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the arcade
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C O N T E N T S
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events: the arcade
Check out this month’s feature article, on one of Sec Life’s most popular recurring events, to read all about unique perspectives from the owners, a participatin designer, an avid blogger and a gacha loving shopp
cond t the ng per.
events: perspectives The amazing talent behind two of the most recognizable accessory brands in SL, Amala and Earthstones, discuss their journey and how they came to be two of the most popular jewelry brands the grid has ever seen.
The extraordinary talent behind two of the most recognizable cosmetic brands in SL, Shiny Stuffs and Veechi, discuss their journey and how they came to be two of the most popular cosmetic brands on the grid..
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events: now trending
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Letter Fr
My note this month is a bit bittersw release the final issue of Spotlight A combination of real life and seco committments have presented hug that have taken our attention away Spotlight. It is important to each o produce a pertinent magazine of q exceeds the expectations of our re contributors. It is for these reasons be my final note to each of you as a publisher of this magazine. While project come to a close, the future We hope you “stay tuned� to what with each of us and join us on futu
The past several months working w amazing team at Spotlight Magazi some of the best moments I have e Second Life. I am filled with gratitu contributors, supporters, and read issues, and again in the current on able to bring some of the biggest a in event culture to lend their persp tips, and tricks to one of the things all connected - our love of creativit
rom The Publisher
weet as we Magazine. ond life ge obstacles y from of us that we quality that eaders and s that this will a founder and it is sad to see a e is very bright. is happening ure adventures.
with the ine rank among experienced in ude to all the ders. In past ne, we have been and brightest pectives, advice, s that keep us ty, individuality,
and (of course) shopping. The current issue is no exception. It is only suitable that our final publication involves the minds behind what is debatedly one of the most influential events on the grid - The Arcade. Each quarter, the anticipation for this event swells around the grid as people begin picking out their favorite gacha items. This one event has spurred literally hundreds of complementary and spinoff events including yardsales and genre-specific gacha-only events. As we continue to keep a spotlight on event culture, several shoppers, bloggers, creators, and event coordinators were contacted to share their unique perspectives. We hope you enjoy reading our final issue as much as we enjoyed creating it. With love,
Delicate T. Flower
Letter
Welcome to the fo has always been to we all have in com Unfortunately, a co has rendered it imp and quality we end standards, we have quietly confident t
This was the first p you miss our group Network. We even
Many of the contri work with previous towards the magaz
Lastly, I am also tha for their endless su
With that, happy re
From The Editor
ourth and final issue of Spotlight Magazine. Our goal o celebrate event culture; after all, if there is one thing mmon – it would be our love of all things shopping. ombination of real life and Second Life obligations possible to continue the magazine at the caliber deavor for. Rather than lower our expectations and e decided to close the door on Spotlight. Fear not, I’m that you will find us around the grid.
project I worked with both Del and Kess. If you ever find p dynamics dearly, check out the Blogger & Vlogger have a flat us for anyone to play with...
ibutors I have had the privilege and opportunity to sly, I am grateful for the time and effort they put forth zine.
ankful to both the readers and the event community upport these past few months.
eadings, and I hope you enjoy the issue!
PR & Ma
Welcome to another fabulous issue of Spotlight M
I’ve been thinking a lot about time since our last is both real life and Second Life and how we prioritis Second Life is our relaxation time and therefore h fact that the phrase we use is ‘spend time’ shows t family and friends in SL, a lot of us decide that our Life events. Our sources for finding out about thos websites, Flickr, social media and, of course, Maga clear and pertinent because the value is in the do
For creators, and event organisers, the workload in time as new social media and promotional platfor differing ‘favourites’ in the way that they wish to c all of them, or as many as you can.
That then brings us full circle to the value of the ti They also need to choose wisely how they spend they need to weigh up the ‘return’ on the time inv channels. I have never met anyone who, after thei event behind the scenes, hasn’t been shocked and into creating the events we enjoy as residents. It r successful event in Second Life. We all enjoy these see the latest releases in one place, which also sav and the value of the time of the people that put th
rketing
Magazine.
ssue. The amount of time it takes to do things in se and value our time. For most of us our time in how we spend that time is vitally important. The that it has a value. Aside from spending time with r time is well spent shopping and visiting Second se events vary‌word of mouth, Facebook, blogs, azines. We want our information easily accessible, oing, i.e. the shopping itself.
Social Media
n terms of promoting events is increasing all the rms become available. Their audience all have consume information, so the task is to promote on
ime of the creator, designer or event organiser. their time. Just the same way we do as consumers vested in the various social media and promotional ir first time being involved in producing d surprised at the amount of work that goes really does take a lot to create and maintain a e fabulous venues, events and opportunities to ves us our valuable time. Appreciating our time, hem together, goes hand-in-hand.
Kess Crystal
Click here to learn how to advertise with Spotlight!
CONTRI
ahn avion
cajsa lilliehook
writer
writer
isadora fid
wri
anderian sugarplum
leah mccullough
photographer
photographer
taylor wassep
tempest rosca
wicca m
photographer
photographer
photogr
IBUTORS
ddlesticks
iter
liat reina
novaleigh freng
writer
writer
lessthen zero
miele tarantal
photographer
photographer
merlin
wrennoir cerise
xandrah sciavo
rapher
photographer
photographer & writer
the arcad
Every two months, SPOT four different angles, a s creators, and event org one of Second Life’s mo with Ashleey Andrew of Neva Seljan of NevaM Hendrix Portal who has Arcade, Octagons (Pizza/
de shines bright
OTLIGHT Magazine casts its light on a Second Life® event from sort of 360° exploration from the view of shoppers, bloggers, ganizers. In this issue, the SPOTLIGHT shines on The Arcade, ost popular and storied events. Our 360° included interviews Garbaggio who has been creating for The Arcade since 2015; Mind who has been blogging for The Arcade since 2013; and s patronized The Arcade since March 2013. The owners of The /Pizzy) Yazimoto, Katharine McGinnis, and Emery Milneaux all contributed their two lindens as well.
