#new franchise in the USA

[franchisingmagazineusa]

Franchising Opportunities for Veterans in the Service Industry

Finding a career that offers stability and growth potential can be challenging for veterans transitioning back into civilian life. However, franchising presents an ideal solution, particularly within the service industry. With a range of new franchises in the USA emerging each year, veterans are uniquely positioned to leverage their skills and discipline in this thriving sector. This blog will explore why the service industry offers some of the best franchises to own for veterans and highlight the top franchising opportunities for veterans in 2024.

Why the Service Industry is Ideal for Veterans:

The service industry encompasses a broad range of businesses, including home maintenance, cleaning services, landscaping, and more. These businesses often rely on structure, leadership, and teamwork—qualities that veterans inherently possess due to their military training. This makes the service industry a natural fit for veterans seeking to become entrepreneurs.

Additionally, the service industry is characterized by strong demand and recurring revenue streams. Many services are essential, meaning there’s a consistent need for them, even during economic downturns. For veterans looking for the best franchises to own, the service industry offers both stability and the potential for significant growth.

New Franchise Opportunities in the USA:

Each year, new franchises emerge in the USA, offering fresh opportunities for veterans to invest in. These new franchises often offer innovative business models and cater to emerging market trends, making them attractive options for entrepreneurial veterans. The service industry, in particular, has seen a surge in new franchise opportunities as demand for various services continues to grow.

For veterans considering their options, it’s important to research these new franchises thoroughly. Look for franchises that offer strong training programs, operational support, and a clear path to profitability. Many franchisors also offer incentives or discounts for veterans, making it easier to get started with a new franchise in the USA.

Best Franchises to Own for Veterans:

When it comes to selecting the best franchises to own, veterans should consider franchises that align with their skills, interests, and long-term goals. The service industry offers a wide range of options, from hands-on businesses like home repair to more managerial roles in service coordination.

The best franchises to buy are those that offer comprehensive support systems, including training, marketing, and operational assistance. Veterans should seek out franchisors who understand the unique strengths that veterans bring to the table and who offer tailored support to help them succeed. Whether it’s a well-established brand or a new franchise in the USA, the key is to find a franchise that resonates with your personal and professional aspirations.

Franchising Opportunities for Veterans: Where to Start

For veterans interested in franchising opportunities, the first step is to explore the various options available in the service industry. Begin by researching franchises that specifically market to veterans, as these companies often provide additional resources and support to help you succeed.

Consider attending franchising expos or connecting with franchise consultants who specialize in helping veterans find the best franchises to buy. These resources can provide valuable insights into the franchising process and help you identify opportunities that are well-suited to your skills and financial goals.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, franchising offers veterans a unique opportunity to transition into entrepreneurship, particularly within the service industry. With a variety of new franchises in the USA and established brands offering the best franchises to own, veterans have a wealth of options to choose from. By leveraging their skills, discipline, and leadership abilities, veterans can find franchising opportunities that not only provide financial security but also allow them to continue serving their communities in meaningful ways.

Whether you’re looking for the best franchises to buy or exploring new franchise opportunities, the service industry presents a promising path for veterans eager to embark on a new chapter of their professional lives.

Source: https://franchisingmagazineusa.blogspot.com/2024/08/franchising-opportunities-for-veterans.html

[faxxmodem]

my favorite thing about the saw vii3Dtfc dvd is the silly menu screen that flashes S.U.R.V.I.V.E. mantras on top of stills from the movie

my second favorite thing about the saw vii3Dtfc dvd is that it opens with an ad for saw blu-rays and digital downloads

[ijobcom]

By shopping through our link, you unlock exclusive deals and extra discounts you won’t find anywhere else. https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EzJV4ql

[hariramnishad]

Dr.Zakir Naik Vs Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj|रूहानी ईल्मी बहस|Trailer Launch|...

[ranchstoryblog]

PRESS RELEASE: Adventure, Romance, and Village Building Begin in Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma on May 30 on Nintendo Switch™ and PC, Welcoming Players to an Eastern Land of Adventure and Dragons

XSEED/Marvelous USA:

Marvelous USA Releases Gameplay Video Showcasing Guardians of Azuma’s

Action Combat, Relationship System, and Seasonal Village Life; Announces Jan. 22 Livestream Showcasing Additional Details and Special Guests

TORRANCE, Calif. — Jan. 16, 2025 — Marvelous USA announced today that Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will launch globally on the Nintendo Switch™ system and Windows PC via Steam on May 30, 2025. The latest entry in the popular action-RPG and life-simulation series introduces players to the Eastern territory of Azuma, a land of Japanese-inspired visuals and unique twists on familiar gameplay elements from the Rune Factory franchise. Alongside the reveal of the release date, Marvelous USA announced an upcoming livestream that will happen on Jan. 22 at 8AM PT/11AM ET on their YouTube channel, where the company will be revealing additional information and showcasing further looks into the land of Azuma. Host Ovilee May will be joined by voice actors Brandon McInnis (Subaru) and Suzie Yeung (Kaguya), who will discuss their roles and provide additional commentary alongside new reveals.

