Recently opened to the public is Tranquil Bear Winter Resort, a homestead region designed by Alex Luciano (AlexandraSadie). Given the time of year, it’s another snow-themed region, in which Alex invites visitors to enjoy horseback riding and ice skating along with walks along the trail that winds its way around the region.
Visitors arrive at a gazebo on the west side of the region, the main track commencing at its foot to offer a route around the island, running east to turn south and then back west, concluding at an open-air stone fireplace and seating area. Along the way, it passes under a step of rock on which sits a large wood-built lodge, and encloses a large frozen pond occupying the region’s centre.
The ice skating referred to in the About Land description can be enjoyed on the pond. There’s a couple of skate givers on the south side of the pond, one alongside the coffee wagon beside the track, and the second on the ice itself. The skating animations are a little basic, so if you have your own skates with animations, these might be a preferable choice.
Horse riding is available to those who have wearable horses, the trails offering one possible path to follow, although the region has plenty of space out under the trees to make further wanderings possible.
Up on its vantage point, reached by stone steps cut into the rock, the lodge offers warmth and places to sit for those who might find the outdoor setting a little too cold. It also includes the café also referred to in the About Land description.
A walk from here leads up to ruins on a hilltop, offering a view across the woodland of the region. The route up to ruin passes over a high rocky arch, beneath which a spur of the track points the way to where some of the region’s outdoor seating. More seating can be found alongside the frozen pond, offering the chance to watch any skaters on the ice. Those wanting something a little more romantic can enjoy a cuddle on a horse-drawn sleigh.
The track running around the landscape could perhaps benefit from a little experimental re-texturing to see if it could be better blended with the snow on the ground, as it does tend to stand out a little, but other than this, Tranquil Bear Winter Resort makes for a photogenic visit.
Those taking photos might like to share them via the region’s Flickr group. Those needing rezzing rights for props can join the region’s group (via the joiner close to the landing point gazebo). But do please clear away anything you put out once done.
Surrounded by mountains, this is a simple region design that offers a natural setting that can easily be enjoyed without putting a heavy load on a computer even with the constant snow falling across the region.
Serene Footman and Jade Koltai specialise in designing regions based on real locations around the world. Each of them has always been popular among visitors and bloggers, perhaps none more so than Isle of May, which opened its doors in May 2018 for a month before closing once more.
As someone who certainly appreciated the original version of Isle of May, I was delighted to learn – by way of the ever-vigilant Shakespeare – that Isle of May re-opened on November 23rd, 2018, albeit it in a new location.
When we closed the Isle of May in June we promised ourselves that we would try designing a winter version later on in the year to see how it turned out. Having worked on the sim for a couple of weeks, we rather like it.
– Serene Footman, discussing the return of Isle of May
The actual Isle of May is located on the north side of the outer Firth of Forth. It’s a small island – less than 2 kilometres long and under half a kilometre wide – sitting 8 km off the Scottish coast. It forms a rugged finger-like uplift of basalt, home to over 285 bird species, including puffins, kittiwake, guillemots, razorbills, shags and fulmars. It is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage as a National Nature Reserve, and from October through Easter, is a home for seal pups.
The name of the island is subject to some dispute, but it is thought to be either of Old Norse origin, meaning “island of seagulls”, or from the Gaelic Magh meaning a “plain”. It is uninhabited outside of its wildlife, but open to day trippers between March / April through until October, and makes for and intriguing place to re-create.
What we were hoping to create is something wild and untamed: less desolate and abandoned than Khodovarikha, or even Furillen, but still a place where you’d feel the wind and snow hurting your face, and the cold gnawing away at your insides. We imagined a roaring sea, with north-easterly gales blasting onto isolated beaches.
– Serene Footman, discussing the return of Isle of May
Jade and Serene have certainly succeeded in creating a winter’s scene, and one that is not uncommon to the rugged Scottish coastline. Those familiar with the original Isle of May from earlier in 2018 will also recognise this design, which retains the core look and layout of the original – hardly surprising, given it is based on a real location. However, there are some subtle changes as well they go beyond the weather.
For example, this design appears to offer a broader path down to the beach from the landing point, while the greenhouse that once sat on those shingles has been moved a north-side beach, reached by a similar twisting path down from the island’s plateau. This northern beach runs around the north-west coast, to the east offering a walk between the greenhouse and an A-frame cabin, while to west it offers a way to a lonely stone cottage.
