YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A GIANT DUCK!

 by Rose_Blossom

 

What can you say that would give this remarkable young man the merit he deserves?  Talk about multi-tasking! Designer, developer, funzone operator, community advocate, event host and producer, and all around fun-in-the-sun kinda guy! 

As a designer, Meret has certainly broken barriers.  As seen by the picture here (above), his imagination and temerity has earned him the respect and admiration of Therians in-world-wide!  Recently, you could hear jaws dropping and see eyes popping when he debuted a “There-size” Lady Liberty to coincide with the QE4 Fall Fashion Award ceremonies. 

As advocate, and your representative in the community, there is very little that Meret doesn’t know about, OR that he wouldn’t fight for.  He definitely has your best interests at heart!  Whether its in-world attending the various MAB and MAB subgroup meetings, or in the forums, where he’s IN THE FACE of anyone willing to challenge the good name of There! 

I recently caught up with Meret long enough for to ask him a few questions.  When asked about all of the community clubs he is a member of, he is more than passionate, as evidenced by his explanation, “I guess I got hooked into the community aspect of "There" through the forums (we are talking way back in beta).  I was fascinated at the depth of emotion, drive and motivation so many people had for the world including those that had strong desires to mold the service into something I did not believe fit the overall vision.  I had done the on-line gamer addiction (EQ, DOAC, cards, etc) and have seen many fun things on the internet, but the freedom to do what you wanted I felt was the leading edge of where on-line worlds were heading (funzones are still today an amazing piece of technology that anyone can learn to use). 

Combined with my getting attached to the forum regulars (trying to offer a middle ground to many of the hot issues), meeting some extremely motivated and talented people, I took the plunge at the end of Public Beta 2 to see if I could rally the community to put together a large scale event.  While that effort was a ton of fun, it burned me out which lead to my 6 month hiatus.  But it completed my desire to see this unique service, world and the people filling it, succeed. 

It's hard to state clearly all the things that motivate me to want to help the community and this service.  One major factor for me is my wife (Fazzerelli).  She hated PC's (for good reasons I don't care to go into :) for virtually her whole life and found them too complex and boring.  When I introduced her to "There" a few months after I had been a member, she loved it.  It was extremely easy to learn, it contained hundreds of super nice and friendly people, it was visually nice to see and explore, and had amazing events.  To me, "There" is the future of mass appeal on-line products that don't require you to be a techie or gamer by nature to participate or enjoy.  I would hate to see it disappear for her or others like her. 

The other key motivator for me, is my love to participate in the development of these products.  Once on-line, there is no going back.  I am a problem-solver and process design person in real life.  Participating in the growth and change in this type of product is exactly what I love to do.  And while I would be considered a non-social type person, I am extremely aware of how people react to various changes which allows me to better understand what drives their opinions, wants and actions.” 

I asked Meret, with all these aspirations, what he would like to see accomplished in There.  “That's easy,” he said, “To see "There" continue to grow and develop to its full potential.  I want a place I can call home-base on-line 10 years from now even if I go off playing another game for awhile.  I want a place I can create 'fun' activities that are not based on some forced achievement.  I want a place where my wife and friends can have fun with or with out any technical or gamer skills.  I want to make sure the dog AI in There is not shelved to never be seen again or wait 10 years for some other company to recreate funzone race tracks or wait 8 years for a chat system that makes you feel you are talking to someone directly (ever notice it seems more natural to want to summon someone to have a long chat with and not just use an IM).  I want to offer alternative views on demands people make that may not be the best choices in the long run or learn why my previous ideas were not that great.  I want to participate in that debate cycle and see it succeed.  Even when I disagree or really lose my cool over some change planned, I have never lost the belief that this is an amazing product with unlimited potential. 

I want to see all those things, but I also realize it's a market that is not easy to reach.  It's a niche product right now that needs to stay the course while people slowly take the plunge to join. 

Btw, that was my brief answer.” 

I took a deep breath and a sip of my soda.  Then I asked, “Meret, as you know, nominations were just announced for the next MAB (Members Advisory Board).  I would like to ask you one of the questions from the questionnaire sent to all those who were considered...  If you could add only ONE new feature to There, assuming no resource

limitations on the company side (e.g. art and engineering time), what would you choose?” 

