Avatar Overload
by GlowingMickeyVan, HSM guest contributor
I’ve been in Home since the beginning. And in the beginning, it was different. We had Central Plaza. Now despite the fact that people still beg for the return of Central Plaza to this day, I remember a different side to that argument. I’m very sure that I remember continual complaining about Central Plaza. I remember people hating it. I remember complaints about the noobs and the pervs (sound familiar?), and I remember people saying they avoided CP like the plague. This is now the same thing we hear about the Hub.
Anyway. Back then, we only had a handful of public spaces and personal estates. Avatar customization — clothing, accessories, etc. — was limited. Remember when those Ford dance outfits came out? when it came out. Yes, we all hated them — but we also all wore it because it had a feature!
Remember these days?
In the beginning, coming up with a very creative avatar took skill. You had to be able to think it out. You had to do what you could with what you were given, which wasn’t a whole lot. I remember we would all wait to see what would be released next. And the majority of the users who were experienced end up buying something. You bought the one personal space that came out (it might be the only one you got for a couple months) and you decorated it. Those of us who glitch decorated it with glitches, and we utilized most of our furniture inventory. It wasn’t uncommon for us to use the same couch in six or more spaces, because we had one couch. You fully enjoyed the space with friends until everyone got sick of seeing it.
Oh, and that new outfit you bought? You wore it every day — for months. You might use the same skirt with a wide variety of avatars. Oh, and back then, it was all about the bubble machine. That was all we had, companion-wise. There wasn’t much more.
Fast forward to December 2012. A weekly update brings many spaces, both public and private, as well as many companions. And they aren’t just companions. They are beast mounts, wings that push your avatar to higher speeds, flying serpents, and carpets. You also have a huge supply of outfits popping out like burgers at McDonald’s.
…And the choice is overwhelming.
Back in the day, most avatars consisted of individual pieces — parts that cost, on average, $0.49 — or $0.99 for the really special ones. I might buy just the pants and top to save money. A full avatar outfit cost $1.99. Occasionally, you saw one for more, but few bought it. And those who did were sometimes derided. For instance, I once watched several people insult someone wearing the first gold suit. They just singled him out and slammed him for being wasteful of his money.
Was it right? No. But that was what I saw repeatedly. And it was almost the norm in those early days of Home.
So we begged and we begged, and we complained. And, finally, someone listened.
Boy, did they. Now we have so much stimulation overload that it’s…well, it’s overwhelming. I’ve stopped asking people, “Where did that come from,” because if I asked that now, I would spend all my time asking that same question. It’s a pointless question. And, like inflation, the more outlandish the avatar the more money you can expect to rid your wallet of in pursuit of it.
Am I complaining? No. I’m just saying…whoa. Slow down. Let the Home consumer base catch its breath.
I have spaces that I haven’t even decorated yet. I have games I’ve never played. Outfits I’ve worn once. And that’s the stuff I bought. The real irony, though, is that there are times when I’ll load an old hand item — something from, say, 2009 — and the newbies want to know where I got it. Because they have never seen it. Most of Home’s non-gaming commerce now is driven by flashy new movements and enhancements, because it’s a new market segment that isn’t yet totally saturated. Being the creative individual that I am, I’m loving the new Speedwings. I’m loving my Calcifur wolf. I’m excited to get a tiger companion for free — one that’s as nice as the one I paid five dollars for during the virtual E3 event.
I’m also saying to myself: if the free stuff is this nice, why would I buy anything? So I’m not buying much these days.
I’m leaving the article with this question: will it ever get so overwhelming that we just say, “Too much!” and walk away completely? I’m beginning to feel like a tourist at the market in Cancun.
Look, I’m glad Sony and the developers listened. I’m glad for the progress. But as things get more complicated, the failure rate increases. New clubhouses freeze their members. I don’t remember this happening with the basic skin. The Speedwings freeze spaces (if too many arrive at once), and the noobs are talking to my companions thinking they’re a possible date.
