New World Notes

State of the Av: The Virtual Future's So Bright, I Need to Wear Cybershades

Janine "Iris Ophelia" Hawkins' ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style

This month an item I'd been waiting ages to get finally came out. Even better, something I didn't even know I needed came out alongside it... Lucky me, the pair happen to coordinate perfectly together. I've mixed them in with some oldies-but-goodies for my SL avatar's current look, so here's the full breakdown:

Looking Forward to This Month's Collabor88? Here's Why You Should Be!

Iris Ophelia's ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style

The 8th might be my favorite date, because that's when Collabor88 throws open its doors for a new round of cleverly themed shopping every month. Collabor88 May will be open to the public this Wednesday, but many creators are already teasing what they'll have on offer for this round's Rain or Shine theme. Keep reading to see what's in store!

State of the Av: Kit Yourself Out in Spring Fashions from Collabor88 and Kawaii Fair

Iris Ophelia's ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style

It occurred to me that it's been a rather long time since Iris Ophelia has made a real appearance on NWN. Obviously I'm here and writing regularly, but the focus of that writing has broadened a lot, and doesn't include big beautiful shots of my SL avatar as often as it used to. But of course Iris is still around off-stage, and still dressed impeccably.

So to make sure the fashionistas in the audience are still getting their fix, today I'm presenting the state of my avatar. Hint: Her state is pretty damn kawaii, even more than usual. Keep reading for full details!

Fantasy Faire Opens This Weekend, But Draxtor Despres has Gorgeous Previews for You NOW!

Iris Ophelia's ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style

Fantasy Faire is one of the most successful annual Relay For Life events in Second Life, and it opens for business tomorrow. Every year this event is packed with everything from gorgeous medieval gowns to monstrous avatar accessories, making it a must-see for anyone with tastes beyond virtual jeans and t-shirts. If you're eager for an early look at the sims and the scenery behind the event, machinimagician (am I allowed to call him that?) Draxtor Despres has a couple videos well worth watching...

These Stunning Posters for Second Life's Fantasy Faire 2013 Are Exactly What Every SL Ad Should Be!

Iris Ophelia's ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style

If you're eager to check out the next big event in SL (or just interested in some fresh eye candy to brighten your morning) look no further than Fantasy Faire 2013 and the three awesome posters made by a team of SL artists to advertise it. Check out all the details after the cut!

Top 5 Talks I Would Attend at GDC 2013 (If I Was There Instead of Hamlet)

Iris Ophelia's ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style

If you hadn't guessed already based on my extra posts Hamlet's attending GDC, the Game Developers Conference, in San Francisco this week--and I am so incredibly jealous of him. The conference is being attended by flocks of people I respect and is packed to the gills with interesting panels and events, I'd be crazy if I didn't want to be there.

While I'm not sure what's on Hamlet's schedule, I know exactly what I'd be attending if I was there myself...

How to Promote SL Events on NWN -- E-Mail or Tweet Links With Images, Info, SLurls. (No SL Notecards PLEASE)

I get a lot of requests to cover events in Second Life on New World Notes, and I try to cover as many as I can, but there's several challenges that generally make me less likely to do so:

• Due to its server architecture, only a few dozen people can usually attend any single event at any given time, which makes them less relevant for a single, standalone NWN post.
• There's a lot of events in Second Life, so it takes a lot to convince me (or indeed, any other SL user) that a particular event is worth attending or mentioning.
• Many people send me info about the event via an SL notecard, which is extremely difficult and time-consuming to convert into a blog post.

That said, here's SL events I'm much more likely to feature on New World Notes and the social networks connected to it:

Iris Rants: My Simple Advice for SL Fundraiser Naysayers

 

Iris Ophelia's ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style

Together For Sway is one of the top shopping events in Second Life right now, with its wintery theme and a great personal cause, but there have been some negative voices among the crowd. If you're not familiar with the shopping event scene in Second Life that may be surprising news; after all, who could be against raising money to support someone in need? Sadly, for those of us who are used to the highs and lows of these kinds of events, this is nothing new.

While I support Together for Sway wholeheartedly, I have some straightforward advice for those who don't:

Decorate a Virtual Space on a Budget at LISP (NWN Readers' Choice, Top SL Brand)

  Iris Ophelia's ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style

• Brand name: LISP
• [SL Marketplace]
• [SLURL]
• Blog
• Estimated average item price: L$100
• Brand owner: Pandora Popstar

Pandora Popstar's brand LISP is a favorite among Second Life decor enthusiasts for its prices as well as its quirky and eccentric style. You can find furniture and all sorts of decorative tchotchkes there, often at ridiculously low prices (like the pages and pages of goodies under L$10 on the LISP Marketplace storefront). LISP frequently participates in Collabor88, and their latest item for this monthly event is an artist's easel with a stool, which I'm using in the picture above (full disclosure: the furniture in the background is not from LISP, it's just what's in my skybox.) As you sit your avatar slowly fills in the image on the canvas until it's finally finished, at which point the easel sends you the image as a texture to pop into the frame that comes with the set. There are a couple dozen paintable pictures included in this clever little gadget as well as multiple animations and texture options for the easel and the stool, so it's a great item to pick up if you like to just hang out and chill in SL from time to time.

LISP is also participating in Together for Sway alongside several other NWN Reader's Choice brands. This event is being held to benefit Sway Dench (herself a beloved decor designer in SL) who will be undergoing surgery to remove a tumor from her brain. Read more about this great community cause here, and check out Together for Sway in-world between December 15th and the 31st to pick up items from LISP and many other kindhearted designers!

SLers in the Bay Area: Next Saturday, Move Your Bootie at the DNA Lounge's "Second Life in Real Life" Mash-Up Party

"Bootie Second Life in Real Life" is coming back to San Francisco's famed DNA Lounge nightclub this coming Saturday (October 6), so if you're in the Bay Area this weekend, you should definitely pencil this into your calendar. As with the last couple years, the DNA will stream SL's Club Republik onto giant video screens around the real world dance floor. Keela Latte will be at the DNA acting as mixed reality DJ, but even if you can't make it to SF, you can see her in SL at Club Republik -- go here for more details. As I mentioned last August, the production is still working on the best way to display Second Life on giant screens, but whatever happens there, it should still be a fun night. Who knows, you may even see some real life Lindens and well-known SLers on the floor -- and get to dance with them!