For the purposes of this reply, I am just going to keep assuming LL is using the KVP instead of an external database. It makes the most sense.
The experience system is a disaster.
Really? Why? Everything seems to work fine for me and I really appreciate the things they keep adding to it, like EEP and forced sits.
Are experience components not stored in another database? Are they stuffed into the asshat farm along with everything else? I wonder that they don't store them in a sim's local database like they used to manage user logins and online status.
Experiences are more than just what is happening on a single region. The KVP has dedicated a dedicated server(s) for experiences to write and read to. Regarding the KVP - it can be accessed anywhere that allows it. It's no SQL, but as long as you design how your keys are set up, you can do many complex cool things.
I don't know, but I didn't really see anything about the Treat buckets or the HUD that would use Experience. You place the bucket, it does a date check to see if it's in the date range. You wear the HUD. Touch the bucket, it sends a message on a channel, the HUD incriment your HUD.
I suppose there would need to be something more complex to track if you had touched a particular bucket or not.
Off the top of my head:
- Keeping track of one bucket per account across dozens of regions.
- Keeping track of who clicked what.
- What happens if you lose your HUD? KVP keeps score across any HUD you equip.
- A single script memory is 64k, and I can see a lot of issues trying process and store hundreds of user buckets and UUIDs. Without an external source to store this information it wouldn't be possible.
- The KVP or database they're using is essential to the project for many reasons.
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Before I start on this, and before you pile on me -- just know that I am equally critical of LL as I am supportive of LL. So when I think they deserve praise like they do here, I'll say it.
I didn't have time to enjoy this because I was working on my own Experiences powered quest for The Wastelands (I hope to make a video about it later). But I read all about it, and watched their video about it. I think it was super nice for LL to make something for people to just enjoy around Halloween. The only requirement for living in Belli is if you wanted to rez a candy bucket. There were no requirements to participate, literally anyone could go from home to home to trick or treat. Newbies, oldbies, payment info on file, or free account; whatever it's a free fun thing. It encourages people to explore the continent, and more than likely run into each other and talk about SL things.
I think they could have done a better job with how the rewards are sent out, and I am sure they'll learn from this experience for future events. But even if you did play you STILL got something just for participating. Events like this are far more than just the reward, it's about community.
p.s. I've had my own resident hosted trick-or-treat system in The Wastelands for a few years now and people enjoy it.