LnN's First EVER Customs Are Here!

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Building our first ever fish-able customs took a long wait, and I am sure glad that I have breached the creative barrier. Deciding how to build our own versions turned out to be quite laborious. But with reference to some of the customs available to us in the fishing community, opting for the "cute and easy-to-build types" was the best choice to get us going.

The now classic Powerpuff Girls character inspired me to go anime-style. Builds from LnN are not for sale and will only be available to catch for FREE for a limited time only. (L-R) Bubbles Luvs Octi, Blossom Lures A Piranha, and Buttercup Nets A Clown make up the first batch.

A handful of creators behind some of the most popular customs have cemented their reputation as being one of the best custom builders around. It would indeed be quite a challenge to create something as interesting and innovative as the ones currently being offered to the community. Now that the level of expectations for custom building is high, bringing out variations at par with the accustomed standards would definitely have to be a work of art.


The gist so far: Vintage battleships and pirate ships are associated with Migizi North; Daemian Ember renowned for his preference for all-prim-customs, builds amazing modern battleships; Mialissa Masala for her limited edition fed jellies and crab cakes while fellow SugarRush entrepreneur Skinny Paine has popularised building block (aka lego) inspired-customs; Amara Twilight (with no relation to vampires whatsoever hehehe) is synonymous to exotic and sometimes erotic mermaids; Dragonfishes are Alice Xue's turf, Resisupo chipmunks are a mainstay in the Magic of Oz; and the list goes on with veteran builders like Rails Bailey (Van Deimen's Land-Shimano), Grey Nacht (iPala), Shelly Macci (The Pig and Whistle), Sindy Bracken (Original LOLRus and Neko Characters), Oasis, Aruba, Alien Isles, naniSL, katat0nik, Takeli-li among many others make up the ever growing roster of 7Seas celebrity builders.

The second batch of PPG customs: Buttercup Is A Tease, Bubbles Drops A Fishie, and Blossom's Bag of Fishies, adds a bit of emotion with poofer texture effects overhead.

Bug-eyed Cuties
Reviving the Powerpuff Girls (PPG) phenomena...

Going for anime-style made it easier for us to build customs and the PPGs were just the perfect models. The designs on our sets evolved to a more personalised/all-original version with Liz and I modeling our customs on ourselves.

Go bag yourself an SUR! LnN's Karaoke Queen and King and the Tulips For Two Lips customs will start a series of caricature versions featuring SL personalities.

Earlier versions were unorthodoxical by interpretation with customs depicting a bit of Britishness. The Good ole English Muffin (stylised in the form of a cupcake thanks to Alice Xue's craving for it) was the first to be crafted followed by the humble Fish n' Chips (with mayo). Variations of the two customs soon followed with the addition of the Scottish Haddock and Chips (with tartare sauce), the Naughty Fish n' Chips (Page3.com inspired - well it's a UK thing hahaha), the Blueberry Oz (Australian) Muffin; and of course a meal is never complete without something to help the food run down smoothly: NapsieCola (Coke inspired) with Lizzy-ade.

Nothing compares to traditional fish and chips freshly served at your local shop. Customs celebrating a bit of Britishness and the Commonwealth.

Let The Fishing Begin...
Exclusive to Lo Lo

You can catch these customs at the marvelous Lake Lo Lo, and many thanks to Caroline Apollo for giving these customs a home! Catch rates are currently 20-30% higher than the suggested percentage, which makes collecting a tad more pleasant. So enjoy the customs as much as we enjoyed crafting them for you!

Catnapped Neko shows the continuously evolving look of LnN customs.

The sets are also "housed" in an unannounced/undisclosed location, so don't be surprised if you do suddenly catch one out of the blue! I also carry a CPG with me whenever and wherever I fish, unless the area owners prohibits any form of squatting (hahaha).

We will try to bring out at least two sets (usually three customs in a set) each month, just keep an eye for any announcements. In the meantime, get those rods fully baited and let's all go fishing for more customs!

