The window disappears, giving me an unbroken view of the cove. I laugh in delight when I see what they’ve added. A waterfall made of glistening green water, spilling into the green lagoon. A new pet-arena section, with seashells as seats surrounding it. An island in the middle of the water, winking like the light fromThe Great Gatsby, with a sea creature swimming ominously up and down in front of it.
TheRealCreator: There’s player housing too.
His avatar walks over to me. His goblin is decked out in new, glistening emerald gear.
DakkyDuck: That gear’s new!
TheRealCreator: Do you want a set? You won’t be able to wear it outside this level, though. It can’t be teleported until we officially introduce it to the game.
DakkyDuck: Yes, please!
TheRealCreator: Voila.
I laugh in delight as my elf’s current set of gear goes back into my inventory, replaced with a set of glistening green.
DakkyDuck: Now we’re matching.
A message appears on the screen.
TheRealCreator would like to hold your hand. Accept?
I accept, and our characters walk hand in hand to the edge of the water, past the pet arena, past the waterfall. I spot a dirt plot to the left, indicating that if a player approaches, you can claim the land and your house will appear, which you can build in your own private server.
DakkyDuck: Let’s see yours then.
We wander over to it together. When he clicks the button, the starting hut appears, which every player gets before they customize it.
DakkyDuck: Boring!
My elf laughs.
His goblin chuckles, then his hut disappears.
TheRealCreator: Show me what you got.
I click the button. It takes a moment for my custom house to load in, as usual. Then, suddenly, my tower sprouts into existence. It’s built entirely of silver, with colorful banners hanging from every side. The door is the maw of a dragon, opening with crackling flames as we approach.
His goblin lets go of my elf’s hand, then he runs inside. I follow, laughing as he jumps from surface to surface. The tower is built as a vertical maze of sorts, with items from all the different expansions decorating it, getting older the higher we go. On the top floor, a troll’s bone hangs from the wall, from the first-ever Empire’s Fall raid boss.
TheRealCreator: How long did this take?
DakkyDuck: You like it?
I shift around in my seat, shocked by how much I care.
TheRealCreator: This is serious talent. This is LEVEL DESIGN, beautiful. I love it.
DakkyDuck: I’m not sure of the exact time. I started when you first introduced housing. What was that—eight years ago? Time flies! I’ve been adding to it and changing things ever since.
TheRealCreator: It’s incredible. I could use this eye in our level design.
DakkyDuck: Don’t, Jack. Don’t make me offers or give me special treatment or anything like that.
TheRealCreator: If anybody sent me this house, I’d think the same thing. It’s not special because of us. It’s special because you’re special.
I feel a flush rising, like it does anytime he says anything sweet like this.
DakkyDuck: Thank you. But I’ve got a job, and I’m very happy with it. I’ve worked hard to get into this position.