#general-dev

[chattercap]

Monthly Update (November 2024)

Hello everyone, happy November!

I'd talk about how we're finally entering winter, but… is it just me, or is it strangely warm? (Trying not to be worried about this…)

WHAT DID I DO THIS MONTH?

It'll be a bit of a short devlog this time, my apologies! I was away on a trip for the first week, and after that, I mostly worked on collabs/projects that I'm working on with other devs! I did a bit of proofing and beta testing, as well as some backgrounds for a secret, unannounced project.

On the writing front, I wrote 23k words! Currently, I'm working on three projects: one slated for December, one slated for January, and the Karamu spinoff (of course, these are all tentative dates, haha!) I finished the script for the demo of my December project (with the demo coming in at 22k words, or around 1.5-2 hours of gameplay!) and worked on revising it.

WHAT'S PLANNED FOR NEXT MONTH?

Next month, I hope to finish out the script for my January project (which I hope will be shorter than the December one… but we'll see! It's currently at 18k words, haha!)

I also received almost all of Nelli and Raku's lines for Hanasu (the third Karamu part), so I'll be going through those (cutting lines, selecting takes, and cleaning/adjusting the audio). There's over 500 lines and 3 gigs of data to go through, so it's definitely my most ambitious VA project yet!

Lastly, I'll be working on the art assets for my December project! I've designed the love interest and done some rendering tests, so I'll be working on his sprites and on the backgrounds and CGs (probably prioritizing the backgrounds first).

(I also hope to finally get around to posting on social media.. I've taken a pretty extended hiatus while I was getting projects off the ground, but I'll try my best to make time to actually talk about them!)

Thank you to everyone who's following along, and see you next week!

Chattercap

[sengenism]

shed a tear

[bunnieswithknives]

What you'll become is your father's son which will never be much of anyone~

Randomly remembered that I still had this as a wip and finished it up :3

[knuckleblaster]

(VOLUME WARNING) Mandalore talking about his contribution of the Aztec death whistle sampled in 7-1 (and playing aformentioned instrument), dated Dec 21 '23

further context:

[warning-heckboop]

Hazel, Jasmine, and Winn find their plans to mend fences disrupted when they discover Anti-Fairy magic is evident in Dev's reoccurring nightmares.

So do you guys ever get so invested in a fake episode that you made up in your head that you make a fake title card and synopsis for it? No? Yeah, me neither.

[sunlight-shunlight]

thinking about veilguard and bioware in general, i think we are reaching a point where people need to grapple with the inherent limits of what stories can be told in our Current Society and in AAA gaming companies.

on a labour level: mass layoffs, tons of developers leaving despite previously talking about how passionate and happy they were to be involved, not even paying severance, and crunching employees to the point of burnout. this is unfortunately pretty standard for AAA game companies.

on a cultural level: it is SO white and SO centrist-ly Canadian. i wrote up these asks outlining how. it is a repeated pattern of writing in which they go into tortured racial oppression allegories at best, while constantly peppering in a "but BOTH SIDES were wrong and made mistakes :( :( :(", in between their fictional atrocities that are clearly mirroring irl genocides and enslavement. or at worst, it's "the qunari are radical islamic borg" which has even less nuance. i personally thought, since dai came out in 2014, and a lot has changed since then about the world and in public awareness, that this would have filtered into the narrative and resulted in more satisfying and historically grounded writing. unfortunately not the case. it's shocking if you compare it to how sharp and aware and unflinching something like disco elysium is.

so what does this mean?

under these conditions, it is unavoidable that we get development by people who are rapidly cycled out of the company or demoralized into burnout. we get digestible, easy little soundbites of lore without much substance, because any complexity needs more time and coordination rather than the process of "quick, we have these assets, a lot of people involved in making them just got laid off, we need to make Something by next quarter to show the CEO". we get very little cohesion between games, despite the clear intent from dai to have so many plot points set up to follow through in a sequel, because the team and development are so chaotic that they can't hold onto a vision and complete it.

we also get this inherent caution and "conservatism" from the narrative, because on an ideological level, they're largely white people who want cops to be included in pride. so any major change to even a fictional society is Bad and Scary, and shouldn't be done without making sure that every character finger-wags appropriately at non-state violence. there is clearly not much ideological or even ethnic diversity within the leadership; or at least not enough that anyone there felt comfortable even speaking up on minor issues like the Incredibly Orientalist Isabela Outfit, let alone anything larger.

i don't personally think there's too much value in trying to analyze veilguard's plot or lore at this point. the final product is chaotically developed and does not seem to reflect the goals of the creators as set up in prior games, it's basically a ship of theseus in terms of the people and ideas involved in making it. this is sad for all of us, who were interested in the story, and attached to the characters, and were creatively fulfilled by engaging in the fandom. it's probably worse for the developers who have lost their jobs, burnt out, or feel unhappy with the game that they spent years of their life working on. it's certainly miserable as an indictment of The Industry, as well as the general societal climate of white Canadian centrism.

the solution is to create a society where people can develop games in peace and prosperity and stay on projects for longer, rather than constantly getting turfed out without severance pay. and to get some genuine leftists, poc, and indigenous people on staff who can weigh in and provide significant input, rather than a Council Of Liberal White Edmontonians every time.

in the meantime, at the very least, let's please stop preordering AAA games and supporting companies who notably abuse their employees.

