Image via Complex Original
It’s been a long year, but when the decision was made to postpone ComplexCon to help protect the health of our community, we knew we had to find a way to keep up the connections and platform that make Complex events so special. ComplexLand, a virtual-meets-IRL five-day event, will close out 2020 with a bang, carrying the essence of ComplexCon to a virtual world.
ComplexLand will take place from 11 a.m. PST Monday, Dec. 7, through 7 p.m. PST Friday, Dec. 11. Over the course of the week, you—in the form of a custom avatar—will be able to roam a digital landscape where you’ll find e-boutiques from your favorite brands, limited releases, performances, panel conversations, scavenger hunts, conversations, art, and even food (yes, IRL food).
So how does ComplexLand work? After you sign in—via Google, Facebook, or your email address—you’ll be taken to a world made up of four neighborhoods. There, you’ll be able to check the day’s agenda through a ticker on top of your screen, a menu on the upper-left-hand corner, the Showtime theater, or the signpost in the middle of ComplexLand.
Here’s what else you need to know to get the full ComplexLand experience.
Creating your avatar
Just because you can’t walk through ComplexLand in person doesn’t mean you can’t show who you are. Every ComplexLand visitor will have their own customizable avatar complete with interchangeable wardrobe and style options.
To create your own avatar, either talk to the non-playable character in the starting area or open the dropdown menu in the upper left of your screen. Select different items of clothing using the plus signs on your avatar and switch styles with the arrows. Instead of normal skin, each avatar is equipped with a glowing aura that you can adjust to match your mood or complement your chosen outfit and personalized hairstyle, presented by Head & Shoulders.
The landscape
ComplexLand is broken up into five neighborhoods, which you’ll be able to travel between on foot or use the map to teleport between.
The Boro: This is where you’ll find sculptures, plushes, books, prints, photos, and more from artists like Matt Gondek, Steph Morris, Manual NYC, Fidia, Kano, Trouble Andrew, Michael Reeder, and Greg Mike.
Hi-Bye: Hi-Bye is home to the Complex Galleria, where you’ll find a digital marketplace highlighting Complex’s Brands to Watch, a selection of brands curated by our Style team. Among those with digital booths will be Darryl Brown, Bephies Beauty Supply, Ampwata, and Saint Ivory NYC. All will have exclusive product on hand for the week.
Astral Market: This is where you’ll be able to see shows and performances throughout the week—more on those below.
The Sunset Lagoon: This is a spot to kick it. The non-playable character here can tell you about the music you’re hearing.
The Campgrounds: These wide-open spaces are where drops are likely to happen. They’re also home to some of ComplexLand’s monuments, which we’ll explain below.
Shops
All five days of ComplexLand will feature a bustling marketplace, where brands like 3D Retro, AAPE, Adidas, Alumni NYC, Atmos, BBC, Bristol Studio, Carrots, ColorsxStudios, Farfetch, Feature, KidSuper, Krink, MSFTSrep, New York Nico, One of These Days, Pop!nk, Project Woo, Psychworld, Real Buy, Rhude, Rokit, RSVP Gallery, Stadium Goods, Staple, Suprvsn, Superplastic, TokiDoki, Verdy, XSET, and more will drop exclusive new product.
The Complex SHOP will release items from its Complex SHOP Presents ‘Reconstruct’ program throughout the week. It worked with Levi’s Secondhand Reworked by Makayla Wray, Yaito, Mentor en Route, Suicoke x Worldwide Manufactureʷʷ, and The North Face Renewed on upcycled goods. Pieces like Yaito’s signature knot bag and The North Face’s Nuptse jacket were fashioned exclusively from existing materials. You can learn more about the releases here.
To make sure you can buy what you want as easily as possible and don’t miss out on any limited gear from shops across ComplexLand, enter your purchasing info into your profile as soon as you register. There will also be restocks and different merch dropping each day, so you’ll want to come through regularly.
Drops
In addition to regular shopping, there will be drops, giveaways, and Easter eggs popping up throughout the week. Make sure your fingers are nimble, because the surprises won’t last long. While we can’t give the rundown of all of those yet, we can tell you that, from Dec. 8-10, Adidas Originals will offer an early release of Pharrell’s PW HU NMD green colorway exclusively through its Confirmed app, which you can download before ComplexLand for raffles for the shoe and more. ComplexLand will also see the exclusive release of a Rhude sneaker, available in limited quantities.
Non-playable characters
While navigating ComplexLand, your avatar may encounter non-playable characters, some of them familiar faces, that populate the world. Stop and talk; they may give you hints about drops or access to special items.
Food
Once you’re in ComplexLand, you’ll spot food trucks from spots like Uncle Paulie’s Deli, Artichoke Pizza, Teranga, and Sweet Chick parked throughout the neighborhoods. You can open a delivery menu at each truck and check out which IRL cities they are serving, and, if you find something in your area, order a meal from your avatar to your door.
Panels
ComplexLand is your hub for inside info and engaging conversation from the culture’s leading creators and critics. We’ll have panels happening throughout the week. Complex’s Joe La Puma will sit down with Fat Joe, Lil Yachty, Conceited, and a special guest to debate the sneaker of the year, while Desus and Mero will widen the lens on the year as they take on 2020 as a whole. Illegal Civ’s Mikey Alfred, meanwhile, will premiere the trailer for North Hollywood, his new movie, and talk about it with some of the cast. We’ll also be chopping it up about esports, the digital economy, and way more—just walk your avatar to the Showtime Theater or the signpost in the center of ComplexLand to see what’s happening, or check the ticker or dropdown menu.
Monuments
Finally, you’ll find 16 monuments scattered throughout ComplexLand’s five neighborhoods—pieces celebrating some most important people, moments, and ideas in our world. Walk up to any of them for a breakdown of their significance and, in some cases, stories, rankings, and more.
ComplexLand takes place from Dec. 7 to Dec. 11. Sign up for more info and access at complexland.com.