Potential Realized: the Starship LOOTerprise
by Godzprototype, HSM guest contributor
I look for what needs to be done. After all, that’s how the universe designs itself.
– R. Buckminster Fuller
As 2011 drew to a close, the Home community saw real change, and I for one have thoroughly enjoyed it. We have been given the 1.6 update, which allows us all of the extra standard furniture items for our machinima creations, but the power pellet on the cake has to be given to LOOT with their Space Apartment!
I knew exactly what I was going to be doing with this space given its capabilities: build the bridge to the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek. With five Twitter feeds, 450 Flickr pictures on fifteen photo screens, I was chomping at the bit to create an awesome work of art that reflected the bridge of the Enterprise. This particular space was the one space I had no question about what to do with. I was about to see if NorseGamer would kindly give me a tour of this space when they released it; I bought it, and so the story begins.
I am an old-school virtual space user; I participated in programs like Onlive Traveler, Virtual Worlds, and Holodesk. My friends and I enjoyed being able to come to a place and speak to each other and play music routed through the PC’s wave output, and dance our little avatar heads off – as that’s what they were. I was tech support for Onlive Traveler for quite a few years, helping new users with their communication setups, and booting people that would try to take the servers down. As a result, I agree with Norse that Sony truly is a lot more forgiving of bad behavior than other environments out there.
My friend Wanda and I were always on the lookout for new virtual places to explore. We ran across Holodesk, which not very many people knew about, likely because it was designed as a business platform for business meetings. It had particular functionality, for example, where you could go to the drawer of the desk in the office space, add photos, and display them to this business forum in the room. Text files could come up on the popup screen too. You had to put them in a desk drawer to view them. You could draw on the slide-down screen with your mouse. The desk chairs and table would fold into the floor. The screen would raise up into the ceiling In other rooms, you could fly or play games together, like Othello. Only downside to the program was you couldn’t talk, and at the time, ICQ didn’t have voice functionality yet. Graphically and interactively, Holodesk was comparative to PlayStation Home in retrospect.
I was sad to see Holodesk fold. It had file sharing, games, and truly incredible graphics for its time. I would have to go so far as to say Second Life wasn’t even as graphic as Holodesk, although Second Life has come along way since its inception. I was hooked on Home though, so my friend went there to develop things for its market, and I waited and watched PlayStation Home grow.
I had been following the LOOT Space Apartment personal space through various websites; I knew its potential for a MUCH more immersive experience, not just for me but any guests I brought there.
As I waited with bated breath for the LOOT Space Apartment to come out, I was reading all the different things they would have “plugged in” and what I was going to do with it, and it was only natural – the Starship Enterprise.
I first needed some command chairs, and myDeco didn’t disapoint with their Gaming Chair. Then I needed crew chairs like the ones from the Anime Personal Space furniture store. They were a very nice addition. I also needed believable crew stations, and the new King of the Club DJ deck (animated) from myDeco was a good choice for me, as they are animated and ornaments. So I could set many of them out.
So then I get to the Transporter Room — because the space just had to have one. I used the Gograk’s light up wall from LOOT, and placed four golden dance platforms from Mass Media together, just big enough for two Sodium teleporter pads to fit. Then I added the crew station and an anime chair with cables next to it, and BAM! A transporter room that takes two people next to each other to the loft to dance or watch movies on Crackle.
All the photo screens had to be on in order to give the impression we were either at work on terminals showing the LCARS (ships computer screens), or that we were encountering Klingons or traveling in space, “boldly going where no Home avatar has gone before.” Or, in my case, Captain Curtis, as that is who I think I will name my character.
(NorseNote: I’ve seen this space firsthand, and trust me when I say that it honestly does look like you’re on a Star Trek set. The photos in this article don’t even do it justice. You kinda have to see it for yourself.)
I have a couple of humorous pictures. One of an alien cat encounter and another of the Death Star over earth. It has all been wonderful and I would like to show this space to Star Trek fans who love PS Home or machinima.
The music channels, movies, are all apart of the interactive and creative process that makes Home so interesting and artistic. They have been inspirational to me. I was very excited to get this space and I hope users that bought LOOT’s best enjoy it as much as I have.
January 17th, 2012 by Godzprototype | 15 comments
Godzprototype is learning the art of creating Machinima, and would like to share it with you. Hope you enjoy.
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I may have to bug you for an invite…it sounds amazing!
I have actually seen this space and it is very ingenious in the use of what we have available in Home. I wish they would think about contracting for original Star trek outfits for all of us.
They did have em for the movie promo, but they went the way of the Dodo. But I’m very much with ya on wanting to see more ST stuffs…twould be awesome!
omg
bb to LOOTerprise,one to beam up!
I’ll admit that I was skeptical when I first got the invite. Generally speaking, HSM avoids “look at what I did!” interior design articles, and we’ve certainly received no shortage of such requests/submissions over the last year.
I have to say, though…this space has to be seen to be believed. I’m already a huge fan of the LOOT Space Apartment, but I gotta hand it to Godzprototype: he really did turn it into a Federation starship (or starbase, not sure which). It’s a jaw-dropping showcase for the new Flickr API picture frames that LOOT built into the estate, and the interior design and choice of furniture really does make you think you’re in Star Trek.
We may just have to put together an HSM machinima in this space. How about Captain Curtis, a whole bunch of Homelings, and Ensign Choda Boi? Sort of a Galaxy Quest/Star Trek homage.
I would love that. If anyone would like to see it, just add me. I am very interested in some HSM in this space. Thanks to everyone on the HSM Team too!
Godzprototype, The Cheekster’s glad that you like LOOT’s new addition to HOME.
I personally LOVE this space and as a Sci -- Fi nut myself am going to get this space too! A lot of Machinema ideas are forming of my own when it comes to spaces like this, If you get the chance you should check out NorseGamer’s own Machinema movie using this space, it had music and some really breath taking scenes and it was his first edit!
YES I would like to see a REAL working ‘Enterprise’ bridge, I seen one on SecondLife recently and i have thought over & over, ‘They GOTTA have one on HOME too!’
Great article
I believe that i witnessed the process of Godzprototype’s creation since near the begining, and i’ve to say that everytime he invited me there, it was better.
You’ve done a great job on LOOTerprise, and i enjoyed to read your article, my friend!
Thanx Pep! I am being inspired by lots of other creative people here lately. It is lots of fun!
I have to see your “Enterprise” GP i just have too :)….Live long and prosper
What I wanna know is Where did you get the LCARS stuff?…that looks incredible
Just search Flicker for it. Its everywhere.
I know I’m a little slow on the draw here but delayed reactions are kinda my thing
…are you still showing the Looterprise?
Sure! Would you like to see it?
Yes please:-)