NBC/Universal Headquarters and Virtual Rockefeller Center

One of the big gripes about corporations coming into Second Life is they build lovely sims and then abandon them. Pretty scenery, no people. Well, after spending a hot and sweaty day looking around the real Rockefeller Center for a store that is likely no longer there and getting pushed and shoved by other hot and sweaty tourists, I have to say the ghost town that is the recreation of Rockefeller Center and the NBC Building is kinda refreshing. And the place has great freebies. And the skyscraper-topping Peacock Room is a good stand-in for the Rainbow Room, complete with skyline.

Beyond that, someone needs to buy the NBC people a clue. The Peacock Room, where the action takes place, whatever it is, is a lovely nightclub in the tradition of the old NYC clubs of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. It has a lovely dance floor but no group or single/couple dance balls. Just like the real Rainbow Room, this place could be a great destination for residents who want to go out on dates but not deal with strip joints, escorts or the like. But no. Another lost opportunity. Is this SL’s fault? I’ll answer my own rhetorical question. No, it’s the fault of whatever market initiative came up with this great idea but then lost the will to carry through with planning beyond the launch.

User Experience: ***

If you’ve always wanted to go to NYC to see Rockefeller Center but don’t think you’ll make it there, this is a good virtual layout, of course minus the milling crowds, traffic jams and the city gunk that settles on you after you’ve been there a couple days in the height and heat of summer. NBC/Universal, let someone with a little imagination play with your Peacock Room, and you could become a great destination. But what’s up with that Horny Manatee video shop????

Freebies: ****

This is the reason to visit: top-notch freebies loaded with detail that you can transfer to a friend and pass the word (hello, word-of-mouth marketing!!). The freebie location is on the ground floor, the way any RL souvenir stand would be. Forget the ho-hum T-shirts. Grab the acoustic guitar and the pedal steel guitar (definitely a first for me in SL freebies!) You can also snag a full hockey set including gear, puck and net. My trusty accomplice and hockey expert Zak Volare is testing it for me; I’ll post his report when I get it, so check back for the update.

Pictures below:

(Left) The Manhattan skyline from the Peacock Room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, show the Chrysler and Empire State buildings pretty much where they would be in RL. And thank you to whoever put virtual glass in the windows. The first time I came here, I fell out of one.

(Right) The Peacock Room is promoting NBC/Universal’s “America’s Got Talent in Second Life.” Click the movie icon to see some of your fellow residents displaying something that passes for talent.

( Bottom) My contribution? I channel Barbara Mandrell and play my freebie steel guitar, complete with slide.