MMA opportunities offered in SL

 

For those looking to enjoy a round or two of mixed martial arts without having to pay the costs of MMA tickets, a visit to one of the many fighting clubs in Second Life may be an option.

A search in-world on MMA garners about 20 returns, and RAGE Combat Academy is one such place. Visitors who teleport there will find a couple of rings, a cage, some punching bags and a couple of sofas. An office is nestled into a corner.

But visitors might also find a chilly reception there. Upon landing, no one greets visitors, and no one responds to questions asked. In fact, two different requests for interviews were completely ignored by management. However, one resident who asked that her name be withheld had a different experience.

“They told me to wait until after the event, [and] then they talked to me,” she said, though she added that she wasn’t provided with much information.

Those who try to find the information on their own may be out of luck. The walls are littered with posters and vendors, but none of them give out information on how the fighting works. Three posters invite residents to join the Rage group, but there are none that explains how to get started.

Visitors might get excited at the magazines on the table that link to the Rage website, only to be disappointment when they find little information there. In fact, the last post to the site seems to be in December.

One vendor on the wall is for the Combat Evolution system, which members use during fights. Those interested can buy the Sloppy Fighter demo HUD (L$1) for a sneak peek at how the system works.

The HUD features sloppy fighting animations, which will make the avatar look uncoordinated and restricted HUD features. In this purchase, there is no push, no SL damage, no sound options and no Combat Evolution off mode.

In addition, the included notecard states, “This HUD will do damage to people with other huds and will recieve damage. However no scores will be listed on the website for wins/looses in PvP fights, or suicides.”

The Combat Evolution system was designed by Abramelin Wolfe, who of course owns Abranimations. For that reason alone, buying the system might be worth it as Wolfe has created some pretty nifty animations.

Other packages in the system, which costs L$995, are packed with features. Fighters use the system by using keystrokes, which really begs the question: is this MMA fighting or video gaming?

According to Wikipedia, MMA is “a full-contact sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques and skills, from a mixture of martial arts, traditions and non-traditions, to be used in competitions.”

The explanation continues with “The rules allow the use of both striking and kicking as well as grappling techniques, both while standing and on the ground. Such competitions allow martial artists of different backgrounds to compete.”

MMA in Second Life doesn’t involve striking, kicking or grappling, merely quick fingers, a fast computer and a good internet connection. It does, however, provide something MMA doesn’t: the chance to live out a fantasy.

To learn more about the Combat Evolution system, visit www.combatevolution.com.