Ravaged by the effects of the Celestial Collapse and the cessation of power provided by the runes, the eastern lands of Azuma are a shadow of their prosperous past. Weakened by corruptive forces, the gods of nature retreated from the world, leaving mountains to crumble and fields to wither. The people of Azuma seek aid against a blight that has swept these once-bountiful lands. One young hero enters into a contract with a dragon and sets out on a journey. “Accept the might of the Earth Dancer. Use this power to save the land.”

Guardians of Azuma takes players on an all-new adventure in the never-before-seen country of Azuma. Here, players will assume the role of an Earth Dancer destined to return hope—and life—to the once-thriving land. Choose from one of two protagonists whose fates are closely tied together, and experience reimagined and expanded Rune Factory gameplay; as an Earth Dancer, players will farm with grace, restore and build entire villages, and fight with new weapons like the Bow and Talismans. Azuma is a vast world to explore with majestic villages to uncover, each taking inspiration from Japanese culture and each with a seasonal theme. In addition to exploration, combat, and village-building, players will also cultivate relationships with the locals, recruiting them to your side in battle or to help manage the villages. Wield sacred treasures of the gods and the Earth Dancer’s power of dance to purify the land and return Azuma to its former glory. The adventure of a new world awaits.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Key Features:

Bold New Abilities and Weapons: As an Earth Dancer, use the power of dance, sacred treasures, and fresh weapons like the Bow and Talismans to purify the land, farm, and undo the Blight’s damage.

It Takes a Village: Don’t just mind the farm—rebuild entire villages! Construct and place buildings strategically to entice people to return to the villages and contribute. Revive the gods to bring vitality and valuable resources back to the plagued lands.

Your Fantasy Japanese Life: Experience beautiful Japanese-inspired character designs and aesthetics—from festivals to events to monsters. Explore Azuma’s natural landscapes and its seasonal-themed locales steeped in tradition.

Classic Romance and Relationships: Choose between male and female protagonists, then befriend or romance any of the eligible candidates—god and mortal alike—in fully voiced scenarios. Recruit these new friends to aid in dynamic battles, too!

Pre-orders for the Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma “Earth Dancer Edition” on Nintendo Switch™ are now available via the Marvelous USA Online Store and at participating retailers for an MSRP of $99.99. This stunning collection comes in a custom outer box featuring awe-inspiring art of a battle high above Azuma, and includes a physical copy of the game, an original soundtrack CD, an art book, an Azuma-inspired folding fan, a plush Woolby keychain, and the “Earth Dancer DLC Pack,” which includes the “Seasons of Love Bundle,” the “Festive Attire and Dark Woolby Bundle,” the “Rune Factory 4 Outfit Bundle,” and the Useful Item Bundle. The standard edition of the game is also available to pre-order for an MSRP of $59.99.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will also be available digitally on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch and Windows PC via Steam. Details on SKUs and pricing will be available at a later date.

Developed by Marvelous and published in the Americas by Marvelous USA, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is scheduled for release globally on the Nintendo Switch™ and Windows PC via Steam on May 30, 2025. The title will be published in Japan by Marvelous Inc. and in Europe by Marvelous Europe. More information can be found on the official website, https://na.runefactory.com/azuma/, and on X @RuneFactory. This title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

Information about Marvelous USA’s products can be found at www.marvelous-usa.com. Fans can also check out the latest videos from the Marvelous family of titles on YouTube and get updates by following on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Bluesky.

---

Marvelous Europe:

---

London, U.K. — 16 January 2025 — Marvelous Europe announced today that Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will launch globally on the Nintendo Switch™ system and Windows PC via Steam on May 30, 2025.

Alongside the reveal of the release date, Marvelous Europe announced an upcoming livestream that will happen on 22 January at 16:00 GMT/ 17:00 CEST on their YouTube channel, where the company will be revealing additional information and showcasing further looks into the land of Azuma. Host Ovilee May will be joined by voice actors Brandon McInnis (Subaru) and Suzie Yeung (Kaguya), who will discuss their roles and provide additional commentary alongside new reveals. 

The latest entry in the popular action-RPG and life-simulation series introduces players to the Eastern territory of Azuma, a land of Japanese-inspired visuals and unique twists on familiar gameplay elements from the Rune Factory franchise. 

