I’ve got a game on my computer called Terraira. It’s a bit like a 2D minecraft with more monsters. It also has other characters/merchants that will hang around your house – if you provide housing for them.
The bare minimum housing consists of a dirt floor, 3 dirt walls, a wooden door, 1 table, 1 chair, and one light source. And a certain amount of square footage. So that’s what I built. The bare minimum for human habitation. As a quirk of the gameplay, I also had it set so that I could navigate around – but they didn’t know how to move past the platforms. And were thus trapped once they were assigned to their housing unit.
I was a virtual slumlord.
And – despite this being just a game – I started to feel bad when they tried to go outside and were trapped. The frantic opening and closing of the doors in their… well, let’s just call it like it is… hovels, started to get to me.
So, I built a new condominium complex for them. Sturdy stone walls, multiple exits, windows, multiple light sources, potted plants, banners, and paintings.
And then I razed the old dirt buildings and put in a park.
I think this says something good about me – but it also says some strange things too.
Anyway, I’m off to pick out wallpaper and paint. Those stone walls are looking a little drab…