Kingdom of Pleasure (review)

Kingdom of Pleasure (review)
written by Maldoror Bowman

Kingdom of Pleasure is a capture sim strictly divided on gender lines. I've visited several times (as a pred) and there have always been plenty of players there and a good mix of pred and prey.

You arrive in a large and busy mall 1500m above the sim. Setup can be a bit confusing, and the instructions were evidently written in Italian and translated to English with some loss of clarity. The point that I took a while to grasp is that the weapons are in the meter: you attach the meter and select your weapon from a menu, and if, for example, you choose the bow then the meter 'morphs' into a quiver and the bow is rezzed an attaches to you. I'll say a bit more about the weapons later, but once you have learned the system I can see the attachment could become pretty straightforward.

Now you can tp down to the sim and start hunting. There's no requirement to roleplay any attack, a pred can simply single out a target and open fire. I have to admit that I took my prey with me - or to be quite honest she took me - the first time and so we were able to puzzle things out together.

The sim is laid out with the prey village surrounded with canals in one corner, a walled settlement and some open areas, including a large mountain with a valley running through it. The build is a little reminiscent of candy boxes in some parts but not obtrusively so. Floating above it is a castle.

Post-capture roleplay is encouraged and suitable equipment scattered around. There are rlv areas, but use of rlv is not required. Roleplay is such a personal thing, so dependent on the two players involved developing a theme that each enjoys, that I shan't try to make any generalizations about it.

Most importantly, a lot of people seem to have a lot of fun here. The guards are helpful and relaxed, I saw no disputes about rules, and newcomers are made welcome. I've enjoyed my visits and met some interesting players, but this wouldn't be my choice for a regular capture sim to play in. The game here is closer to combat and further from hunting than I like, though I have heard others make the opposite criticism of sims I like better. It's just a matter of choice.

One reason for this is that the layout of the sim does not favor evasive play by the prey. There are very few places to lose a pursuer: the castle would be ideal, but it is isolated from the rest of the sim on its rock; the villages have narrow passages and entrances but these are very often blind; and the terrain otherwise does not offer much by way of concealment.

On the other hand, prey receive as their free weapon a knife, which is not a lot of use because of its low range, but can also buy better weapons such as bows and also shields. Another benefit for prey is that there are a lot of safe areas, scattered all around the sim. As a result it's to the advantage of prey, and especially of prey who can afford top spec weapons, to fight rather than run.

The meter used is called the DM meter. I know a lot of players prefer the more familiar Gor meter, but personally, as I am not a particular devotee of Gor, I am happy to try an alternative. The Gor meter is in some ways over-featured for a simple capture game with its peculiar system of splash damage and multiple menus and choices. The DM meter seems to be robust and straightforward. It's a shame that it has no falling damage, as this encourages players to do strange and unrealistic things like leaping out of the castle into the middle of the sim. A feature I do like is that players emit a small sound to show when they are hit, much better than having to to keep an eye on floating text all the time (although the female hit sound sounds more as though the prey were being tickled than shot).

I think that the aspect that would most irritate me if I were to play here regularly would be the 'arms race'. Because the meter does not recognize most sl weapons, players are restricted to the use of weapons sold (I assume) by the makers of the meter itself. If you want to hunt prey with bows, you have to buy an even bigger bow, and then the prey can go and buy an even bigger bow still and so on. Because the weapon makers have a monopoly, weapons that are, to be blunt, pretty mediocre can be sold at prices beyond what one would pay for some of the best modeled weapons in second life. There is a system to allow players to buy weapons for experience points, but I had the impression that a great deal of time in sim would be required to get even a simple enhanced bow.

In summary: this is a lively and very active community in a well-organized sim enviably free of stress about rules. A good place for combat fans, less so for hunters.

After-note: After I finished this I received a note advertising a 'wild hunt' event in Kingdom of Pleasure. I assume this means that prey are allowed to hunt preds (normally they may only fight when attacked). During this time the safe areas are closed. I wasn't able to go along, but it sounded like fun.

Upcoming Events : Broom Tournement

The Island of Lost Dreams is holding a Broom Tourney on July 29th. Basically it involves beating other players in the tournament with a broom until there's only one person left standing on the field.



How it works.
Round one is women vs women.
Round two is man vs man.
Round three is the winners of the first two.

The winner gets to pick the weapon for next months tourney and theme for the monthly gala. So grab your broom and practice! this is gonna be good!

here's the slurl to get to the sim
http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Hearth/42/219/1501

Spotlight

So, spotlighting community members would be a lot easier if they're willing to volunteer information. So today's post is going to include a list of questions for anyone interested in having themselves spotlighted on the blog. Consider it you're own 15 minutes of SL fame.