Ravaged by the effects of the Celestial Collapse and the cessation of power provided by the runes, the eastern lands of Azuma are a shadow of their prosperous past. Weakened by corruptive forces, the gods of nature retreated from the world, leaving mountains to crumble and fields to wither. The people of Azuma seek aid against a blight that has swept these once-bountiful lands. One young hero enters into a contract with a dragon and sets out on a journey. “Accept the might of the Earth Dancer. Use this power to save the land.”

Guardians of Azuma takes players on an all-new adventure in the never-before-seen country of Azuma. Here, players will assume the role of an Earth Dancer destined to return hope—and life—to the once-thriving land. Choose from one of two protagonists whose fates are closely tied together, and experience reimagined and expanded Rune Factory gameplay; as an Earth Dancer, players will farm with grace, restore and build entire villages, and fight with new weapons like the Bow and Talismans. Azuma is a vast world to explore with majestic villages to uncover, each taking inspiration from Japanese culture and each with a seasonal theme. In addition to exploration, combat, and village-building, players will also cultivate relationships with the locals, recruiting them to your side in battle or to help manage the villages. Wield sacred treasures of the gods and the Earth Dancer’s power of dance to purify the land and return Azuma to its former glory. The adventure of a new world awaits.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Key Features:

Bold New Abilities and Weapons: As an Earth Dancer, use the power of dance, sacred treasures, and fresh weapons like the Bow and Talismans to purify the land, farm, and undo the Blight’s damage.

It Takes a Village: Don’t just mind the farm—rebuild entire villages! Construct and place buildings strategically to entice people to return to the villages and contribute. Revive the gods to bring vitality and valuable resources back to the plagued lands.

Your Fantasy Japanese Life: Experience beautiful Japanese-inspired character designs and aesthetics—from festivals to events to monsters. Explore Azuma’s natural landscapes and its seasonal-themed locales steeped in tradition.

Classic Romance and Relationships: Choose between male and female protagonists, then befriend or romance any of the eligible candidates—god and mortal alike—in fully voiced scenarios. Recruit these new friends to aid in dynamic battles, too!

Pre-orders for the Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma  Limited Edition are now available at participating retailers via the Marvelous Europe website for an RRP of €99.99. This stunning collection comes in a custom outer box and includes a physical copy of the game, an original soundtrack CD, an art book, an Azuma-inspired folding fan, the “Seasons of Love” DLC bundle, additional DLC costumes for your protagonists and their divine sidekick Woolby, and a plush Woolby keychain. The standard edition of the game is also available to pre-order for an RRP of €59.99. Details on digital editions will be announced later.

Developed by Marvelous and published in Europe and Australia by Marvelous Europe, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is scheduled for release on the Nintendo Switch™ and Windows PC via Steam on 30 May, 2025. The title will be published in Japan by Marvelous Inc. and in the Americas by Marvelous USA. More information can be found on the official website, https://marvelousgames.com/games/rune-factory-guardians-of-azuma, and on X @RuneFactory.

For more information regarding Marvelous Europe, please visit the official website, or follow @MarvelousEurope on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.

[femaleboysblog]

on light of the new captain america movie getting a trailer and people begging everyone to boycott it because of the character sabra (for obvious reasons), I've seen a lot of people asking "why would they do that especially now?" (with the palestine genocide happening and the whole world aware of that?) and let me tell you why. many years ago, a big discussion here on tumblr about the mcu specifically was about how the movies were obviously sponsored by the us military and the government and written in a way where you would fall for their propaganda (very well hidden btw) without even realising, example: making it seem like the military is stupid and cia etc is incompetent. when they are clearly not in real life. they are adding sabra now and not taking it back because they know their fans will consume whatever they put out even if its to record, edit and post reviews videos hating on it on youtube and getting millions of views. it's still more money for disney. and a opportunity for a 'superhero' who's whole motivation is to 'save and protect' israel in hopes of humanizing even more the people who support palestinian genocide and paint them as good guys. there's many others examples of this through their 20 somethings year of franchise. please research about it and keep an eye and open mind when engaging in media in the future, especially mcu and other big franchises from the usa.

[cassandraclare]

New publishing announcement!

Hi guys!

I know it’s been a long time since there’s been news about The Wicked Powers. I’ve actually been sitting on information for a long time because I was not allowed to talk about it. It was making me pull out all my hair, so I am super glad to be able to share the following announcement with you: The Wicked Powers is scheduled for publication, and will be published by Walker Books in the UK and Random House in the US.