Fulda Gap: The Underground And Much More...

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The new Fulda underground can indeed be quite a challenge, especially for the novice explorer. With a vast network of corridors (with most leading to a dead end), finding your way around won't be easy! For those who are very familiar with the place may find it to be just the perfect spot for ambushes.

Being a lot bigger than last year's version (about treble in size), it features a labyrinth of illusions and traps. Troops who encounter it for the first time would enter uncharted territory. Well not if you have a detailed map of course! (sniggers) I am sure everyone would enjoy surveying every aspect of this fantastic new feature, and I'll bet my bottom linden on that.

First time in. Lizzy Mornington and N71 Aeon (En) explore the underground canals, and ended up discovering la chambre forte!

Fulda Gap's Side Quest
Solving the vault's combination...

First time together in combat this year, Lizzy and En had familiarised themselves with the canals, an added feature in Fulda Gap's constantly changing landscape. Not a lot of us are also aware that an underground vault exists, totally different from the bank vault located at the town centre. Both vaults have a digital (combination) lock for which any of us may try at cracking its code. It shows a series of patterns and numerical sequences which I'm sure must be arranged in order.

There may be a reason why Omega Concern have placed two vaults in Fulda Gap. Introducing a side quest (- quite popular in most console role play games) may indeed be a good way to past time, while a player waits for another to join the game.

There might be the need for a bit of IQ to help you decipher the code. Even the mathematically-inclined Liz was so challenged by it, she decided to give it a go. As we have tried it several times ourselves (in which we both were unsuccessful with), cracking the code wont be a walk in the park. It surely would be worth the effort as a very reliable source revealed that rewards "might" be given out to whoever unlocks any of the vaults first.

Interesting enough for you already? Then what the heck are you waiting for... XD

What's behind door number one? Dare to take the challenge? If you do find that little "needle hidden in the haystack", don't hesitate to proudly announce it in FG group chat! That would be awesome, and oh... don't forget to tell April too! hehehe

Testing The OCS Server
And how fast and smart it really is!...
... said as an "exclamation" and not a "question", just for the record!

With the new OCS viewer getting more and more popular within the OCS community (for being able to disable features that give players an unfair-advantage in combat), and the OCS HUD being the most sophisticated combat Heads Up Display available to date... one can't help but focus their next attention on the OCS server.

So we gave it a go! (ahem... but of course with permission!)
The only remaining disadvantage we can get from an opponent who wishes nothing more but to cheat you off for your points, is the use of Radar HUDs. Yep we have heaps of them in Second Life, from the most cheap but straight-forward ones to the most virtually-tech advance types. April did firmly specify that the use of such devices in Fulda Gap is not tolerated. A number of players have been banned for flaunting that rule, and it would be a shame if any of us would be joining the dunce list. (... and not the dean's list hahaha...)

Just because no formal announcement has been made of anyone actually getting banned doesn't mean that it hasn't already happened? Well you would be surprised! OCS folks are just pros in handling situations like these. They'd rather keep it between themselves and the parties involved to avoid further embarrassment... like I've said, they are professionals, believe me I know. /me sticks his tongue out

"Ignorance of the law excuses no-one"

It does not mean that the absence of a sign board stating the rules would allow us to be FREE to do as we wish. Even in real life combat, all troops must abide by the articles of war and with it are the rules of engagement. The same goes in Fulda as with any other combat simulators in Second Life. Basically, it boils down to conscience, common sense and good karma.

For those who aren't aware that the "basics" can be found in the official Omega Concern website: click here

It pays to be a "soldado honorável" when people would get to know you as an officer and a gentleman (not that you would end up looking exactly like a young Richard Gere... /me laughs), even if you are in a virtual environment. Nothing feels greater than earning the respect and friendship of a fellow player, don't you agree?

