Lockwood: from Showcase to Snowcase
by Phoenix, HSM team writer
The new Lockwood lounge is an example of the elegant classical taste we have come to expect from this developer. From the spawn point at the entrance to the park-like display at the far end of the lounge, Lockwood has completely changed the look of the Showcase.
This space is still a place for socializing, but it’s also appropriate for quiet contemplation. Upon entering, you are met with a welcoming vision in the eggplant-colored Cucumber style modular furnishings. The floor is studded with potted plants and tree sculptures, and bookshelves from the Dream Yacht collection add to the look. The tables, topped with lamps from the Cucumber collection and tasteful flower arrangements are subtle and well thought out. Each piece makes you want to own the whole grouping, so you can give the same classical look to your own personal space.
Above the space is a catwalk or balcony, lined with offices. Here you can see the famous Lockwood Drey Black Stallion Prop Horse, and snuggly Blueberry the pug. Watching the activity beneath their lofty perches, they seem as interested in us as I was in them. At the far back of this newly remodeled space is an oversized display of Maliki the lion, Lockwood’s mascot, complete with rider figure.
As I explored the space, I felt as if I were visiting an upscale shopping salon. I thought there should have been a concierge to lead me to my seat, whereupon a waiter would bring me a crystal fluted champagne glass and a tray of caviar while I was shown models and did my shopping from my seat.
On the left of the initial lounge is a raised display area that feels like a posh jewelry showroom. Golden chains draped over oversized models of heads and hands await the visitor here. The back wall holds a video screen, where Lockwood provides a glimpse of available products in a tasteful video loop. On the right is a raised platform with more seating, and a video screen with Twitter updates — another example of the growing ties of Home to social media.
The first showroom on the right side of the lounge is dedicated to Iron Fusion. This is a small yet comfortable room, where the line of Iron Fusion androids is displayed in front of a video screen showcasing the growing line of characters. Patherabots Atrox and Falcaion greet the visitor as you enter the room. The screen on the back wall shows artist’s renderings of the transforming robots. Consistent with Lockwood’s usual low key style, there are shopping kiosks twirling in the room where you can make impulse purchases if you choose.
Next on the right is a second showroom, showcasing the Uproar items available for those that play this enthralling new free game from Lockwood. The walls are covered with framed weapons used in the game, while animatronic figures wiggle and gyrate to the pulsing music. Though small, the showroom is not cramped — it has the intimate feeling of a room made for small gatherings. In this room is another set of shopping kiosks.
There are no fashions on display at present. This surprised me. I’d become accustomed to the larger-than-avatar mannequins at the old Lockwood Showcase, modeling the versatile fashions for which Lockwood is famous in Home. However, it should be remembered that Lockwood has unveiled new Fusion fashions this winter.
At the far back of the space is an auction podium, appropriately named the Lockwood Auction Machine, with the cryptic explanation Coming Soon. I find myself wondering with open enthusiasm what will be auctioned off here at Lockwood HQ.
My first thought was something from the Gift Machine. This would give people a chance to purchase those items still on their wish list. Yes, I am back to that old chestnut. I think having the once-in-a-lifetime chance to bid on Gift Machine items for one’s own use would be very special. Or perhaps Lockwood will come up with new one-of-a-kind items. The mind boggles at what Lockwood might create for this auction. Perhaps “a horse of a different color” — limited-edition colors, like the horse in the Emerald City. I find with Lockwood you have to think outside the box, because it’s been so long since they were in any ordinary box. Alas, my meager guess will never do justice to whatever the creative crew at Lockwood will have up their sleeves. All I can say, is I can’t wait.
All in all, I found the new look at Lockwood HQ to be one of sleek elegance, executed in proper Lockwood style.
Fast forward a day or two: it appears to be snowing at Lockwood! In fact, visibility is severely limited here in the HQ. The Lockwood bulletin board seems to hint at something coming from all this snow. The Twiiter feed tells us that the snow’s intensity will change as the month of December progresses. For better or worse? Leave it to Lockwood to construct a beautiful showroom, and then let it snow inside. What have they got planned? Whatever it is, during the first few days after the Showcase changed, visitor traffic was light. But now that the snow has come, so have the throngs of Lockwood fans. The place has been packed during the past few days when I visited. Home’s residents appear to love this space. They were grouped in every part of the HQ, dancing and socializing.
Lockwood’s showcases have been a hit since the first. There’s no doubt they will continue to draws the masses. Even after the reward has been acquired, the groups of social gatherers stay. I wondered to myself, if Lockwood has a visitor counter, how long will it be before it is broken by the daily traffic here?
December 13th, 2012 by Phoenix | 4 comments
Phoenix writes poetry and is a photography enthusiast, along with writing for HomeStation Magazine. She is currently studying for a BFA in Creative Writing and BA with concentration in Photography. psn ID phoenixstorm21
youtube.com/user/phoenixstorm21
I too like the new look of this space. I think Lockwood has put a lot of time and thought into it, and I am glad they like to change things up every once in awhile instead of keep the same old thing.
Nice article Phoenix.
I do like this space. And the falling snow is wonderfully magic.
This comes down to my personal taste, but I’m not a fan of the minimalist concrete aesthetic. I preferred the old one, which had a sort of modern retail feel to it.
The new space feels more like a corporate HQ than a retail space. It’s not quite as inviting.
Lockwood gift shop, showcase and HQ are glorified shops and requires rewards to drive any sort of foot flow in them, nothing like the interactive Aurora, which is miles better and still visited even when theres no rewards. They would of been better reinventing the sodium hub as they main space.