Written by Cajsa Lilliehook Landscape Photography by Taylor Wassep
Page 30 | Featured Event: Cover Story
The second you land at The Arcade, you are immersed in the experience. You are still gathering yourself, waiting for the world to come into visual focus. You hear the surf and sounds of the shore. You turn toward the shriek of seagulls and see the wide, welcoming pier inviting you toward a wedding-cake pavilion lit with neonbright splashes of brilliant lights over a vintage light bulb marquee that spells out The Arcade. As you near the welcoming open-air entrance you are greeted by Archibald Gachum, a fisherman dressed in a yellow slicker and ready for a Nor’easter. You hear the music as you approach. The jangly, old-fashioned organ grinder competes with the raucous sound of arcade machines whirring, beeping, blooping, pinging, ponging, and chiming – announcing that this is a place where people win, suggesting you may have already won just by being here. The Arcade is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re gonna get. Katharine McGinnis The Arcade was not the first gacha event in SL®. In fact, founder Yazimoto recalls how much she enjoyed playing gachas at Albero. She was also a fan of real life gachas and shared her passion for gacha with her friend Katharine McGinnis. She explains how it all began, “We were sitting on a swing set in-world talking about how we wished there were more gacha events. We just loved playing them and being able to share the extras with friends and giving them as gifts. It was such a fun concept. Emery was in my instant messages and I was telling him about it – the conversation. We all started to joke about us actually doing it ourselves, when we realized we really could take the chance and see what happens. Everything fell into place with hard work and dedication to the project and it gradually bloomed into what it is today.” She makes it sound so simple, doesn’t she? But hard work and dedication alone does not spell success. It also requires smart work and smart decisions. First, and perhaps most importantly, the inspiration of a penny arcade seems like
The Arcade Co-Owner | Emery Milneaux Photographer | Wicca Merlin
May 2017 | Page 31
Page 32 | Featured Event: Cover Story
one of those smart decisions that make all the difference. Milneaux explained that decision as a desire to harken back to the bygone era of penny arcades, places we have read about, seen in movies perhaps, but not in person. As he expressed it, “There aren’t too many places left in real life, like our Arcade. I think nostalgia’s a big part of the appeal. I also believe our event’s very different in nature, than others on Second Life; It’s an experience, it’s a game, it’s a community; It’s that feeling that floods over you, when you finally win that prize you’ve played so hard for. From day one, we’ve had a clear and concise vision as to how we’d present the event and we’ve stayed true to that vision. I believe that’s what’s made The Arcade so immersive, even down to smaller, sillier things like our mascot, Archie. People love that damn robot.” By choosing a penny arcade theme, they not only defined a look and feel of nostalgia, but they explicitly embraced that midway arcade game aesthetic that is its heart and soul. It is the lighthearted, nostalgia of the midway, where dads shoot corks at pop cans and toss bean bags in holes and children lift plastic ducks from the circling water to see what they have won. They always won something, though seldom that giant fluffy unicorn on the top shelf. But the lights, the sounds, the music, made the smaller prizes feel like victories, too. Their decision to embrace that atmosphere is ratified by Andrew, Seljan, and Portal. Seljan enthused, “My favourite thing about the Arcade is the atmosphere I feel it creates.” Andrew also identifies that nostalgic element combined with chance, “Gacha has a certain something to it, the element of random chance and luck are very powerful. Nothing beats the joy of finally getting that prize you wanted, not even the frustration of however many plays it took to get there. Combine that rush with the beautiful prizes made by the creators through the years of the event, the nostalgic venue.“ Portal points out how the atmosphere connects to memory and desire, “It
May 2017 | Page 33 The Arcade Co-Owner | Octagons Yazimoto Photographer | Wicca Merlin
reminds me of old-time arcades and boardwalks, as the name implies. Maybe a return to childhood, simpler times? The vacation memories, or ones you never got to take. The fun of winning a prize. Or, alternately, an outlet for those of us who shouldn’t be allowed near a casino *laughs* but love the thrill of the games. The trading is quite a rush too. It’s just the whole package. As one person experiences it, they tell others, who come to check it out, and it’s grown into this must-do event that is part of the SL experience.” There are many gacha events, but none more wholeheartedly embraces the aesthetics of chance with gacha machines that resemble arcade games, with a few donation claw machines, and with the sound effects of gaming machines. There’s neuroscience that backs up their decisions. The name gacha comes from the sounds made by the original Japanese gachapon machines, an onomatopoeia combining gacha, the sound of pulling the lever, and pon, the sound of the prize falling down the chute. Research from the Journal of Gambling Studies shows conclusively that sound makes playing more enjoyable, produces measurable physiological responses, and makes players feel like they are winning, whether they are or not. You feel so much more like a winner when there are pings and pongs and beeps and whirs even if they are just the ambient soundtrack and would continue to click and beep if no one were there. But someone is always there during The Arcade, an event so immensely popular it is now hosted on three sims and still people struggle to get in. What other event inspires so much advance preparation? Shoppers pore through the catalog and compile lists as though planning to summit Everest. Shopper Hendrix Portal confesses that before it opens, he is already full of eager anticipation thanks to the creativity and variety of items, continuing, “The Shopping Guide prior to the event is something we all look forward to... We spend hours combing the Guide and making
