gala, along with many one-day events.

JB:  Is there anything Else you would like to share with our SL Enquirer Readers?

AL: Believe it or not, less than 20% of the people in second life even know about Relay for Life here in SecondLife.  Can you imagine if everyone knew and got involved what a difference we might make?  We are always looking to add fun, creative members to our team who want to share in our passion to raise awareness and money for Relay for Life...

Lucid:  While just one out of every five SecondLife Users is aware of the Relay for Life presence inworld, SL is the fourth largest donor. I think that's pretty amazing, and if the word is spread further, we could work miracles.

So there you have it, Folks.  If you want to help make a difference in the world,  come on out to the One More Light, Relay for Life auction and charity fundraising event.  You really CAN make a difference.

Imagine a world free from cancer. Help make it a reality.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Magical%20Garden/169/141/22

https://www.flickr.com/groups/14815797@N23/

https://abigail-lemon-grass.com/one-more-light/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBHX0KOedJQ

OK Folks…Check out the links above.

Be There.  Aloha!

JB

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CYBERSEX 101 – A NOOB GUIDE TO “LOVE ON THE GRID” – JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

OK...SOOO...you are new to SL.  You came to meet people. To build…maybe as an outlet for your artistic expression…You were here about a day and a half when you learned about an entirely different side of the Grid. The Naughty side, as it were.  Of course, you are interested…curious maybe, and like everything else, you want to see what this is all about.  Whether you were introduced to cybersex at the hands of a caring mentor, or if your first experience was at a group orgy, chances are you have questions about it all, and how you can maximize your enjoyment, and that of your partners, in this thing called cybersex.  Questions like “How do I know if she or he is interested? Are there any “Green Light” Phrases?” or “What is it about working the animations? Is there anything special to know about that?”  And then the ever-present “To voice, or not to voice?  That is the question.”

In keeping with the SL Enquirer’s continuing mission to inform our readers, over the next several weeks we will publish a three-part series on how to be the best cyberlover you can. 

What follows are the results of extensive research, where we surveyed dozens of Subject Matter Experts on the topic.  We have distilled the collected wisdom from 28 of those experts. Altogether, these individuals have amassed over three and a half CENTURIES of residency in SecondLife, totaling 376 years of experience! Let me encourage you to read and heed their guidance and suggestions as you navigate your own way through the pleasure and pitfalls of “love on the grid”

In Part One of our series, our panel of experts was asked to identify some of the more noteworthy mistakes that noobs make during cybersex.

In Part two, we will look at what our seasoned experts believe makes for a particularly good cybersexual encounter,

Finally, in Part Three, we will wrap up with an open question to allow our seasoned experts to expand  on anything else they wanted to share about the topic

Before you enter into the wild and confusing and exciting world of cybersex, you should ask yourself “why do you even want to have sex in SL?” If you're doing it because you want to change your RL, make sure your "target" has the same kind of ideas. Most don't.  Along with that... What do you expect from it? Is it just porn for you? Or to help you “get off”? Or maybe you've never really had sex at all and are just trying to fill that gap.  I once had a counselor who works with individuals with disabilities tell me that  “For people with some disabilities, [cyber]sex may be the ONLY sex they will ever get to experience”   Do you care about this person you're hoping to have sex with, or is it totally casual? And do they feel the same way?  Be sure you can address these questions before proceeding.

Part One:  What are some of the more noteworthy “Noob Mistakes” during Cybersex?

There were several answers to this question that were repeated time and again by our “sexperts”. Most often cited was the poor quality of the dialogue that often accompanies a noob’s initial dive into cybersex. Fully 48% of those responding identified this as a top concern

·         “It's okay to reach out and contact people you're interested in, start a chat first, but don't just offer friendship without a word said, and send a random TP offer to some remote sex beach.”

One writer summed it up nicely when she said:

·         “Learn how to emote! This is where you get creative and describe what is going on or even add something to it to heighten the experience makes all the difference in the world. Don't just keep typing harder, faster, or deeper. You can only get so hard or go so fast. You can only go so deep. [Repeating this over and over] just makes you look stupid.”

Other comments included:

·         “You must establish with the quality your intention and that of the couple, it is for fun, it is for porn sex, it is for love? That will help you avoid problems that may end up breaking your heart.

"I have noticed…the lack of quality roleplay and immersion. A lot of the RP would be rapid, machine-gun fire posts, without waiting for a reply like: mmm…so good….ahhh…Noob: nice p***sy”

Some noted the sparseness of supporting emotes:

   “Don’t just watch the animations. There needs to be a conversation. Narrate the scene. playoff of each other”

·         “Don’t use shorthand texting abbreviations. You could come off like an uneducated dumbass or she may think the guy behind the profile has the maturity level of a 14-year-old.”