Meret snickered before forming his answer, “This is the answer I posted to the MAB forums when some of us did the questionnaire for fun.  "A generic game interface (where members can create trivia, board and card games). There is a severe lack of interactive activities for members once they pass the 2-3 month period." 

Meret is a member of the There_Economy_Issues club, plus the Economic_Studies club, not to mention the Wonderland_Mall_Merchants club.  I was curious about his interest in Economics 

“Ah, an economist, I am not (ask Baloo),” he laughed.  “This started back in the early days of the beta before the pricing structure was decided.  There_Bux at the time invited a bunch of people from the forums that had expressed various opinions on how this service should price itself into a focus group to hear feedback on various ideas.  This is where I met Baloo before he became an employee of There.  While we got the chance to comment on the pricing schemes, it sort of became a mini club about the possibilities of "There"  (i.e. private islands, self government, etc). 

I normally keep an eye on, and participate in, economic discussions as they come up, since making decisions based solely on economic theory, without trying to balance money versus perceived value (I believe in the minimum experience concept), is generally bad for business and the membership.  So while I can't last 2 minutes on detailed economic theory, when it comes down to how people will perceive something or what seems reasonable to someone, I think I have something to offer to the discussion, so I try and participate when I can.” 

I was dizzy!  I changed the subject… 

“Meret, you’ve been a member of There for a very long time!  What are some of the things you’ve seen changed for the better in There?” 

(*hmmm) “This is a hard question.  I recall the days when tons of staff and money were being poured into the service (I truly miss the stage events every night when Mackie was paid to be nice to me), but while some may disagree, there are many things better now than before.  Off the top, the expectations level of the current membership is more in line with its capabilities.  In the past, the forums were filled with screams of wants and changes to the point where you would think no one ever had any fun in-world.  Beyond the obvious things like hoverboats, bikes, cards, etc., the less obvious major improvements include, the new banning software, the new pricing scheme, the litter situation, consistency from Customer Service, the number of great developers/painters, the save layout functions, Therecare, team platforms, the voice chat system, Froz's, portahomes, dedication to fixing bugs, etc.”

 

“Are there any changes, in your opinion, for the worse?”  I leaned closer. 

“Sure.  The loss of any way to earn T's for the average member, the thought of much slower development in areas like new funzones, card/game systems, the reduction in unique events (but there are still great events every week), the higher prices for There rents.  Oh and the loss of the PB1 hoverboard control scheme.”  I didn’t miss the sigh that escaped from Meret at that moment.  “To me, I still believe this change ruined the fun of hoverboards for many, especially for the non-gamer.  Some day I will convince them to add a toggle where the old original PB1 hoverboard control settings are an option for people to use.” 

“I was recently absolutely blown away by “Lady Liberty” that debuted during the Fall QE4 Fashion Awards Gala.  THEN, you came out with a little miniature one that I can put on my mantle!  All of your designs are wonderfully creative, and definitely one-of-a-kind (Fazzlerock items, Great Pumpkin Seater, a Toy duck?).  How do you come up with your ideas…what is your inspiration?” 

“Thank you,” Meret beamed.  “The short answer is anything that I think other people will see as fun or I consider an interesting challenge.  I have no artist ability at all (drawing, coloring) but I have always been a dreamer and consider myself creative.  I have only once specifically looked for some lack in the world (house plants) and then made some.  This was after the Statue of Liberty which sorta put me in a spot of how do I do something better.  I got over that feeling in a week and just returned to dreaming up fun things.  Normally, something like a comment from friends or my wife, a texture, something in-world or picture gives me the idea.  Once I get excited to make something, I don't care if it sells or not, I have to make it at that point.  I try to just do something interesting without focusing on 'need'.  So far, members have seemed to enjoy all my creations except one.” 

I asked Meret to tell me a little about his design process.  “For me, its self mutilation and major damage to my ego.  Virtually every model has taken me through the give-up phase (especially with the textures and overall look), but that process has made each model better and closer to what I had envisioned.  Generally, once an idea is in my head, the rest is just shear hours of trial and error.  I normally rough out the hard part, do early textures and test out the total shapes in the object to understand what parts are going to be a problem to stay within "There's" submission limits.  Then many times, its build, start again, reshape, start over, consider deleting the file, walk away from it for a day until one day the shape and look comes together.  I use a lot of 'copyright free' textures as a starting point, but most are heavily modified for what I want.” 