Page 34 | Featured Event: Cover Story
our lists, a.k.a. Plan of Attack.” Since Portal likes to park his avatar on the dome and cam shop from there, you could say he literally “summits” The Arcade. Garbaggio’s Andrew was not immediately sold on the gacha idea. “I used to be a gacha denier years ago because it was an easy stance to take. It took me a while but I finally got it, as I said earlier it’s powerful. The first time I ever played a gacha machine I got the exact rare prize I wanted to gift to a friend on my very first try, there’s no beating that feeling. There’s no anecdote like that in regular shopping.” The Arcade’s McGinnis echoes that concept and adds that perhaps it is so popular because
it is intermittent, “The Arcade is just rich with nostalgia and resonates with everyone’s inner child of never knowing what you’re going to get. Since the event happens four times per year, it allows people to miss it a little and look forward to it like a much beloved holiday; it gives people enough time to fall in love with it all over again.” SPOTLIGHT asked everyone what they think makes a good event. While their requirements varied, they were unanimous that The Arcade “ticks every box” as Andrew phrased it. Event organizer Yazimoto believes that success is a team effort. “Designers, staff and managers need to work as a team or an event can risk losing it’s status and integrity. Fortunately for us, we have an amazing staff who work endlessly to
May 2017 | Page 35
try and do everything they can to make sure the event goes smoothly and as planned. Then we have some of the most amazing designers on the grid whose professionalism and creativity take the event to the next level.” For Garbaggio’s Andrew, it is about professionalism. “Responsible and dedicated event owners equal success for both them and the creators. I want to be in events that further my work and my brand, help me grow and stay away from complacency.” She looks at the numbers, not just her income, but the number of shoppers and who are part of the community it creates and the number of creators who participate. “Big events are popular for a reason, customer satisfaction,
they have the power to choose where they want to shop, and if the event does not keep the customer in mind, it could easily fade away. A perfect balance of responsibility, talent and dedication in both event owners and creators is probably the not-so-secret recipe for success.” Blogger Seljan and shopper Portal like quality,variety, and simple navigation. According to Seljan, “Quality & variety are my #1. But I think I am getting SL old, though, because a very close second is a simple, easy to navigate layout. I don’t need lots of landscaping and fancy decor. I love the Arcade pier. It’s simple yet detailed. I love the actual machines too.” Portal agrees, “I personally don’t like tons of scripted scenery. It may look nice, but at a
The Arcade Co-Owners | Octagons Yazimoto, Katharine McGinnis & Emery Milneaux Photographer | Lessthen Zero
Page 36 | Featured Event: Cover Story
crowded event, people are there to shop, not crash on landing after trying to get in for hours.” In his analysis, The Arcade tops the competition, “The Arcade is a pioneer in ease of access, for sure. They were, I believe, one of the first to have and encourage offsim/cam shopping, and as the popularity has grown, they have accommodated that with more mirror sims for the opening-week crowd. As for content, there has always been a wide variety of creators and items.” Men in Second Life frequently complain of getting short shrift at events. Portal obviously would always love more items for men. He notices that even male-oriented events have items for women, though the reverse is seldom true. He notes, though, that the Arcade has added Sleepy Eddy, Howl, and Dynasty who create male-oriented gachas. “I’d love to see more of this. However, there are always fun items that appeal to everyone. I always find something!” I want people to know I’m so grateful for all their support and that it means so much to all of us behind the scenes. It makes everything so much more enjoyable. Octagons Yazimoto The Arcade Shopping Guide is a big part of their success as well. For Portal, they build anticipation. “I like seeing previews ahead of time, to plan my shopping before attempting to get in. Previews gain a huge potential customer base and build anticipation! And it’s a good way for new creators
The Arcade C
Co-Owners | Octagons Yazimoto, Katharine McGinnis & Emery Milneaux Photographer | Lessthen Zero
May 2017 | Page 37
to showcase their work so more people know about it and go looking for it.” Seljan is also highly motivated by the previews, “I always think I am over gacha and then previews start rolling in and I can’t wait to win!” Another element that is critical to The Arcade’s success is the inworld group devoted to trading and conversation. Seljan says she is seldom social in SL, usually just logging in to dress, shop, and shoot. “But during Arcade months I am sort of social. I love the trading and the group chat. Having a double of the one thing that completes someone’s set. Everyone helping one another out!” That is Portal’s favorite thing about The Arcade, “The community! Archie, and Mari, Scarlett, all the mods and the shoppers who join the group and help each other out. Most are considerate and polite and the exceptions don’t last too long with Marianne’s Axe of Smite around. I’ve met several good friends via Arcade. Also, I like to click stuff,” he adds with a grin. A successful event depends on several elements, but most of all it depends on people, the event organizers who create the space, the concept and the opportunity; the creators whose products make up those lists of gotta-have items, the bloggers who highlight the items and combine them in new ways to inspire the most important people at any event, the shoppers who cast their lindens into the gacha machine full of hope and ready to win.