How did the test go?
Amazing!... as it was almost instantly that April was able to pinpoint and identify exactly when and what type of scripts were being used, which still leaves her a bit of more time to observe you in amusement (hahaha). Like I have said, the Gods of Olympus are "always" watching (online and offline, the servers never sleeps lol)... and with a Smart OCS Server working in our favour, how else could things go wrong?

Oh and a friendly reminder (something I am sure most of us already know by now), Radar HUDs and Sim Scanners launch probes in the air (for radars to do their scanning work), and in which the server also quickly picks up. Need I say more? You know what I'm talking about... winks hehehe

It is good to always have a combat-buddy with you at all times. Watching each others back promotes camaraderie, and helps us build more bridges that we would build walls.

Still haven't found the underground yet?
Alright, in the picture above: one of us is facing one entrance, and the other is standing a few clicks to its left. Another hint would be that one of them (entrances) is actually seen in the picture! Come on give it a try! You will surely feel proud once you have found it, honest! winks

Too Much Military Police
Where is all the fun?...

I have been told by some players that there may be too much policing in Fulda, compared to any other combat sims in Second Life. I beg to differ as one who has tried other venues in the past. Protocols have recently been introduced into Fulda Gap to help ensure that the game stays within the fair-play boundaries, as what a true role play sim should be.

As common knowledge would tell us: Only crooks or people who know they have done something wrong, would run at the sight of authorities. If you know you've done nothing wrong, then why fret? Unless you really have got something to hide. loud laughter

It simply is just amusing (if I may borrow April's words for a moment lol) to see some players who teleport out of the sim the moment April or any of the Game Managers (GMs) show up at Fulda. I mean, don't you think that would be the perfect time to show off your panache and impress the top honchos? Come on, convince yourself that they are just there to watch. hehehe, oh man I am soooo bad.. really! hahaha

With a lot of players getting "murdered" (even with the protection from a row of houses) stiff measures had to be introduced in Fulda, amid unfair combat practices from snipers who shoot through walls at the opposite side of the sim. No where near being plausible and realistic, isn't it?

There is always an underlying reason (and lessons even) why Omega Concern have to put their foot down on the matter. I have to admit, Fulda Gap had been in a bit of a muddle during the last quarter of 2008. Hungry "points/level-driven" players who would rather breach the barrier of "acceptable behaviour" than play fair in combat have prompted the GMs to bring up these policies, dramatically changing the way OCS combat should be played in the estate. The measures were absolutely necessary to inject new blood in the game, as veteran players have been put-off by the inconsideration brought about by these young bloods (or alts in my opinion hahaha).

The absence of policing have resulted in some combat sims closing down due to griefing, harassment and vandalism by some of its players. While some venues are inferior in ensuring a spontaneous and cheat-free game, others end up being nothing more but a Half-Life spin-off in SL. Though in fairness, I still have yet to try the new Keirman of the Brazilian OCS group. We just might have another OCS haven in the making here. smiles


Pushing The Envelope Further
... batteries not included...

The people behind Fulda Gap have laboured tirelessly to bring to its patrons a role play that is nothing short of being plausible and convincing. With all that has been accomplished so far, more improvements are still being carried out, as I have mentioned of more surprises awaiting the loyal OCS disciple (Judas Iscariot included haha).

Who doesn't have night vision at this age of 21st century warfare? For the sake of realism, we just might be having one of these added to the OCS armory... among many other things!

The mention of night vision being possible in Fulda Gap and the ongoing improvements to add weather factors affecting the way we play is simply incredible! Think: fog, rain or even snow!... anything is possible right? (ugh, just the mention of snow gave me a headache, having had too much of it in the past week in RL hahaha).

The idea of including weather would make combat exciting and a bit more arduous.

Well of course these are all still "beta" and are currently being tested by the GMs, with the exception for the night vision which might be released soon! And I was hoping that the night vision would come in "x-ray" vision as well. Do I have to tell you why? hahaha... /me waves at his Lizzy-babes! Who luvs ya babe?

