(FORTUNE Magazine) – Silicon Valley parties were once simple affairs: bearded programmers munching vegan snacks in hot tubs. Next came black cocktail dresses, valet parking, and celebrities. Now WebTV co-founder Steve Perlman has transcended geek chic. To celebrate the opening of his digital studio and incubator, Rearden Steel, Perlman asked a group of designers and programmers to craft an unforgettable invite.

They succeeded. A grape-colored Game Boy and a cartridge arrived in mid-January. Flicking it on brought to life an animated version of Rearden Steel's woman warrior logo. (Perlman's a huge fan of Xena-era regalia.) She shot an arrow that sprouted wings, morphed into a space shuttle, a PC, and then a house. Inside the house, a woman danced with an invisible partner in front of a TV set.

Perlman, who spent about $30,000 on the 250 invites, says he wanted to show off what Rearden Steel was about: "companies creating innovative, mass-market, media-rich products with an edge." Hope that means Perlman doesn't skimp on the band.

--Jodi Mardesich