step one: download blaxxun contactInstead of Playstation 2, Xbox or Gamecube, Second Nature World runs on Blaxxun Contact, a free plug-in for your computer. In nerdy technical terms, it's a VRML (virtual reality modeling language) browser. It will only take a couple of minutes to download and install the 1.5MB program. Click here to download the latest version.
*please note that second nature world only works on windows...unfortunately, mac vrml has not been developed enough to support all of second nature world's features (see macweb3d.org for more info). and most uva computer labs won't be able to download and install contact properly due to access restrictions, so just steal your slacker roommate's computer instead.
Explore. These worlds are freak-knockin' huge. Walk around and enjoy the virtual texture-mapped polygon scenery.
Talk. Each world has several Second Nature characters to talk to (with voices provided by University of Virginia students and faculty). If you're within a few steps of a character, they'll speak to you.
Find Stars. Just like the comic strip, there are hidden stars. Each world has three yellow stars and one platinum star. If you can click on all four stars in a given world, you can call yourself the "self-proclaimed starhunter king," which looks great on resumes.
Find Secrets. By clicking on certain things, you'll unlock secrets within the worlds. There's even an entire secret world out there somewhere. If something looks suspicious, try clicking it. Each world's secrets are listed on their instruction book page.
If you're just starting out, try single player mode first. The various keyboard and mouse controls will be listed to your right. Although you'll start off in a first-person perspective, you can also view your virtual self (avatar) by selecting "View My Avatar" from the options menu (right-click).
In multiplayer mode, you won't be alone...other players can join in; you'll see them and they'll see you. A sort of glorified chat room, multiplayer worlds allow you to talk with other users (and hear them Stephen-Hawking-style if you download the text/speech support). You can also customize your avatar to any of the Second Nature characters. So theoretically, if you and your friend both entered the Avalanche Mountain world, your Larry Sabato avatar could say "Boo-yah Grandma" to your friend's Squeak-Squeak avatar before smashing him or her over the head with Sabato's "hammer of justice" special move. Check out the instruction manual for everything about avatar customization.
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