[sanguinesky-if]

[Dev Log] April 2025

Hello, I hope your spring days are going well and that you're doing great!

As for my progress, here's a quick overview of my activity over the past month and my plans for the current one.

What was done last month?

▹ Chapter 3 Pt. 2: finished working on opening scene and K's scene.

The work is well underway, though I'm doing my best to catch up with the plan I originally set, as some of my health issues have slightly delayed my progress.

That's why I'm still working on finishing L's scene, which I was supposed to complete before the start of April.

However, I'm already planning to post sneak peeks of the finished scenes [including L's scene] on Patreon next week.

What will I be working on in April?

▹ Chapter 3 Pt. 2: outlining and coding the ROs' scenes [Morgan's, R's and I's scene] [after L's scene is done].

In addition to that, the bonus content on Patreon that will be released this month will include:

▹ Morgan's Short Story. ▹ L's POV [Chapter 3 Pt. 1].

Author's Note.

At the moment, almost all my energy is going into finishing the update, and I apologize for my slow responses to your asks and messages.

I've also received several extensive error reports that made me aware of many grammatical mistakes in the demo. However, I'm not fixing them right now because:

▹ I'm currently very busy with Chapter 3 Pt. 2. ▹ Uploading a quick fix would break your saves, as CoGdemos currently doesn't handle the upload of the files the same way DashingDon did [forcing the reader to start from the beginning of the game instead of from the specific scene that was updated].

Still, I want to once again say thank you to those who sent me the reports [you are the best!], and to say that I'm truly grateful all of you are reading the demo despite the most hilarious and embarrassing errors I've made.

Thank you for reading to the end! Wishing you a wonderful week and days after that! ♥

[unohdukseen]

BioWare uses AI in Dragon Age: The Veilguard codex cards

And I think it's not only there - most of the armor looks like the use AI for references.

But about the codex: this applies to the Grey Warden cards. First, a general view:

All cards in different styles made by different artists. But my eyes caught on this:

It's the same art that was run through AI-editor. And these cards are nearby, in the same game! Maximum disrespect for the work of the artist who made the original art (for DAI btw). The codex contains a few cards with this style, let's see the details:

They all was AI generated. I thought I couldn't be more disappointed in BioWare, but it turns out there is.

[carnyx-int]

The wait is over! (Finally) Introducing Carnyx Interactive, a BRAND NEW game development studio made up of queer and neurodiverse game and art industry powerhouses. Founded around the goal of amplifying voices hushed by colonialism, our games emphasize the innate worth in every being. 

As a studio, we are passionate about making the games we want to play, and driven by the lightning-in-a-bottle feeling of experiencing our favourite games for the first time. We’re very intentional about the stories we tell and choose the genres and gameplay that will best support those stories, rather than the other way around. This allows us a flexibility to creatively explore all ideas and the constant ability to grow our skills, game after game. 

The third pillar of Carnyx is mentorship - each of us is coming in with a unique set of experiences and skills, and we strive to create an environment where we both play to our strengths and leave space to mentor and be mentored in return. We grow best when we grow together. 

This ethos drives every part of our business - from the stories we choose to tell, to our approach to research, to the way we treat our coworkers - every person is worth the space and time they occupy. To this end, we strive to create and uphold an environment of compassion, where every voice and idea is considered equitably.  We’re very excited to share our journey with you! Stay tuned for our first two project announcements (one launching this year) and check us out at https://www.carnyxinteractive.com/ and https://carnyxint.itch.io/ for more information and dev blogs.

Also! Join our Discord!

[zoneofsmites]

Still laughing about how they didn't want to "invalidate" anyone's worldstate. But that is exactly what they did.

Morrigan is the most obvious, I really cannot believe that a Morrigan who was a mother would have so willingly taken into her something like Mythal if she was a mother - of at this point - a 10 year old Kieran. Maybe she would, but it would be for different reasons.

Isabela is the most annoying to me. She's talking about how "Kirkwall taught her about family." as if she couldn't have been given up by Hawke to the Arishok. As if she couldn't have ran away from Kirkwall and never looked back. If I had met an Isabela from a world state like that, she would never have said that.

Harding talking about the Inquisition also feels like it misses some... extra flavour here and there based on actual choices. Like my Inquisitor didn't do well with Blackwall, and he didn't survive to see the end of the game. But Lace speaks about him fondly and in such a way that I don't think she should if the Inquisitor never 'redeemed' him.