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Among those people are The Arcade’s owners, Octagons (Pizza/Pizzy) Yazimoto, Katharine McGinnis, and Emery Milneaux. While they were the entire staff at first, others were soon hired as the event grew. They currently have five staff in addition to the owners and fifteen volunteer moderators for group chat. Yazimoto characterizes their team as “the hardest working group of people I’ve come to meet in first life and second...Every single one of us are there for each other, responsible, and dedicated; from our set-up crew, to our chat moderators, just everyone involved – the owners and I are truly lucky to have such hard-working people who want to see the event’s success because we adore it with all our hearts.” Yazimoto describes herself as a pizza enthusiast which might explain her nickname Pizza or Pizzy. In addition to The Arcade, she owns Collabor88 and is a co-owner of Luxe Box and Prism Events. With that track record, she is surely the ne plus ultra of event organizing. Asked for her secret sauces, she credits experience, focus, and her staff. “I’ve been managing events for over 5 years, now. It’s been a learning experience that is constantly teaching me new things. I think it’s important to put your personal feelings aside when dealing with event priorities and keeping your nose to the ground is important when things get hectic. The main focus should always be the event thriving. That being said, my events would be nothing without my staff.” For Yazimoto, Second Life has been life-changing. “I have met so many wonderful people through it and have been fortunate to do things I never thought possible. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.”
The Arcade Shopper Hendrix May| 2017 | PagePortal 39 Photographer | Wicca Merlin
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In addition to The Arcade, Katharine McGinnis is the creative force behind Intrigue Co. Her store is known for its whimsical collectible critters. She was also a texture artist for the Fennux and Fawns breedables, her paintbrush helping them melt hearts across the grid. Second Life has transformed her life, as she happily explains, “I found my other half here and we’ve been together ever since.”
design, and illustration. He is the owner of Common Grounds, the popular coffee shop where he host open mic nights and a book club. He also is the owner/creator for Commoner, a novelty shop where you can pick up fun games for your parties, like Chatterbox, or monogrammed pillows and tchotchkes. He also organizes innovative events as a co-owner of Prism Events.
Milneaux has been similarly lucky. He said, “I first met my best friend on Second Life and a year later, we met in real life. That was 8 years ago. She means the world to me and had it not been for SL, we never would’ve met. That’d have to be the biggest and best change. Everything else is gravy!” In his first life, he is a freelance artist, specializing in graphic design, web
Designer Ashleey Andrew did not start with Garbaggio. She first had a system layer store she opened back in 2008. She really came into her own, though, when mesh hit the grid and decided to start over from scratch. Her first brand was Ash’s Trash, but she wanted a less literal name with a bit of edge. She heard the neologism “Garbaggio” and liked the
The Arcade Designer | Garbagg
sound of it, a bit of EuroHip with that selfdeprecating irony that, as she explained, “summed up my philosophy of being able to feel cool without taking yourself too seriously, having fun with the balance between self love and self awareness. I like oxymorons, one of my other options was ‘Deeply Shallow.’” She initially focused on show which she claims are her second favorite thing in the world. Get your mind out of the gutter, her most favorite is collectible pop culture figurines. She released a fabulous set at the March Arcade.
The Arcade Designer | Garbaggio Store
gio Store
May 2017 | Page 41
early access invitation to Some people find event blogging a challenge. Neva, on the other hand, enjoys it. “When blogging for an event you want to try fit several event items into each entry but still maintain your regular style. You don’t want to throw things in there just to meet requirements. Luckily, the Arcade always makes that easy!” For Neva, Second Life has not been so much about changing her life, but more about finding a way to be social and active while she is deals with ill health at home and in hospital. “I still love SL every bit as much as I did when I first joined but it has always just been a Blogger Neva Seljan started in SL in 2009 hobby to be played in spare time...I don’t and had a Tumblr® blog by the end of the think I use it in a way that it could change year. She started her current blog with my first life. However, there are things in my the clever name NevaMind in 2011. She SL inventory that remind me of things that said, “I would describe it as a very simple happened in my real life. I have also been lookbook. Neva is basic. And that’s ok!” fighting illness for a lot of my SL time and She began blogging for The Arcade in when I’m stuck at home/hospital sick, it’s 2013 when she was home recovering one of my fave ways to pass time. Oh, it’s from surgery and a friend who was also great for long airport layovers!” already an Arcade blogger wangled an
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Through the years, being able to see The Arcade’s community flourish and grow year by year has left me completely awestruck and floored -one of my favorite things to do when a round wraps up is to collect the guestbook at the front of the venue and see local chat flood with all the names and sweet messages; it makes it all worth it, every time. Katharine McGinnis Hendrix Portal is a real life number cruncher and a Second Life quote collector. His profile picks are full of riotous only-in-SL phrases, sentence and situations including many from The Arcade. He has found good friends and good times in SL and describes his feeling this way, “It has greatly helped me in social situations. In SL I meet people from all walks of life, all over the world, and I use these interactions and apply them to reallife situations. Pardon the overused sentiment, but we’re all real behind the screen! Except, of course, the bots, and Delicate Flower who, I’m pretty sure, isn’t human. Possibly halfunicorn.” He added, “Wavie Haller of Consignment has not (yet) filed a restraining order against me for being too fanboy, despite the rumors.” I think this explains his response when asked to explain The Arcade in a single sentence: “Looking for a bulldog in a tutu, a pooping log, and a rare leg raccoon!” In Second Life, the sun rises every four hours. Time passes quickly. Second Life can be frenetic, a world of here today and gone tomorrow. You’re hot, then you’re not. Long term success is the
