Speaking of SL sims becoming more cost-effective lately, click here to visit Steelhead Bay. (That's me above on a quick visit just an hour ago.) Regular readers will remember that Steelhead City, a cluster of five beautifully designed steampunk-themed sims, closed last year from an inability to cover monthly tier. This new sim, owned by longtime Steelhead community member Fuzzball Ortega (oh yes) is restoring that lost glory:
"With the blessing of the previous owners of Steelhead," Ortega tells me, "I named the sim Steelhead Bay. Those who called Steelhead home for a very long time, me since year one in 2006, did move on and settled in other places, Caledon, New Babbage, St. Johns, etc. but, it was never the same. I'm sure a lot of people in SL can understand that. It was time to bring them home."
He did this after enduring a real life bump in income, but the good news is, the sim's costs and construction already look like they're being covered by supporters:
"Slowly, the lots I've parceled off for renters have been filling up," says Fuzzball. "8 available lots left, 512 sqm. The layout is more or less based on the layout of the original Steelhead sim's look in 2006, which includes Lighthouse Island (Steelhead has always had a lighthouse). Still has work that needs to be done, but as RL comes first, we'll get it all done as personal time permits. Terraforming, landscaping, getting the streets placed and textured, etc. I do have folks willing to help, and we'll get it done."
Steampunk land baron Desmond Shang is the one who talked about SL sims being cost-effective on NWN yesterday, so it's notable that Guvnah Shang has expressed his confidence in this new project:
"One thing that was nice, was when I told Desmond Shang about the sim, since I had been renting from him for awhile. He had said that it was an incredible burden to carry things forward, and keep things alive. But, if anyone could do it, I could. He also said that he couldn't think of a better person. Well, I'll agree about it being a burden, but it's going to be worth it in the end. The rest of what he said, it helps keep me motivated, as he's not the only one who's mentioned it.
"He also said that he wouldn't be surprised if I did manage to get Steelhead back up to 5 or 6 regions, which is a nice thought, but I'm taking this very very very slow. Baby steps. Take care of this sim first."
Steelhead will make it, and we shall all be stronger for it.
The key to survival, is to remember that just about any drama that comes along, is completely forgotten and ancient history after about a week and a half :)
Posted by: Desmond Shang | Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 02:13 AM
I am so happy that Steelhead is coming back, as an ally nation and fellow victorian/medieval/gaslight/steampunk estate I know how hard it is to keep a strongly themed estate going through all the twists and turns that the economic landscape throws at us.
We just expanded Rosehaven with two new homesteads and moved another homestead to recreate some long lost and loved sailing space. I think the recent doom, gloom and fear over the grid being in decline is somewhat well founded but not for all estates. Yes there are economic challenges but the strongly themed estates with loyal and creative communities will survive longer than the generic ones.
CONGRATS STEELHEAD! We are glad you are back!
Posted by: Princess Selena of Rosehaven | Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 07:45 AM
I'm fairly new at this sim ownership/sim landlord thing. Thankfully, people are very patient with me. They're just happy to have a Steelhead sim, again.
We'll make it. Going to take our time, but we'll make it.
Posted by: Fuzzball Ortega | Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 09:20 PM
Steelhead, Yay! Welcome back.
Posted by: CronoCloud Creeggan | Monday, May 15, 2017 at 07:57 AM
I have been away from SL for the last 5 years but using other platforms, yet I visited sometimes and realised how evolved are all the products and sims and how many people are still there - Once I almost cried, so much I mised it but the tiers are punishing pressure - So WTF - I got crazy and just rented a whole Homestead - As this article points out, building a beautifull place is the easyest part, specially when we have an outstanding inventory - Making it and keeping it alive and affordable, that is the chalkenge so lets goooo - SL is pretty much aliveeee
Posted by: Carlos Loff | Monday, May 15, 2017 at 09:57 AM
For some reason Steelhead came to mind last night, as I was getting ready to start a small art theft RP in one of its' sister cities, New Babbage. (I was trying to remember if there was some RP angle to the loss of the original Steelhead because I wanted to use it as a place of origin of the stolen art) This morning it was so good to discover that it has returned as I started to look things up. Congrats and kudos to Sheriff Fuzzball Ortega. (Now Mayor Fuzzball, I'm guessing), I can't think of a better person to spearhead Steelhead's revival. As a long time resident of New Babbage, I have no idea how I missed this news of the return of Steelhead. All the best to the City and it's residents!
Posted by: Skusting Dagger | Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 05:01 AM