There’s a bunch more about this announcement, including the announcement of a brand-new YA romantasy series I’ll be doing called In Fire Foretold. That will be published by Pan Macmillan in the UK (same people who published Sword Catcher) and by Random House in the US.

I know there will be a lot of questions about what my schedule is, why things are coming out when they are, whether I have anything coming out next year (Yes, The Ragpicker King, the sequel to Sword Catcher, and also for those who participated in the Kickstarter, those four books) and the overall future of everything Shadowhunter-related. So I will be doing followup announcements to address all that stuff, but first, here are both press release from my publishers in the US and then in the UK with all the info!

GLOBALLY BESTSELLING FANTASY PHENOMENON CASSANDRA CLARE TO PUBLISH  FINAL TRILOGY IN THE ‘SHADOWHUNTER CHRONICLES’  AND NEW DUOLOGY WITH ALFRED A. KNOPF BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS  First book in THE WICKED POWERS to release in Spring 2026

(New York, NY, April 5, 2024)—Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, will publish five new books from #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Clare, whose novels have sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, been translated into 43 languages, and published in more than 60 countries. The new publications will begin in Spring 2026 with the first book in THE WICKED POWERS trilogy, the sixth and final series in Clare’s 23-book, young adult fantasy franchise The Shadowhunter Chronicles. Also slated for publication with Knopf is a brand-new YA romantasy duology, IN FIRE FORETOLD. The news was announced today by Melanie Nolan, VP and Publisher, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, who acquired North American rights from Suzie Townsend and Joanna Volpe of New Leaf Literary & Media in a highly competitive auction. Michelle Frey, Senior Executive Editor, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, will edit both series. 

Cassandra Clare mesmerized readers across the globe with the publication of City of Bones (2007), the first book in the Mortal Instruments series, and was quickly dubbed the “New Queen of Fantasy” by the Wall Street Journal. The Mortal Instruments became the basis for the far-reaching Shadowhunter Chronicles, an intricately drawn world that has seen global success and has been adapted into both a feature film and television show. The books follow the Shadowhunters, a secretive race of humans born with angel blood, whose mission is to eliminate the demons that plague the Earth. Knopf’s first publishing collaboration with Clare, THE WICKED POWERS (Spring 2026), will follow Kit Herondale, Ty Blackthorn, and Drusilla Blackthorn from The Dark Artifices series as they are drawn into the final massive conflict between the demons and the angels. 

IN FIRE FORETOLD is a pulse-pounding YA romantasy duology set in a new world with entirely new characters. The story centers a young woman who must learn to control her dangerous magical abilities in order to save her kingdom, all while finding herself torn between two brothers—the kingdom's princes, born to a cursed royal bloodline. The publication date for IN FIRE FORETOLD, as well as news of additional books to come from Cassandra Clare and Knopf, will be announced. 

Says Cassandra Clare: "I am delighted to have Knopf and Penguin Random House as my publishers for this last trilogy in the Shadowhunters world. They truly understand what it means—both for the story and for my readers—to wrap up such an epic tale that has been told over so many years. I'm also excited to be launching my next YA series — a kickass portal fantasy that contains a ton of things I love, from a bold and reckless heroine to a magical wasteland filled with terrifying monsters that must be fought, to a love triangle with two very unusual cursed princes. I can't wait for us to bring these stories to the world."

Says Michelle Frey: “Cassandra Clare is a beloved author whose work has a massive following for good reason: she sucks you into a fully imagined world and never lets go until the last, satisfying page. I have long admired Cassie and am thrilled to be working with her on both the delectable final trilogy in the Shadowhunter Chronicles and the heart-stopping new love triangle she has dreamed up with IN FIRE FORETOLD.”

Random House Children’s Books (rhcbooks.com) is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and nonfiction, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

UK/AUS/NZ:

Walker Books will publish three new books, the final trilogy in Shadowhunter Chronicles, the first coming in Spring 2026.

Separately, First Ink will publish a brand new YA duology, introducing readers to a fantastical new world of Clare’s creation, filled with enticing new characters and heart-racing action. With sales figures for Cassandra’s novels exceeding 40 million copies worldwide, translated into 43 languages and published in more than 60 countries, these are exciting and major acquisitions for both publishing houses.

Walker will launch THE WICKED POWERS in Spring 2026 with the first book in the trilogy, The Last King of Faerie. THE WICKED POWERS is the final instalment of Clare’s 23-book, young adult fantasy series, Shadowhunter Chronicles.

THE WICKED POWERS (Spring 2026), will follow Kit Herondale, Ty Blackthorn, and Drusilla Blackthorn from The Dark Artifices series as they are drawn into the final massive conflict between the demons and the angels. The novel marks the beginning of the final trilogy in Clare’s globally beloved series.

