A Goodbye To Central Plaza
by Burbie52, HSM team writer
It is no secret that we are about to lose Central Plaza in Home. I went there the other day and saw the construction zone they have turned it into, and thought about how clever that is on the part of Sony. What better way to say goodbye to a place that has meant so much to so many people than to ease us into the transition with this feeling of continuity through making it seem as though it is being remodeled rather than taken away. They have even given us a plaque on a rock – “piece” of Central Plaza, if you will – to commemorate this place.
It is strange to think that there won’t be any benches to glitch, or Saucer Pop to play anymore. No more dancing at the dance floor all night to Chain Swing (please!), or plaza takeovers when there is a new promotion in town. Central Plaza has been a staple since the very beginning for us all.
It was where we all went our first time in Home, because it was right out the front door of our Harbour Studio Apartment and Sony directed us there in their tutorials. It was where many, myself included, met our first friends in Home. I still have these good friends to this day and for that experience alone, I am going to miss Central Plaza in a way. I have heard several people express similar feelings about the loss of this icon of Home.
But change is good, and it is inevitable in order for growth to take place in anything. I have heard good things about the new Hub through the media and I am looking forward to the future of Home with all of the wonderful changes.
Having said that, Central Plaza has meant a lot of different things to different people. To those who have been in Home since closed beta, it was the only place they had to gather and meet others. To newer people, it is still the place that gives them their first taste of Home.
There are others who won’t miss Central Plaza at all; they see it as a place to get trolled or harassed by weirdos, though why they think that will change at all when the Hub arrives, I don’t know.
I asked several of my friends what they will miss if anything about Central Plaza, and these are their replies.
“I’ll miss the somewhat chaotic atmosphere of the themed activities in Central Plaza.” – GRANLADYBUG.
“Central has basically been the little engine that could for Home. It was the ‘face’ for the core spaces, more or less. It served as a familiar and comfortable anchor as the rest of Home changed around it. Irem arose and left, as did the Uncharted 2 space. Seasons and holidays visited Home and there Plaza stood, reminding us that we were Home. It had its flaws, but everyone visited it for better or worse. And though others got updated versions and we didn’t, it felt like Home with it.” – Estim20
“Central Plaza has acted as the core of what’s now in Home.” – Grimm
“Watching people grow into a community is what I’d say Central Plaza holds for me in memories. It’s the place where you saw Glitching Groups go to infiltrate another bench or pool…the first troll I met was there, going at me verbally with vengeance and hate in his dark words. You had people who needed help dancing, typing or finding another item to unlock. It was a place of friendship, heartache, anger, fun and hate all wrapped up into one small circle of Home. I will miss my days of standing on the bench watching people interact.” – ITCHyHEINI
“I will sorely miss Central Plaza. It has been here since the beginning and has been the backdrop of so many memories. One of my favorite memories is of my friends singing “eye of the tiger” as I was first learning to climb on the benches, and failing. Before you decided where to go, the troops would assemble at the Plaza, which makes me wonder if the Hub will be a worthy successor.” – Raptor049
“I remember when the CP was the place to gather. When I started Home, there wasn’t much, just your Harbour, CP, the Mall, the bowling alley, and the theater with one screen. It was the fun place to go where there were special mini-games and always decorated according to the season or holiday. I’m not saying that the new Hub isn’t going to be great, just that CP had that familiar feeling with its central fountain that could be home town anywhere.” – LadyShade
Me, saying goodbye to Central Plaza.
“I didn’t know that the saucers over the water was a game until a stranger told me, along with tips on how to enjoy Home. After that, I used what I learned and got hooked on Home. I don’t remember his ID but I’ll never forget him, it is why I offer to help new people.” – capturedsoul.
“Central Plaza to me meant new friends, dancing on the dance floor and throwing awesome events for the community. I will miss the old Central Plaza, but I am also welcoming the new establishment with open arms. Farewell Central Plaza! We will miss you!” – COCOBABY_84
“For millions of Home users, Central Plaza was their first step into the wider world of Home. Yet for all of its familiarity, it was a place that could constantly surprise, thanks to the constant comings and goings of the Home Community, as well as its many memorable events. It was our Times Square, the crossroads of everything Home. While it’s sad to see it go, it’s best to remember the times we all enjoyed there and look to Home’s future with an eye toward the thousands of new memories we will create in the Hub and beyond.” – HearItWow
Jersquall, well-known Home Community Volunteer and HSM podcast editor, has created a great video of his memories of the Plaza. In his comments about it he states, “As you all know Central Plaza will be going away from Home. Away from us but not away from our memories. During the first few minutes of this film I encourage you all to think about your time spent in Central Plaza. Remember the time spent hanging out with friends old and new. Remember the events held in Central Plaza.” Here is his wonderful video.
It has always amazed me that a virtual place such as Central Plaza – or even Home in general – can elicit such strong feelings, either for the good or bad. After all, it only exists in an artificially created environment, not in the real world. Yet if we truly look back on the memories we have all created there we will come to realize that real or not, this little piece of Home will always have a place in our hearts.
October 20th, 2011 by Burbie52 | 8 comments
Burbie52 is a 62 year-old published author and founder of the Grey Gamers group within Home. Born and raised in Michigan, she has lived there her entire life, with the exception of a twelve-year residency on the Big Island of Hawaii. She enjoys reading and writing, as well as video games, especially RPG's. She has one son in his twenties.
Burbs, You made us proud. Very very nice. All your guest commenters were awesome and I feel the same way.. /sigh
Thanks Jersquall. And I hope that more people will feel free to put in their two cents in the comments here about how they feel about this icon of Home disappearing.
Wow, I haven’t heard Koyaanisqatsi in ages. Nice video, Jersquall.
Aternitas, Thanks. The music is from Watchmen to it seems. I love the video to and I made it lol.
Great video!If Sony had given me tear ducts ..I’d be needing a tissue..Central Plaza is like that pizza place down the road that you always ate at..It wasn’t the greatest pizza in the world but something about the place always made you go back..The Homelings and Hammies were like that first waitress you had take your order or that first guy you saw flinging the dough in the air..The others after that you forget their names or they just never gave you that same impact.Pizza somewhere else will never be the same..”Virtual world with real people, real ideas, real idenity’s,real problems and real solutions deserves real memories”..Great article Burbie and team..you all rock
Brilliant article. Incredible video. Excellent work, Burbie!
Thanks for the comments everyone, I am glad you liked the article, I enjoyed writing it as well. I like many others have been spending more time in plaza lately. Getting in our last bit of time there before it goes. But I can’t wait til the new era in Home begins either, I only hope it is as good as the hype has been. Though getting five new areas for the price of one is a bargain no matter what.
Great article Burbie and all guest comments are on point. I will miss CP too as it is common place for everyone to meet up with old friends and make new ones as well. I’m sure everyone will have their memories but also look forward to new ones at the new Hub. Good to see your video again here as well Jers. Good job to all ^__^