·         “Take your time, learn to emote.  Do not be a paragraph writer.  "Lays you on your back.  Spreads your legs… pushing into you" works better for you and your partner than writing a book.”

On the other hand, sometimes there is too much text.

·         “No excessive emoting, it is supposed to be about your thoughts and what you would be doing in RL, not a paragraph from ‘50 Shades of Grey’.”

·         “Don't ‘godmod’ - don't tell me what I am doing or feeling or saying.  Let me respond for me, and you respond for you.  Nothing is as annoying as being told you are screaming out in ecstasy when you just emoted biting your lip in silence.”

·         “Don't ignore what your partner is emoting.  So many people who are new to this start writing what they are doing and forget that it is a two-way street.  Write...and then READ and respond.  Make it a give and take.”

Additionally, 26% of the respondents addressed the importance of having a hi-quality Avatar.

·         “First of all, you should make sure your avie is totally mesh, no one likes being with a noob especially if your body doesn't look good.  That sounds a little mean but it is so true.”

·         “I recommend investing some time and effort into your avatar and strive to bring a unique look to your avatar that defines you. There's still a lot of avatars running around with system avatars that look like they were made with scissors and paste and 2006 fell on their spiky heads.”

·         “Avoid having an ugly avatar - get a mesh body (yes, there are free ones for that). If you're a guy, do NOT get yourself a "freenis" (=a free penis) - they look ugly!”

·         “Don't just put on your new c**k and run out to play.  Learn to use it.  Color it.  Position it.  Get to know the hud, so that your use of it is not the focus of the interaction.”

A full 20% of the respondents noted that how you initiate cybersex is of crucial importance.

Never ever (!!!!!) just approach a person and just say “Ur Hawt”, Wanna f**k?" or “nice tits” as your opening sentence'" The approach.  "Wanna F**k" is not going to get you any further in SL than in RL. 

·         “Like in RL, most people want a little seduction.  If all we wanted was to jump on a pose ball, we would make an alt of the opposite sex and never bother engaging with others.”

One contributor identified a major problem upfront:

·         “Asking for Sex. That's the number one mistake.  No one worthy of your time wants to be asked to have sex.  The trick is to engage in conversation in a way that makes them think they want to get to know you better.  Then invite them to join you on a chair or sofa to be comfortable during conversation.  And from there you might stroke their hair or their shoulder.  Perhaps you kiss their mouth when the moment feels right and see how they react.  If they are into it and kiss back... you have permission to go further.   if they simply Smile and do not kiss back... disengage and find someone else.”

And finally,

·         “Always cuddle before and after - don't be a cad.”

Other challenges noted were too numerous to fully cover here, but they included things like how often to change poses or not. Once your partner has the camera properly positioned, hopping from pose to pose every 10 or 15 seconds can be irritating.  Some have suggested no more than 4 or five poses should be used during an entire encounter. Pay attention to details…placement of appendages…not poking thru bellies or outback of heads.

So, there you have it, folks – some of the more common mistakes noobs (and more experienced residents) can make while cybering.  Confusing?  Yeah.  It certainly can be.  But with a little practice and attention to detail, you too can become the Don Juan (or Donna Juan) of Cyber.

Stay tuned for the next two parts in this series, where we will continue our discussion about what makes for great cyber, as our sexperts share from their experience gained in this important aspect of life on the grid.

Be There.  Aloha!

JB

 

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Spotlight on TX MAINSTORE with TECH (tech.robonaught) Reporting Katrina Karsin

Today we are sitting down with ＴＥＣＨ (tech.robonaught) the owner of TX, he is a creator and mechanic of vehicles and all the mechanics one would want to make their dream car drivable!  He starts with the Shell or body of the car and provides the mechanics to make a car actually drivable in Second Life!

Kat (katrina.karsin): Hi TECH Nice to meet you, may I start with why did you decide to Create Shells and all the gear to so you can drive in SL?  Was there a demand for it?

TECH (tech.robonaught): My initial goal was to make it affordable for the average person.  There were a few vehicle parts suppliers already in SL, but they were expensive - and me being a vehicle nut myself I too was poor and didn’t have the budget for their parts.

Kat (katrina.karsin): I remember checking out cars in SL myself cause I wanted a vintage 1965 Mustang and the prices at that time were crazy I thought.  So when did your first start creating and did you open your store right away?

