Note: This region has closed.
SS Enigmatic is a relatively new role-play venue within Second Life which also offers the opportunity for the adventurous to explore. It’s something of a post-apocalyptic scenario, set in the near future (2073) following the Earth being rendered uninhabitable as a result of a NEO (near-Earth object), too large to have been diverted from its orbital track, having impacted with the planet. Those who survived the extinction level event now live aboard a gigantic space station, the Enigmatic, occupying Lunar orbit.
Enigmatic was never designed to sustain such a large population of refugees over so long a period of time, and in the 30 years since the destruction of the Earth, and despite an operational presence on the surface of the Moon (the resources of which were used to construct the station), it is falling into disrepair – and perhaps its inhabitants are falling into anarchy. While the station has a command structure and attempts are being made to establish a greater presence on the surface of the Moon, many of the people living in the station are more concerned with entertaining themselves in the station’s clubs and gaming halls. Not that they are invulnerable to the general failings of the station.So much so that when injury occurs, it is often easier to simply replace the injured or damaged parts with cyborg replacements rather than using organic means and more familiar surgery.
A further reason for the station’s disrepair is due to the presence of an uncommunicative race of aliens. Where they came from is unknown, nor is their intent – although some feel they are a form of intergalactic scavenger. With their own mothership now a wreck on the Lunar surface, they have declared what amounts to war on the station and the human outposts on the Moon. In this, both sides seem evenly pitted, and neither has – so far – gained the upper hand.
The presence of the aliens has caused a rapid, if basic arming of the station, with equipment being pressed into use aboard ships and a handful of fighters being available to fight-off the incursion attempts by the aliens. Even so, being outside the station or away from defended areas on the surface of the Moon can invite attack. In retaliation, humans have attempted to enter the crippled alien mothership in the hope of stopping the aliens in their attempts to destroy the Enigmatic and surface installations – but the attempts have not ended well…
As a role-play / entertainment venue, SS Enigmatic is in its early days, which potentially makes this the ideal time to join-up and help get things moving, if role-play is your interest. The station itself is big, very big, and the lunar installations make an interesting visit. At the arrivals area, you can pick up a freebie space suit, weapon, combat HUD and assorted cards providing background on the role-play, the station and a lot more.
Photo Competition
As well as the role-play, the station has two clubs, a bowling alley and mall open to players and visitors alike. The organisers are also promoting an artist-in-residence exhibition, and to encourage further interest, a photograph competition. The rules for the latter are straightforward, as posted in the Enigmatic blog:
From now until Oct 7, 2012 the SS Enigmatic will be holding a photo contest. All images must be taken on the SS Enigmatic Sim. Images may or may not include avatars. A variety of styles of shots is encouraged, scenery, action, romance (keep it clean!) depicting life and the environment on the sim. The winner will be awarded L$5000 Linden dollars.
Please see more contest information and photo submission location at http://www.flickr.com/groups/ssenigmatic_photocontest/ , the contest rules page on this blog, or contact Sonrisa Seminario in world for more information.
Entrants should note that under the terms of competition, all entries become the property of the SS Enigmatic organisers, and may be used in promotional material related to the region (but will not be re-sold). Entrants retain the IP to their submissions and the right to use them as they wish.
Thoughts and Feedback
SS Enigmatic is an interesting idea that combines several facets designed to both encourage role-play and general exploration. Players are currently being sought and those interested should contact Sonrisa Seminario or Staryie Furyo (if interested in renting one of the residences or mall space). Available roles cover civilian and military positions on the station, although everyone starts as a civilian. There is even room for intrigue and espionage as alien sympathizers or spies. Players can be human or cyborg, and cyborg avatars are for sale in the arrivals area.
Exploring the station can be fun – although if I were to have one criticism at all, it is in the over-use of glow / full bright in areas of the station’s interior, which can easily white-out detail.
Combat with the alien ships can be frenetic, and I do recommend that when flying a fighter / engaging the alien ships, you consider turning off lighting & shadows, etc., as these can significantly slow viewer response down and make hitting targets a bit of a pain. All combat is unmetered, although a free HUD is supplied for those wishing to use it.
Overall, an interesting and fun place to visit – just make sure you wear a spacesuit when outside of the station and that you carry a weapon! For the former, I used my own outfit (Jackie Graves’ brilliant Gravity outfit), although airlocks appear keyed to the use of the supplied suits. The particle gun is recommended, as the aliens can be quite persistent in their attacks! Those looking for a new role-play / combat environment with a sci-fi theme should certainly give SS Enigmatic a look.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 
It seems this region is no longer with us…
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Updated, thank you for the note 🙂
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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