Massively^™

Two weeks ago it became widespread knowledge that upper-constraints on Second Life prim creation size were relaxed or disabled during a recent update. Initially, it appeared to most people to be an intentional move in-line with previously stated plans that Linden Lab had for Megaprim-Liberation.

Unfortunately, it turned out that the change was the result of a bug, and didn't represent an intentional policy change, and the prim-creation constraints were reinstated in a subsequent server-update. Under better circumstances, it would have presented a relatively minor disappointment for the builder community. Accidents, after all, do happen.

Linden Lab however, did about the worst thing it could do with the situation. It remained silent in the face of all queries and discussion.

The finalization of the this week's Second Life server update Thursday morning reinstated the prim-creation size-constraints that prevent larger than normal prims (megaprims) from being created by users. Linden Lab officially confirmed today that it was a bug and not an intentional feature (While Andrew Linden had suggested this at his in-world office-hours earlier in the week, we've been repeatedly advised that statements by individual staff at such meetings do not necessarily constitute or reflect official policy or positions of Linden Lab).

Furthermore, Linden Lab confirmed that account sanctions still apply to users who are using megaprims in mainland simulators, though they are permitted for use in simulators within private estates, except where disallowed by the land covenants or owner.

It is not presently clear as to whether the disabling of the megaprim constraints are intentional or not. We've got some third-hand information that Andrew Linden said that the change was not an intentional one, but Linden Lab have remained silent on the topic, so we've got no official answer on the matter.

A rolling update is starting at 7:30PM SLT (US Pacific time) today (Tuesday 13 May), which is rumored to reinstate the constraints among other 'crucial security fixes'. If so, the next couple days could represent your last chance to fabricate custom megaprims for a while.

Over the course of the weekend, two patches have appeared to allow the creation of megaprims in 1.19 series Second Life viewers (Able Whitman), and 1.20 series viewers (Jacek Antonelli). This all predicates on Linden Lab continuing support for the creation of megaprims.

Nicholaz Beresford apparently has been working on another edition of both his Bleeding Edge and Eye-Candy releases. As a part of the patch-set, an option to create megaprims has been included, as well as increased-height building. Bleeding Edge has reached revision W, while Eye-Candy is at revision F.

At one of Linden Lab's recent Second Life server updates, it appears that they have disabled (or expanded) the constraints on prim sizes. As a part of the Havok-4 project, there was considerable discussion about bringing large prims back into the picture again, so we think this is an intentional change, rather than an accidental one.

Whether or not Second Life users were supposed to find out about this or not at this stage, they certainly have. Simple packet-injection gimmicks have spawned whole new packages of the so-called megaprims in the last 36 hours, many of which are freely available. Indeed, we've been sent lots of them.