Wardrobe Woes
by Susan, HSM team writer-videographer/HomeCast co-producer
I base my fashion sense on what doesn’t itch - Gilda Radner
I became slightly amused when I read an email from he who has no name asking me if I would be able to capture video for an upcoming segment on HomeCast. The email went on in detail as to the assignment and I soon discovered that I would have to enter myself into a contest and capture video as I progressed through the levels. I would have to collect video clips of the menu screens, game progression, prize winnings etc. He stated that not only was it to be the the A-block segment, but I was being allowed two weeks to submit a video package for his editorial review. Don’t worry he says, if you don’t win – I have a back up plan.
The assignment: Wardrobe Wars.
The ability to put an ensemble together for a fashion competition is something I pride myself in not knowing how to do. That is something I leave to people like Wolfen40 and her Rich Girls of Home or Joanna Dark and the fashion runway blog she created on the Sony forums. The one time I did play a fashion model where I had to create my own look was for the PSTalent’s Winter Cataloge; otherwise, I am always directed what to wear at the various photo and video shoots I participate in. I have one color that is predominant in my wardrobe selection – Red. Sometimes black or green colors find their way into the mix, but red is my favorite. The outfits I wear are the ones where no thought is required to put together. Tank top, jeans, and sneakers work for me.
It was easy to locate a Wardrobe Wars stage. If you are on Home, just walk up to a Wardrobe Wars kiosk and teleport there. If you’re on the XMB screen, you can navigate yourself to a platform directly. Once you arrive, you will see the game stage in the center of the mall. There are two of these located in the mall for your enjoyment. On the second level of the mall, next to the Konami store, is a commerce kiosk. Here you will find free clothes for the game as well as items for sale.
As with anything new on Home, this place was crowded. Most of the posters that surrounded the platform were not loading and everyone remained “ghosts” for a long time. It wasn’t lagging as bad as the Lockwood Showcase space has, but it was close. I never saw my entry go up on one of the posters and everything was taking forever to complete. It took almost five minutes just for the music to load up. The voting process was slower than some of my friendly competitors on the Sodium S2 tracks. I did appreciate the way they designed the stage. I thought the lighting and the whole concept worked well. The process to enter your wardrobe selection was very easy to use albeit very slow. The stage even had several trolls present in the area to keep things entertaining.
Fifteen minutes later I am able to finally submit and review my entry. It was a Sports theme so I went for the cheerleader look. Had I worn a plaid shirt, jeans and with shotgun in hand, I might have received more votes in that round. I attempted to vote for myself on another account, but unfortunately after two hours of reviewing entries, I gave up searching. I tried again a couple of days later when there was a new theme posted. I had no luck gathering the votes needed to move forward. I even resorted to the lost art of pandering for votes via my Twitter account. So I tried again, and again, and again. I was equally unsuccessful with this new Anything Goes theme – so out came the nun with the whip to show my frustration. I wanted to just be done with this headache now. I failed miserably in progressing in the competition and had invested several hours into this. I was losing to some guy in a suit from that looked like it came from off the rack and to a pair of senior citizen-looking tennis shoes.
I did, however, get a backpack.
The video below is a short presentation of this assignment. Some of it is from the footage that hit the cutting room floor and did not make it into the final edit. I tried to recreate a Star Trek TNG scene in where they summon a device they called an “arch” to open a doorway back to the ship from the holodeck. Using the LOOT space furniture items, I assembled a small cubicle thingy. I placed a Sodium telepad inside of it which sent me to where I needed to be. I recorded the device in front of a green screen and just faded it in as it does on the tv show. I still need to work on that technique some more.
I have since returned to the Wardrobe Wars stages and submitted new entries with the new themes to see how things have progressed. My luck was no better, but I did notice the space loading very quickly. The posters were all loading and showing the various contestants. The submission and voting process was very expedient. This is a complete turn a a round from before.
I even got another backpack.
I have learned that the Nation of Avatars finds a pair of white, non descriptive sneakers a wardrobe win. How can I compete with that?
Congratulations to all the participants and winners of the PlayStation Home Wardrobe Wars. If you need more information on Home rewards, go to www.AlphaZone4.com for a complete list of goodies free and otherwise.
I never knew what his backup plan was, but I will say it was odd seeing Joanna Dark in a tent and me doing a fashion contest. Just saying.
- A fashion game for Home
- You get free items for playing the game
- Easy to use game interface
- It takes too long to review entries
- It's a popularity contest, not a wardrobe war
- You cannot change wardrobe while playing game
June 23rd, 2012 by Susan | 3 comments
Susan is a team writer for HomeStation Magazine, co-founder of the award winning media group-AvatardProductions, a PlayStation MVP and a Home Guide. PSNID SCEA/xx96791DEATHxx-SCEE/oXx_EnIgMa_xXo. An avid PlayStation Home user, she is most often found setting land speed records at the Sodium 2 velocity racetracks, sitting at the Pier Park or playing with the R/C vehicles at Acorn Meadows Park.
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LOL Sue! I always like your personal take on these films and I agree with your assessment totally. I went to look at this game 2 times and walked away from it very quickly as I wanted to vote for some friends but it took forever and I never even found them to vote for them. I never entered either.
“The voting process was slower than some of my friendly competitors on the Sodium S2 tracks.”
Best line of the whole article, LOL. Well done.
Sorry but I have no further comment on Wardrobe Wars itself.
nice video! i just wonder if sony ever gave out that E3 trip for this game?