At this point in time, there are 13 SLMC groups. Of those 13, there are three that remain inactive unless provoked really badly. There is also one combat group, T'Koi, that fluctuates between inactive and active. Of the nine remaining, there has been a decree.
One military group Corpus Private Contractors, or CPC as it is commonly known, has demanded a blockade of one of the major groups, named Coercion. The reason for this blockade is because Coercion's leader (who will remain anonymous) has banned a CPC member, from Coercion's sim, for aiding a copybotter who stole Coercion's armor.
CPC has already employed the help of its former enemy, Kkamagwi Paramilitary Corporation, known as KPC, and another military, known as 2142. However, many militaries are standing against the triad, as a blockade is the last thing the community needs now. Groups like Ordo Malleus who could have cared less, are actually taking a stand and demanding that this childish behavior be stopped.
In other news, T'Koi is slowly dying. It is highly evident as even a member of high ranking has left the group, to seek more opportunities. However, after said member left, T'Koi's commander was less than thrilled to know that the member joined Coercion, and has issued a threat to Coercion. T'Koi's commander has threatened to shut down Coercion's server, which will most likely result in that player's arrest, and incarceration in real life.
Still more news to report as well. Other members from other groups have also started to leave their groups, for other reasons. From incompetent leaders, to an escalation of cheap tactics. The reasons may be different, but the outcome is the same, they want out.
And still more news. KPC has issued a decree that they are shutting down. However, as they decreed that, many of their members rose up and took control of the group. Meaning KPC's leadership simply changed hands. Is the group on their last leg? Or will they grow larger? Only time will tell. That is the news of the SLMC as it stands right now.
The events in the WW2 RP area have gone on, and not just the fighting. The leading officer of the combined German groups recently retired, having to leave Second Life, after a long period of service. But new faces came in, such as Sky Pydeau whom made ace status faster than previous pilots. There was recently a fencing match, of whom the Imperial Japanese Naval forces had someone playing for a friend whom couldn’t make the match. And there was the ball in which a cease-fire was declared and members of both sides were invited to attend. Once it was over, the skirmishes and battles resumed.
Most times when I stop by the New Bastognesim in the WW2 RP area, it is firmly in the hands of the German teams. Occasionally there may be some Allied in Fallout to the south. A few about are often left alone, but if someone’s eager for a match or if a large number arrives, the results usually a fight, with planes, tanks, and numbers of infantry shooting, shelling, and bombing. Usually these matches are resolved within an hour or two, usually.
On Monday October 12, yours truly logged onto Second Life to hear there was a particularly lengthy brawl going on. It had been going on for hours, and neither side was giving in. I ported over for a closer look. The Allies had taken up defensive positions in Fallout, but an anti-aircraft gun was making it tough for the JG-2 “Richthofens” air group. Indeed that anti-aircraft gun was just near-indestructible. There was a little chuckling from a few of the opposition that this was an “anti-camping gun,” a new model that was brought onto the field before testing was complete. But after a while, they agreed to make it easier to beat, and the scripts were changed for lower hitpoints.
And with that, the Richthofen skunkgirl whom has been getting a reputation for being a topnotch bomber, went up in a Junkers Ju88 medium bomber to deal with that and other ground targets. Unfortunately, she was soon met by a Spitfire, which kept after her tail. Taking evasive action she was able to avoid much damage, while a Me109F4 flew up from the air base, caught up to them, lined up the Spitfire in his sights and open fire. The Spitfire turned and a dogfight ensued, but the Me109 was able to turn tighter and “lead” the Spitfire into his line of fire. Eventually, the Spitfire took too much damage and took a dive, leaving a smoking trail.
After a few minutes, Another Spitfire came south across the Channel. It and the Me109 engaged each other in another dogfight. This one lasted longer than the first, and the German plane was damaged a little. But as before, the Me109 was able to outmanuver the Spitfire enough to finally shoot it down, and send it plumeting into a hedgerow. Another victory for the Richthofens.
Looking around after that, I noticed a number of personnel at a bridge connecting Fallout to New Bastogne. To my surprise, it was the officers of the Allied teams sitting on the rail and breaking out the fishing poles. I was then IMed that a cease-fire had been declared, and the Germans were to leave the Allies alone as they fished. With the fight over, I didn’t stick around muhch longer. The pilot of the Me109 joked that his opponent wasn’t the first man to get in trouble for fixating on a girl’s rear end.
I later chatted with DuarteKoray, whom had spent some time earlier in the battle. He couldn’t remember much, “I participate in many missions, difficult to remember all. (grin) ... I just remember the time I went by plane, I took down three aircraft, returned to base, and then afterwards, ... I think I went fishing.” With a truce declared, he had gone to fish with the American and British teams.
Both teams duking it out for hours on end, and then declaring a halt to the fighting and sitting down to fish. Some fishermen might consider this a perfect ending to a pitched match.
Vickster Kuhn is the Commander of the Luftwaffe group in the World War 2 RP area . Besides leading JG 2, the “Richthofens,” she has titles in several other groups, and her profile states she’s considered an ace in five flight groups on the Grid. Recently, she agreed to an interview with Second Life Newspaper.