May 2017 | Page 43 The Arcade Blogger| Neva Seljan Photographer | Neva Seljan
exception, not the rule. Part of The Arcade’s longevity is a careful mix of continuity and change. People want to know what to expect just as much as they want something new. When The Arcade began in September 2012, it was parked in the sky of a residential community. It outgrew its first home, moving to its own sim in 2014, with a second contiguous sim rented for off-site cam shopping. They have added new gacha machines, a concession stand, a carousel, and a fountain at the landing point. Patrons of The Arcade are honored with their names at the fountain. They introduced Player Rewards, an exclusive gift awarded to players who have played a machine twenty-five times. Every December they have a giant tree in the middle of the central court with several free gifts from designers for The Arcade’s Season of Giving. This year, they opted to drop the cam shopping sim and instead offer two mirror sims, tripling their capacity. Milneaux, the Art Directors, has redesigned the event’s poster and other promotional materials, a new look for the coming June Arcade. It’s not just adaptation and planning, though. There is an element of magic. If you have shopped The Arcade more than once, you will have noticed this uncanny synergy that results in several creators producing items that seem to go together. The Arcade is not a themed event like Collabor88, so it’s an organic bit of magic. Obviously, the seasons
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play a role, but it’s more uncanny than just Christmas decorations in December and flowers in March. McGinnis thinks it might be kismet, “There’s definitely an unexplained synergy round by round! Having experienced it myself, I can best explain it as a touch of kismet, being aware of current trends, and anticipating what the audience would also geek over.” Arcade creator Andrew has seen the magic, too. “While I’m sure there is collaboration here and there sometimes, for the most part, creators work on their own and there isn’t a set theme. I like to think there’s a bit of magic because I’ve seen it happen at least once every round I’ve been in, that some of the machines go together or have similar themes, when creators didn’t know each other or talked about it beforehand.” For Portal, it’s purely magic, “Magic, definitely! A lot of behind the scenes work goes into every round, and the owners and coordinators do an amazing job, but I believe there has to be a little magic as well. Archie keeps it in his hat.” The Arcade wouldn’t be what it’s become without the support of its patrons and vendors. We see you, we hear you, and we so appreciate your loyalty. Thank you! Emery Milneaux Success breeds success and the creators who are part of The Arcade see material benefits, but Andrew thinks there are other benefits as well. One example of that is her recent Arcade collectibles – moving beyond her shoe-making comfort zone. There is also this sense of validation in being chosen, a recognition of excellence. She explains it like this,
The Arcade Co-Owner | Katharine McGinnis Photographer | Wicca Merlin
May 2017 | Page 45
Page 46 | Featured Event: Cover Story
“As a creator the fact that I was able to discover the potential of my work, it’s changed my life and expanded my horizons. And through the eyes of a customer I absolutely love getting there and seeing the machines fill up with the hard work of other creators. There hasn’t been a round where I’m not amazed by what people can do, which is very inspiring to keep pushing myself further as well.” This would be arcade music, setting off all sorts of beeps and chimes for Yazimoto who says “My favorite thing about The Arcade is when creators tell us how much it’s helped their first life. I’m so proud to be a part of something that is so beneficial and enjoyable for people, it makes everything worth it.” Of course, no events are perfect and if you believe Ezekiel, even Heaven had its carping critic, so there are those who find fault. The complaints about The Arcade are no different from complaints about other events. There is the ever-present complaint about lag, which could be addressed with a script gate, but then there would be complaints about the script gate. There are complaints about which stores and bloggers are and are not in the event, the “why-not-me” syndrome and its relational variants, why-not-mypartner/friend/sister and so on. There’s the gacha-specific complaints, the frustration that multiple items must be won to have a functional product, the stated preference for just buying the items, and the promise to never pull a lever again. That pledge is often overridden by the overwhelming temptation of the highly desirable items in play.
The Arcade Blogger| Neva Seljan Photographer | Neva Seljan
May 2017 | Page 47
Andrew of Garbaggio has a sound response to all that. “Criticism is a part of business. I personally think constructive criticism helps you build a better business, and negative or disrespectful criticism helps you build a thicker skin, so you take the good with the bad and carry on. From my own experience with The Arcade, criticism grows larger with notoriety, but so does the quiet majority that remains warm, supportive and continues to shop every round, and I couldn’t thank them enough.” When she talks about criticism growing with notoriety, she is describing the Tall Poppy Syndrome, just as the heads of poppies that grow higher than the rest of the flowers in the field tend to get lopped off, there is a tendency to want to bring successful people whose work stands out down to size. It’s human nature – and even angelic nature if we listen to Ezekiel. Milneaux understands that. “When we first started The Arcade, we had no idea what it’d become. It’s been a crazy, unexpected gift, watching the event grow in popularity over these past five years. But when something grows so big, so fast, it also becomes subject to public scrutiny or even criticism. We understand that.” For him, it’s all about intention. He thinks it is worthwhile to pay attention to well-intended criticism and not to waste time on personalized criticism. “At the end of the day, we know who we are and acknowledge that The Arcade may not be for everyone. It’s impossible to make everyone happy. But that doesn’t stop us from striving to be our best, and to make The Arcade the best it can be (for its visitors, vendors and organizers alike.)”
