Scripting Features

Second Life's interactive objects rely on LSL—a basic scripting language largely unchanged since 2003. This limits creators’ ability to build advanced, dynamic experiences. By introducing Lua, a powerful and widely adopted language, we can modernize scripting and unlock new creative possibilities. Broadens Second Life’s creator base to more easily include developers from Lua-heavy platforms (e.g., Roblox, Garry's Mod). Reinvigorates existing creators who’ve struggled with LSL’s limitations. Enables advanced features like mobile-focused development kits and robust 3D content manipulation (e.g., GLTF). Objectives New Audiences : Attract creators from popular Lua-based UGC platforms. Easier Scripting : Leverage Lua’s built-in features, large support community, and ample learning resources. Re-Engage Creators : Provide a smooth transition from LSL with bridging functionality, encouraging return visits. Advanced Features : Introduce long-requested language improvements (e.g., map-types, index operators). Richer Experiences : Allow for more complex, dynamic scripts to increase retention and drive engagement. Reduced Technical Debt : Replace LSL's difficult-to-maintain system with a modern, flexible alternative. Education Opportunities : Offer a full-featured language that helps new programmers build real-world skills. Links Lua FAQ - Read this if you have questions about "Why Lua?"

Add the ability to receive input from game controllers such as joysticks, Xbox controllers, etc. This will allow the creation ofhHelicopters and planes that use analog input from console controllers, attachments that control drones, arcade games, cranes, machinima puppetry, etc. This new feature will be implemented by adding a LSL event game_control(...) which script authors can use to capture and respond to input from users. For further details, see https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Game_control

Currently, we have no way to rotate the avatar. This function would rotate the owner of the script on the Z-axis and would work as an attachment. With this, we can rotate the avatar to the surface normal of a wall, table, or other avatars without the need to use RLV functions that manipulate the camera or having to sit and unsit the avatar. This would allow for things like wall climbing and a host of other useful applications. https://gyazo.com/7d441967232c304a4fa20ce722ec18ce rotation RotNormal(vector _normal){ vector vLeft = llVecNorm( _normal % llRot2Fwd(llGetRot())); vector vFwd = vLeft % _normal; rotation rRot = llAxes2Rot(vFwd, vLeft, _normal); return rRot; } wall_climb() { vector scale = llGetAgentSize(owner); vector vStart = llGetPos() + <scale.x/2,0,scale.z/2> * llGetRot(); vector vEnd = vStart + <0.25,0,-1.0> * llGetRot(); list CN = llCastRay(vStart, vEnd, [RC_DATA_FLAGS,RC_GET_NORMAL, RC_MAX_HITS, 1]); float FW_Dist = llVecDist(vStart,llList2Vector(CN, 1) + <scale.x/2,0,0> * RotNormal(llList2Vector(CN, 2))); /* Set the position and agent rotation to the surface normal of the detected object. */ }