Vickster Kuhn: Have a seat. This is one of the hangars I keep in Second Life. This one is dedicated to the Richthofen Squadron.
Bixyl Shuftan: Thank you. So Vickster, when did you first come across flying in Second Life?
Vickster Kuhn: Well I (first) flew helicopters, because I couldn't handle planes. But I had a good friend. She was into WW2. She had these great planes, and I wanted to do it too. So I started hanging around Wilders. I joined the RCAF and started flying regularly. Tthat was more than two years ago.
Bixyl Shuftan: When did you first hear of the RP at New Bastogne?
Vickster Kuhn: Well, I own New Bastogne.
Bixyl Shuftan: Oops, excuse me. How did the World War Two Roleplay get started?
Vickster Kuhn: Well it started a long time ago, at least a long time ago in Second Life (laugh). It all really started in a sim called Sanctuary. It’s gone now. But they made this sim for Vice combat, WW2. Mostly flying. That is where most of the WW2 sims we have now were inspired. It was sort of the first inception of the Bastogne project, where we tried to integrate Vice combat and RP.
Vice combat was unique in SL because you can mix personal combat and vehicular combat with different weapons and everything. Before Vice no systems did that. Now there are several, but that's another story (laughter). VICE will ever be part of the history of SL combat, especially for aviation. But the best part is the mixture of ground and air elements.
Bixyl Shuftan: the bombs and anti-aircraft guns?
Vickster Kuhn: Sure, and personal weapons, tanks, ships, everything.
Bixyl Shuftan: when did the Bastogne project begin?
Vickster Kuhn: About Bastogne (smile), After Sanctuary closed, as sims do, they made a partnership with the Flying Tigers, that’s the SL group, and opened two sims, Legends of WW2 and Fallout. Later they opened a third sim, called Bastogne. All three for WW2 Vice combat and RP. Saffron Giano owned Fallout and Bastogne and G of the Flying Tigers owned Legends. That was what I like to call the golden age of WWII RP in Second Life.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like there was quite a bit of activity.
Vickster Kuhn: There was so much activity i still have a hard time processing it all in my own mind. I really came of age as an aviator in those days, and leaned how to organize. I was the Axis coordinator of Bastogne. And I successfully repelled the D-Day invasion of Normandy, which is one of my proudest moments in SL.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like you made a number of kills that day.
Vickster Kuhn: Actually, I was in charge of the air defense, but I planned the defense of the beach to the letter, with the leaders of the ground forces, and it was planning that won the day. But it's ancient history now.
Bixyl Shuftan: What are some more recent accomplishments?
Vickster Kuhn: I’ve been very lucky in Second Life. My area of interest is combat aviation with an emphasis on WWII, and I have had a pretty successful career. I'm lucky to enjoy a good reputation as a flyer. And I ave extended this with my squadron JG 2 'Richthofen.' But my fame really comes from my career as a Flying Tiger. I’m not saying I’m famous, but a lot of people do seem to know me.
Bixyl Shuftan: Any future plans for the RP?
Vickster Kuhn: We are experimenting with a new combat system. For my sim we want to add more RP opportunities for civilians and medical people, and support people, and make more engaging contests. RP is the part that is the most wide open, because you can roleplay anything.
In real-life, I'm an office girl. In Second Life, I'm one of the most feared pilots (around). (laughter) You can see why I'm an SL junky. Bastogne is my gift to my friends. I missed old Bastogne so much. We had air and ground. And when it closed it was so terrible, that is why I did New Bastogne. It’s not like the old sime. My helpers and I redid it completely. We keep changing things. You have to in Second Life.
And we have had many hard times. Not just in Bastogne but in Second Life. People like us who make sims, it’s hard, because it takes a lot of people. Anybody can open a sim. But people like G, they are my inspiration. Not just land, but people and groups. We don't get many chances like this to play in Second Life. And they are fewer than they were in the old days. It's hard to coordinate and the least thing can ruin it.
Bixyl Shuftan: I heard something about membership in the RP climbing back to over 400.
Vickster Kuhn: We have a strong base group that's nearly two years old. That was the base group of old Bastogne.
Bixyl Shuftan: Anything else that you'd like to mention?
Vickster Kuhn: I would like to say that I have two loves in Second Life: the Flying Tigers and The Richtofen Squadron. And that I plan to have Bastogne for a very long time. And that I thank all my fellow WW2 RPers for all the great times and memories. (smile)
And with that, the interview was over. Before leaving, she did tell me of a Youtube she had done for the group. Having seen it, it makes for a fitting close.
In other news, T'Koi is slowly dying. It is highly evident as even a member of high ranking has left the group, to seek more opportunities. However, after said member left, T'Koi's commander was less than thrilled to know that the member joined Coercion, and has issued a threat to Coercion. T'Koi's commander has threatened to shut down Coercion's server, which will most likely result in that player's arrest, and incarceration in real life.
