#i'll probably retouch this at some point.

[blue-polaroids]

i think she shoulda gotten cooler boots. this has been a psa

[lj-lephemstar]

Progress Checkup! (Jan. 2025) | Scratchin' Melodii Devlog

Hey guys! Time for another progress checkup; This is actually the first one of the new year! I hope you were all able to enjoy the holidays. I took a bit of a break from working on most stuff last month and have been getting back on things this month. First, I wanna thank everyone who's wishlisted Scratchin' Melodii on Steam! So far, the game's gotten over 17,000 wishlists! Thanks so much for the support!

In the previous devlog, I mentioned some changes to the rhythm system. In the Dragon Funk preview, you can see the new rhythm system and character icons I mentioned in the previous devlog! Actually, let's unpack some of the new things you're seeing in action there:

Hold Notes This is the first song in the game to include hold-notes! They mostly work the same as they would in any other rhythm game. However, since this game has an emphasis on self expression, moving the control stick during these will let you tune the note's pitch-bend for extra expression points! I showed that off in a post here. As for Pow Notes, I've been working on a way to let the player get expression points from these too! I'd like for most of the special notes like these to be not just a gimmick, but a tool that the player can use to their advantage.

Quadruple Lines Yep! The first blue line in this one is extra long and has 4 rows! Fun fact actually, I had to implement this feature after I realized that part of the song was too long to fit in just two rows. It was pretty difficult to figure out both how to do it and how to execute it in a way that doesn't feel too jarring, but I'm pretty satisfied with the results! In fact, barely anyone's even noticed it; I guess that's just how natural it feels! Not sure how much more often I'll be having lines longer than two rows, but it's great that I have the option now.

AutoPlay You might also notice that the player inputs are perfectly timed... TOO perfect... that's because I've developed an autoplay feature for the game! At the moment, it's mostly for debugging and stuff, but if all goes according to plan, AutoPlay Mode and Replays should hopefully be available to players as well in some form when the game comes out!

"Next" Indicator & Other UI Related QoL Some of the top things players said they had trouble with in the demo were related to being prepared for the next line. So, if you look at the right-end of the rhythm bars, you'll see a little tab that shows the color and amount of rows the next line will have! Also, now each line's suggested notes can be seen before the rival performs them. This did take some thought, as I actually kinda still liked the idea of it appearing as if the characters were making it up on the spot, but to put game design first, it makes more sense to have it displayed as soon as possible so the player has more time to react and prepare. This also opens up more possibilities for future mechanics, so in the long run, I think I've made the best choice here.

Now, let's get into what I've been and/or will be working on that you haven't seen yet!

Act 2's Boss The music for the Act 2 Boss is  nearly complete! I'll likely be starting to animate it pretty soon. This song is the longest one I've done so far, clocking at a duration of a little over 3 minutes long!

More Animation Updates for Stir & Mix At this point, I've done even more cleanups on the sequence you saw in the last devlog and I've finished animating the "I wanna" scene of the song, which will probably have the most changes out of any other scene in the song. When I first animated Stir & Mix, I didn't quite have the time or skills to do everything I really wanted to do with it. That scene in particular I felt was WAY too stiff and boring, especially compared to the more dynamic and fluid scenes that appear in some of the other the stages now. I'd say I'm about halfway done retouching all the animations for this one!

Refined Model Sheets I don't talk about these very often, but sometime around 2023 I started using model/reference sheets for the characters. (I might show them off someday, but for now they're staying private!) Before this point, the designs are pretty inconsistent from shot to shot, so this helped a lot with that. Recently, I've done some revisions I'm really pleased with. Their designs are finally becoming... well, final! I'll be reworking the affected characters' hub world sprites at some point to reflect these changes.

Slight Reworks for some Act 1 Songs On the sound side, Stir & Mix's vocals have been reworked again! As I've mentioned in the previous devlog, 2cada's tuning style and techniques have evolved a bit since we first started working together, so we thought it'd be fun to go back and incorporate some of that into it. We'll also probably be reworking the structure of Nami's song a little bit at some point just to make it a feel a bit more solid, which may require a new line or two from her voice actor, Meggie-Elise! So funnily enough, it seems some of the songs will have end up having TWO unused beta versions after this.

Also, a quick PSA: Please note that beta versions of content will NOT be included in the full game. I've heard people ask for them to be "brought back" or toggleable, but in my situation something like that is both easier said than done and I also just... don't want to LOL. With as many directions I can take this game, I know I can't satisfy everyone, but I can make a game that satisfies me, so I'm aiming for that! And hey, maybe other people will like it too.