Meret recently came out with an ANIMATED ceiling fan.  I asked him about it and how it works.  “The majority of the fan work had been done for over a month but I was waiting for the ability to submit animations before I finished it.  Most models take me a long time and this was probably in the 30-40 hour range before I was happy with it.  The model uses the old fashion flipping card concept.  All the blades are actually on the model, I just use the animation options to make only 1 set of the blades visible at one time and each set is in a different location.  So really, you are seeing parts becoming visible/invisible in rapid sequence.” 

I commented on Meret’s newest structure, the Executive Bungalow.  I wanted to know if he planned to do any structures in the future.  “Absolutely!” he said, “Although I am starting to find that structures are harder for me than other things (no idea why that is).  I have some visions for 2 story homes and merchant buildings I do plan to do.   It's just a matter of when.  Giving members a home option and lots of choices to express their style is important to me.  It is a key ingredient in member retention due to its sense of ownership and the touches people do to them.” 

“Are there any other new and exciting things coming out that you can tell us about?   (Or any you CAN’T?  LOL!!!)”

“I'm working on Xmas.  Assuming all goes well, I suspect members will enjoy this.  In the short term, if I can make it not look like my duck, I will be submitting a hamster running in a wheel in his cage one of these days as a new pet for your house.  He is one legged and looks like a pink rat right now, so more work to be done” 

“What was your favorite item you’ve ever designed?”   

“That is an easy answer, the last model I released :) The palm tree with coconuts is still one of my favorite models.  But I generally don't submit models I am not personally happy and excited with (the tequilar bar and fazzlerock racer were put away and re-worked for over a month) before I was happy with them.  I love the duck (which was really my version of a penguin).  Each of the models represent some aspect of my skills advancement or vision for it in-world.” 

Then, of course, I asked Meret what his least favorite items was that he submitted.  “The Statue of Liberty at the time.”   (*DOH!!!  ***WOW!!!)   “The response over that model has been worth every minute I spend making it, but I was never happy with the compromises I had to make to get it done and within the limits.  Someday I may re-do the model to address the flaws.  The public, however, didn't like the couch potato (from a sales point of view).” 

I asked Meret, “What advice would you give to someone starting in the design business in There?”

 He straightened, proudly, “I have a few pieces of advice… 

1. Only make something that excites you to make.  The learning curve and time required to make good objects or clothes is steep and you need your internal desire to want to make it to drive you and not some vision of easy wealth. 

2. Read everything.  Search forums, ask questions, do your homework.  Scan the internet for ideas, look at how other models or clothes are made.  Pay attention to the details that makes them great items. 

3. While many people look to make things they think people need, that is a tough road to follow since one person may be dying for something but no else really is interested.  Don't worry about what is already there, but think of what you would buy or have fun with and try to make it.  People like and will buy fun things, high quality things and things that let them express themselves. 

4. Don't waste your money by rushing the model.  If you leave in obvious flaws that ruin the look, it won't sell and you just wasted your money submitting it.  Once you think you are done, test it in world and look hard at every part of it and fix whatever you are not happy with.  Is it smeared on one letter, then take 2 more days if needed and at least try your best to fix it. 

5. While against where I would personally like to see pricing in the long term, as someone told me when I started, don't under price your early items (unless you are willing to just eat the costs) as it's easier to break even finding 5 buyers at 5K than 20 buyers at 3K.  You need to make enough sales to break even to submit your next model. 

6. Have fun and assume you may not sell enough items.  Plan your budget and personal spending within your limits.” 

Merit is obviously very busy in-world, but you can usually see him online (he’s on my buddy list!)  I wanted to know what Merit enjoys doing during “down time”. 

“In-world, I like to design new layouts or tour to see how other people use this service.  Off-line, I read anything on-line or books :)  I need to keep my mind busy.  I'm due to create a new event soon, it's been too long for me.” 

Sadly the interview was coming to a conclusion.  I asked Meret my last question, “Complete this sentence:  “There is…” 

“There is…the future replacement for what TV was to people in the 1950-1990 era;  A place to spend all your free time.  Except in "There", you get to participate and meet great people at the same time.” 

Thank you so much, Meret, for all your time and being so gracious and generous with your advice and responses.  We’re very lucky to have you!