Linden Lab Launches "Combat 2.0", Red vs. Blue Team FPS Map in Second Life. Featuring Fiercely Fighting Furries. UPDATE: It's a Showcase of LSL Combat2 Now Rolling Out Across SL.

Update, 9/6: Just heard from Brett at Linden Lab: The combat sims are a showcase demonstration for a system upgrade: "This is our expanded/improved combat system that is rolling out on the grid. Here's a wiki page that discusses it in a bit more detail."

When Linden Lab posted this video about an hour ago, I first assumed the company was highlighting a user-made combat game in Second Life -- but no, it's very much a Linden operation:

Step into the action with Combat 2.0, where players join either the blue team at Concord or the red team at Lexington. Engage in dynamic PVE and PVP battles, perfect for beginners and veterans alike. Equip yourself with free weapons and experience thrilling, fast-paced combat in this ever-evolving combat destination owned and run by Linden Lab.

So that's surprising! I believe the Lindens haven't launched an official game in SL since its Pokemen Go-esque Tyrah & the Curse of the Magical Glytches game in 2017.  I just gave Combat 2.0 a shot, and it's fairly fun if  traditional team-based FPS.

Here's the official teleport links, which nudge you to create a new account:

• Join the blue team at Concord  
• Join the red team at Lexington  

If you're having trouble with those entry points, just click here to teleport directly into Concord.

Along with red vs. blue team combat, there's a free-for-all zone. Since I didn't enter through the official links, I might have missed a HUD to track scores and hitpoints (beyond the default damage meter) but I'll give it a proper play later.

I'm not seeing any background on the game from official Linden channels, so I'll ping them now. Kudos for launching a game that could draw in new users, though I am surprised they're going with FPS as the genre to grab gamers:

Despite some truly-impressive user-made combat systems, Second Life's streaming architecture is definitely not suited for high speed multiplayer combat. In fact, when I was at Linden Lab, we considered launching a sniper vs. sniper FPS, since that combat style would lend itself to slower, stealthier combat; another idea was combat on a low-gravity moon or space station, which would make the platform's lag part of the game. If anyone can figure this out, though, it'll be the furry commandos.

Anyway share your battle stories below!

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Comments

[JavaCrepeSuxAtModerating]

Cool machinima, but let's see some real gameplay. I'm not buying it.