Gingerbread and the Woodies is the title Alpha Auer has given to her 2024 seasonal design for her Alphatribe Island. Alpha describes it as a “sort of” continuation of her Ragville – but if you didn’t see (or don’t recall) that work, have no fear: Gingerbread and the Woodies stands on its own two feet as a delightful place to visit.
Alpha notes that the installation is made possible through the support of Olympes Rhode – so to her also go thanks for making the setting possible. Alpha goes on to note that the setting is best seen using the supplied Shared Environment, Draw Distance set to 256 metres and that shadows are enabled in the viewer.
While I’d certainly agree that shadows and the Shared Environment are a must, I’d very politely disagree over the need to set Draw Distance to 256 metres; while the region has clearly been optimised to help boost performance, should you have a system that might get a little grumpy with things like frame rates at so high a setting, I’d suggest going for whatever your system can comfortably manage, rather than feeling you cannot visit on account of that setting.
Given Gingerbread and the Woodies is a seasonal setting, it should come as no surprise that it is a snowy location; possibly somewhere in the far north, or at least where the temperature is such that the trees have their trunks coated in frost, and the waters seem particularly cold.
The Woodies of the title are the local inhabitants of the land; they live in gingerbread and cookie homes – some of which are quite grand – and share the landscape with the local wildlife. They appear to be a hardy folk; despite the cold look of the sea, some have just returned from a voyage to collect more seasonal things to put out around their houses or perhaps with which to dress their gingerbread trees.
If any of the goods on the boat are to be sold, then the local market is likely where they’ll be headed; here to join all the pastries, cakes, wreaths and other goodies. And should you feel particularly taken by some of the offerings within the market – you can buy them as well; even Alpha’s raccoons, bears, squirrels and owls are available to be purchased and taken home!
The houses and Woodies are scattered through the setting so exploring is a must in order to see everything. Alpha suggests leaving the Sun as is within the environment settings, but I confess that for some photos here and when filming, I did move it a little.
There are some good opportunities for photography with the Woodies (they’re very friendly in this regard!), with Santa and a couple of his little helpers ready to pose with you. Rezzing is open for those wishing to use props – but while Auto Return is set (60 minutes), please remember to pick up after, rather then leaving them to be returned.
But really, this is a setting not so much for describing, but enjoying. As noted, the region is nicely optimised, so hopefully most folk can follow Alpha’s recommendations for viewing the setting when visiting. However, and as I also hinted at above, I did take the liberty of doing some filming whilst visiting – more of an entirely unofficial “teaser”, if you will.; I hope it encourages you to pay Gingerbread and the Woodies a visit!
Enjoy!
SLurl Details
- Gingerbread and the Woodies (Alphatribe Island, rated Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 