Safari Goes Under the Mountain

The second destination for this week's Safari was on Kinky Haven grid, run by Wendie Blackthorne who was there to greet us, in her cute spelunking outfit - surprisingly un-grimy considering the fiendishly difficult tunnel and cave system she had invited us to experience, the creation of her friend Lizzy Borden. No, she didn't have an axe. I know you were wondering. Well, that might not be entirely accurate...

Wendie Blackthorne, front, and Lizzy Borden behind her.

This is a huge region, so of course we were limited in how much of it we could see in our short visit, but the girls had organized themselves in such a way that we were able to get a good idea of the variety and magesty of the build without being rushed too much. 

The tunnel style build is one of the most difficult of all to pull off, as it's a tricky game of proportions when you are trying to create a closed-in atmosphere that is also cam friendly. The labyrinth needs to be at challenging but not so frustrating and cramped that the immersive feel is lost for the player-visitor.

Lighting, textures, sounds and objects all come together to surprise, spook, and delight throughout this enormous build, where every tunnel suggests more discoveries - and does not disappoint.

We met on the big plaza outside the mountain.

Lizzy Borden: Welcome to The Mountain. This is The Mountain of the Ancients who attempted to build a tower to Heaven in the shape of a pyramid.....but it collapsed along with their civilisation. What you are about to see is the remnants and evidence of attempt at restoration by the descendants.

Rinky Dinkie Fish and Fun on AMV

 Last season on the Safari we visited arguably the largest single vehicle in opensim, the luxury liner Aurora, and this week, we're back on AMV grid again to see a very differently proportioned build by Ted Junior - the Dinkies Funsize Resort. While the general rule is that you should have a small cat avie to participate on the sim, Ted and Sofee Supermarine made an exception for us, and we got a warm welcome on an impeccably organized and decorated build.

Ted Junior with Sofee SUpermarine on the right

The convenient landing place puts you down in a information area, where you immediately have access to the Dinkie town plaza and Main Street. Everything is appropriately proportioned, yet cleverly engineered so that normal height people don't feel like their camera is always crashing through walls. A group of AMV residents, including grid co-owner Clifford Hanger, were there to meet us, in their Dinkie personas.

On Einstein

 The Star Trek RP group Infinity welcomed a brand new ship this weekend, the ISS Einstein, captained by David7 Bravin. 

A brief ceremony took place at ground level, where Admiral Keely Scrumptious gave a brief and inspirational speech - two of the best qualities of any speech, I'm sure you'll agree - confirming the nomination of David as the new captain of the Einstein, which will be active in Roleplay on Mondays. For the full schedule of roleplaying, check out the calendar. This is useful both for would-be roleplayers (you can see which ship is active in a time frame that would suit you) and also for casual visitors, so you can avoid crashing one of their missions.

Currently listed under the legacy region name 'Astraios Colony' and soon to be renamed Infinity, this outpost of Starfleet is built on a Var region - and that means space, serious space for multiple ships not to mention ground based buildings below. This newest ship the Einstein is located at about 8000m in the sky...   HG Address is at the end of the post as per tradition.

Safari Goes to The Good Place

It sounds so virtuous to say that you 'don't watch TV that much' and even if that's factually true and not a fib to make you look like a better person, there's a very good reason to quit the no-TV habit. It's called 'The Good Place', a comedy series that ran on NBC from 2016-2020 and later shown on other media platforms. Starring Ted Danson and Kristen Bell, it's the story of the afterlife, where people go either to 'the good place' or 'the bad place' depending on what score or rating their actions during life on earth has earned them - except there's a catch... well, go watch the show to find out about all that. Memorable characters, excellent acting, and a divinely funny script all make The Good Place a delight - but wait - there's more! Here in Opensim, there's a brilliant build by Bink Draconia that makes The Good Place an interactive game! The Safarians went to see what was up. 

The build is full of all the in-jokes, familiar characters, and catchlines of the show, which kind of makes a game in and of itself, to see how many you can spot, The build is on the German grid Pangea, famous for its art builds and the inspirational leadership of Marlon Wayne and Lampithaler Artis. What makes this build even more awesome is that Bink has made the whole thing bilingual, no mean feat!

