By DULCIE MILLS
Photos by DULCIE MILLS and VERDE OTAARED
Machinima by CLARK ABISMO

Sim-Seeing is a Features column that reviews places to go that may be of interest to librarians, educators and those in related fields. For June, our Sim-Seeing reporters travel to the ancient sim of King’s Rezzable to explore the virtual tut tomb.

Imagine landing on a huge compass from where you can ride a hot air balloon for an aerial view of the map of Egypt or, alternately, teleport via an Eye of Horus symbol to explore four locations: a tomb with ancient paintings rendered from original research; a special gallery of artefacts realistic enough to make you feel as if you are viewing them in a museum ; a cosmic journey that is artistically amazing; and an Armana shopping area boasting a digital alchemy boutique with ostriches presiding over the golden-framed goods.  Along the way, audio compliments your travels which start at the excavation site, a rendition of Howard Carter’s camp.  This is what you will do when you embark on the adventure at the special preview of King Tut Virtual at King’s Rezzable.

The result of more than a year’s work, the special preview of King Tut Virtual at King’s Rezzable, so called because the team of creators, Rezzable of SL Greenies fame, is still making changes based on visitor feedback since it opened to the public at the end of April.  According to RightasRain Rimbaud, a member of Rezzable, “We are still developing the area, but wanted to share this work-in-progress so we opened this preview. It really helps to have feedback and watch how people flow across the areas. You can only do so much one your own (our build team is about 10 people btw). So this is a good point to show stuff and tap into the energy from people that really enjoy seeing this on the grid.”  A few things Rimbaud said that are definitely in the works for Tut Virtual are guided tours and lectures from leading archeologists.  “We think of the areas as venues and they will host many interesting events,” he explained.

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Rimbaud said that Rezzable has been building entertainment-oriented areas in SL for two years and that the Tut Virtual preview was born from a new focus of the company on heritage content.  See http:/heritage-key.com.  The tomb is laid out almost exactly as it was discovered by Carter in real life allowing for just a bit of extra room for SL camera viewing and maneuverability in the tight space. There are audio icons throughout the exhibit that replicate the experience of a narrated tour. “We made some audio to add an information layer to the areas,” Rimbaud said.  “We are developing a more narrative approach to telling the stories about the discovery, the history, the people involved so most likely you will have story threads to grab as you wander the sims in future.”

Regarding the artefacts displayed in the gallery showcases, Rimbaud considers them “the greatest prims ever made in SL. They are spectacularly detailed and very realistic.” Sandro Vanini, a world renowned archeology photographer, created the artefacts from his original photographs. Rimbaud said that, after Vanini’s work on the artefacts, Rezzable “begged” their “guru and hero” Light Waves to make the sculptie prims.  This is technically very challenging work both in terms of being able to make them outside of SL and then having the patience to get them inside SL,” Rimbaud explained. “In fact, I doubt anyone else can do it.”

Sifriya Devin, a SL resident with an interest in Egyptology, said of her experience viewing the exhibit, “I simply loved the arrival point with the aerial view of Egypt, and being able to walk in the Valley of the Kings to the various tombs was very unique and a treat for those of us who will never get to visit the real thing! Probably the other amazing element was the representation of the afterlife which included some of their favorite personal items that had been included in their burial selections, all floating around in a colorful cosmic display.”

King Tut Virtual

Articles on King Tut Virtual: 
http://rezzable.com/vwdirectory/king-tut-virtual-special-preview
http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2009/04/tuts-tomb-opens.html
http://rezzable.com/blog/rightasrain-rimbaud/rar-interviewed-paisley-beeb-about-king-tut-project

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