I think that's all I wanna talk about for now! Thanks so much for reading. It can be a bit of a daunting task to write these at times, but I'm glad to keep you up to date on the project when I can.

-LJ

[destiny-in-the-universe]

Intern! Randy: RC9GN AU

So, I've decided to retouch on the fic and figure why not talk about it a little!

For those who are aware of the older posts, intern! Randy is a canon divergent storyline (set sometime in between the two seasons-) where it follows Viceroy's - I mean McFist, duh, latest plan to capture the Ninja. While I like to think they know the Ninja's a student, they're still under the impression it's an 800-year-old immortal and not literally a teenager for ahems reasons. Viceroy suggests the best way to uncover the Ninja's identity is by hosting an internship program for Norrisville High students.

Somehow, through silly cartoonish ways, Randy lands the interview though I like to think he still has skills Viceroy would be interested in (such as math). Things are going well at first surprisingly, and of course no one is suspecting a thing but then McFist - who isn't entirely as dumb as a bag of rocks - starts putting two and two together, realizing Randy sounds and acts somewhat like the Ninja. Though given how Viceroy has seen Randy's clumsiness, he easily dismisses it- thinking it's one of McFist's insane assumptions.

At some point because McFist is hardly subtle, Randy discovers the true purpose of the internship program - only he can't exactly quit without arising suspicion and decides he might as well use being an intern to his advantage. Deciding to keep each other on their toes, between McFist still convinced Randy could be the Ninja and Randy trying to stop their plans, things are only a mess waiting to happen.

Now on to my favorite part!

Due to the nature of this AU, I like to think that the Sorcerer isn't so involved just to further push the adoptive father-son narrative I want between Viceroy and Randy. This is going to be a fairly lighthearted and comedic storyline, but I felt like covering other stuff that might be included too!

Thoughts for Intern! Randy

One thing I thought of was the idea that Randy lives at the McFist manor-? Now, I will say Viceroy lives there too since that seems vaguely implied in canon- (and because I said so, duh). Instead of Randy having to commute so much, at least it saves him time in getting to McFist Industries.

Randy happens to be good at coding since it makes sense to me- like, the hyperfixation of video games aside, I just thought it would be neat but guess what: I, in fact, do not know coding so bear with me here. On the account of I wanted to, I also felt it would be a great way for Viceroy and him to bond- also that if Viceroy is somehow involved in the production of video games (sort of, if you count "Weinerman Up" as an example of this!), then Randy's going to flock to him more than McFist.

I do think there's the potential that Bash and Randy get a little closer, but they're not fully friends - they just learn to tolerate each other a little better.

Due to some potentially wacky shenanigans, I do like to think Viceroy eventually catches on there's something strange going on with Randy- if the odd timing's between his disappearances and the Ninja's sudden arrival isn't already a strange coincidence. (coughs except every adult in the show is stupid coughs)

But moving on!

I am honestly just looking forward to the other general shenanigans that may happen in this because- there's a lot that has to be considered if, well, everyone's convinced the Ninja is literally 800 years old. Like are they just blind?? (or is it some ancient magic coming into play whenever the mantle is handed down to the next freshman because Finja was absolutely not a freshman- when did the switch happen to freshmen being the ones to take on the title? I'll talk about this later, as per usual)

Anyway-

There's probably going to be some angst coming into play, but nothing too major because the purpose of this AU is honestly pretty light in comparison to say, The Kitsune and the Ninja or ITNV. Though I want to keep things interesting- hence why other stuff will be coming into play eventually.

Now unfortunately, I am considered scrapping the original WIP and making it slightly more interesting because my latest introductions to the fanfics have felt somewhat boring in comparison to what I could write. Though without much further ado, I hope you come to enjoy this!

I don't have the slightest clue when the fanfic will be complete, but hopefully this will be soon!

[teaspoonofdread]

THOUGHTS on Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

I'll start with two statements regarding Anya Taylor Joy's casting and go from there.

I like her (I know some don't).

I agree she doesn't look like Charlize Theron (and we all know Charlize realized Furiosa as much as Miller did).

BUT a thing that struck me as soon as I heard she was cast was that she had that ethereal vibe of the Five (when I first saw them, the word 'mermaids' wouldn't leave my mind). I could see Anya playing a 'wife', which works with a backstory, I don't think any fan would like to watch play out on the screen...

Now let's try not to be too skeptical: she's tall like Furiosa, there's the probability she was more feminine as a girl living in a feminine world the Green Place of Many Mothers, she didn't need to be as muscular in her youth so she wasn't, etc.

