New Poll, Check it Out!
// October 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // News // News
Hey there, we’ve posted a new poll, located conveniently on the right sidebar. We would love it if you participated, and it’ll help all of us (yourself included) understand the Blue Mars community.
Thanks,
The Blue-News Team
Where Blue Mars is Coming From
// October 12th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // News // News
Beautiful Blue Mars
There are many people all over the internet that are predicting Blue Mars to be a complete and utter failure. Most of these people seem to think that they will be somehow excluded and that Blue Mars is going to be a “rich person’s game”. We, however, understand that these ideas aren’t true, and firmly believe that Blue Mars is here to stay, and that it’s going to be wildly popular. Why do we think this? It’s because of the people that it’s coming from and their track records in the gaming industry.
Here is a review of the management of Avatar Reality, the company bringing Blue Mars to us. Continue Reading
Showcase: Pixel Bunneh
// October 10th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Showcase // Showcase
A dress designed by Pixel Bunneh
Here’s some more evidence that people are already creating things for Blue Mars, and some evidence that these same people are helpful too! The helpful person we’re particularly referencing is Pixel Bunneh.
Why is Pixel Bunneh so helpful, you may ask? Well, she’s already created a couple of informative how-to’s over at her website.
These how-to’s should be especially interesting to those of you out there who are thinking about maybe putting some time into making things for Blue Mars, but aren’t quite sure about the processes. Though these tutorials need a little bit of prior knowledge, Pixel seems more than willing to address your particular questions about the procedures.
The two tutorials that she has so far are one for using the cloth editor and one for using the item editor.
We’re hoping that she expands on these and creates new how-to’s on other topics in the near future.
- Edit -
Here’s a related video by Corey Evans on using the cloth editor:
Blue Mars Cloth editor walkthrough from Corey Evans on Vimeo.
Under the Venezian Sea
// October 9th, 2009 // No Comments » // Updates // Updates
A Tale of Two Cities
We’ve heard word that there will be an underwater city of sorts coming to Venezia, and it looks like it’s taking shape already.
The submersed portion of the growing locale is very different from the topside. Whereas the buildings on land are very classical in design, the undersea quarter is very futuristic, almost alien.
U.S. Army Coming to Blue Mars?
// October 8th, 2009 // 7 Comments » // Rumors // Rumors
It’s looking like the United States Army could be coming to Blue Mars. They’re currently running a challenge to anyone who can develop a virtual world where the Army could train and collaborate. The only requirements for the submissions is that there be no modifications made to the client or server software, not something that is currently being worked on on behalf of the federal government, and that any world may be used as long as it’s free and open, and that you’re over 18 (unless you’ve obtained written permission from parents). Submissions must be entered no later than November 15, 2009. Continue Reading
Showcase: Skribe Forti
// October 8th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // Showcase // Showcase
Skribe Forti is already demonstrating his worth to the Blue Mars community. Being the creator of great tutorials for the all the new Blue Mars users out there, he’s also an accomplished machinimator and possesses a strong knack for editing video. While Blue Mars is still in beta and not fully developed, Skribe has already shown that he is eager and able to create timely, helpful content for the Blue Mars community.
We’re impressed with what he’s come up with at present, and can’t wait to see what he creates next! We’d love to see some videos on moving objects in world, purchasing objects, and other things that are coming in the very near future, as well as giving some hints and tips on creating machinima in Blue Mars.
The Future Economy of Blue Mars
// October 5th, 2009 // No Comments » // Rumors // Rumors
We’ve been seeing more and more hints around the internet that the costs associated with rental of land and sales in Blue Mars are going to follow a favorable path for all those involved. Though some tools for development cost in the thousands (3DS Max, Maya, etc…), there are alternatives that are relatively cheap and free. However, the topic of content creation tools is something for a more in-depth post.
Foundation of Blue Mars Questioned
// October 5th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // News // News
There’s been quite a stir in the forums over a post made over at the Pixels and Policy blog. The writer makes the claim that Blue Mars is being crafted to specifically cater to large corporations (think Coca Cola or American Apparel) based on their misinterpretations and knee-jerk reaction to the process Avatar Reality have set up for content creation.
While it could be said that this is true, they fail to take into consideration that sole individual are not barred from content creation (they hint at this being so) and even go so far as to put words in the mouths of those at Avatar Reality (“When asked more directly why individual creators had to fill out forms of intent and partner with the large corporate creators responsible for building the structures and shops of Blue Mars, my guide deferred.” Notice the bit about having to “partner with the large corporate creators”? This claim is unfounded.)
Showcase: Alpha Klata
// October 5th, 2009 // 6 Comments » // Showcase // Showcase
Some of Alpha Klata's Work
While we’re all waiting for Blue Mars to come out of beta, some people are anxious as to what things are going to be like once everything is open.
Judging from what some creators are already making in their sandboxes, we think everyone is going to be blown away when everything is all put together and open to the masses. One creator that has caught our eye is Alpha Klata. Continue Reading
Sneak Peek of Gridrock City
// October 4th, 2009 // No Comments » // Rumors // Rumors
Looks like the Gridrock team has been busy working on their upcoming city! Though it seems to be a very stormy atmosphere, The visuals are great, and it looks like it’s shaping up to be a very imaginative and expansive space (but what Blue Mars city isn’t expansive?). It’s looking good, Gridrock team, we can’t wait to explore!
For more information and a backstory, check them out at their official site.
Next Update a Major Update?
// October 4th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Rumors // Rumors
There have been hints from Blue Mars staff and others alike that a new update will be coming “later this month”. We saw a minor update back on the 25th that didn’t seem to remedy too many issues that we have been told repeatedly are being “worked on”, like chat bubbles, private messages, profiles, and the rollout of the official currency, the Blu. Though we have no official confirmation (Blue Mars staff are pretty tight lipped) it seems that things are leaning this way. We’re thinking the update will become available sometime next week, with some free cash for everyone who has an account right now(fingers crossed!).
Also, there are probably going to be a few new Cities to explore, as well as a host of new content for some much needed shopping sprees and apartments for early beta testers to snatch up. The demand for all of these things is very high, so lets hope Blue Mars doesn’t let us all down.
Party in the Shade
// October 4th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events // Events
Around 15 People at the Beginning
The meet and greet party in Shade City was a relative success, with a lot of people and a lot of talking going on. Most of the conversation was light at first, though it did get quite technical when more people showed up and things started to slow down. Lag was expected, and considering the amount of people and level of detail, we were thoroughly impressed. If something like this were to happen in Second Life, (which we are familiar with) the whole place would be more like a slideshow. We weren’t able to test frame rate ourselves, but even when there were over forty people things were still relatively smooth, whereas on this same computer Second Life slows to a crawl if there are just ten people in as small an area where there were over forty in Blue Mars. Continue Reading
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