Nalates' Things & Stuff

Myst-Uru Guilds IC and OOC Part-I

2009/04/27 by Nalates Urriah

KI Image Photo #8 — In Game Image Guild of Cartographers Public Hall

Update (2/2010): MOUL (Myst Online Uru Live) closed in 2008. It reopened in February 2010 as a free to play MMORPG named MOULagain. To play visit: Download MOULagain

Original Article: In recent posts on the MOUL forum the idea of ‘improving the guilds’ came up, again. In the forum there are great ideas and plans and not a few sour grapes from those having tried such changes in the past. But the basic understanding of Myst-Uru world guilds seems to be missing. To understand one viewpoint, mine, for why some of these efforts at change fail, read on.

Cyan’s creation of the guilds is spoken of often in the forums, as is their encouragement of the guilds. I think these statements often create confusion around the IC guilds (In Character or in Uru; In Cavern – both are a role playing concept) spoken of by IC characters and Cyan. Cyan has written about their plans for in-game guilds, which adds to the confusion. Plus, there are the historic guilds of the old D’ni culture adding more confusion. So, at least three types of guilds.

Second Life Dynamic Shadows

2009/04/24 by Nalates Urriah

Not long ago I wrote about Second Life and Dynamic Shadows. They are a feature planned for the ‘next’ viewer. Well… that got pushed back because the Lindens had sex on their minds… well getting sex out of the viewer… mmm… how about eliminating sex from the viewer? Whatever, the Adult content filter has displaced shadows.

A Second Life resident, KIRSTENLEE.CINQUETTI, was tired of waiting and decided to mix up her own viewer form Linden Lab’s open source code. SL Photographers have been using her viewer to take some nice images in-world. Now that viewer 1.23 is coming as Release Candidate she has baked a new version.

Myst-Uru: Crux Isle

2009/04/23 by Nalates Urriah

This is the semi-secret build that Jandai Writer and Taimaru Hak are working on with maybe a hand given by a few here and there that are sworn to secrecy. Its Jandai’s build. Originally code named Puzzle Island (I’m being dramatic) a few of us have been privileged to see it. We had to promise secrecy. Since Jandai put pictures on her blog and linked from the ECC (Explorers’ Community Chronically – SL Group Newsletter), I figure I can let that much out of the bag.

This is a Myst-Style build and game. You are not going to see any of the Myst/Uru ages (regions) in Crux Isle, at least as far as I know. You may see an artifact here and there that reminds you of something in Myst-Uru. This is all new puzzles and I think new story. We will have to wait until it opens to find out. But you can see pictures now on Jandai’s blog Coffee Break: Crux Isle and learn al little about the Isle.

Second Life Without SEX?

2009/04/22 by Nalates Urriah

Sex-Clubs_001 — Second Life Sex Club
(Large not office safe)

For many the seamy side of Second Life is a problem. For the many family oriented Myst-Uru players the presence of adult content has been a problem, making THERE a popular choice for many Uru Refugees. That is changing. The Linden’s have come up with a way to eliminate much of the adult content for those that so choose. Probably in June that choice will go away. Then one either age verifies or they are excluded from adult content. That blocking will be handled by a new viewer. In April and May that upgrade will be optional. In June it is planned the new viewer will be required.

A few weeks ago the news about Linden Labs creating a new Amsterdam Red Light district was all the rage in the blogs. Those hosting adult or violent content now have to deal with ‘zoning laws.’ Specific areas of SL are setup to host adult content. A new region designation of Adult has been added. While it is still confusing as to what will and won’t have to move we do know that ‘adult content’ meeting a rather nebulous definition will be removed from the general main land. Whoever it is, the moves are expected to be complete by the end of August.

A New Thing in Computer Logic

2009/04/20 by Nalates Urriah

Second Life’s College of Scripting, Music and Science is a handy in-world reference for the Linden Scripting Language (LSL) that allows browsing. It is also a great place to send new residents to learn about Second Life. Around the landing area they have instructions every new player needs. Inside their building they have the scripting language references. But they have added something really different in their recent update.

The college’s reference rooms are a quick answer place when I can’t remember an LSL command or how something is done. The information is displayed on small billboard type reference cards. They have been updating them. I found a wonderful but surprising addition in the logic section. There is a set of reference cards on … thinking … or may be ‘debate’ would be a better word choice.

Myst-Uru & Money

2009/04/16 by Nalates Urriah

Eder DUru Guild Hall Replica — Eder D'Uru Guild Hall Replica

Being an international game Myst-Uru has players from the world over. There is a mix of players from different countries with different philosphies about money. With the coming of Myst Online open source (MO:OS – acronym from an inside Uru joke) the fan community is looking at hosing the game in commercial servers and finding ways to pay for the bandwidth needed for game play. Many fans want the game for free or to cost just enough to cover expenses. How that funding saga plays out is likely to be a reflection of real world financial philosophies played out in a virtual world. Whichever philosophy is yours, the choices will likely decide the fate of Myst-Uru. Consider and take your stand.