POWER IN COMMUNITY

My path to gaming is more of a meander than a straight line. Wayyy back in the Atari days I was so addicted to Frogger that I would nearly wet my pants to avoid stopping. But as I grew into adulthood the gaming revolution alluded me. Primarily because I was a social creature and I was completely swept away by the gay bar lifestyle. Say whatever you will about the 1990's gay scene and it would mostly be true. The lifestyle was decadent from top to toes. The culture that it created was mired by drugs, alcohol, illicit sex and even prostitution seemed almost normal. It was nothing for employees of Backstreet Atlanta to search the parking lot each morning for dead overdose victims. Yet this culture based in all its debauchery taught me a valuable lesson. People starved for community will spend anything to maintain it. I remember quite vividly being late on my rent, my car payment or even my electric bill to cover my extracurriculars. Trust me the machine worked marvelously feeding a variety of economic engines. The bars made incredible returns! So much so that even straight business owners often were involved. It was typical to see all the hotties Friday afternoon at the Merry Go Round searching for that perfect bar light stunner. My friends always had chemical peels booked before Wednesday so their complexions would be flawless by Friday! We saw each other at the gym and everyone always had brunch at the same places that all our hot waiter friends worked at. I remember standing in line at the Edge in Columbia and telling my best bar buddy, "Henry" that, "I will never wear Calvin Klein Escape again! This line reeks of it!" We had our own bands, pop stars and we enjoyed Rupaul for nearly two decades before most people ever heard his name. Marky Mark built an entire lifelong career rooted in being "gay eye candy." (in case you ever wondered why he was 'that' famous now you know.) My point isn't that you should build a time machine and transport back to 1993 but if you do make sure to take me with you!

I'm simply saying that once I decided to create Underwood for this generation I wanted to give them exactly what they crave, Connection. Underwood will not be the coolest, the most high tech or the most expensive video game created but it will be one of the most impactful. Why? Because it's desperately needed by this isolated almost socially stunted generation. These folks need to have a third space where they feel not only accepted but celebrated.  And I have a plan to give them a healthier version (minus all the substances) of what I knew and loved.  Now you know why I didn't jump directly into game development.  I was very busy.

THE COMMUNITY REVOLUTION: (How will he do that?)

Once the players make it through the three paths to Underwood we will have awarded them with an Iconic. Think of this as a tribunal celebration! I literally envision Jills always searching for the perfect Dusty! Or Dustys always searching for the perfect Dusty. Whatever the result getting an Iconic will feel like being inducted into a tribe and that's exactly how I engineered it. At this juncture they can use a headset and communicate with other players. Every player has to load a head to toe shot of themselves. Why? We want them to feel past their vulnerabilities. This will encourage Underwood Explorers to show off their entire collection! The expiring selfies will eliminate the anxiety that comes with being seen. And trust me the fear is real. The great news is that once they get used to showing off they will get better at it which will sell more clothing.

• GHOST PATROL - Excellent players will hit the content wall faster and that's fine.  They will be encouraged to become Ghost Patrol which means they can move throughout Underwood completely unaffected by gameplay. Their mission is to ambassador other players. Because we don't allow people to easily communicate with one another, pairing advanced players with newbies will help eliminate cliques and make a fun more supportive experience.

• JUMBOTRON STARDOM - Imagine your epic selfie becoming a faux ad for the "West End Blood Dispensary! Where delicious humans like Maddy are always donating plasma!"

Appointment Culture = Appointment Revenue

"You Won a Kiki!" - The phrase that transforms gaming achievements into cultural moments and turns cosmetic sponsors into desperate bidders for inclusion. The Kiki Box isn't just a reward - it's a personalized pampering experience delivered to players' doorsteps, synchronized with YouTube finale premieres and designed to create viral sharing moments across all demographics. Each box is curated specifically for the player's assigned Iconic character, ensuring every item reflects their unique style DNA.

The Transformation Story: Imagine 67-year-old Kentucky grandma Georgia winning her Evangelyne box filled with Chanel scented body lotion, La Mer moisturizing cream, Sisley eye cream with cooling massager, premium cashmere accessories, and luxury tea blends. She shares the experience with granddaughter Maddie, suddenly channeling her 1980s glamour with custom-fitted clothes and feeling beautiful again. The pictures will be treasured, the memories unforgettable - and Maddie's friends will desperately want to know how to get their own boxes.

Other Iconic Experiences:

  • NARSSICA - Luxury minimalist basics with dramatic power pieces for high-income professionals
  • JILL - Glossier shadow sticks and jade rollers for that effortless LA cool girl glow
  • KANDI - Sophisticated edge meets luxury pampering for women who want to feel current and desirable

The Synchronized Experience: New Kiki boxes ship right before YouTube finale premieres where Vesperus hosts live DJ sets. Players pamper themselves while watching climactic moments - adults with wine, kids with Diet Pepsi, families bonding over shared cultural events. The result? Appointment culture that creates appointment revenue, transforming individual consumption into viral community experiences where everyone wants to know how to win their own Kiki.

More wine in the Kiki box = the perfect response to any objection.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

I have dozens of free or inexpensive community hacks that will make Underwood feel more like a society and less like a Vampire game!