Cassandra Clare Says about THE WICKED POWERS: "I’m thrilled to be taking this momentous step in the Shadowhunter chronicles with Walker! They published City of Bones in 2007 and now we will be bringing this huge epic to a close together. With their creativity and dedication, I know they’ll do it justice."

Denise Johnstone Burt says: “We at Walker are immensely proud to have been Cassie’s publishers from the very beginning, when City of Bones launched the Shadowhunters into the world. Since then Cassie has become one of the most beloved writers in YA fantasy all over the world, and with very good reason. Her world-building and character portrayal are absolutely second to none and her books never fail to mesmerise her fans. I am delighted that we will be returning to the world of Shadowhunters once again in THE WICKED POWERS, and know Cassie will bring the Chronicles to a conclusion with her trademark brilliance and consummate style.”

First Ink will publish IN FIRE FORETOLD, a pulse-pounding YA romantasy duology set to delight all fans of Cassie Clare. UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired by Samantha Smith, Publisher of First Ink and Macmillan Children’s Books’ Fiction, Non Fiction and Picture Book List, from Danny Baror and Heather Baror-Shapiro at Baror International.  The duology will be a super lead title for First Ink and will launch with a significant multi-channel communications campaign including national media, influencer and fan events [HBS1] and multimedia advertising.

IN FIRE FORETOLD sees the launch of a brand new world and set of entirely new characters for Clare. The story centres on a young woman who must learn to control her dangerous magical abilities in order to save her kingdom, all while finding herself torn between two brothers - the kingdom's princes - born to a cursed royal bloodline.

Cassandra Clare says about IN FIRE FORETOLD: “I’m so excited to be publishing IN FIRE FORETOLD with First Ink. This story contains so many things I love- it’s a portal fantasy that swings between worlds, where the gritty LA streets exist alongside a dangerous magical world filled with deadly monsters - and a uniquely tough heroine who’s ready to do battle on all sides. Not to mention some gorgeous princes with shady pasts. I know how much Pan Macmillan loves fantasy and how well they publish it so I’m thrilled for this partnership."

Samantha Smith, Publisher at First Ink, says: “Cassandra Clare is a phenomenon author who has delighted and surprised her millions of readers across the world for decades now. As a huge fan of both her YA Mortal Instruments series and latest adult fantasy Sword Catcher, I cannot wait for her to turn her formidable pen to a new, heart-stopping series in In the Fire Foretold and could not be more excited to welcome her onto the First Ink list”

Belinda Ioni Rasmussen, Managing Director at Macmillan Children’s Books, says: “ Welcoming Cassandra Clare to First Ink with a brand new fantasy world is very exciting - both for us and her fans.  Her storytelling is second to none and her new duology on our list is the perfect partner series to her brilliant publishing that sits on our Tor list at Pan Macmillan.”

About Walker Books

Home to books for all ages, Walker Books publishes many award-winning authors, illustrators, and literary franchisesincluding Anthony Horowitz, Angie Thomas, Cassandra Clare, Lucy Cousins, Anthony Browne, Patrick Ness, Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, and Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford. Walker Books is part of the vibrant international Walker Books Group that includes Walker Books Australia; Candlewick Press and Walker Books US in America and Walker Productions.

About Pan Macmillan

At Pan Macmillan we publish a broad and vibrant range of books for audiences of all ages, from dazzling bestsellers to influential prize-winners; books to inspire lifelong readers and listeners to enduring classics for generations to come. The fourth largest UK publisher, we pride ourselves on publishing successfully and sustainably and are committed to working together to positively impact culture and society at large.

[mammonscheeks]

demon brothers + dateables as destinations in the human world

✎ a/n: these are my opinions! i'm south and west asian, so i am most knowlegeable about those countries, please correct me if i've said anything incorrect!

LUCIFER

new york city, usa. he likes the cold, industrial corporate feel of nyc. it helps him avoid his feelings.

anywhere in germany. he likes their no-nonsense culture and unspoken social rules.

MAMMON

las vegas, nevada, usa. he always begs mc to take him there. the flashy lights and casinos are right up his alley.

dubai, uae. he loves the luxurious feel of it, and how its the center of celebrity gatherings, vacations, and parties.

LEVIATHAN

tokyo, japan (especially the akihabara/electronic district). he's always updated on pop culture and the newest technology/games.

seychelles island, africa. he likes swimming, but not socializing on the beach. that's why he likes isolated islands.

SATAN

london, england. he's interested in their medival history and seeing the places that inspired novels like harry potter and the sherlock holmes franchise.

cat island in japan, or any mediterranean country where cats freely roam.