Fulda Gap: The Rescue

EUFOR RECALL: The Sequel

An American UH-60 Black Hawk chopper flies above the cold North Atlantic ocean. On board is a EUFOR officer keen on returning to Fulda, twelve (12) days after EUFOR's massive pull-out from Eichenzell (amid a KV virus outbreak). The chartered American chopper took off at RAF Lakenheath, a former US Air Force facility in the United Kingdom which reopened recently in support for American troops in the NATO-led military action in Germany.

Braving the North Atlantic skies, EUFOR troops back on a special mission to Fulda.

It has been over a week since the last time EUFOR Central Command (ECC) had made contact with officer En Aeon, back when the bombings in Eichenzell began. First time since Operation: The Only Solution which forced the evacuation of troops (based in Heaney Air Force Base) out of Fulda, a previous order to send non-European personnel back to their home country has been revoked. All troops are to re-establish military presence in the German city to counter reports of an increased number of people moving in and around Eichenzell in the dead of night.

EUFOR Central Command (ECC) suspects N.E.B. (New Eastern Bloc) taking advantage of a signed truce, to establish their position in taking over the desserted German town. A directive to block all human traffic around Eichenzell is to be enforced ASAP. Unaware to the ECC of the horrors (resulting from the KV Virus outbreak) that would greet its forces.


12th of January, 2009: 0730 hrs
Saving EUFOR Troop En Aeon...

The sound of a chopper hovering nearby aroused the troop from an inconvenient slumber as he struggles to gain consciousness. He feels his feet are soaked in water but does not seem to know the reason why. Dazed with his eyes tightly shut, he attempts to make sense on what was going on around him.



"I hear thunder... it's getting louder... (grunts) I'm wet! Has it rained down on me?... who put out the lights?" (moans)


Taking off his gas-mask, exposing his face to the morning sun: "It's getting warm, I can feel it on my face... is it the sun?... Have I fallen asleep?!..."



"Arghh! the light!... it blinds!..." Still confused and seemingly exhausted, he rests his head on damp soil. "Where am I?... Where is this place?... Am I dead? I can't be dead!... I just can't die... not now... not yet..."



"Who's there?... Who are you?..." He sees a faint silhouette of a person, and tries to reach for his rifle in which he struggles.

"Anybody out there?... Arghh! my eyes... too bright... help!..." He hardly recalls what exactly had happened before, but his instincts tell him he must survive.

He gets flashbacks and the last thing he now remembers was being chased down by creatures in the dark. "Stop right there!... Befördern Sie nicht… mich sagte Anschlag!... Please stop... or I'll... I'll... unghhh"

Standing next to him is a familiar face he thought he would never see again. Lizzy Mornington came back to rescue her man. Her instincts convinced her to jump ship when the AWACS that would take her back to Australia went for a logistical stop-over at the RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England. Intuition made her believe that something was not right, and that she must find her way back to Fulda immediately.

While putting together a plan to rescue En, a new memorandum from EUFOR Command Central (ECC) was released, authorizing the re-deployment of EUFOR troops back to Fulda. It would be in response to a suspected N.E.B. (New Eastern Bloc) troop build-up in Eichenzell.

This would be the moment Lizzy was waiting for: a free-ticket back to no-man's-land.

An angel of the morning. Just in the nick of time, Lizzy saves En from untimely death who was severely suffering from hypothermia, dehydration and starvation.

The last time she and En were together was at the infirmary, before her sudden departure back to Australia. Her heart sank at the poorly sight of her man, beaten down by nature.

Like a scene from the La Pieta, Lizzy cradles a semi-conscious En as troops drop down from a UH-60 Black Hawk chopper: part of a redeployment effort of EUFOR troops to Fulda.

"Everything is going to be alright hun... it's all going to be okay..." Lizzy tries to comfort and reassure En as she cautiously look in the woods that surround them, aware of the abomination that may be lurking in the shadows.


10th of January, 2009: 1910 hrs
More than 48 hours EARLIER...

