Search for the Sy

In-Land Search for the Sy is one of the current exhibits at the IBM Exhibition Space in SL. It is among the most interesting and creative exhibits/builds I have seen in SL. It is beautiful. It is engaging. It challenges you. It is cohesive. The thought, effort, care and passion that went into this build are evident everywhere. As you can tell, I was totally blown away by the experience.

Search for the Sy is the creation of Alchemy Sims Build Group. The three original members are Annabelle Fanshaw, Vicki Brandeburg and Layton Destiny. I first heard of the exhibit at a talk in SL – I think it was one of the guests on Metanomics, but I am not sure. The speaker was talking about how he’d just experienced this incredible interactive learning sim. Another friend was at the talk and managed to get a link and information.

I headed over to the sim the other day to get some background pictures and some information so I could post about it, even before I’d started the game. When you arrive at the sym, you are given a notecard with the background information and explanations. I wanted to print the notecard in its entirety, but wasn’t sure that would be permissible. So I IM’d Annabelle Fanshaw and asked permission. She IM’d back very quickly, not only giving me permission but offering to give me a guided tour. (Wow. Look at that. Being polite pays off. *grin* Although my manager has always taught me that it is better to just do it and ask forgiveness after.) I was delighted at the idea and asked if I could bring a friend. I am NOT the most reliable of bloggers and I take mediocre photos and sometimes I don’t SEE all that is to be seen in SL. I was hoping that I could have Honour join us. Annabelle said “of course” and we arranged a time to meet. Annabelle took Honour and I through the sim, explaining the whats, whys, hows, and wheres. We agreed not to give away any secrets. *grin* Honour has already blogged on our experience and posted pics. So I urge you to go there and get more information. I am going to print the notecards and such that you get at the beginning.

The tour was fantastic. I confess to being delighted with the teleporters. I will definitely go back to do it again on my own, take my time, and experience the build. There are 3 different levels, each with its own atmosphere. You start by knowing very little of the Sy but end in immersion. There is a group you can join to get hints, support and exchange stories. One warning – damage IS enabled on the sim, so don’t be surprised. There are traps and misleading clues. If you have already DONE the search, know that the team is always adding new features to the build weekly in order to have surprises for return visitors. Definitely take some time and check this out. If you want to have a “sneak peek” at the sim, view the video.