Welcome back to our weekly spotlight on the people building for Horizon Worlds and their amazing creations.
Last week, we strapped on our axe and checked out Fender Stratoverse, a world that celebrates the iconic guitar and music culture brand Fender.
This week, we hear from JoleneSugarbaker, the creator of Rainbow Club LGTBQ Gay Nightclub and Trailer Park World, which highlights the “wacky” and “vibrant” life she’s become known for with her hit online video series, The Trailer Park Cooking Show.
What’s your background, and what got you interested in VR?
For the past 18 years, I’ve produced The Trailer Park Cooking Show, which has won 12 Taste Awards.
I’ve always tried to be ready for the next big thing, and VR is definitely that. I’m a designer and artist, and I’ve been thrilled about all the creative possibilities the metaverse will bring with it. In the future, I plan on producing 3D videos, creating more worlds in Horizon Worlds, and teaching classes about VR for my community.
What do you draw upon for inspiration when building in Horizon Worlds?
I’ve been on Horizon Worlds since December 2021 and have made some great friends there. What surprised me is how fast communities develop in Horizon Worlds when people with the same likes and interests find each other there.
When I’m creating worlds, I base them on real things and real interests in my life. So I created Rainbow Club as a place for LGBTQ people to get together, and Trailer Park World is inspired by my cooking show.
I also want to inspire people to see what’s possible: Do you want to host your own talk show? You can do that in Horizon Worlds.
What do you want people to take away from their experience with your worlds?
A sense of community and the way I express myself artistically. I’ve been able to translate what’s in my head into a living, walkable world, and I want people to experience that.
Are you a programmer/creator as your day job, or do you see this as a hobby?
I definitely think this is a big part of my future, so I regularly attend classes on both world building and scripting. I was also part of a Meta beta program where I got paired with a mentor and really learned how to expand my world building skills.
Do you collaborate with others, and if so, what’s that experience like for you?
I do. Building a new world involves a lot of planning, including creating a floor plan, bouncing around ideas with others, and actually doing the builds. The people I build with have varying schedules, so I usually have several projects going at once so that I always have someone to build with. I love spending time doing that.
What’s your best advice for getting started building worlds for Horizon Worlds?
There’s a whole community waiting to help you. All you have to do is ask. And be sure to take the classes that members of the community offer throughout the week on scripting, world building, and even math.
If I can build, you can, too. It may look complicated at first, but after a few tries with a friend, you’ll be just fine. Also, don’t give up if you struggle in the beginning. My first build was terrible.
Finally, bounce your ideas off of others. And remember that drawing things out on paper really helps.
What do you think the ultimate potential is for Horizon Worlds?
Horizon Worlds is a place for making friends and building a community. I love that my schedule includes multiple event nights every week with like-minded people. I also love the look and feel of Horizon Worlds.
What’s your favorite VR experience?
I never thought I’d get into meditation, but my favorite VR experience is TRIPP. I love its visuals and sounds and its audio guide. I loved the demo so much that I signed up to be a lifetime member. So I see VR as a medium that is definitely a way to escape my hectic real life, especially because there are a lot of applications that relax and inspire me and promote well-being.
And I love that there’s a wide variety of apps available for Meta Quest. You don’t have to be a gamer to enjoy it.
