Dream Hideaway: a Repairable Dream
by Phoenix, HSM team writer
First of all, let me commend Lockwood for being the first developer to create a way to gift an apartment space. This in itself is a wonderful thing. Lockwood has long been a front runner in creation and innovation for personal spaces in Home. From the Blasters’ Paradise and the Midnight Glade to the Dream Yachts and the Jewel of the Skies – a phenomenal space complete with a genie and a flying carpet game – Lockwood has surprised us all.
Each space has offered something their predecessors didn’t. Each new space has been packed with rewards and a sense of adventure in discovery. We expected the same from the sneak peeks and hints about the spaces Lockwood would be releasing exclusively through the gifting machine. The first was the Meadow, an open space with dappled light, trees and grass. I do not own this apartment, so I can not say much else about it. I do believe, from what I know, that it is a great place to share a picnic with a friend.
The giftable apartment I want to talk about is the latest from the Lockwood Dream Universe, the Dream Hideaway. We first saw glimpses of this new sequestered apartment in a short intro video. There was a beautiful entryway with dual staircases, and a white marble floor emblazoned with a crest. Then we saw snippets of the scenery and surrounding night environment. All of these tantalizing details whetted our taste buds for the next Lockwood delight.
I was honored to be gifted with this apartment on Valentine’s Day. I had been so excited to see the message, “You have a gift.” I had been even more excited to see the space in my personal space listings. Imagine my delight as I downloaded and spawned into the space. That excitement continued, as I ran from room to room in the enormous space. Sofas and couches aplenty, oh my!
The scene before me was spectacular. The star-filled sky with giant trees and forest, the lap of the water along the shore and wooden decks and rock base of the hideaway structure. The sounds of the night creatures in the forest was an added bonus to the already tranquil space. It is indeed a halcyon bolt-hole as described, but only looking out. There was nothing inside to keep my attention.
My disappointment with the space is as follows. The inviting water surrounding the space is blocked. (I believe this is something Lockwood has looked into since, based on their feedback.) There is not even a way to reach the water’s edge. The stairs are inaccessible. The pool can be entered by several spots, except the ladder. So why is it there, if it’s not to be used? Once in the pool, there is only one way out. Hopefully this can be checked into. If the water around the apartment were accessible, then we might not even need a pool.
Then there is the matter of the sofa count. This question plagues me. Four of the seven rooms have one or two, or even three burned-in sofas. Is this a personal space or a clubhouse? Why in heaven’s name are there so many? These large sofas are beautiful in design, but such a wealth of them is unnecessary.
One room with sofas would have been enough. Perhaps two. I would have kept the one upstairs and one room downstairs, but four? One or two of the other rooms could have been used for a proper bedroom space, and one might have been a proper dinning room. There could have also been a bathroom fitted into this enormous apartment. And, if we already have so many sofas, why where we given two more as reward items? This only adds to the clubhouse feel of the space.
The inside of this retreat also resembled the yachts of Dream Universe — so much so, that I found myself thinking that this is what would it would look like if the Titanic had run aground in the rain forest, and I had been forced to create something new from its hull.
Granted, this is part of the Dream universe. But I don’t quite get why it should so resemble other apartments from the series. The interior could have had other aesthetics, say something along the lines of extraterrestrial living, rather than a yacht. Looking at the space from the outside, it is possible to imagine it being somewhere other than earth. It has a wonderful sci-fi feel to it. This space gives the feel of another universe, a dream universe! Some of the furnishings carry that same aesthetic, the white color and design.
I will not mention the bedroom door size or furniture spawn problem, since they have been stated before and Lockwood is committed to fixing it. As to the big-screen television, however — why it is there? It does not work. It only takes up wall space. And you can’t even put a functioning LOOT TV over it. Note to developers: a burned-in item should have a function if it is to be constantly visible. Take a look at the fountain on the balcony at Santorini apartment, or the fire pit at Dream Island. These are burned in, but they have function and aesthetic beauty. I would like to see more of this kind of detail in a space with burned in furniture.
One thing I do not understand: once innovative function has been introduced in a personal space, why would the same developer take a step backwards in the next space they offer? It is not necessary to include all of the possible innovations, even if they could be shoehorned into the memory budget. But we do notice when none of them appear in the newer spaces. It is my hope that the developers will not see this as ingratitude from fussy Home users, but as a critique, or constructive feedback from the dedicated fans who enjoy collecting their virtual products.
I hope Lockwood can understand it was they themselves who were the ones who set the bar so high. Now nothing less than the standards they have set will do! I am hopeful that some of these issues can be resolved. This is a truly lovely space. Please keep them coming!
Share
Tweet |
Well, as I’ve been heard saying for the last few weeks; I’m staying outta Home for a bit. And after reading this Im kinda glad I have! I’ve been giving this place the eye for a while now -- so curvy!!! But it sounds like there were a lot of things over-looked in its creation. Shame that, but you raise a very good point Phoenix, what is the base standard for Home’s big spending property enthusiasts now? Have we been spoiled by Juggernaut’s fancy flying, day/night controls, wall-personalization, furniture-makin’, animal-raising standards? Have LOOT and their media soaked spaces and items made us impartial to even the most beautifuly rendered textures and details of LKWD’s gorgeous offerings?
Yes. Is the short answer there. I guess it’s not enough just to look pretty anymore, now it has to be clever, original as well as functional. I’d hardly say that’s a problem! Now if only Hollywood picked its actors with these qualities in mind…
Thankfully Lockwood has already responded that swimming in the pool and surrounding water as well as more spawn points are on their way in a future update, it’s sad they didn’t make this happen at launch as expected by the quality they usually provide but knowing that it is happening is good.
I solved the problem -- at least for myself -- I turned it into a huge art gallery using some of my own photos in picture frames, every ‘artistic’ sculpture in Home (including the “Hand” from Dream Island, Pegasus from the Dream Yacht, most of the Astrology statues and the ancient Greek statues) and lots of large plants. Maybe I should shoot some footage of this and send it to Lockwood. I also thought of this as the Sacramento Delta area of California and imagined this as a yacht harbor ‘fine dining’ restaurant site. Those Game Mechanics tables would make sense of that commercial kitchen and that room where beds cannot fit through the door makes a fine restroom for the art museum or the restaurant. Looks to me like this was never intended as a private residence.
That would work very well, Keara. I’ll have to try that. It does seem to me that this space would make a much better clubhouse skin than an apartment.
You guys didn’t mention the huge, needless standoff in the kitchen right where the refrigator goes.
Your museum idea is the creativity we need from developers. Because the interior of this dream space has the marked charactor and intimacy of a municipal airport.
The Post-Apocalyptic apartment isn’t huge or everyone’s cup of nutronium, but I always enjoy guests’ surprise at all its inventive extras. It’s my benchmark, and why I liked the Dream furniture but can’t get thrilled about fixing up the last 2 gift spaces from Lockwood [no matter how much I appreciate my thoughtful friends].
But that pretty little meadow they got me is made of dreams.