That’s one of the real challenges -- when a big-name game developer contracts out the work for a space in Home, it may be a faithful and beautifully rendered recreation of a space in the game, but because the original developer themselves have no vested interest or time dedicated to the space (and neither does the contractor, once they fill their end of the deal), there is the perception that there is no need to keep the space “fresh.” At least, not until the sequel comes out (if that).

Most companies seem content on keeping updates minimal at best, if any happen at all. Lockwood and nDreams are Home’s best advocates, what with Sodium, Xi and a milieu of avatar items and spaces, but almost everyone else aren’t providing as much as these two.

I’ll agree with Gideon that we don’t need a Home built entirely out of Lockwoods and nDreams -- their skills are so exceptional because they go above and beyond, not because they are the norm -- but we could use a bit more involvement from at least certain other players. I’d love to see Final Fantasy 7 outfits, for example. And I hope Square-Enix is reading this; I want my Tifa costume, dang it. lol

I agree wholeheartedly that a space needn’t be congested by avi traffic to justify its existence, fulfill a purpose and so on. If nothing else, they affirm Home’s social aspects, which we need to strengthen. I, for example, love the ambiance of the Hot Shots Golf Lounge; the gold statue is almost a bit creepy in retrospect (IT STARES INTO MY SOUL) but it has its charm.

It isn’t that fact in and of itself that I meant to highlight. I think some spaces might benefit from an update or two, though -- in particular Slap Happy Sam’s Stage Show. I also intended this to be a means of showing these spaces and remind people the exist, though that’s a minor point.

This article thus serves more as an explanatory vignette, with the occasional suggestions to increase traffic, not to mention show a partial cross section of the ‘forgotten realm.’ I’m not particularly suggesting updates are entirely needed, especially not right this second. With that said, the two spaces mentioned that could benefit the most from updates, to me, are Buzz! HQ and Slap Happy Sam’s.

Buzz! HQ is mostly due to the concept behind it, as mentioned in the article. Slap Happy Sam’s Stage Show is quite a different beast entirely. It’s the brainchild of The Odd Gentlemen and, if what I’m reading is correct, it’s the second game they created. Ever. They’re making money off of this venture directly from Home and they don’t have the guaranteed best-sellers that Capcom or Lockwood possess, so more’s at stake.

What makes Slap Happy Sam stand out as in desperate need of updates is that we (inevitably?) compare it to games that have -- and games that haven’t (Dragon’s Green, for example), which generally don’t see repeat plays. I wonder how many people, especially newbies, are even aware of Dragon’s Green and Slap Happy Sam these days, which would undeniably influence how many sales they’re getting (though neither breached the top ten, that’s for sure).

So for at least Slap Happy, I think it needs to remodel. It could use a new paint job and, more importantly, more games to help it compete with the Midway, a space (or spaces, rather) it may stand the best chance of following. If it follows suit, it may very well generate a lot of repeat customers.

As for the others, I’ll admit to a bit of nostalgic wanderings with them. lol I think they really could use more awareness and I even pointed out that Hot Shots Golf doesn’t really need any more interaction. All it needs is more people willing to visit it and it can be an effective lounge.

I for one LOVE having some spaces that aren’t jam packed with avis. Keep them as they are…. It keeps out those who are only in Home for quick satisfaction because that type of player always seeks out the new and shiny.

I miss the Warhawk space.