TECH (tech.robonaught): People come to SL to escape reality and that includes not having to drive their minivan, but being able to create or buy whatever vehicle they can imagine as well.  My first Second life store was furniture and clothing, when I started getting into vehicles I found parts and full permissions cars expensive. and just thought I could do it better, so yeah, I had a small store established, and it’s grown with me from a 1024 lot to the full sim we have today.

Kat (katrina.karsin): I agree SL can be an escape from the old minivan – lol! Did you start in 2008?

Tech (tech.robonaught): No, the TX Gear name was created around 2015, it the abbreviation of me and my SL partners first names (does not mean Texas).

Kat (katrina.karsin): Oh ok cool idea for the name!  When you had the mechanics down for making the shells did you turn to make parts for the cars?

TECH (tech.robonaught): When I had the ability to make the bare shells, I turned my focus to the vehicle scripting - between myself and a few others we now have probably the most realistic vehicle scripts available in World.  Having a low script use to boot, which makes them ideal for all kinds of environments.

Kat (katrina.karsin): Scripting is complicated to me, I think of it as coding for a computer so I am very impressed you have the ability to learn.  It can be very intensive does it take up most of your time when creating something?

TECH (tech.robonaught): Well, I tend to make something work first and then add to it or fine-tune it afterward so yes, between version 1 of my vehicle scripts and the version 10 it is today has been about a 3-year journey.  I rely a lot on the builder’s feedback and it has improved the scripting a great deal.

Ҡặт (katrina.karsin): I see you have some very detailed scripts for your vehicles to make it as realistic as possible, do you think it is why people prefer your creations?

ＴＥＣＨ (tech.robonaught): Yes lol! As much as SL is about fantasy, many people prefer realism when it comes to vehicles so, suspension, running out of fuel and things like that all add to the end-users experience.  I’ve been complimented on the realism both in the vehicle shells and in the scripting.

Ҡặт (katrina.karsin):  Your attention to the realism and detail accuracy is very impressive, being able to customize a speedometer so it looks like a Ford or Dodge or other name brand vehicles plus the type of vehicle is truly amazing!  So, I could put a Dodge speedometer in a Ford Mustang if I wanted to?

TECH (tech.robonaught): Yes! or just go digital and stick it in the windshield glass?  I tell my customers, you’re the builder, it's your imagination I just provide the tools.

Kat (katrina.karsin): Now that is extremely impressive! How about the sound, we all know there is a different noise each car makes to another?

TECH (tech.robonaught): Sounds are another person's endeavors, but I wanted them here, so they don’t pay rent or anything like that, I just wanted them here for availability to my customers.  I also have a license to carry some other people’s creations, to have them available to my customers as well.  Versatility is the other thing I was going to mention, I’ve used my vehicle scripts to build everything from riding lawn mowers to big wheels to army tanks, hot rods, tractor-trailers, we try to cover almost all of it in one package.

Kat (katrina.karsin): One stop shopping is a blessing, especially if you have kids in tow! Have you had a customer who is unable to drive in RL come to you for a vehicle?

TECH (tech.robonaught): I have builders who aren’t able to drive in RL building and selling SL vehicles yes.

Kat (katrina.karsin):  It is important to listen to what a customer may want and in a way you are fulfilling other peoples dream as well as your own simultaneously!

TECH (tech.robonaught): Yes, very true, plus I just like cars and trucks!  See I don't script them though, I leave that to my customers (my builders), it helps the economy here to spread the money around ... I probably have over 200 US "imports"

Kat (katrina.karsin): US imports like Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s I imagine are on many people’s bucket list!  You must be working with builders all the time I imagine helping them be successful?

TECH (tech.robonaught): Yes, daily, hourly I would say.  I provide the tools so they can be successful as well.  A shell can take anywhere from 6 hours to 40 depends on the complexity of it - I can script one up fully in a few hours, teaching someone else we cover with notecards and instructional videos on all the primary parts and functions so it really all depends on the builder’s knowledge of basic building skills.

Kat (katrina.karsin): Wow 6 to 40 hours pending on the complexity!  That means you need patience when building your dream machine.

TECH (tech.robonaught): This is a long game, you will not be successful overnight, not in this or any business in SL, take your time, build a quality product at a quality price, don’t cheapen your own work, and people will come to you.

Kat (katrina.karsin) Do you have any closing words to people interested in creating cars and trucks like your company does?

What I would just like to stress to new builders to just have patience and realize it's going to take time.  I want to see each and every one of them successful and will do all I can to help them do so and I'll continue to improve and offer new products so they can keep making great stuff to sell!

 

Website:  TX Gear Site and Support

LM:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aleah/47/128/22

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/txgear/

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