Zevran is never mentioned by name, but what if a warden outright killed the assassin hunting them. Or he turned on them in Denerim and died later? Then explain to me that entire banter Lucanis has with Harding about why House Arainai messed up so bad they went trough several Talons about it. And now the Crows don't take contracts in Ferelden anymore.

At that point the reason that was given to us for the lack of worldbuild choices to prevent 'invalidating everyone's worldstate' feels null and void. Because you have. You have invalidated many worldstates already by bringing back these character or have people talk around them in such a way that doesn't make sense.

[chattercap]

Monthly Update: April 2025

Hello everyone, happy April!

I hope you all had a good start to the year! It went by a bit too quickly for my liking 😅 but that always happens, I suppose…

What did I do last month?

During the beginning of March, I was traveling a bit, but I still managed to get a bit of work done on the GUI for My Husband is a Stranger! I implemented most of the screens, and I also coded in the functionality for a music player.

For other miscellaneous work, the Project R GUI has been finalized, and it looks absolutely beautiful - I can't wait to implement it! I also put together all the information that the background and GUI artists need for Hanasu, and I've been steadily receiving those assets. I also commissioned and received an updated dev logo, so I'll be updating my socials with that soon (since the original one was so shoddy that I barely used it anywhere…)

I've also been experimenting with looking for costume designers, particularly for Actala, since the costumes for that game have gone through 2 iterations at this point and I'm still not too happy with them… I've been working with a very talented designer during the latter half of the month, and the designs are looking rather spiffy so far, so hopefully that all goes well!

What will I do this month?

This month I'll be working on coding - hopefully I can get all that cleaned up by the end of April. I also hope to finish the My Husband is a Stranger demo assets by then.

Thank you to everyone who's following along, and see you next month!

Chattercap

[fisheito]

yeah..................

[bunnieswithknives]

OH MY GOD??? HAS IT SERIOUSLY BEEN A MONTH????? I am so sorry guys

Prev | Next

[penvisions]

shield and spear {general! marcus acacius x weaponsmith! reader teaser}

pairing: general! marcus acacius x weaponsmith! reader

warnings: adult language, adult content, allusions to sex work, allusions to slavery, violence, fighting, blood, more to be determined!

a/n: just a little something my brain yelled at me to get down in response to gift we all received yesterday and how could i not listen?

-> navigation || main masterlist

There’s no use for anything other than food and drink. Energy and hydration. This is not a life any longer but a task set into the callous hands of a man that had been far too young to understand the duty and devotion it would endlessly call for.

There is no use for anything but fuel for his body to carry him through the next battle, the next fight, the next weapon should his give out or bend to another’s.

He knows how to fight with his bare hands should that happen though he doesn’t prefer it. The shield of a weapon in his hands allows him to claim his killings and bloodshed are in the name of those he serves and not of his own volition.

But he sees in your eyes that it makes no difference. A slight thing hiding in the shadows as you watch and tally the use of steel, of bronze, or iron, and tar. Of the things to keep fired stoked high enough to burn them all down to liquid and mold to your orders of weapons to be forged.

He sees the disappointment each time he’s sent to you for collection, the way your eyes longer on the sword he had been gifted from the stash your father had kept for himself. His right as a weapon smith.

But it’s no longer your fathers like you are.

An aide to the efforts of entertainment and execution. Of punishment and pleasure.

He recognizes your sweat soaked body as it’s coated in grime and as it’s coated in the marks men leave on your skin.

He’s never taken the open ended offer up for himself. Only ever calling on you for the supplies you are to provide for the arena. He feels conflicted about how much demanded of you, both professionally and personally but he has no sway in making changes, in altering the life you’re to live.

Until the day he sees you in the arena, with a sword of your own in hand and a pack of wild cats circling you with snarling, snapping jaws. Their large claws swiping at you as if you are but a tiny play thing for them. A meal for them, entertainment for the public, and a punishment for you.

‘What is the meaning of this?’ He demands, voice booming as he enters the cordoned off section of seats. The balcony that just out further that the rest of them lining the walls of the arena.

‘She is proving the strength of her weapons. Too many have chipped and shattered in the last batch.’

He recalls the battle in which the man is referring to so casually. Placing the blame in your work when it had been nothing but devoted. The weapons had been as skillfully crafted as any others you provided, but they had been at a disadvantage in the hands of his men. Not due to lack of materials or skill but of what they had been up against.

Flails and lances, stronger weapons in the hands of those they faced didn’t negate the strength of yours. But now you were facing those ‘consequences’ right before his very eyes down in the pit.

-

taglist: @pedgito @studioghibelli @sawymredfox @tuquoquebrute @hiddenbabynyc @joelsgreys @morallyinept @evolnoomym

[utopicwork]

[thefloatingstone]

Shoutout to every website and app that does a small tiny fun thing for a holiday like Halloween or Christmas and I am so sorry for every motherfucker with no joy in their soul who will complain about it.