Now. The trailer didn't manage to completely sell me the idea of Anya as Furiosa, but it eased some of my nerves. THE EYES! I saw a troll post on redit literally the day before the trailer dropped with close-ups of Theron and Joy (brown-eyed) captured "Furiosa eye color change?"

I've read the meta, I knew the eyes were carefully retouched in Fury Road in post-production, so I had hope. And seeing Anya's eyes in the trailer, I thought to myself, 'This is THE death stare. This is Furiosa'. And when she screamed all disheveled, I liked that part best. The one with her face covered, making the V8 symbol - second best.

I liked that she was shooting, I liked that cropped-out-seconds-rising-the-tension-rising-the-momentum Gorge Miller magic, I liked how over the top Lord Dementus was, it worked for me. Joe looked like Joe, I believe he didn't have any lines.

I definitely didn't like that head-touch with Tom Burke's character �� (sorry. He seems to have a lot of fans.)

And I didn't like the opening and closing shots. Can't quite place why: the opening one seemed like I'd already watched it before, also a bit too long, and the closing felt not authentic somehow. I wish she was more muscular. She just seems fragile in the classic Furiosa outfit.

Last roll of 'complains' before I start with the excitement-inducing points:

The over-explaining in the trailer itself, the big words with the exact number of years and all (like they could've converted into days, like they do in universe) but alas I suppose that's in order to bring in a wider audience. I hope it succeeds, tho!

Is a prequel the story I wanna visit - no. I'd like a movie about the Four - rebuilding, reforming, growing (green and as people), I want Max back even as I know it isn't like him to stay, and finally I want Theron and Hardy side by side, even as I know they wouldn't haha.

All of that is so unlikely. And there are so many spectacular novel-length fics about that. Hell, one such universe has been materializing in my mind for the past year. I almost don't want a movie about what comes after.

Still, I'd prefer a movie about the after rather than the before, but that's what's happening.

But I'm a nobody. The Creator of this world has a story he'd like to share, and it is centered around one of the most incredible characters in recent history, I think we're lucky to be able to witness that.

Now, onto the real excitement!

Disclaimer: this is less coherent even than what came before it.

First of all, we're finally getting a Wasteland movie by Gorge Miller (edited by Margaret Sixel!!!)

I cannot stress this enough!

We're getting chases, and War Boys and shiny mutant-cars, and we're going to GasTown, people! To the Bullet Farm! Helloo, I'm so ready, so curious!

And we're going to the Green Place, y'all! I'm so excited about it. Like they had horses wtf? Mary Jo Bassa! Canon Vuvalini names! Traditions! Defense strategies, weapons, male Vuvalini maybe, crows, so much lore...

But I'm most excited about that Lady driver and the little girl. I'm soo ready for the stories of women in the Wasteland!

To sum up: I'm mostly hyped for the expansion of the world because I love it so much. Because we'd see another of Miller's visions.

And I trust the team behind it enough to know it won't be an unremarkable movie.

I know it won't be another Fury Road because there never will be.

I watched it way too late, and it's my dream to see it on the big screen, which wouldn't happen. So I'm grateful for a second chance to experience something like it. And I'm hoping the fandom will live again, because from my lurking I've found it to be as intricate and smart and fucking amazing as Fury Road itself is, and I'd like to be a part of it this time around :')

[belovedblossoms-m]

//So at this point (and I'll probably be adding or replacing some in the future), I've wanted to add these characters to the muse roster:

Asuka Langley Soryu Yukiko Amagi Power Claire Redfield and/or Ashley Graham Princess Elise (Sonic 06) Yukari Takeba

I've written a little of Elise before on an old blog but I couldn't resist adding her again. I've already discussed about Yukiko in a previous post too. As for the rest, I know they are going to a bit of a challenge to write but I'm willing to give them a go since I really enjoy their characters (more like they grew and latched on to me before I knew it). I'll probably rewatch to retouch some stuff about Yukari again. I am also in the process of watching the Resident Evil series as game movies (I suck at playing those kind of games but I'm enjoying it a lot so far!), this far I've seen both original and remakes of RE0, RE1, RE2, RE3, Code Veronica, Degeneration movie (thanks Chase!) and currently gonna work on both RE4 OG (rewatch) and Remake down the list. As for Power, I've already read all of Chainsaw Man manga that's been released thus far and the season 1 anime. I also do need to watch the Evangelion movie to get that out of the way but that's pretty much it cause how could I NOT add Asuka? ^^; So please bear with me in trying to get these muses down in my writing but I'd love you so so much for helping me give them a try asking for them too!

