Hunts, in recent times, have been morphing. No more is a hunt a ‘once in a while’ thing, they are going on almost every day – not just store-wide, or even sim-wide hunts, but incredibly huge beasties that span literally hundreds upon hundreds of stores. I have a few interesting views on the matter of those, though considering the current heated opinions on the matter, I’m very hesitant to offer mine. There are too many tempers flaring from all directions when it comes to those. However, let me tell you why I’m no longer (in the percievable future, anyway) going to be referring to my store ‘hunts’ as hunts any more.
In everything I do at Sanu, I try to elevate the experience of my customers beyond a mere shopping trip. My group is not designed to be ‘just another store group’, its a great bunch of people who can toss me ideas, who can chat to me in a familiar manner, who I even call on to fill up Midnight Madness boards for outstanding textures when I need them. With my group, what I’ve always aimed to create is something outside of the norm, reaching above and beyond what other people offer – creating something of a community, not just… well… a subscribo. Maybe I have succeeded, maybe I have not. I certainly hope I have.
Similarly, the hunts I have created are not meant to be ‘just another store hunt’. They’re more than that. When I create a hunt, I entirely remodel the area surrounding my store to create an immersive environment, further accented by a story-line which directs people through the area. Yes, there are prizes along the way, but it isn’t really about that. It’s about the feeling of accomplishment when you draw the story to a close – when, although it is somewhat of an illusion, it is because of you that the story ended up as it did and everybody lived happily ever after.
In other words, what I’m ‘selling’ with these is not ’10 prizes, come get em’ – its a whole sense of involvement, a potential smile on your face, and just possibly a set of jewelry (or something similar) that you will want to wear afterward too. I don’t do it just for my own reasons as a business owner (driving traffic, getting people to wear my goods, showing them off to people, etc)… though that doesn’t hurt either. I do it because it’s more than just that. Its a way for me to create, and to share something I consider a little special with other people who may enjoy it too.
‘Hunts’ have become so common, that I don’t think it describes what I’m doing any more. It’s almost starting to gather a negative connotation in some circles, especially when in some cases, not all, but many, the emphasis has shifted so solidly towards quantity over quality. I’m stepping aside. What I do, it’s not normal, it’s not common, nor would I ever wish it to be. Would people still come if it were called a hunt? Definately. Would less come, if it were not referred to in terms more quickly and easily understood than what I may name it? Perhaps – it is entirely possible. What I am creating is online, immersive, interactive fiction, with a few prizes thrown in for good measure. I don’t want people coming for the prizes though – I want people coming for the fun of bringing the story to its end. That is who I do these for.
Just as a little extra note, I’ve just sent out a new gift in the group archives, in appreciation of the wonderful response I had today of people coming and helping me fill up the midnight mania board. When I say I have the best group in Second Life, I well and truly mean it.
