Geekboys need love too [ii]

May 14th, 2009 at 03:37pm Ryan Darragh

This is Part Two of yesterday’s feature, which I split in two because it was long and complex and overly ambitious, I was tired of working on it, you were tired of waiting for it, and figured I might as well milk it for as much as I can get out of it.  Nah, just kidding on the “milk it” thing.  But it really did make much more sense as two separate posts.  So there (or rather here) you have it.

Geekboy though you may be, nobody will ever mistake you for a 98-lb. weakling in any of sachi Vixen’s new skins–at least, not once you take your shirt off.  Here I’m wearing “Justin,” just one of nine new skins in the “Skin Evolution” line.  The first thing you’ll notice is that this skin is more muscular than the skins I usually prefer and wear–in fact, it’s positively ripped.  This makes for something of a dichotomy on my slimmer shape.  I tried a few other shapes from my inventory as well, and the look is indeed more balanced on a more muscular avatar.  But there’s no way around the fact that Justin’s is the prettiest face of the nine skins in sachi’s new range.  That’s part of why I like Justin so much, but then there’s also the fact that Justin is designed for redheads–so we can be real real redheads, if you know what I mean.  Yes, that’s naturally red pubic hair!  Eyebrows and head hair match, so nobody will ask what shade you buy.

sachi describes her new line as “idealistically photoreal.”  I hadn’t heard this particular expression before, but it seems an apt description of these skins.  They seem to me a completely natural progression from her earlier skins, including her Hybrid line and “David,” probably my own personal favorite of sachi’s skin designs so far.  As always, the artwork and detailing are impeccably executed–you may not care for a certain specific detail, but you can be assured that it’s as perfect as sachi could make it.

Each of the nine new skins have different faces and other details, although they may have some features in common, such as the abs.  The lineup includes Tristan (dark brown/black hair), Xavier (Latino/dark hair), Justin (redhead), Dominic (blond), Takeshi (Asian skin), Tyberius (black skin), Dylan (brown hair), Jonathan (brown hair), and Mohan (dark brown/black hair).  While we were chatting, I mentioned to sachi that I’ve always been impressed by the breadth of her skin ranges, and the new line is certainly no exception.

“I wanted to make a good wide range,” she replied.  “I really put in the effort for diversity.  The biggest problem is usually getting people to try them on!

“I try to make each one his own character.  That is what I aim for, I always have.  When I first started to make skins, I always had the idea in my head that I wanted to do them like characters, the way the Poser people do it.  It’s very popular in Poser for people to make different characters and I want to utilise that ideal here.  [People may not always appreciate the extra effort, but] I have a lot of satisfaction in knowing I did it.  I don’t think anyone else does it the way I do.”

Each skin comes in four different tones in a range appropriate to the hair coloring.  Four facial options are also available, and these also vary from skin to skin.  These aren’t just different facial hair styles–I was particularly impressed by Justin’s freckles, but you’ll also find goatee and beard options for most of the skins.

Single skins are priced at L$1200, with four-packs (including all facial variations in a single skin tone) available for L$3000.  Every purchase includes skins with bald scalp and with head hair.  Free demos are available in the shop.

Although the torso is more muscular than I typically prefer, it’s not overly ripped like some skins I’ve seen and, quite honestly, disliked.  I love Justin’s face, and the fact that he’s a redhead doesn’t hurt either.  I rather boldly told sachi that, should she decide to make a less-ripped version of Justin, I’ll be first in line.  Although revisiting an existing design may not be the most interesting thing for a designer to do, I’m encouraged by her mention of plans for a range of “regular Joe” avatars in the future.  Here’s hoping!

sachi’s new “Skin Evolution” line of male skins is available at Adam n Eve (Genesis 92, 134, 38).

Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No

Notes: On Ryan: "Loran" hair by Din Raymaker (Uncleweb Studio). GearShift boxer briefs by Donovan Brennen (GearShift).

Entry Filed under: Adam n Eve,New Items,Skins,Uncleweb Studio