The new region.

Maybe I have lost the ability to see from the eyes of new residents but here is my opinion non the less.

The new region is a bad idea. Two thumbs down. The whole 'uniqueness' of SL is the ability for everyone to be unique, to express themselves, the freedom we have to create. That is what makes SL great. Diversity. That is why people join second life. If they want prefab house next to prefab house, then Sims Online is where they should be.

To setup a region dedicated to one prefab house design is rediculous and ugly. I understand the goal of prefab houses is to give new residents a place to live while they learn to build. Well and good, I have no problem with prefab houses. I can also understand the idea of a place for new residents to gather and meet other new residents. Also a fine and good idea.

Only allowing prefab houses on a sim is not the way to do it. Also I heard at least one person complain that after buying the land and setting up the prefab house they were too out of money to furnish or decorate it. That is not the way to start SL!

I also want to make clear that I in no way want that land. I can't afford the land I have. I think a sim for new people would be great. I think the prefab sim is the *wrong* way to do it. It is about as un-SL as you can get. Maybe a system based on SL age could be implemented. I actually think the way the camp ground is setup comes close enough to this goal.

As for the Bazaar area... nice idea, poor implementation. The tables are too small and haphazard (and in more than one place not even on the public land square). A better setup (IMO) would have been an open stall type, some borders/space in between. Sorta like venice beach? You are going SoCal after all.

Just my opinion.

I agree and disagree. I think the region should have been started with three types of plots(sizewise), and three types of prefab houses. As for the tables, I agree, they should be stalls, but, I dont agree that the sim shouldn't have been brought up. As for newbies running out of money, maybe newbies that buy land in this sim(as well as de haro) should get a large tax break(less for de haro, as land is smaller)?

I also checked out the new area last night just to see the open air market and to check out the set up. I liked that the lots were 24x24 the price seemed a bit steap if your going to make ppl like in a shoe box at least let it be a cheap shoe box (1700.00 aprox.) The prefab homes were a mere 50.00 so no one can complain that they aren't getting thier moneies worth. Unfortunatly the size is much to be desired not enough room in the loft for even a double bed much less a staircase leading to the loft. They were cute but not what I would call a home more like an overnight cabin. Parts of the cabin cost to build and I was told the entire cost of lot cabin and parts was aprox. 2500.00 A little steep for anyone just starting out.

I did love the street, sidewalks, and lightposts I loved the builders center and the open air market. I was a bit confused about the open air market at first but a table on a 8x8 plot of land is great with me. Reminds me of a flea market which I do like.

I hope that this new area does well at the very least the lag should be at a min.

Still looking for my perfect neighborhood I have settled in Immaculate, as when i moved there it was not even named. Immauclate is now a mismash of this and that. with gun fire and loud music blaring from who knows where. I will continue to wait for Suberbia to be built in hopes that it is what I have been waiting for.

Cat

I think it sucks - It took my nice secluded little Island and turned it into a hill. It would be different If I could buy land in the new sim to fix it - but I can't since it themed.

If anyone want to buy land that butts up to this sim on the kisslinger side - let me know.

I'll buy it.

Thanks,
Candie

Xavier, sell it to charlie...I am sure Kissling will have a use for it.

I think it's a good idea; it's definitely not for everyone, but it's supposed to have a sort of planned-community ambiance; I agree that the house design is a bit spartan, but then the emphasis moves away from architecture to landscaping and interior design, something that a lot of builders ignore.

From my perspective as an in-game "artist" of sorts, yah the new area isn't exactly the way I would have built my dreamhouse.

But from the perspective of a mentor/instructor who deals with groups of new players every day, the new land plots/areas are a GREAT idea. GREAT. There may be a couple of points about the implementation sure, can't please all the people all the time. But you can't expect a new player to walk in and immediately perceive that they are ready to be the next digital Ven Gogh. Takes time to figure that out, and they don't have the luxury we used to have of available land to experiment with ownership.