... as gunfire proved to be unsuccessful in holding back the advancing mutants, En leaps instinctively off a bridge behind the patrol outpost. It was the only way out as he was being swamped by a multitude of these ghastly creatures.

He screams as he came crashing down the cold seawater, as howls and growls echo above him. The water breaks his fall as he scrambles himself to safety, disturbing a herd of deer in the process. He struggles to keep himself afloat with all the attached military gear dragging him down the deep water.

A close call. En leaps off a bridge before an overwhelming crowd of mutants, bent on ravaging the lone EUFOR soldier.

10th of January, 2009: 1925 hrs
In an inlet just outside Eichenzell...

Shocked and exhausted, En swims safely to shore. The company of wildlife seems to give him a sense of security, as the calmness of these wild animals would mean the absence of savages in the area. Nature starts to take over as the bitter-cold breeze smother him... he feels very tired... dazed and ostensibly confused.

Tired and exhausted, En could barely move or more so react at the curious nipping of marine life, least notice the presence of a prying wild fox.

With dawn taking over the night sky, a full moon still beaming above him... he lays motionless... staring blindly into space. He feels very cold, shivering not because of fright or fear but of hypothermia that seems to blister the warmth away from his very core... he now feels very-very tired.



"Must not sleep... must stay awake... cold... bitter cold..." he mutters to himself as random thoughts besets him.



"Lizzy... you there?... Where are you?... Why did you leave me?", a feeling of abandonment takes over this once brave soldier as anger, frustration and even despair conquers him. Disoriented, he seems to blame everybody for what has happened to him... he blames God... he blames himself.



"What the bloody hell are you looking at!...", swearing at the sight of a taunting full moon. "Leave me alone... just leave me alone... leave me... alone... " he whispers as he sinks into sloom.

"Hey babes, you there?... Lizzy... Lizzy... please... come and help... me... save me..."

OCS Viewer Update: Icing On The Cake

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As mentioned in my previous blog, an update for the official OCS viewer is due to be out soon. Surprisingly, the update was released much sooner than expected! Yes folks, the much anticipated "patch" is here! Say bye-bye-bye to your "psychic" opponents who always seem to know exactly where you are! chuckles.

Some players have found a way around the absence of the radar-like "mini-map" by using the "main-map" as an alternative. Though not as convenient as having a permanent "beacon" on the corner of your screen, the main map can be quite useful as if having a "satellite navigator" at hand. Having to pause for a while for some location-hints have proven to be as effective as having the actual mini-map on. But as we will all know by now, those days are definitely OVER!

A ghost town? No troops? Not quite! The new OCS viewer disables the built-in-map's radar system, showing only an aerial topographical shot of the sim.

Say goodbye to all those psychic "playahs" (laughter) who seem to have the supernatural powers to shadow your every move hehehe. No more wall shooters... no more "x-ray visions"... and to those who love having immortality HUDs and shields, radars and bootleg OCS gear, no more room for you in the new Fulda Gap. Virtual combat has never been this fair... this exciting and this awesome as ever before.

As I attempt to be one of those psychics in FG (off-the game of course: chuckles), I foresee a day when more and more players would be encouraged to go head-to-head with top OCS gamers in Fulda Gap. Then again you need not be a psychic to know that. hehehe

My hat's off to all the Omega Concern people behind this remarkable OCS viewer!

A Secret Playground

Has any of you discovered that secret location in Fulda Gap yet? Just when you thought that everything we see in the new FG are the only things we would have to be contented with, here comes another interesting feature. Truly, there is actually a lot more in Fulda than meets the pixel eye! But getting there isn't as easy as you think, as a lot of that "thinking-out-of-the-box" may have to apply here: sentido común.

Okay! okay here are some tips for those unaware of this secret garden of delights (but they would have to be in a riddle):

a. The sun will shine and i hope you won't mind, me saying "Here's Johnny" on a street not aligned...

b. Rub that magic lamp and wish one song for me, singing "A whole new world" to a claustrophobic place to be...