SL Name:
Favorite clothing store:
Favorite accessory:
Favorite skin maker:
What kind of hair do you wear?:
Recommended song for running:
Who made your bow (if you use one):
What kind of AO do you use?:
Favorite quote:
Tell us about your character's background in the village:
Do you have a sl goal?

Mind you these are just recommended questions. You can  choose to answer them in full informative format. Or you are welcome to be as simply direct as possible. What I would like you to include though is a picture of your avatar to be posted with your profile. If at all possible, please include a style card like listing for what you're wearing in the image if at all possible (list of the name of the outfit and maker, hair and skin maker,shape etc.) because you never know who's going to get a look at you and be interested in more information about your look. (Or YOU ^_~)

This information can either be dropped as a nc in sl to Tiamet Resident or l0lafinzi Resident, or emailed to thesasspack (at) gmail (dot) com. (you should replace the words with the appropriate symbols ^_~) She'll make sure that the information is formatted and cued up to be presented to your waiting public.


Safe and happy runnings! ~ Tiamet~

The Ending of an Era

The news that the Village is closing is a huge shock to me. And it frightens me to think that something so wonderful is coming to an end. But the fact of the matter is that when it comes to SL nothing is forever. No matter what we want to think or believe. Every great thing eventually comes to an end.

With that in mind I'd like to ask you, our brethren, our sisters, to share your memories with us. We may not be able to stay, we can't pry open a clam that's closing for the last time. But we can reminisce and share our thoughts. Funny instances, or wonderful role play experiences, we're open to your input.

The only thing that I ask is that if you send us RP notes, check and make sure it's alright with the person that you were playing with. This makes sure that when and if the tid bit is posted, they aren't surprised to see their writing bared and exposed for others to see. I know it can be a bit shocking and embarrassing if it happens without warning.

If we could fight to keep the sim alive, I know that there are those that would bear arms to do so. There are some of us that only have our words to offer, they're the only weapons we have. Don't let this go unquestioned. Don't let it go without a response. We are here, we are listening, and we want to know what you have on your minds.

I'm terrified. I don't think I have anywhere in SL to consider home right now, the Village was the closest thing to a Home I had left. I've made the most amazing friends here, and I don't want to lose them.  We will figure out a way to stay in contact am sure, but this can't be the end. Things don't simply end without creating an opening for folk to escape into. I just don't see the enterance to that wonderful rabbit hole right now... this Alice has no Wonderland to go to.

Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. It may be a line from a Disney movie, but it exemplifies the feeling I've often felt while at the Village. So regardless where we end up, am sure we will remember the wonderful times that we've all shared. Thank you all so much, for some of the best times I've ever had in SL.

Waiting for a Miracle . ~Tiamet~



Camp rock 2 : the final jam - Can't Back Down

"We got a situation that we can't ignore
'Cause ignorance is not bliss
We know not to take this, no
With every big decision
comes an equally important share of the risk
We gotta take this on

We can't back down
There's too much at stake
This is serious
Don't walk away

We can't pretend
It's not happening
In our own backyard
Our own home plate

We've been called out
Do you hear your name?
I'm not confused
Let's win this thing

We can't back down
There's too much at stake
Don't walk away
Don't walk away"

ATTENTION ALL PREDS!

Are you brave enough, tough enough, and strong enough to hunt the hottest, horniest, and hardest female preys to hunt in sl? Then look no further than THE VILLAGE Slave Hunt!

Traverse the many wondrous hills, the most lavish forests, and the deepest valleys and, and I am talking about the remarkable lands of the THE VILLAGE fellas, and not the lovely and lustful beauty's, even if they might meet that description!

What could be better than this you ask? How about the chance to turn the tables? Are you brave enough, tough enough and strong enough, to let these same prey hunt you?
Take a trip on the wild side and let them capture you at the biweekly Open Hunt where preds can be prey and prey get to be a pred of our dreams!

When: Every other Friday (including this coming Friday)
Time: 6:30 pm slt to 6:30am slt

Came prepared to have more than your minds blown away!
Don't be timid, don't be shy, these prey are the sweetest pieces of pie!


Content written by Master Lando

The Predator Point

As a flip side to The Sass Pack, we're offering The Predator Point. It is a well known fact that second life seems to be filled with a lot more stores and items for female players. But that doesn't mean we should overlook the needs of any male readers. In fact we'd like to know what you're interested in reading about. WHy? Because if we know this we'll know how to research and collect information to offer you.

Also, we here at The Predator Point are looking for writers interested in contributing here at the blog. Whether you are a weapons collector, a fashionable male, or maybe even just a quirky writer, we're looking for you! We're currently accepting reviews on everything from weapons, fashions, pose balls, whatever you think the rest of us would be interested in hearing about.

Got any ideas or thoughts on the direction we should go? Please drop us a note and let us know. We're here to help you enjoy your Second Life, and the time you spend in The Village. So keeping that in mind, feel free to contact us with your input.