In the old Home — because there wasn’t as much to consume — I enjoyed quality time with friends. In the new Home, I’m spending money, I’m flashier, I’m more creative than ever — but I don’t know my friends any more. We aren’t talking about life any more. We’re talking about what all comes with the newest bundle. And I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Now that my prayers were answered, why am I not as happy? I’m beginning to miss the old Home. So please understand if I don’t have the newest spaces now. In the old days I had a lot because there wasn’t a lot out there, but I had most of what was. In the new home…holy cow, I’d go bankrupt buying everything like I did back then. So I pick and choose wisely.
Is anyone else feeling avatar overload?
December 24th, 2012 by GlowingMickeyVan | 6 comments
I get what you’re saying here, and I feel the same to a degree, but I’m on the opposite side when it comes to buying stuff. I have a lot of stuff now for sure, but most of it has been thought about before purchase. I have a few regrets sure, from impulse buys when under some other kinda influence, heh, but thankfully not too many.
Its telling though that the majority of stuff I have is over in US, my EU wardrobe and furniture slots are typically filled with freebies from across the years. EU just doesn’t have the same amount of deals and bargains that the US has though, sure I have more spaces over there but that’s only because of that amazing Plus give away. The crazy thing there is, I don’t have enough varieties of furniture to decorate them as I’d like to! Would I even consider paying EU prices to resolve that situation? Not on yer life pal. It’d probably cost me hundreds to do that, reverse that situation in US though and it could be done for about 50 bucks if you know where to look.
It may seem like major saturation to the compulsive collector, but as one who tends to pick and choose, I say the more choice we have the better. I actually like going into a friends personal space and finding items I’ve never seen before.
I enjoyed the article because I’ve thought the same thing. I can remember begging for new content a couple years ago. “Please, Sony, give me something to buy.”
Now, I hardly buy anything. When I do spend money on Home, it’s usually for games. I bought a package of Casino chips to earn the Penthouse. I bought some Home Tycoon coins, only when they released the soccer stadium. I bought some FUBAR coins because I like the game. I played for Xi and I’m enjoying it.
I have never bought a single companion, locomotion, custom pose, dance move, etc. At one time, I would have been all over that stuff but not anymore. I probably have 30-40 companions that were all free and I rarely use them anyway.
As you said, it’s more fun to wear some clothing item that is no longer available (e.g. Irem) or limited time rewards. The noobs can’t figure out wear it came from and it brings back memories for veterans. I have so many personal spaces that I don’t use anymore that I can’t be bothered buying more. I’ll still play the games to win free apartments because it gives me a greater sense of accomplishment than just buying them.
The novelty of buying virtual merchandise has just worn off for me. I’ve tended to avoid my friends lately who spend so much time discussing new releases, what they’re buying next and how many SEN cards they burn through. It’s all very boring to me right now.
I think that the feeling of being overwhelmed is more of a problem for the veterans of Home. At one time, we did everything, collected everything and bought just about everything. There is simply no way to keep up anymore so why bother. For new users discovering Home at this stage, they probably just think that it’s always been this way. Good luck catching up and keeping up, folks.
Forgive my couple typos above. I really shouldn’t type before drinking some coffee.
Where is the edit button on this site? And why do I need to solve a math problem before posting?
I feel you on this Mickey. I have been a little less creative lately only because I don’t know what to do with so much all at one time.
I am very happy to have all the more though. It only contributes to a very creative community. It also keeps people busy. Think about it. When was the last time you were asked, Wanna join a FAM?
Personally I haven’t heard that in over a 2 months.
Great article!
You are one of the most creative people I know.
I have said this many times myself Mickey. I love that they are giving us to much at a time, but on the other hand I wish it would slow down a bit and let us absorb it before we have the next thing to move onto, especially when it is game related. I am picky about what I buy, always have been, but I am not in a hurry to keep up with the Jones’ like some people are in real life and in Home. Even my friends who used to buy everything that came out have slowed down on that because of this avalanche of materials. Nice article!