Page 48 | Featured Event: Cover Story The Arcade Co-Owner | Octagons Yazimoto Photographer | Wicca Merlin
May 2017 | Page 49
So what does the future hold as The Arcade nears its Fifth Anniversary? Is it possible we have reached Peak Gacha? McGinnis says not. “I don’t think we’ve reached its “peak”, nor do I see it going downward. We’ll be around as long as Linden Lab™ keeps the lights on!” Certainly not for Seljan either, “I am gacha sucker. I am the person gacha events are made for. I actually prefer to be able to just buy the things I like but there’s something about gacha that I just love. It’s a love/hate/really love relationship maybe. When there’s something I want, I don’t want to give up. I will get totally frustrated but still not quit. There’s always at least one machine where I NEED everything in it. It’s awful and awesome!” and Portal thirds the idea, “Gacha appeals to me over simply shopping because there’s a thrill element involved. Will I get that thing I want? Will I get something I didn’t know I wanted, that ended up being really cool?...With gacha, the initial cost is lower, you have a bit of a gamble, and you find things you might not have gone shopping for otherwise that lead you to that creator’s shop afterward.” Games of chance have been around a long time. Who knows? Perhaps homo erectus would draw straws to see who went hunting and who went gathering? In China, they were gambling with a form of lottery as early as 2300 B.C. They even used gambling with a form of Keno to fund government building projects. Megabucks 200 B.C. Thankfully, homo sapiens sapiens are gamblers, casting their fortunes when they migrate, when they risk new ideas. It makes sense that homo virtualis arcadia is going to be gambling for a long as the servers are online at Linden Lab. As Yazimoto sums it up, “We hope we can continue to sustain the event for our creators and customers. What lies in store really remains to be seen, but we hope we keep coming up with ways to keep it an enjoyable experience for both.” Check out The Arcade website, Facebook, Flickr and Plurk. Check out the Gabaraggio Flickr, Facebook and in-world store. Check out Neva Seljan’s Blog and Flickr.
Page 50 | Featured Event: Cover Story
Genus Arcadia
A few years ago, while undertaking research for AVENUE For example, Arcadia Exilium ( Magazine, I worked with a biology professor at an Oregon were noted by their desperate college to identify, name and describe the many variations the border of a full sim. With th of Arcade visitors which we named the genus Arcadia of the this species has decreased in n family Avatarus. As we noted during our earlier research, the extinction. variant members of the genus are identified more by their behavior than their appearance or phenotype. Most of the The species Arcadia Commedit species remain true to form, though some of the species healthy population, but they h have become vanishingly rare and endangered. The Arcadia at FlickrŽ watering holes. While habitat has expanded with more sims, but also with a growing the culture of The Arcade in ph foraging culture at yard sales and on Marketplace™. This shift their contributions are less con from a hunter to hunter-gatherer society has had profound atmosphere of a contest. effects. The other species of Arcadia are doing well and seem to be thriving, even expa numbers as their territory expands to three sims.
Arcadia Bravio (The Gambler) continues to be more fascinated by the play than Arcadia Congero (The Collector) continues to hunt and forage for every variation each session of the Arcade. Congero has adopted strategic foraging at yard sale the chance of success. Arcadia Garrulus (The Group Chat Maven) continues to congregate in The Arcad chat and can be identified by a proactive, positive attitude. Arcadia Inclinatio (The Trend-Setter) continue to produce surprising and origina never knew you wanted until you saw it – and then you have to have it. Arcadia Magnanimus (The Gifter) continues to find joy in playing in order to give Arcadia Numerus (The List-Maker) still prepares extensive lists in advance of The most successful members of the Numerus species set us google.doc spreadshe with friends in order to enhance their opportunity for successful completion of Arcadia Perfectio (The Completionist) is the species who most benefits from the yard sale and Marketplace habitats, finding missing items that seem to elude th home territory at The Arcade.
A few new species have developed as well. It is a sign of strength that the genu develop new species, though is often common some are more adaptive than o
Arcadia Speculatus (The Speculator) is an entrepreneurial species of Arcadia. Spe prioritizes being there right at the opening bell in order to collect as many rare hopes of resale at with high markups. Arcadia Mercator (The Marketer) is another entrepreneurial species who collects at The Arcade as possible and then resells them on Marketplace. Arcadia Maledictus (The Accursed) is the unhappy sort who has nothing good t whom there is nothing good to say. Arcadia Ipsissimus (The Actualized) is the species that finds joy in The Arcade, wi
(The Exile or Border-Bumper) e pushing and bouncing against he addition of mirror sims, number and is in danger of
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May 2017 | Page 51 The Arcade Movie Festival Based on the answers of Ashleey Andrew, Neva Seljan, Hendrix Portal, Octagons Yazimoto, Katharine McGinnis and Emery Milneaux to questions of if their life was movie, who would play them, what songs would be on the soundtrack, what is the title of the film and what genre would it be? Why Me? Why Me? is a vibrant, quirky comedy starring Joe Pesci as Octagons Yazimoto, a nasty girl living in a nasty world and wondering how that happened. It features a soundtrack by Vanity 6 and Pesci steals the show singing their Nasty Girl in a karaoke competition in French Lick, Indiana. How she came to French Lick is a constant running joke throughout the film. Pineapple Girl Pineapple Girl is a Pixar animated feature with Gina Rodriguez playing Katherine McGinniss enjoying a night of rum and dancing at a party where even the clock got drunk. Rum and Pineapple Girl go together like peanut butter and jelly. When she realizes this, she opens the world first PB&J Bar & Disco in the world. The soundtrack is a cinematic score by John Williams. Do Better Do Better is a musical starring Meryl Streep in drag, playing Emery Milneaux in a fim about jelly bean addiction and a friendly intervention, featuring the marvelous “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” by Rufus Wainwright. Milneaux struggles with finding balance in a world where everything is a little bit harmful. The Devil Wears Garbaggio The Devil Wears Garbaggio is a dark musical romantic comedy starring Rachel Blook as Ashleey Andrew in one woman’s struggle with a shoe fetish and how she turned that into a second life. The soundtrack is all original music composed by collectible icons of stage and screen. The Truth About Cats & Dogs The Truth About Cats & Dogs is a romantic comedy with Cate Blanchett starring as Neva Seljan who finds true love at a Bee Gees revival. She started a joke, but then she found that staying alive is all about knowing how to mend a broken heart to avoid tragedy. She learns not to be jive talkin’ when you should be dancing. And then you win again. Life as a Strict Machine Life as a Strict Machine is a comedic documentary in the vein of This is Spinal Tap. It features Topher Grace as Hendrix Portal playing an accountant-at-large whose wizardry with numbers runs him afoul of some dangerous people. If only he did not monkey with the monkey and start digging in the dirt. Some think his accounting wizardry makes him a machinehead or a monster, but he’s only a strict machine. The soundtrack features a variety of rock artists from Bush, Goldfrapp, Peter Gabriel, Skillet, and Oingo Boingo – also the 1812 Overture with cannons when he find the bodies which only makes me laugh.
