A Look at the Extreme Builder Talent Show

By Maki

AWGATE—Enter AWGate. Begin flying, push forward, and hold down control. Normally a desolate region of rolling hills and endless ocean, you’ll eventually find yourself outside the Great Wall and staring at dozens of peculiar floating platforms. No, AWGate hasn’t been invaded; this is the setting for the “Active Worlds Extreme Builder Talent Show.”

This AWI-administered build contest has brought forth an exceptional number of participants – nearly 80 – all with the common goal of creating some of the most interesting and innovative creations they’ve ever conceived. The contest’s long but descriptive title seems to have inspired a number of builders, especially those who wouldn’t normally push their building skills or even participate in an event such as this.

The contest’s long but descriptive title seems to have inspired a number of builders ...

I joined someone who invited me to see their contest submission. The build was filled with user-activated features and wild visual effects. It was as though the simple phrase “Extreme Builder” had inspired him to include as many unique and interesting aspects in his build as he possibly could. The nature of the floating platforms also prompted many builders to make the best use of vertical space as they could – building both above and below their platforms.

A nearby build caught my attention and I began floating around to the builds of other participants. As I began circling the outer edges of a world once used only for the purpose of greeting new users, with chat generally concentrated at the absolute ground zero, I noticed the social aspect of this contest shining through. The unusual clumping of build “plots” got fellow builders talking, whether they knew each other or not.

With accusations of “master builders” stealing the wins in past build contests, it’s certainly a positive surprise to see the excellent turnout Flagg and his helpers have brought to this contest.  What’s more, only a few participants did not make use of their plot.

If you aren’t participating you might not be very motivated to take a look at the great creations throughout AWGate. We recommend checking out at least a few of the builds. We've posted some of our favorites to the New Places beta gallery. You can see them on the Cover, or in the gallery at http://awnews.org/image/tid/2 if they're not visible on the Cover.

Open this page in your AW browser to easily hop around to the various entries: http://cosmictruth.net/teleportawgate.htm

Or, use this visual, clickable map: http://home.earthlink.net/~brookridgefarm/AW/Contest_Awgate.htm

And finally, don't forget to vote for your favorite build! Visit AWVote world to cast your vote and help choose the winners of the contest!