Discussion: hangout places?

Prims.. yummy, delicious prims.

The number one draw to a place for me is who is there, rather than what is there. That condition established, though, there are a few things that make a space one where you want to stay. Since avatars are basically immune to the forces of nature, it's all about creating places that symbolize comfort, or provide interest.

1. Plenty of headroom. Either it is roofless, or any overhead structure is high enough not to cross into your field of view.

2. Comfy places to sit. Chairs and couches with built-in animations have done wonders for this and there's lots of room for improvements yet.

3. A focal point that symbolizes shelter. This is a sort of "feng shui" thing, rather than providing actual shelter. It could be that your site is in the lee of a hillside, downslope from a lighthouse, or in a gazebo. Or perhaps there's just a little cottage on one side of the area. A private space that could hypothetically be used in case of hypothetical bad weather or barbarians. Fireplaces are great for this as well.

4. Open access and views on at least two sides. It should be very easy to fly an av down to land at the location, and manipulate your view to see into the space.

5. Room to rez. Inevitably at a gathering people will want to pull things out of their pockets to show each other, or to work on projects. There needs to be a big empty area that can serve as a stage. It's multi-use space, adjacent to the sitting area, or sort of in the middle of it.

The more of these elements that come together to define a space, without preventing easy shifting of viewpoint, the better.

finest quality plywood, smoothed into a perfect cube, 0.5m on a side... with chocolate sauce.

I can pass on the drinks since we don't drink, but a few out for decor is a nice touch. Darts are good, music is also good. Perhaps a changing music genre for different days of the week or specific times and/or events. Those who like punk will know to gather on Tuesdays, and to avoid radio-bop Fridays like the plague, for example.

I like parts with lots of natural ambiance, and not so much man-made landscaping. Subtle outdoorsy sounds. Wildflowers, rock/boulder formations, lakes.. A picnic area would be cool (lounge scripted checkered blankets maybe?), and also a barbecue area or campfire area. Both encourage conversation.

I certianly would. 'Regular Basis' is probably a key phrase for me though. I rarely look at the events list. I probably miss a lot of events I would enjoy because I don't want to wade through the 50 hot panty contests.

Hmmm.. Maybe a little, but only for the reason that I tend to use colorful phrases and words while chatting. Not so much cursing as crude humor.

Give it time. Well established build contests (FairChang's textureing contest, the various incarnations of Primtonary, build contests with an extended period to build (i.e. a week) and other contests that I've been too) do actualy draw respectable crowds.

Heheh I was one of those three kinda disappointed it didn't happen

For some reason, there's just something about animated fireplaces that tend to draw people to them. Same with sandboxes if they're small enough and frequented by people who know each other cauze they're all talking shop and such.

That asside...I use the word "club" with hesitation because of the usual SL connotations behind it and I don't mean any of them...but I'd love to see a jazz club/coffehouse/bar, as in a place where people actualy get on stage and preform stuff and other people sit and watch and where "hanging out" actualy involves intelligant conversation. No dance floor, no casino games, no scantily-clad exibitionists. It would be kind of dark and seedy...not in a scarry way, maybe only a little film noir-ish, but it would have lots of comfortable seating (couches, armchairs and low tables, maybe some dining-room setups too) in rich wood and plush fabrics, very low lighting and a small stage in front. The events could include poetry readings/contests, live streaming concerts and other forms of performance art. Drinks, darts and board games are optional but fun. Hanging artwork on the walls would also be good. There should be a sense of "closeness" in the whole thing.

Alternately (in case you were thinking of, I dunno, Ravenglass? ) take that same feel of "closeness" and replace the decor...glass roofs with good views of the trees outside and the stars at night, a brighter atmosphere, a bit more modernistic style...but same function.

Personally, I prefer the areas where flaming monkies drop from the sky, whilst riding upon unicycles.

bwahahahahaha ah man - there goes the snickers bar!

ah crap that was funny.

Siggy.