Building Preferences: Realism or Fantasy?

I have heard it said that building realistic houses on the game is sort of like building dollhouses for Ken and Barbie to play in, and that the Kens and Barbies of the game represent something not quite as good as those who prefer not to build, view, or live in builds that are decidedly not of the realism genre.

I'm not sure about what the other genre/s would be, but I assume what I read means it would be things that are NOT "realistic down to the last detail". I also gather that those who prefer houses and other builds realistic down to the last detail are a tad lower on the cultural or class scale, much as those who are termed "kens" and "barbies" are considered the "lowest common denominator" of the game; i.e., those who are interested in chatting, clubbing, socializing, setting up little homes for themselves, and perhaps marrying or cybering.

I am currently building a series of homes which hope to offer the charm of realism, for those who like such things, so I'm rather put off by the notion that these are not what is "intended" for SL, or that they may be something less than cultured, or appeal to some lowest common denominator of player (who I think doesn't exist anyway). I think the reasoning may be that so much is possible in this second life, why would anyone want something that resembles the first? Thus, the reasoning may be that preference for realism in builds reflects a lack of imagination.

My first house is almost ready for market, and I do believe there is a need for this niche market, and that those who like that sort of thing don't represent something less than expected from we who participate in this great Linden experiment, and all the possibilities that suggests. It does worry me, though, that some seem to feel this is lowest-common denominator stuff.

I live in a realistic sort of house, myself. And when I travel the world, I find I am most charmed precisely by those realistic details. Take, for example, Spitooney Island and the recent Touchstone Fair. When I can purchase a soft drink on the Island, or get a snowcone at the Touchstone fair, ride a realistic ride, etc., I am charmed. I am more immersed.

For me, it is easier to become immersed in something which, while it is obviously not real, looks more real because of the cute details, like toliet paper rolls. Or just about anything really, which is true to the realistic details of its genre, like a realistic medieval village, but I do prefer present-realism.

I am less drawn into builds which represent the less realistic things, like perhaps, things floating in the sky, or cold, dank castle places. (Although I do adore a good outer space fantasy, like the rocket ship at the Touchstone Fair.) The less realistic something is, the more I'm reminded that this is only a game, after all, and not an immersion into another world. In general, anyway.

So for me, that means building homes which are realistic, at least to a practical prim-level degree. I also plan to make some slightly quirky ones, but also within the realism paradigm. I'm distressed at the notion that this sort of thing is only for those of us who occupy SL's lower social strata, and to hear it referred to as "Ken and Barbie," or to hear that people think it shows a lack of imagination, or a lack of enough intellectual and creative depth to truly take advantage of the Linden vision. Or to think only the dullards among us could possibly be charmed by these realistic builds and want to buy one to live in.

What do you think? Do you think there is a good market for realistic builds? And do you personally prefer them, or if not, what kinds of builds catch your fancy? And in either case, do you think they represent a "Ken and Barbie" mentality and player type which is not good for the game?

coco

Don't pay any attention to those that seek to put people into neat little classes like "Ken & Barby". Most people who complain about a build being "too realistic" are either jealous of the talent it deomonstrates or else completely ignorant of what it takes to create something that looks real (or probably some combination of the two). Either way, they're not worth your attention. Just leave them be and don't worry about it.

To answer your question, of course there's a market for realism. Do what you do, and if you're good at it, you'll do well. If you build it, they will come.

I see nothing wrong with wanting a realistic build; I don't personally care for 'em (I already LIVE in a plenty real house in real life!) but it takes skill and talent to make a good simulation.

There's no real need for either/or in Second Life; the cat is both alive, dead, the size of a planet, and make of cheese, all at once.

well there is nothing wrong with a house. But why do people want one? I think it is just a first step in the virtual world. First you try to recreate the realworld. And then slowly you start to see the other possebilities.

If i would want to have land that wasn't for some commericial use. It would probably be a meeting place for friends and my one little sandbox. So it would be mostly open and filled with my own created stuff. And it would have some chairs/banks wathever placed in a circle where people could park there avatar and we could chat.

I actually think the market is much more complicated. The 'barbie and kens' and they are called sometimes prefer more of a fantasy. For example the vampire/goth sort of thing is very popular in SL, and far from realistic.

Personally I like more fantasy stuff, which might seem odd because most of my stuff is actually more realist, but that is because I fail to think outside of the box. I am always in awe of people who make organic whimsical stuff like Eddie Escher, Falling Water, or Olympia Rebus (just to name a few). Mostly because I cant do that. I burn in a jealous rage.

A lovely build is a lovely build, regardless.

A Frank Lloyd Wright original meticulously recreated in a bed of waterfalls can be so much mroe impressive than a giant box with castle textures on the side...

I like the areas that have a common theme, whether it's realistic or fantasy, then the regions where it's all jumbled together heedless.

As long as designs are well done...and BLEND to a certain extent with the surroundings..I'm all for BOTH~~ It's great to have Juro's FLW's as well as Taco's toonhomes! Just not too close to each other

I saw Toontown, and loved it. (That's kinda what I meant by "quirky."

I know the goth is popular, I'm just not into it, not enough to even appreciate anything goth well done if it smacked me in the face, lol.

coco

Personally I do not have a house in SL, I just can't see the point. I live on a beach which has a spa and lounging areas. When I first started I bought a house but never used it, always preferring to sit in the garden.

The other thing that puzzles me is why have a kitchen and dining room and bathroom in the houses? It seems that some want to create what they have in RL, irrespective of the uselessness of these rooms.

If I were to buy a house, it would be Eva Virgo's Alhambra Palace, which comes with a perfect pavilion, or her Pompeii house. Both delicious and if I bought one it would just be for looking at and not living in.

It is obvious that the FIC do not want the majority of us to be in SL. When they make derisory comments about Barbie and Ken, you can only laugh since they can never go back to 'their good old days' - we are here to stay

Regardless of what I have said, I wish you well in your venture Coco.

Alexa

Hi Alexa...Well, I only bought land so that I could 'create' on it without anyone shooting at me A real plus when you have an Irish temper like i do. I suppose 'bragging rights' are what make some design/build things with the game software, yes. But for the most part, I think it's just an outlet for creativity!

I can see the aesthetic appeal of kitchens and bathrooms, since I'm a bit of a handyman in real life. A well-built bathroom can be beautiful.

But I think another reason might be sex. It gives you some realistic settings to engage in virtual sex that you might have fantasized about, but never done. And SL makes it easier to get into some of the crazy positions that are necessary for such areas to be successfully used for sex.

Not my thing, but I can see it.