[borderline-off-fangame]

It is the new year. Same old me I suppose, just one less person on the team. Ngl, last year was very hectic not going to lie, and cutting out a long time friend was painful, but... relieving. Because I no longer have to fear what my game might end up as and I don't have to be forced to follow the rule of the Father game. It's my game, and I get to make the rules and twist it and turn it into whatever the fuck I want it to be without feeling like I have to be forced to follow the rules of the Father game.. I'm going back to the uh... ultimatum days.. By Queen I cringe hard.. Yes I know what it means, don't @ me.. why did I think it was a good idea???? Well, what I'm mostly doing is ripping out the intestines of the old version and slapping it into the new one and praying to whatever God and Devil exist out there that it sticks. So far, it's working to an extent, now that the new Guardians are being implemented. I'll still rip out the intestines of the remake demo and slap it into this version as well and I am certain it's going to stick.. The premise is still the same, just that the Guardians are replaced with new ones.

So.. Here is a very first update of the year!! Yippie yay..

I'll skip the commodities and the whole 'my job is eating up my time and I mostly work on the game on weekends or when I feel like it, and get straight to the point.

Asset removal.

I'm still in the process of removing all the old assets and replacing them with my own, it just takes time to translate from a traditional sketch to a full digital one.. So far I have removed about... 20% of the assets, which includes mostly facesets and monsters from Zone 1 and other stuff from chipsets.. One major thing that I need to replace the most, would be the design of Shedder.

This bountiful creacher over here? This was her design. It would be a shame to see it go, but since it is considered her asset in the end, I'll need to redesign it.. I'm stubbing my toe hard with figuring out a new design for Shedder, but unfortunately I am drawing a blank, so if you have any ideas, feel free to message me or smth idk..

New assets

Self-explanatory, with removal of old assets, in comes new.. assets.. Cannot say they are improved, but they are new nonetheless. I'm having some help from Leox the Batter do some retouching here and there, and Saltie is helping me with monster assets. Nonetheless I am getting SOME help haha.

I still have ways to go with asset making, but I'm at least getting better at it haha.

The one thing that leaves me with is that I might look into finding an artist to draw cutscene art for me. Also might look into finding a co-dev that will help me with the storyline and shit. Probably, idrk..

Ultimatum

What I am mostly bringing back from Ultimatum ARE flashback sequences, and of course the sugar addicts. The ones from the remake are.. quite long, and take too long to get there, so I'm just going to cut them into snippets like the original one, and go with the ye olde 'show don't tell' trope. Still have a lot to do asset wise, but I am getting there.

New stuff is on the way, some revisited, some fresh out of the oven, stick around for more!

Happy new year and see you very soon.. Hopefully.

[vicsdeangelis]

Here are few random little thoughts about Ethan I've been having (and trying to write in depth about but keep getting distracted by a different thought about Ethan lol)

I love your idea of saying 'I love you' to Ethan for the first time when he takes you out to see the stars at night. I can one hundred percent see him proposing to you in that same setting.

Also I'm not really into couples tattoos BUT I think getting one of his labyrinth's tattooed would be cute.

I want bf!Ethan to help me dye the back of my hair when I impulsively dye it pink. And I wanna ask him if he likes the shirt he's wearing and when he answers yes I wanna tell him that he should probably take it off then unless he wants hair dye all over it. And I want him to be like "You just wanna see me strip😏😌" and be like "You're absolutely right and you should probably take off your pants while you're at it. You know, better to be safe than sorry😇" and so now he's helping you dye the back sections of your hair in only his Twerky Christmas underwear or smth skndkdndjs (also gotta add in that he would have his hair pulled back in a low bun seeing as he wasn't wanting to dye his own hair pink)

Something about that porn channel w/ Ethan.... Had a thought about making this one video where you peg him but he's still the one in control, telling you exactly how to fuck him. "Harder. There you fucking go baby, just like that." "Faster, bambina. Good girl" "Maybe if you fuck me good enough, I'll let you cum tonight." "Are you wet, bambina? I bet if I stuck my hand between your legs right now, you'd be fucking dripping" The perfect time to leave hickeys all over him btw. I can fully imagine him with his hand around your throat just in case you ever feel too powerful.