Keep your eyes peeled. This labyrinth is an ambush haven. You'll never know what awaits around a corner.

Indeed it is a whole (or should I say a "hole" hahaha) new world as it would not be easy chasing (or be chased by) an opponent in a network of narrow tunnels, in which to the inexperience combatant may just end up a dead-end. I have seen a lot of pockets for ambushes, making this maze a perfect venue for CQC or Close Quarters Combat.

I am already hearing a lot of us here saying: "Where in the world have I placed that bloody crowbar?" hahaha

A dose of the Dual Sig Sauer P229 Handgun might just be helpful in tight situations like these as well. Time to test these babies! woot! woot!

I have also been hearing about a "vault" somewhere in Fulda, which I still have to find out for myself! Something with a secret combination was also being talked about within the OCS-FG community. Now that adds more excitement to the game's role play, don't you think? What exactly is inside it? More questions.. more riddles!


What The Heck Is A Laser Designator?

Ever wonder what that Laser Designator (LD) in our Sig-556 actually does? In my first few days in Fulda, I was able to try this motha-for-all-seasons feature in our ever-so-reliable Sig 556. I called it the "Hail Mary" as it activates a barrage of artillery from the sky. It lasts a good ten seconds (or even more), capable of eliminating a group of bogeys in the field with just one shot (yep, the holy grail!). It still should be active in Fulda though theoretically, a certain object (albeit also in a certain angle and time) must be specifically targeted. The stuff that involves a lot of "jargon-mathematics".

Eeeeep... x2 + y3 multiplied by z2 divided by the square root of 0.765 multiplied by the distance of 56 meters equals.... oh ugh my head hurts.... hahaha

However, it is also possible to try it out on a public sand-box which does not have a "no-push" restriction. Just make sure there is no sign that prohibits the use of any weapons. You will definitely be left in awe with this spectacular feature... totally a sub-freezing level in the coolness gadget meter! Promise!

Three heads are better than two! Pushing the stakes higher as the Sig-556 plays a vital role in supporting teamwork on the battlefield, with the pilot, gunner and designator coordinating each others' actions.

There is another reason why we have LDs featured in our Sigs. Think of the AH-Apache Longbow's APKWS Rockets... Ever wondered why they aren't laser activated from the chopper like its killer-Hellfire counterpart? That is where the Sig-556 LD steps in! OCS is pushing teamwork in FG further by encouraging coordination between team-mates situated in the air to the ones down below. Another step forward in eliminating individualism among players in Fulda.

A scene of things to come! Ground troops guiding the AH-64D Apache Longbow for bogeys. Communication and coordination will be a major factor in winning against opposing forces.

But before we go jumping off our seats, ripping our shirts off and flexing those biceps (well the ladies can stop after the ripping of shirts and forget the biceps... we'll be fine with that hahaha) giving out a loud "grrrrrrrr haarrrrrrr"... bare in mind that these things are currently in the works and are still being tested by our friends at the Omega Concern. Believe me they have heaps and truckloads lined up for all the zealous OCS maniacs like me! hahaha...


STOP! Hummer Time!
da-da-da-dum... ta-dum... di-dum... should touch this!

While the vehicle production of big name companies around the world has been hit by recession, The Omega Concern is optimistic that the pending release of a new DOZOR/HUMMER ( High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle aka HMMWV or Humvee) would just beat that! A leaked photo by insiders (shhh don't tell April!) have seen the manufacture of an improved and updated version of the military vehicle. Rumour of another version installed with a top mounted .50 caliber machine gun is also in the works. Looks like the good times are about to roll in Fulda Gap!

I want one! ... or four for that matter! Just another amazing installment for us OCS kids! 2009 looks bright after all!

Well folks, that is just the tip of the iceberg as I have been told that there are a lot more surprises waiting for us in the couple of months (if not weeks) to come. Finally, no more reason to whine about cheats and all the good reasons for Olympus to have a break from baby-sitting us kids.

Don't you just love a happy ending?