How many new players have I had to disppoint because I gave them the "you can do anything" pitch, but couldn't tell them where to get a piece of land to do all this "anything". Now I can drop them at a campsite, they can ask around, find some people who are equally confused, and laugh about the whole thing as they figure it out. They don't care if the market tables are poorly placed or cheap looking, or if all the houses aren't architectural marvels. That's for older players to cry about.

The new area is an opportunity for older residents too. Don't like the market area? Get involved with it and work it. Hold an event in the campsite. Be a nice av and get ratings. Recruit for your group...set up a recruiting branch! Sell cheap attractive alternatives to the prefab housing. I look at that area and see L$.

What happened to Xavier is a pain, the way land is altered and how it affects surrounding territory is something to be dealt with for sure.

My 2 bits.

I haven't seen the newest new region, but from what I've read, it sounds like a great idea in context. This is a newbie only area, but it isn't the only newbie area.

People have differing levels of interest and adventerousness, and when the game goes live, the Lindens will want to cater to as wide an audience as possible. For some people, it might be ok to just be dropped in the word with $3500, the shirt on their back, and a notecard. Others will be happy somewhere like the campgrounds, where there are constraints but with lots of room to customize. Still others will want to to be set up and grounded without having to worry about the details of land, building and texturing.

They are all different, valid, entry points for the game.

Actually,

I think it is a good idea, in addition to other sims with the freedom to create whatever you wish, of course. There are many who need a place to start. This sort of community is just the thing. Once they get going, they can expand to a "freedom" sim if they please.

The major issue for me is that the design of the prefab houses is not pretty at all, imho of course. Sorry to who ever created them. They don't really feel like a home to me, more like a vacation cottage at the shore.

Not sure about the tables set up in a flea market fashion either, I think maybe one store or small booths would look nicer. I first thought the tables were the picnic area. And it is the weekend for a bbq too, oh well, over the hill to the campgrounds for the bbqs!

The view of the ocean is lovely tho....



fen-

No, you guys don't understand - I bought out 3 people to buy that Island because it was secluded, had no neighbors, and surrounded by Linden land.

* I paid 12K just for people to release their land *

Now its WORTHLESS, it's not even and Island anymore. Its worth no more than any other piece of land.

Ama Omega had 2 small pieces I bought for 1000.00 each. One of the newer nashes had the majority of the Island and I gave him 10K above the land value. Charlie was nice enough to just release what he had.

This is just a load of BS...

These are the risks of real-estate speculation. Seriously. You don't control any land you don't own. and the possibility of a sim being added there was always a risk. You gambled and you lost, I feel bad for you, but there you go.

On the otherhand, you now own land right next to an area with lots of new people who will want to buy lots of things are going to settle.

I am very sorry that happened to you Xav, I know how much you liked your little island. Dont sell it so fast, maybe the Lindens will be nice and put water around it

Who knows, maybe YOU will win the Island Contest?

It is sad, it went from a beautiful secluded spot, to now what looks like a dirt heap that the bulldozers made from forming the new community.

I say we put some old tires on it, some rusting unidentifiable crap and let the neighborhoods kids play there.




fen-

There are 4 different house in a box kits (4? 3? 4? I cant remember so Im going with 4 ) so I have to wonder why all of them werent given as an option. I personally hate "cookie cutter" communities but even they have floor plan options. I do see the value in this type of community but at least make it look decent.


I suggest that a better idea might have been to create the community, houses and all (emphasis on houseS) and sell the plots with a home on it already.

I also vote to please give Xav a bit of water around his hill to make it an island again if at all possible.

Like I said, an area for new people I think is nice. An area for 1 prefab cabin I think is stupid. Especially an area for a a prefab cabin that costs $2500 to get going - last person I talked to that had just entered world had a little over $3000. I mean cmon, that hardly leaves em any money for my arcade. j/k but I think that is way steep for new people.

At the least there should be about a dozen prefab homes, and 2 or 3 different lot sizes.

And Xav - if you sell off your land come talk to me about that 2k.