Such abodes are in keeping with the look and feel of many of the Scottish isles, and while Isle of May may not have permanent human residents, it has a long history of occupation that encompasses both the Vikings and the site of one of the earliest Christian churches in Scotland. So the cottage isn’t that out-of-place, while the religious history is reflected this time not only by ancient ruins, but also the presence of a small chapel on the north-east headland. Another path switchbacks down from this headland, providing access to one of my favourite Second Life house designs: the Skye Luxury Forest Cabin, by Alex Bader. Facing this across the southern bay is the peninsula mindful of the real Isle of May’s Rona headland.
This build also expands on the rich diversity of Isle of May’s wildlife. As well as the birds, the region includes otters, goats and wild rabbits, together with orca and dolphin out in the waters. The latter might be hard to see through the snow, but all are fully in keeping with the real island’s creatures. A couple of liberties have been taken, however, as Serene notes:
As always with Serene and Jade’s design, the region is rounded-out by a superb sound scape, one that should not be missed during a visit, as great care has been taken to incorporate he sounds of the actual wildlife found on the island (as well as mixing in the plaintive cries of both orca and wolves).
Rounded-out by off-sim islands, and a now moving fishing boat, the new Isle of May is a masterpiece of design – but I would add a small comment of my own: it is a very busy region, both in terms of visitors during this, its opening week, and as a result of things like the heavy snow falling. As such, it can take a toll on systems when visiting – so do be patient, and if you’re used to running with shadows enabled, you might want to turn them off except when taking photos – which can be shared through the region’s Flickr group.
In September, I wrote about Frog Hollow, a parcel designed by Stella Mahogany. Since then, Stella has moved on, and now offers a Homestead region for people to visit and enjoy. Called Winter’s Hollow, it is, as the About Land description notes:
Welcome to the winter version of ‘Frog Hollow’ Please enjoy your stay, take photos, ice skate or sit a while in the coffee shop but please pick up your items when you are done. Private residences are out-of-bounds.
Given the title, it should come as no surprise that this is a snowy, winter’s setting. As the description notes, there are some private residences on the region, but on the whole, it is open to exploration, and offers places for photography, but it is perhaps a little low on places to simply sit and cuddle and enjoy passing the time.
Which is not to say it is unpleasant – quite the reverse. Skating, dancing and sledging can be enjoyed, and the region does offer a highly picturesque setting, particularly as rezzing is open to props, etc.
The coffee shop mentioned in the description sits in the north-west. Seating is available inside and out, although the latter has largely been claimed by the local squirrels. A road lies close by, running along the north side and down the west, each branch leading the way to one of the private residences on the region – so do take care approaching them.
The western road also turns to run along the south side of the region a short distance, ending alongside a cabin. However, it was not clear at the time of my visit whether or not this is also private or public.
The promised ice skating can be found inland, a little to the north of the region’s centre – just look for the penguins having a little fun. Couples wishing to enjoy something a little less strenuous, a pavilion on the south side of the region offers dancing. Cuddle spots can be found in the form of a couple of old cable cars, long since removed from their lines. One offers sheltered views back across the region, while the second sits just off the loop of one of the roads, a place where a couple can be watched as they let their young son play on the local swings.
Winter’s Hollow makes for a pleasant visit, one where care has been taken not to overload the scene with too much scenery, an important factor given the use of mesh snow. Nevertheless and as mentioned, the opportunities for photography can be found throughout.
In July 2015, I wrote at length about Pfaffenthal 1867, a 5-region role-play environment and historical project accurately recreating the City of Luxembourg, circa 1867, and founded by Second Life resident Hauptmann Weydert (Weydert), also known as Pit Vinandy in the physical world.
At the time of my 2015 article, Weydert / Pit and his team were very much focused on the immersive opportunities presented by their environment. Thanks to the fledging work Linden Lab carried out in trying to bring Oculus Rift compatibility to Second Life, Pfaffenthal 1867 was at that time featured as an exhibit hosted by the Luxembourg City History Museum, which gave visitors the opportunity to visit and explore the virtual recreation of Luxembourg using the Oculus Rift or via desktop.
In this, the exhibition was part of a broader outreach by the group, with Pit also hosting workshops on virtual environments involving the general public and schools, in association with the Fortress Museum in Luxembourg and the Luxembourg National Museum of History and Art.
I mention all of this because at the start of November, 2018, I dropped into a new experience in Sansar. Called simply 1867, it is the work of Pit and his team, working under the VR Creative banner, presenting both the next step in Pfaffenthal 1867’s development and an opportunity to renew and further the work in presenting immersive, educational historical recreations to the public.