ASMODEUS

paris, france. he'd love paris fashion week. he also just seems french to me, idk.

seoul, south korea. he'd adore seoul's culture, everything from the modern sappy kdramas to traditional dresses, like hanbok. he would bring an empty suitcase to stuff it with beauty products.

BEELZEBUB

mumbai, india. this metropolitan city in india offers so many different kinds of food. he would love to eat his way through the city, if not the entire country.

every city in mexico. he'd try the regional cuisine, but also hang out at the beach with his brothers and mc (so cute).

BELPHEGOR

cairo, egypt. he was once fascinated with humans, and often watched them build civilizations from heaven when he was an angel. he would enjoy the historical wonders of egypt.

reykjavic, iceland. idk why he just gives me iceland vibes. life there can be slow and cold, and it often gets less light than other countries.

DIAVOLO

transylvania, romania. he loves its breathtaking castles and culture, and is intrigued with all the pop culture references of vampires.

petra, jordan. this is a significant place in abrahamic religions, known for being haunted by demons, or jinn. diavolo would be fascinated by this history, whether its actually haunted or not. i know he'd eat up those scary ghost tours (insert fic about that here) and even probably try and scare a few tourist groups, despite barbatos advising him against it.

BARBATOS

istanbul, turkiye. istanbul has well-maintained structures from the byzantine empire, the ottoman empire, and even "newer and hip" neighborhoods. barbatos, being able to see the past and future, would appreciate the blend of it all here, like he's walking through time.

kathmandu, nepal. he'd enjoy the peace of monasteries and mountains, which are as old as the earth itself.

SIMEON

tuscany, italy. he'd enjoy the vast fields, heavenly sunsets, small towns and historic churches. he would find tuscany a peaceful place to write, but appreciates the community feel of small italian towns. would definitely be so friendly he'd get invited to eat dinner at a random family's house.

thessaloniki, greece. he would absolutely love seeing all the greek orthodox churches there, with their blue and white colors and dome roofs. he is just amused to see the religious structures humans have created. he'd also probably be interested in greek mythology, even though he's an angel.

LUKE

cape town, south africa. he would be so excited to see penguins at the beach and would enjoy the burst of color south africa offers. he'd also enjoy the modern bakeries and desserts in south africa.

lyon, france. the country is known for desserts. luke would probably take a baking class there to learn how to bake more things.

SOLOMON

salem, or just any small town in massachusetts. as a sorcerer, he's intrigued with their history of "witch hunting" and the paranormal.

lalibela, ethiopia. being old, he's intrigued with how ancient cities like lalibela have changed since biblical times. he also probably enjoys learning about different cultural practices and what they have in common with his sorcery. he also wants to learn how to cook more dishes from different countries, but fails miserably

[tagidearte]

"Pongo, the Imp Clown. Some say he used to be a Star, others say that's just his delusional ramblings." -Original Character for a (so far) unnamed Original Story.

I'm still in the early stages of designing him and his "friend" Pinga. However, I decided to share these initial drafts regardless! This way someone other than me can join in on the character design journey! Let's see how much he changes until the final design! Thoughts below.

Concept Log #1 - Pongo

Aka I want to ramble and my friends don't care robot clowns. Really big rambly rant below.

Also no, this is not a d/ca oc. Trust me, making a robot clown/jester is like walking into a laser trap when you've been obsessing over those two for the past three years. The only d/ca inspiration here was making Pongo warm coloured and Pinga cool coloured. If anything, this was more inspired by the Funtimes.

For now, I hate all the outfits. They don't fit his vibe, his personality, his whole persona. He's an imp clown, but he has... Delusions of grandeur. I need to make him more princely, perhaps? I'll attempt that next time. I already have the chibi base, so it'll be relatively quick.

I also want to make his casing... Different. Either paler with pink shadows, or a darker, more solid pink. He's meant to have only warm colours, contrasting with Pinga (you'll see him some other time) who only has cold ones, so no blues or greens... But I must say. Darker pink will probably win. When I painted his face white it looked too much like a Slay Button En/nard. In fact, I added all that eye and lip makeup to make him look less like En/nard.

The coil torso is the most important part. On a final drawing I'll make it have more loops, which should give the impression the thing is stronger and capable of more powerful bounces (which can hurt you if he decides to launch) - but for these concepts I merely half assed it. The star shaped hat with the back cone coming out is my favourite part!