Xzar Gazing

Last Sunday was the official opening of The Land of Xzar on Genesis RP grid, a region built by Star Ravenhurst, and this Wednesday it the Safari took the tour for our second hour of the 2 hour ride around opensim.  As lovely as opensim is at any time, there's nothing quite like visiting a sim with the creator and some friends to truly get the measure of what is meant by the fine pixels on show. You might say that this build (HG Address is at the end of the post, as always) is really several tales in one. 

It's the 3D representation of Star's novel, to be published on Amazon later this year, but it's also a story of a Star's talent and tenacity as a builder, with many original constructions and textures that she has put together over her many years in virtual. And it's also the chronicle of the many grids she has been part of, several of which have come to an untimely end, forcing her to regroup, rebuild, and re-imagine her regions in other worlds. That opportunity to glimpse and gaze into the creative universe of our fellow Opensimmers is one of the most exciting and interesting parts of the life virtual. Unlike most gaming platforms, it offers a unique connection between original imaginations - yours and theirs - and is infinitely fascinating, if on occasion hard work.

Youca Godel: I'm finding it neat that people are building sims based on shows and books.

Star Ravenhurst: This is based on my book Youca

Forest Azure: are there any fairytales sims? for a fairytale rp sim

Doctor Dave: There's a dead angel on the lawn.  Did anyone bring a first aid kit?

Star Ravenhurst: Is everyone here? I think we are missing Tosha... Welcome Tim

humbletim metaverse: hi

Star Ravenhurst: Well I will start pasting into chat what you need to know. This build is based on my upcoming novel by the same name. This is a visual of the land that has lived inside of my head for years. This is an ancient world that has seen war and destruction with many characters seeking power over time. 1000+ years have passed since the end of the world and civilization returned. The antagonist is Hadean the Executioner. He is a narcissistic, power hungry, sexual predator, brutal, and evil as they come. The hero is Michael McCall of Plano Texas who is angry with his father who has taken over as ruler of the whole planet due to advancements that he owns, sells, and controls the population with.

Lavia Lavine: You didn't tell me your novel was about my Ex husband.

Forest Azure: lol

Virtual Recall: Welcome to Mars

 Straight out of our Star Trek experience on 3rd Rock, we leapt over to Neverworld to see a brand new build based on the film Total Recall. Another huge build, demonstrating the variety, talent, imagination, and humor that make opensim the best place in virtual. HG address is, of course at the end of the post. Thanks to all the Neverworlders who were there to welcome us, and to the 3rd Rockers who continued the fun by coming over from destination one to see this very different build.

Where Posh turns into Sleeze: Okay here you are after filling up on some greasy snacks with dust included, now go back through the blue light  alleyway and turn right ... you coming across an area that looks ... sleezier. Yup, you are closing in on Venusville.  It ain't the Hilton. Note to self- keep your valuables out of sight

Govega Sachertorte:  Hi everybody, big crowd

Joshua 7: Hi All, welcome to Mars!

Hope Lunasea: Bigger than what I was expecting. lol...

Beth Ghostraven: We crash sims for fun, lol, not so much lately though

Govega Sachertorte: Welcome to Mars. Mr Smokes, Nexus Storm, Ares Halostar, Alba Wyrril, they are the main builders

Star Turn on 3rd Rock

Thirza Ember: happy first contact day everyone

James Atlloud: and a first contact day to you too Thirza

Our first stop on this new season of Safari is the absolutely spectacular Star Trek colony on 3rd Rock Grid. a great crowd of 3rd Rockers were there to meet us, and the peerless Alia Souldstar gave us a wonderful tour. The HG Address for this wonderful build is, of course, at the end of the post.

Nila Shvaress: greetings everyone arriving

Georgina Mills: Hello everyone :)

Ellemir Maven: Hello Lucy, Lavia and Kitty

Dolfke Barbosa: pls take your time to let everything rez properly

James Atlloud: Hello!

Pauline NOVA419: ooo, visitors :)

Alia Soulstar

Alia Soulstar: Hiya Thirza and Safari people :)

Beth Ghostraven: Hi Alia!

Prodyck Theas: Helloo

Alia Soulstar: Is that everyone or are there a few still coming ?

Thirza Ember: ok we are good to go, APPLAUSE! for Astraios colony