It’s an ambitious project – possibly the most ambitious experience yet attempted on Sansar. The aim is to make full use of Sansar’s massive 4km on a side virtual space and offer a fully immersive historical environment for both social and educational use, with high-resolution topographical maps being used to build-out the experience in stages.
Despite being in the early stages of development – many of the buildings that have been placed are little more than blocks awaiting surface detail (or complete replacement) – 1867 is already being promoted to the people of Luxembourg.
Since the start of November, for example, the project has been the focus of a series of weekday sessions at the Forum Geesseknäppchen, a campus occupied by a number of academic institutions in Luxembourg City. As reported by one of the city’s daily newspapers, the Lëtzebuerger Journal, the sessions are intended to encourage local interest in, and potential involvement with, the project, and will continue through until December 14th, 2018.
“We clearly see this as a collaborative project that is about to gradually create this world of 1867,” Vinandy emphasises. Therefore, he expects a strong participation as soon as the project is publicly available. In addition, he hopes for a lively participation of home owners and companies who want to see their part of the city represented.
In this, 1867 doesn’t sound that different from the public outreach undertaken with Pfaffenthal 1867, however, the opportunity to present richer, more immersive educational opportunities as well as a social VR experience is very much the driving force behind the Sansar development, again as the Lëtzebuerger Journal notes:
Vinandy sees particular interest for students, students and historians who can fully immerse themselves in the past “For example, we want to specifically invite teaching staff to take their school classes on a journey through time,” he says.
– Virtual Time Travel, Lëtzebuerger Journal, November 2nd, 2018
In order to focus on the project – and as revealed by Jo Yardley in a tweet while I was working on an earlier draft of this article (one pending an opportunity to chat directly with Pit about both 1867 in Sansar and the wider work of VR Creative) – Pfaffenthal 1867 is to be shut down in its entirety from Monday, November 26th, 2018.
This news has been greeted with some surprise, given that Sansar itself has yet to gain lot of capabilities needed for it to become a more rounded immersive experience – such as richly interactive non-player characters or working forms of transport such as trains, horses that can be ridden and boats, all of which would certainly enrich a setting like 1867. However, these will come in time, and it is going to take time to properly build-out 1867. As such, I doubt the lack of such capabilities or the lack of period clothing are really issues for the project’s development – although the lack of them could initially discourage Second Life users who have engaged in Pfaffenthal 1867 from dipping more than a toe into Sansar and 1867.
What might be of greater concern is how well such a vast setting loads at the client end as it starts to be fleshed-out to the level of detail found in Pfaffenthal 1867 in Second Life. With some quite modest experiences in Sansar already being quite hefty in download size and load time, something on the scale of 4km on a side could prove to be a significant challenge unless Linden Lab have some clever means of more pro-active steaming and loading / caching still to come.
But, time will tell on that. In the meantime, if you have enjoyed previous visits to Pfaffenthal 1867 and would like to say farewell before it vanishes, can do so between now and Monday, November 26th, 2018. For those in the Second Life 1867 group, and who missed the in-world announcement, there will be a farewell party on Saturday, November 24th, starting at 10:00 SLT, at Café Neuen.
I’ll also hopefully have more on the 1867 project in Sansar as the work progresses, including the outcome of that conversation with Pit.
Cherished is the latest region design from Arol Lightfoot that opened recently to visitors. A homestead region, it differs from the current trend towards wintertime themes and opts to stay with autumn, as Arol loves that time of the year – and I can’t say I blame her.
This is – as would be the case given Arol is responsible for its design – a fabulous region, uncluttered by an off-sim surround and offering plenty to see and enjoy as your travel through it. A visit begins out on the east side, on a headland sitting between a small bay and a narrow channel of water that cuts deep inland. A single cabin sits here, connected to a the rest of the region by an ageing, low-slung bridge running over a rocky finger.
A track points west from the bridge, leading the way to where the ground rises to a rocky bluff, bracketed on one side by the water channel and on the other by a path that leads either up to the top of the bluff or down to where another track continues inland. The bluff, with a second bridge running between it and a rocky hill on the far side of the channel offers the perfect vantage point from which to observe the rest of the island.