— 🪐

so much happening here oh my god. okay let's go!!!!

omg that proposal would be so emotional. he would be choosing his words so carefully to make you really understand how deeply he loves you and he brings up the fact that that's the place you told him you loved him for the first time, while he was ranting about something he is so passionate about, and that was probably the moment he realized he wanted to be with you forever. you're both crying by the time he finishes, so he doesn't even get the question out, but you know and you're nodding and crying and shaking and when he slips the engagement ring on your finger you practically tackle him and you both end up on the ground, laughing and crying and the same time.

i kid you not, I KID YOU NOT, i have been thinking about the concept of getting one of his mazes tattooed. imagine getting the one he drew/showed you on your first date! like that beautiful man took you to his place and you were expecting some sexy times (i mean, it definitely happened too), but he's like "wanna see something cool" and draws one right then and there and you realize he is actually so lame and it makes you feel so much more comfortable because you were a nerve wreck just thinking about trying to impress him. you're genuinely impressed by his drawing but the whole thing is a bit ridiculous so you can't stop smiling when you kiss him. it ends up being the most fun sex you've ever had until that point

as someone who just retouched her hair, i feel personally attacked by this one. the casual flirting, god!!!!! and he would end up with pink dye on his chest and you're both laughing and it's one of those moments you want to remember forever. the cheeky bastard also says that since he got dirty he should probably shower with you. he helps you rinse the dye more than anything, but he does sneak some neck kisses here and there. he doesn't even mind if his face ends up like half pink because of it, kissing you anywhere is always worth anything

PEGGING ETHAN RIGHTS! i'm so into the idea of him still being totally in control while getting fucked jesus christ. imagine him riding your strap. i mean, we all saw that gif of him bouncing on his seat, is all i'm saying 👀 and his dirty talk would be out of this fucking world!!!!

[mizzprouds]

dashiel-dash-parr​:

"Oh my gosh, you're going to blow the coach completely out of his mind." A smirk peeked across Dash's lips, almost unable to hide the desire to be present at that moment. He raised his arms as Penny passed him the retouched soccer ball, thus far struggling not to use his super speed just yet. Penny had been the girl he could call his best friend, and proudly his partner in crime with whom he shared a fondness for causing trouble to Angelo. From the moment they had met, it was clear to Dash that the other was a girl ready to jump into action and cause some mischief at the slightest opportunity, and she might be one of the few people who rivaled Dash's audacity. He raised the ball to eye level, making them a little slanted at the glitter of the pink and white rhinestones, definitely a masterpiece that had taken Penny a long time and now it was his turn to close 'his part of the deal' .

As Penny continued to talk about how long it would take for the coach to realize the change, Dash couldn't help but laugh at the thought of his face when he saw the edited soccer ball, totally worth taking the time and risking a little the powers. "How long will it take him to figure it out? Hmm, let me think ... Maybe a few minutes, probably ten or so." He responded playfully, winking at her as he took a few steps back. "Okay, now I'm going to leave the surprise in the warehouse, so this is going to be in the blink of an eye, so try to appear natural as this goes fast and louder." Dash ends with a little pun that only they understand. "Get ready for the awesomeness, I'll be back in a few seconds, plus I bet five bucks it takes him ten minutes to figure it out." He laughed, disappearing for a few seconds to reappear as a blurry figure without the precious ball. "Okay, all set. Let's go with the others to see the show." Triumphant, he raised his hand in a high-five gesture. "Come on Penny, don't leave me hanging."

“isn’t it so cute?” she coos, smiling as dash admires her work. penny knows the ball might be a tad bit overboard, but that was the whole point! he’d been messing with the coach long before she got involved, it taking her a few months to piece together what exactly was happening. but once she had, instead of calling him out or exposing him penny had covered for him. and since then they’ve been together in this, so it means a lot to her that he approves of her contribution for this particular prank. “definitely ten or more.” penny agrees, nodding firmly because there’s no way it would take angelo longer than that. who wouldn’t notice a rhinestone studded football quickly? she steps back, giving dash a little salute as he prepares to speed off to put the ball in play. she’s more than used to seeing his super speed by now, so she doesn’t even bat an eye when the gust of wind blows her hair back as he leaves and comes back. the mechanics of his super speed has always perplexed her, but it’s cool as fuck and that’s good enough for her on most days. “I’ll take you on the bet, maybe it’ll only take five minutes.” penny explains when dash comes back, unable to stop herself from wanting to give their coach the benefit of the doubt. on a good day she’d win that easy, but lately angelo comes to practice more tired than usual and it seems like he’s not firing on all cylinders. something about a new roommate. which reminds her, she’d been meaning to ask riley about that! penny reaches up, giving dash a high five before they start walking towards the field. in the past the team would have pre-practice meetings in the locker room but the dean advised against that once penny joined the team, so now they hang on the bleachers while coach rambles on about whatever the fuck. “what you been up to though? how’s your family?” penny asks, taking the time for the walk to catch up on anything new with him.