IMAGE Awareness

IMAGE is a game system that Spax Orion of Ozone grid is working on with a view to making it available for free to other opensim grids. 

The name is an acronym for 'Image Matrix Action Game Engine' and right now it's up and running but needs people to come over and try it out so that any remaining bugs in the system can be worked out.

 So, ask yourself, could you 'sacrifice' a bit of time by going to sim Atrius, playing a shoot 'em up game, and then giving honest feedback, so that the IMAGE project can reach the stage that it becomes shareable?  

You may best know Spax and his grid from the famous Dismayland region, a funfair with rollercoasters, carousels and other rides - and lots of cheeky NPCs insulting you while you enjoy the region, adding to the fun. 

Safari took a flying saucer tour of the whole park some months back, you can see the photos here - we were all impressed by the imaginative design, the logistics of the layout, and of course the scripting. 

Since that visit, Spax's grid suffered some big setbacks on the tech side, but rather than giving up, the experience caused Spax to find tools that have allowed him to improve the whole thing in terms of  efficiency, but also to add a lot more color (and colorful language) to the 'residents' of the park...

These parrots are hilariously rude to everyone and they're not the only ones

...and of course this robust humor has also spilled over into the IMAGE project, which means that even if you're playing alone you'll have the sensation of being with a group of rowdy friends - perfect for a shoot'-em-up game.

So, back to what's needed. People willing to play and report back their experience on 'Grug Assault' which is the example game using the IMAGE system. If you're wondering what a Grug is - wonder no more.

Grugs have a excellent dental plan.

Testing the limits of playability sounds like Opensim 101 to me, and playing this game offers plenty of options to show off both your gaming prowess and your knowledge - with the prospect of having this system on your own sim, and being able to use the tutorial to make the game to suit your own style, with different music, parameters, bad guys and all of that. 

Dirty Helga

To play the 'example game' (Spax says he won't be giving away Grug Attack, what you'll get is the system so you can build something unique to yourself, here's what you do. Teleport over to Ozone grid (the HG Address is at the end of the post) where you will find Dirty Helga the receptionist and all round helper. Look on the walls, you'll soon see the Teleport sign to IMAGE...

...and this is what it looks like when you arrive at the play area.

As shown below, instructions are provided, check them out, and of course remember that constructive feedback is welcome on every part of the game so if there's something you couldn't find, or didn't work for you, Spax wants to know!
If you're interested in having a game like this on your sim or grid, or just interested in helping test a new game, you can learn a lot more about it by checking Spax's profile on Opensimworld where he has written a number of detailed posts about the purpose of the project, the technical details, and the terms on which he wants to share it with the rest of us.

There's a nice big spectator's area where you can watch others play without getting nibbled on so feel free to bring a pacifist friend who may also bring some insights into your shared experience. 

Spax trying not to get nibbled

All helpful hints will make this a better game for the whole community. Be sure to read all the signs before you jump in!

It's not all bites and crunches, the Grugs also perform a sort of Haka between bouts, a very nice touch.

And jus to show how the game doesn't require a sim of its own to run, here is a version of the Grug Attack game, set up right in the middle of the funfair at Dismayland. Important - if you're looking to be a Beta Tester, don't play here, go an use the one on Atreus region which is the latest version.

All in all this is a great opportunity for everyone who loves games, who loves modding things, and who loves the community. When finished you'll be able to use the template to make a game with your own idea of what's a yucky or funny monster, and add or change lots of elements to make it entirely fit the style of your grid. So be a helper by being a beta tester, and help make Opensim even gamier!

HG Address:   xoaox.de:7000:Atrius