To the west stands a large house, the only genuine abode to be found on the island. Calling it a farmhouse, however, would perhaps be misleading; while there is a barn close by and a traditional American-style windmill, the house itself seems too big and grand to be a working home. Rather, it has the feeling of being a coastal getaway home, one complete with swimming pool – albeit drained and partially covered ready for the eventual arrival of winter, and a luggage-laden (if humble) VW Beetle parked outside.
Cows are grazing outside of the barn, while horses shelter within it – together with a couple of turkeys – but not even the presence of a tractor close by can leave visitors with a feeling this is all part of a working farm; so perhaps the horse are purely from the riding pleasure of those using the house, and the barn is under the care of the landowner who otherwise rents the property out.
The main body of water extending inland turns south close to the house, running before the barn and facing it across another track, before turning east once more to end in a narrow, reed-lined pool from which morning mist slowly rises. This southern and western extent of the island is a rough grassland and rolling humps of grey rock, standing like a frozen tide caught in time as it rolled over the landscape. Tall trees grow throughout, presenting plenty of discrete spots where deer roam and people can camp out in peace.
To the north, the land beyond the little headland and its landing point is gently rugged, but more denuded of trees. A low ridge angling away from the rocky bluff here offers a good place to appreciate the lighthouse sitting on is own rocky spur, as it is framed against the early morning Sun.
What might be a fisherman’s dock sits between the arms of the headland the lighthouse spur, and testimony of the dangerous nature of the waters here can be found in the wreck of a fishing boat lying close to the lighthouse rocks.
Throughout the region are places for individuals and couples to sit and appreciate the setting, while the trails offer plenty and very clever, given the way they tend to naturally connect to one another, opportunities for exploration. Similarly, the gentle sound scape included with the region offer a very subtle added depth to the setting, further encouraging time to be spent within it.
Unsurprisingly, this is a highly photogenic region, one in which photography is actively encouraged, as Arol notes in the About Land description, “If you take photos and want to share please add them to the Flickr group. I would love to see them!”
For those not quite ready to face exploring all the winter themed regions popping up over the grid, or who need a break from the snow and ice, Cherished is likely to make for an ideal visit. Appreciation for Arol’s work can also be shown by “feeding” the Labrador inside the cabin at the landing point. My thanks to Shakespeare for the landmark!
It is with a good deal of delight that I received an invite from Milly Sharple to visit her winter themed Let It Snow!, which has once again returned to Second Life for the holiday season.
With the exception of 2017, Let It Snow! has been something of a winter tradition in Second Life for the last few years, so I’d been looking forward to visiting the latest iteration ever since Milly hinted she might try for it this year. So as soon as the invite came in, Caitlyn and I donned our winter woolies and set out to explore.
What I’ve always loved about Milly’s wintertime designs is both the natural simplicity with which they are designed, blending little scenes with open spaces and trails to explore, and the way she create little vignettes across her regions. When coupled with the opportunities for people to simply enjoy one another’s company, Let It Snow! has always offered something for everyone – and 2018 is no exception.
Another aspect of her winter regions I love is the use of certain elements that act as motifs linking each new design with its progenitors, helping to give a feeling of continuity down the years between designs. And so is the case with this iteration, be it with the great crystal greenhouse that harks directly back to 2016, or the cottages and Harleywan Haggwood’s charming snow kids that encompass 2015 and 2016.
Which is not to say Let It Snow! 2018 is in any way a re-run of previous builds; far from it. It is unique in is design in and of itself, from the Elven house that forms the landing point and which gives the region a little slant towards fantasy. At the end of a rutted, snow-filled track lies a little village square, home to Santa’s cottage. Close by, DJ Cat is waiting to entertain those wishing to dance (he’ll also accept tips towards the region’s upkeep!), while the snow kids can be found at play.
Dancing is very much part of the theme here, with heart-shaped dance machines scattered throughout the region (you may have to cam in close to some due to the snow), including inside the crystal greenhouse, which also offers the opportunity of romantic dining.
Elsewhere across the region lie various places to sit and enjoy close companionship, be it a gazebo out among the trees, a bench suspended from the bough of a tree at the side of a path, a horse-drawn sleigh or an underground grotto (you’ll have to find that for yourself!).
As the region is caught under a steady snowfall that can at times obscure the star field of the surrounding skydome, it’s worth taking the time to experiment with environment settings when photographing Let It Snow! – as I’ve done with a couple of the images here, opting to use one of Stevie Davros’ sky settings (you can read about those here).
Let It Snow! is, as always, a delight to visit: just be sure to take your time to let things load should you drop in when it has a significant number of visitors.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 