Go Steampunk on a Budget
by Kassadee Marie, HSM team writer
As defined by Wikipedia, Steampunk is “a genre which originated during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror and speculative fiction. It involves a setting where steam power is widely used – whether in an alternate history such as Victorian era Britain or “Wild West” -era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time – that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy.” There are very few items made for Home that are specifically of this genre. In addition, hope has died for a public steampunk space in the near future, as originally promoted by Katherine de Leon (former Senior Producer for Sony) and designed by Studio Foglio, producers of the online comic Girl Genius. The Cogs space is about as close as we have to it at this time. However, if you like the style, there are some ways to come close to having it on Home.
A personal estate from the 1920’s that is deep underwater seems a very likely candidate for this style. You arrive at the Rapture Metro Apartment in a small vestibule with a closed and sealed gate to your right and stairs leading to a closed door ahead of you. While the gate remains sealed at this time, the door will open as you approach it. The view from the living room beyond that door offers your first clue that you are residing underwater, unless you happened to look at the ceiling in the vestibule. There is a large bedroom beyond this room. And there is more to be discovered. Opening the gates on the first level and finding out how to enter a concealed room upstairs are the space’s two secrets.
At $5.99 the estate is not the least expensive space in Home, but it includes a lot of preset furniture that will cut down on your purchases of these items. This estate comes partially furnished with three bookshelves, two couches, a bed, a coffee table, radio, plants, and a freestanding fireplace. The space has a lot of style and charm, if you like art deco, and the radio provides period music. Also, since it will be unlikely to put a strain on a hundred-item furniture limit, you can add a few active items. One of these items might be the Bootlegger ’29 Radio for $1.99, which plays three tunes from that era and will give you even more period-appropriate music. You can purchase some matching furniture items from Bioshock 2, called “Adonis” items, such as a table, couch, and chair, but you may not feel the need.
The wall items that can be won at the Cogs space really work as steampunk items. Check your rewards for other ornaments that fit the style. Some of the items that can be won from Aurora, such as the Twitcher Wall Art or the Aurora teleporter, would fit nicely into this style, as would the Animus chair and table that can be won from Assassin’s Creed’s Abstergo Labs. The large copper rose wall item from mydeco would also look great in a steampunk space, although it is not cheap at $1.49. For lighting, consider the Savage Moon lamp, which has a mechanical fantasy look and a red glow when turned on.
Companions are rarely inexpensive or on sale, though there have been many free ones. If you are looking for a steampunk companion, consider a robotic animal such as the baby robotic cat or robotic canine companion from Sony Originals. You might also want to consider a “Prinny” from Disgaea or one of the D.O.G. Companions from Loot. These can all be purchased for $1.99 each in the Sidekicks store.
Clothing is what really makes a steampunk style, and it can be hard to put the look together on Home. I advise that you choose either a Victorian steampunk style or a Wild West steampunk style. You’ll want to put together your own unique look, but I suggest some the following items to start you off, all of which are available in the Costumes Originals store.
For female Victorian, I suggest you buy the Alice themed shoes for $.25 or the Victorian boots for $.49. In addition, I recommend one of these hats: Spice ($.49), Jackie ($.25) or for something fancier, the pink Paris Victorian style hat for $.49. The Victoria hat in blue for $.25 is suitable, but the hairdo isn’t much. Long skirts are a basic requirement and I suggest one or more of these: Paris Fantasy ($.49) or Paris Classical skirt ($.49) or the Victorian dress (actually a skirt) for $.25. For tops, I suggest the Kitty or Victoria coat for $.25 each. The problem will be combining the items into acceptable color combinations, so you may want to look further for color matches. The Paris fantasy gloves are actually a ring and bracelet combination for $.49, and they have a great look.
For male Victorian, I propose that you purchase Paris Victorian style shoes for $.49. There are two top hats available: the Gothic top hat and the Paris Victorian style top hat, each for $.49. For pants I suggest either the Gothic pin stripe pants for $.25 or the Victorian style (plaid) pants for $.49. For tops, I recommend the Freddie Jacket for $.25 or the Dark Menace Trench coat for $.99. These items mix and match well.
To add the steampunk element to either gender’s Victorian look, I suggest the Aurora goggles or unusual headphones such as those available at Lockwood. The Sodium shutter shades are also a good look. You could also try to add a watch. Some male items have partial face coverings which might be suitable. Look for mechanical or metal-looking items that you can add to your costume. The Sodium Hologramatic Solar wings are nearly perfect.
For the female Wild West look, I suggest you start with items from the Female Cowboy Outfit such as the chaps, boots and lasso for $.49 each and items from the Gunslinger outfit such as the top (which includes a rifle) for $.99. For the male Wild West look, I recommend you start with items from the Old Cowboy outfit such as the hat, which is free and the chaps for $.25 and the Gunslinger outfit such as the top (with rifle) for $.99 and the boots for $.49. These items are all found in Costumes Originals. For either gender, add a few of the previously suggested items and a Kretzky arm or hand item for $.99 to make it steampunk.
There are two items for each gender currently available in the Costumes Originals store that are specifically designed for this genre. These are the jacket with backpack and the “Face Mask and Hair” for females, and the jacket with backpack and the “Hat and Goggles” for males. The female top item is $.49 and the male top item is $.25. Both head items are free at this time. You’ll want to pick up these free and inexpensive items and combine them with others to create a complete steampunk look. Above all, have fun with your look and make it your own.
June 15th, 2012 by Kassadee Marie | 5 comments
Home is endlessly entertaining to this California girl. Kassadee has been in Home for about four years, and loves almost everything about it (with a few notable exceptions). She spends way too much money there, and perhaps too much time... Someday she will travel the world and write about the people she meets and the places she sees.
Two minor nitpicks: Bioshock 2 is more dieselpunk (Rapture being 1950s) and even if we assume the aesthetics equate to 1920s, that’s just outside steampunk’s purview. Also, the D.O.G. robot feel more cyberpunk, not steam-powered contraptions. They seem powered by electronics and artificial intelligence, far outside the realm of Steam.
Other than that, great article!
I do my best with what Home offers, lol.
OMG..Were you in my space..LOL. I have some of the same stuff in mine. Mine isn’t Steampunk though, I tried to stay with the Art Deco look.
You did miss one major Deco item. The Steampunk Time Machine Chair. It’s only $0.99 and is in Home Originals appliances or active furniture. It is an active item though.
That was a bad miss on my part. I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen or heard of that item. What does it do since it’s active?