I’ll be honest. I’m not a big fan of computer games (except for the mind-bending, puzzle-solving kind like Myst and Obduction). That’s why I am rather mystified by the whole esports craze. I don’t get the appeal of watching other people competitively playing videogames. But I can confirm that esports viewing is a bandwagon that Linden Lab wants to get on, and a growing market of which it wants to be a part.
Linden Lab recently teamed up with OpTic Gaming (a professional esports gaming organization) and Greenwall (OpTic’s fanbase) to create an esports viewing lounge, called Greenwall VR:
Explore the Greenwall VR experience from OpTic Gaming.
Stream matches, hang out with other fans, and play games while you wait – shuffleboard, throw pong, and more!
And, in order to promote the creation of even more Twitch, YouTube, and Vimeo livestream viewing lounges, Linden Lab has announced a new contest. The Sansar Lounge Contest runs until September 30th, and three prizes of 5,000 Sansar dollars (approximately US$50) plus an Oculus Rift VR headset with Touch controllers (estimated value US$399) will be awarded to the best Sansar lounge experience featuring streaming media in each of the following three categories:
On September 8th 1966, Gene Roddenberry launched a television phenomenon that would forever change the face of science fiction. Star Trek: The Original Series followed the 23rd-century, interstellar adventures of Captain James T. Kirk and his crew of the Federation Starship, Enterprise. 21 years after its first airing of The Original Series, Gene Roddenberry amazed audiences by re-launching the franchise with its most successful series to date: Star Trek: The Next Generation. Fifty years after its initial airing, the Star Trek franchise includes five live-action television shows, one animated series and thirteen feature-length films.
Linden Lab has a booth at the Star Trek convention, and they are giving people demos of this Sansar experience. In this picture, my avatar is standing in front of the Gene Roddenberry Action Figure Prototype display:
Roddenberry Nexus
There are many displays featuring items, such as communications devices and weapons, which you can pick up and inspect:
There is a comprehensive timeline display of Star Trek insignia, emblems, symbols, and seals, by Brad Wilder, creator of the Star Trek Design Project website:
When I first visited, the elevator wasn’t working (I’m sure it will be fixed soon). There are a second floor and a third floor with displays of costumes and storyboards from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. (I took these pictures by using the fly-cam mode; please click on each image to see it in a larger size):
Star Trek fans might be enjoying some gameplay sessions on Star Trek: Bridge Crew The Next Generation DLC at the moment, but those interested in learning about its history can do so in a new immersive way today. Sansar and Roddenberry Entertainment have collaborated on the Roddenberry Nexus, a portal into the Star Trek universe where fans can see the best of Roddenberry’s science fiction properties.
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The Roddenberry Nexus houses a treasure trove of Star Trek memorabilia, including never-before-seen art and artifacts from Star Trek’sfifty-two-year history and new stories such as the short film Instant.
Looking to further involve fans in the history and lore of the TV shows and films fans now have virtual access to its archives, from anywhere in the world whilst providing a hangout space that will serve as a venue for future Roddenberry events and fan meet-ups.
“Roddenberry Entertainment always strives to be on the forefront of innovation, going where no one has gone before,” said Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry, CEO of Roddenberry Entertainment in a statement. “Sansar Studios is a leader in VR development and we are proud to partner with them on this new initiative, combining the history and legacy of Roddenberry with their groundbreaking technology.”
If you’re a die-hard Trekkie, this exhibition is a must-see!
NOTE: You can install the Sansar software client, if you don’t already have it, at https://www.sansar.com/download. And then you can visit and explore this experience by searching for “Roddenberry Nexus” in the Sansar Atlas, or just by clicking this link: Roddenberry Nexus.
Today’s Pick of the Day is another entry in the Sansar Labyrinth contest. The Kandy Land Maze created by KaindyBrainz features a rotating elevator as your first challenge, and then it gets even more challenging as you face a succession of sliding rooms, and then row after row of maddening revolving doors!
I must confess that I never made it to the end of this maze, but it sure was fun trying! Perhaps you’ll have better luck than I did?
Hopswater Swallet was the talented content creator Nya Alchemi’s entry in the recently completed Sansar Labyrinth contest, and although it did not win a prize, it is still an outstanding achievement. You arrive at the mouth of a cave lit by glowing crystals:
Attached to the cave entrance is a parchment which reads:
Your goal is to make it all the way through to the end of the maze, avoiding traps along the way like rolling barrels. This particular maze was great fun to navigate!
Nya put a lot of hard work into designing this experience, and it really shows. Here’s a picture of the brewery, tucked away deep within the cave:
Pay a visit to Hopswater Swallet and see if you can make it all the way to the very end!