pers
In a world where anythin culture permeates the la Each issue, the Spotlight bloggers and sh
spectives
ng is possible and dream often become [virtual] reality, event andscape, providing each individual with a unique experience. Team creates a dialogue event coordinators, content creators, hoppers who share their perspective on event culture.
Page 60 | Perspectives
event shopper RockBlossom
RockBlossom is an avid shopper. She shares her perspective as a shopper of event culture with Spotlight Magazine. “I have to admit that there’s a bit of a thrill that comes along with event shopping. The anticipation for the event to open, scouting for that one item you saw on a WIP post somewhere, discovering new designers and happily heading home with your finds. Its all a part of the experience. I have heard the opinion that there are too many events. However, there are a lot of creative designers on Second Life and a lot of eager clients with different styles. If it weren’t for these events, I could not keep up with all of the creators and their individual store releases. There are also fantastic events that incorporate live music, contests and of course, gifts! While facilitating the shopping experience for clients, events also bring people together. Not only the ones working hard behind the scenes to pull it off, but also for me who’s constantly bumping into new friendships while shopping. Overall, I find that event culture makes perfect sense for our community. I love events almost as much as I love ankle lock, those who know me will know that’s a lot, and I don’t see it changing any time soon.”
Photographer | WrenNoir Cerise
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Page 62 | Perspectives
event designer Paco Pooley and Manuel Ormidale Check out their store 22769.
Paco Pooley and Manuel Ormidale are the creative forces behind the brand 22769. They share their designer perspective of event culture with Spotlight Magazine. “Events are a great way of exposure for many shops under one roof - we compare it to trade fairs in RL. We especially like if events have themes because this is what boils up our creative juice and forces us to step out of our comfort zone as well as creating something that nevertheless fits in our range. We do see the increasing amount of events as possibility to chose what is appealing for us and what not. And even tho many events and themes sound very interesting for us - at the end of the day the working schedule is making the final decision.�
Photographer | WrenNoir Cerise
May 2017 | Page 63
Page 64 | Perspectives
event blogger Shiny Bubble Check out her fashion blog.
Shiny Bubbleis the creative blogger and photographer behind her fashion blog, Melodies of SL. She shares her blogger perspective of e culture with Spotlight Magazine. Be sure to check out her Flickr, as w
“I feel over the recent years with event culture has become more and mo grid stable especially for designers. Gone are the days of relying on main releases, This is both good and bad.
It often means that designers are very overwhelmed and push themselv breaking point just to make deadlines, Were with main store releases of gone past this was not an issue.
I also think that events themselves, Have to really make an impact in som exciting way to be successful and they have to keep evolving otherwise t risk the chance of becoming irreverent to another newly opened event.
There is a lot of work that goes into events behind the scenes and if the general public of Secondlife only knew event owners and their teams wo gain much more respect than they currently receive.
All in all, Me personally i am so happy to be apart of this ever growing an changing scene. It is a privilege to work with such amazing people such Skye (Owner of Epiphany) and all the designers involved as we couldn’t d any of it without you.
Events are like a machine, Lots of little parts doing their job as a whole to make it a success.� Photographer | WrenNoir Cerise
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May 2017 | Page 65
now
Second Life’s hottest t Magazine provides a exclusive int
This month we take a loo
trending
trends are often found at events all over the grid. Spotlight an in-depth review of what is new and trending, including terviews with the masterminds behind the craze.
ok into cosmetics, interviewing Aiubrey Snoodle of Veechi and Tarani Tempest of Shiny Stuffs.