Hope you enjoy his star shaped nipple coverings as much as I did coming up with them! Originally (not pictured here) he was going to have a big star on his chest, to mimic what I see in a lot of jack in a box's boxes. But the nipple coverings were so raunchy and funny, yet still appropriate for younger audiences (in world), that I left them in. Him being a reformed villain (in the media he's built after, inside the world) allows for messing around with the makeup and eccentricity, but we can't go to far - he needs to look PG while being predominantly adult/teen entertainment as an amusement park bot.

For context... Ever since I got into FN4F I've wanted to do something similar - with a location and mascots -, but instead of an USA animal band, I wanted it to be based on a cartoon set in a magical forest (like Noddy from my childhood - with a city of living toys and two imps that lived in the eViL wOoDs-, but funny for all ages rather than so 5 year old centric). Overtime, the thought of sentient robots forced to work - objects that were given a soul, trapped in a synthetic shell that is their body, dependent on humanity and property to it despite technically being alive, easy to manipulate via some changes in code - wormed itself in.

But I never really had the proper setting or characters for it. That, and I have another original story that has plagued my dreams ever since I was 12/13.

Until now.

I won't go into setting details yet. Let me just say Pinga and Pongo are a ping pong pun, because they both bob up and down with coils - Pongo on his torso, which makes him kind of like a jack in a box; and Pinga on his legs, which allows him to jump really high. They are based on cartoon characters that exist in world, from a movies series that ended up with a cartoon too, sort of like disney stuff but... Not disney. The entire mythos of that company's content takes place in one single world/franchise, it just explores different parts of it with each new series/movie/game.

Pongo is an egomaniac, programmed the be flirty to adults, who struggles on the line between property and self. He used to give a lot of trouble to the park, because his AI allowed him to learn new tricks rather quickly... and most weren't really all that safe or appropriate. So, time and time again, he got sent back to fix it. Having his "brain" messed with has made him deeply afraid of not behaving like a machine, which clashes with how self pleasing he is - you just don't realize it at first, because he's programmed to be a flirty little demon with an attitude. It's just that his real attitude is much more... intense.

Let's see if posting this online makes me not put the project aside too quickly lmao.

[oxycodone-soup]

As someone who has watched @janmisali's "how many Super Mario games are there" video several times and is eagerly awaiting the sequel (don't worry, I filled out the new survey already), I noticed something interesting in the beginning of GMTK's newest video. During the intro, he says he's played "... every single mainline entry in the Super Mario Brothers series". Naturally, my first reaction was to figure out what exact list of games that is. During this scene (mostly as a gag), he's set up a stack of games on the side. From bottom to top, they are:

Super Mario 3D World New Super Mario Bros U Super Mario Galaxy 2 New Super Mario Bros Wii Super Mario Sunshine Super Mario Galaxy New Super Mario Bros New Super Mario Bros 2 Super Mario 3D Land Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS Super Mario 3D All-Stars Super Mario Maker 2 Super Mario Odyssey Super Mario Maker Super Mario Bros Super Mario 64 Super Mario Bros 2 (aka "USA") Super Mario Bros 3 Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins 2 Unidentifiable SNES/Super Famicom cartriges Super Mario Land

This is mostly similar to the "popular" 18-game list in the jan Misali video, with a couple differences. GMTK does include all 3 Maker games, which is completely fine since it's consistent.

While making this list I learned that the European SNES used the same design as the Super Famicom. I think this makes it likely that one of the unidentified carts is The Lost Levels, which would make the list otherwise match Misali's. I think the best candidate for the other cart is Yoshi's Island. Both of those appear in the video footage, but I don't know how to confirm either guess.

If someone has Mark Brown's contact and wants to waste his time asking for his justification on the enumeration and classification of the mainline series of games within the Mario franchise, let me know.

He also includes the following games in the video as footage, although seeing as the video also includes a lot of non-Mario games this probably means nothing for GMTK's opinion on what games are part of the mainline series:

Super Mario Bros Wonder Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island Super Mario Bros Deluxe Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels New Super Luigi U New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe Super Mario Run

[felassan]

i havent been able to keep up with all the veilguard news, but i was hoping you might know if theres been any word on a potential comeback for Sandal Feddic?

hello! ◕‿◕

this post is just listing references to him in interviews/marketing etc, not going into theorycrafting. ◕‿◕

around 2012 in an interview somewhere a writer mentioned a concern that they had around how the portrayal of Sandal could be insensitive/uncomfortable.

around 2 years ago there was an article:

