Halloween in Second Life is a huge thing, and there’s no escaping the haunting atmosphere that sweeps across the grid. Pumpkins, scarecrows, zombies, eerie cornfields, and skeletons seem to materialize everywhere you look, and as the weeks roll on, you might find yourself yearning for a change of scenery, perhaps even hoping for snow-covered landscapes and the early signs of the Christmas season.

But, since Halloween is not a thing where I live, I do enjoy dressing up and the parties in Second Life. If you are looking for cool (or scary) outfits and decorations, the Shop & Hop is the place to go. All vendors are also giving out presents, so even with a small budget it’s certainly worth exploring the many regions filled with shops!

Besides the Shop & Hop, Linden Lab announced two other Halloween-themed events for us! The Great 2023 Trick or Treat in Belliseria and an Official Halloween Video Contest.

The Trick and Treat in Belliseria (from the official forum post by Patch Linden):

This is an interactive event where residents living in Bellisseria can host Candy Buckets on their parcels and anyone (even residents not living in Bellisseria) can go all around Bellisseria Trick or Treating to collect candy. 

Only residents who own parcels in Bellisseria can host a candy bucket, but all residents can get a game HUD and go Trick or Treating.

Everyone who participates in Trick or Treating and collects at least one candy will receive a Spooky Cat Boopie! (decor version only) and a custom display shelving unit for any future Boopies you may collect!

The event starts on October 12, 2023, but Bellisserians should place out their candy bucket on their parcels well beforehand. You can find the vendors for getting your own Bellisseria Trick or Treat Candy Bucket and Bellisseria Trick or Treat HUD at the following locations:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Millbank/205/38/23
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Campwich%20Forest/118/101/24
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Randelsham%20Forest/150/112/70
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Muehlenbach/158/120/37

You can also find the prize vendors at these locations. Just click on a vendor and if you’ve collected enough candy you will get the relevant prizes!

As a proud owner of a ranch in Belliseria, I have decorated my front yard and put out the candy bucket for all the trick-or-treaters to enjoy!

Official 2023 Second Life Halloween Video Contest

Yesterday, Linden Lab sent out the invitation to all to participate in the Halloween Video Contest.

My first reaction was: YAY! I love to make short videos in Second Life, so why not? Plus the prizes are worthwhile, a chance to win LS 100,000!

Then disappointment struck when I read the article. The winner will not be chosen by a jury, but the video with the most likes on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok will win.

This essentially turns it into a popularity contest, and I’m not particularly fond of engaging in such competitions. The reality is, even if I were to create the most awesome video imaginable, I’d still stand little to no chance of winning.
I lack the following needed for widespread exposure and likes, and I’m not equipped with the networks (groups and friends) necessary to solicit people actively to like my video. Plus the idea of asking people for likes would leave me feeling rather disheartened.

So, I find it rather pointless to submit a video. Some might suggest I do it just for the fun of it, but honestly, that’s not working for me. It would most likely irritate me, and the experience wouldn’t bring me any sense of joy or fun.

I will keep making videos and publish them on my YouTube Channel though, and probably even some Halloween-themed ones. But I won’t enter this contest.

For those who do, I wish you fun and creativity! There is a lot to see and film when it comes to Halloween and of course, I will watch the videos!

Machinima tips for those new to video making in Second Life:

Read the Linden Lab Official Snapshot and Machinima Policy, because not every region owner allows you to film.

Second Life resident, author and movie director Huckleberry Hax has a great Guide to Making Machinima In SecondLife

Happy Halloween!