Written by Ahn Avion Landscape Photography by Taylor Wassep
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Shiny Stuffs Owner | Tarani Tempest Photographer | Wicca Merlin
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“Who are you wearing?” Whether it is an event as glamorous as The Oscars, or more low key like Nickelodeon’s Kid’s Choice Awards, the most asked question of any female attendee is, “Who are you wearing?” One aspect of fashion that many aficionados and critics alike seem to take for granted is the cosmetics, the “look”. Depending on the “look”, a little black dress can come across as sleek and svelte, or it can scream hangover harlot, or anything in between. While the components of cosmetics are they same foundation, concealer, blush, eye liner, mascara, eye shadow, etc. - how they are combined makes all the difference. Recently, I had the honor and opportunity to speak with two icons of the Second Life cosmetic industry, Tara (tarani. tempest), owner and creator of Shiny Stuffs, and Aiubrey Snoodle, owner and creator of Veechi. Shiny Stuffs has been open since 2011. Back then, Tara only worked on a few system layer make-ups and some feather earrings. It wasn’t
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until she got into mesh heads over a year ago that she became more involved in creating things. “It’s all about the cosmetics for mesh heads, CATWA and Lelutka for the most part right now. I wanted to create quality sets for affordable prices. I know the pain of spending tons on the heads,” explains Tara. With specific looks in mind for her then new mesh head, Tara set about finding cosmetics that would best suit her visions. Unable to find anything, she began making her own, and thus credits the advent of mesh heads as her inspiration. Veechi came to fruition in March 2015. Veechi was not only new to the cosmetics scene, but new to the dictionary, too! In reference to the name, Veechi, Aiubrey explains, “I made it up completely! I had previously been listing the things I was making under my blog name, Failbait. A friend recommended rebranding away from my blog name to avoid confusion, and Veechi was born. I’d say a lot of the inspiration came from Gucci, I loved the way it flows off the tongue. I checked to make sure it wasn’t taken and boom! Veechi!”
Veechi Owner | Aiubrey Snoodle Photographer | Wicca Merlin
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Aiubrey speaks about her inspiration. “I think the makeup industry is really booming in RL right now, and I personally became obsessed with it about 3-4 years ago. Veechi is my way of bringing these makeup trends we see all over Instagram and Youtube to SL!” In much the same way Tara began, Aiubrey also had difficulty finding what she was looking for to go with new mesh body parts that were becoming a big deal in SL. She began making a few little things she wanted and the rest is history. Another similarity between the two creators is featuring men in makeup. “I love KPop, which is also a huge
inspiration for me. I would like to try making something inspired by those looks. I really love BlackPink and BTS. I would have to say that Big Bang is my all time fave though for sure. I have no idea if that style is even wanted out there in SL, but it would be fun for me to make,” explains Tara. Aiubrey has a slightly different take. “There are a few guy inspired eye looks that I’ve wanted to make, but when it comes to makeup I don’t think it’s really gender specific. I would definitely say my target audience are females but I’ve also got lots of guys who rock my makeup too! It’s 2017! We’ve got badass male beauty gurus and bloggers slaying the
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makeup world. Brands like Maybelline and CoverGirl are making guys the face of entire campaigns! So I guess it’s not about the type of makeup I create, I should just start incorporating some guy models in my vendors. I want it to be for everyone!” Where Shiny Stuffs cosmetics may be categorized as glamorous, classy, or svelte, Veechi’s owner, Aiubrey, calls her looks on trend and “basic bitch”, but in the best kind of way. “Give me a long thick winged eyeliner, give me giant overdrawn lips! I love it all. And some Starbucks while you’re at it!” The “look” takes on as many forms, each one dependent upon the desire of the one wearing it. Sometimes
things need to be a little crazy. Shiny Stuffs offers a Bad Day kit complete with runny liner and hangover zits, and also offers flower petal lashes for those days when you don’t wake up with an empty bottle of liquor attached to the stranger in your bed. Veechi did a take on Memento Mori, all bloody glam in that disgusting beauty kind of way, and, on the flipside, a colorful look straight out of the 80’s. Then there are the holidays and festivals! “I have done some small holiday type things. I have not done a full face though. I have thought about it. I am always thinking about what to do around the holidays. I have a few ideas for some things I’d like to try. Now, the
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question always is, how will they look. For me, if I am not happy with something, it will never see the light of day,” says Tara. Aiubrey adds, “I’ve actually been super inspired by all the festival makeup going around. Right now it’s all about eye jewels and lots of glitter and I’m so here for that! I would love to add more wild festival looks to my collection. Aside from that, I tend to aim for a more wearable look.” Though the ladies have different perspectives on how and what they create, they have quite a few similarities as well. Both consider the most challenging aspect of putting a new look together to be getting it to come out just right, especially because of the various mesh heads currently available, both have a stronger presence in their in-world store locations than on MarketPlace, and neither of them work with system make-up any longer due to the systems of supply and demand. They are also quite busy! To check out their latest events, take a visit to the MBA event and the anyBODY event for Shiny Stuffs, and Rewind for Veechi. Veechi also participates in N21, Uber, The Epiphany, The Season’s Story, and Summerfest.
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“Most of my inspiration these days comes from friends and customers! I LOOOVE getting messaged or tagged in photos of makeup looks you want to see in SL. There is a very special feeling you get when you create something that you know people want, and end up loving. At least for me! So don’t be shy! If there is a cosmetic missing from your Slife, tell me about it!” Aiubrey adds enthusiastically. Considering that both talented artists were inspired to create out of a lack of available options at the time, I would say that it’s safe to say that either of them would welcome ideas to help you complete your perfect look. With such a wide variety, there’s no need to choose one or the other. Be fierce, be fabulous, be you. You got the look! How do we do it? It’s all in the details. Without them, we are merely mimics. Teleport to Shiny Stuffs. Teleport to Veechi.
Page 86 | Now Trending Veechi Owner | Aiubrey Snoodle Photographer | Wicca Merlin
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Shiny Stuffs Owner | Tarani Tempest Photographer | Wicca Merlin
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