‘Sandal Probably Isn’t In Dragon Age 4′ At least not with his usual voice actor, Yuri Lowenthal. Speaking to USA Today, voice actor Yuri Lowenthal revealed that has not been asked to return for the fourth game. “I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn, but as far as I know there’s no Sandal in Dragon Age 4. If there is then it wasn’t played by me because I would have loved to have come back.” The only silver lining for fans is that Lowenthal would love to play the quirky character again. “100%, I love that little guy. He could have just been a terrible joke, and he wasn’t. They gave him some turns that nobody saw coming. He’s a right badass.” [source]

that was 2 years ago however, and things can change. as we know from Morrigan/Claudia Black, it's possible for this kind of comment to be made prior to a studio asking an actor to reprise a role. NDAs and changing voice actors are also a thing.

about a year ago Mark Darrah said this, on why he doesn't directly appear in DA:I -

[on Sandal] “I told the team if you put him in DA:I you gotta put him in everything because he basically then becomes a central figure of the franchise. So they gave him a rest. So you can blame me for him not being in DA:I” [source]

I don't remember seeing any other direct/specific Sandal mentions in promo/marketing type material one way or the other in more recent times.

[franchisingmagazineusa]

Unlocking the Potential of Franchise Investments: A Comprehensive Analysis

Embarking on the entrepreneurial voyage is both thrilling and daunting, especially when considering franchise investments. This blog serves as your compass, guiding you through the best franchising opportunities in the USA.

The Quest for Excellence:

In the vast realm of franchising, not all treasures are created equal. Let's unearth the gems and explore the criteria for the best franchises to buy:

Proven Track Record: Seek franchises with a proven track record of success. Past triumphs often indicate a stable and profitable venture.

Passion Alignment: The best franchises to buy are those that align with your passions. Choosing a venture you love turns the journey into a fulfilling adventure!

Market Demand: Evaluate the market demand for the chosen franchise. A thriving market ensures sustained business growth and success.

Opportunities Knocking at Your Door:

As you embark on this entrepreneurial expedition, keep an eye out for the golden ticket—those unparalleled franchising opportunities that can shape your success:

Tech-Driven Ventures: In the digital era, tech-driven franchises are the golden nuggets. Explore app-based services, IT solutions, and innovative digital ventures.

Health and Wellness: The wellness industry is a gold mine. Consider franchises in fitness, health clinics, and holistic wellness for a lucrative and fulfilling journey.

Foodie Ventures: Food is timeless, and food franchises are perennial favorites. From fast food to unique culinary experiences, the options are tantalizing.

Your Path to Financial Triumph:

Decoding the intricacies of franchise investments requires a strategic approach. Here's the code to financial triumph:

Initial Investment: Assess the initial investment required. The best franchising opportunities strike a balance between investment and potential returns.

Ongoing Costs: Diving into franchise investments requires an understanding of ongoing costs. Evaluate royalty fees, marketing fees, and any additional expenses.

Return on Investment (ROI): The ultimate code to crack is the potential return on investment. A franchise with a promising ROI is a wise investment.

Venturing into Uncharted Territories:

As you set sail in the entrepreneurial seas, exploring a new franchise in the USA can be both thrilling and rewarding. Consider these factors when charting your course:

Local Market Analysis: Study the local market to ensure your chosen franchise aligns with the needs and desires of the community.

Legalities and Regulations: Navigate the legal waters carefully. Understand and comply with local regulations to avoid potential hurdles.

Community Integration: Become an integral part of the community. Community support is often the wind in the sails of a new franchise.

Conclusion:

Congratulations, intrepid entrepreneur! Armed with insights into the best franchising opportunities in the USA, the keys to finding the best franchises to buy, and the code to successful franchise investments, your journey to entrepreneurial triumph begins now. May your sails be filled with success, and may you uncover the limitless potential that awaits in the world of franchise investments!

Source: https://franchisingmagazineusa.blogspot.com/2023/12/unlocking-potential-of-franchise.html

[victoriadallonfan]

Since I seem to have a growing audience of followers from other fandom stuff:

Hello! I’m Victoriadallonfan aka Ridtom aka Tomrid aka any anagram with those letters. I have a Ko-Fi for art commissions and donations!

I also have my own supernatural fantasy story called Dead Eye!

This blog is primarily about Web Serials from the online author Wildbow aka John C McCrae, and my blog name comes from one of his characters!

These works include:

- Worm: a young bullied girl with superpowers is mistaken for a villain on her first night out and things escalate as her career grows

- Ward: (sequel to Worm) a retired and traumatized superhero is brought back to work in order to deal with a new generation of heroes and villains

- Pact: a young man who is part of a abusive family inherits a creepy house and is exposed to a darker, fantastical, side of the world

- Pale: (sequel of sorts to Pact) three young girls with difficult lives are inducted by a magical community to solve a crime

- Twig: a young experimental boy works as a spy and assassin for the corrupt and fascist 1920’s British Empire in alternate world of biopunk

- Claw (most recent): a round table pov following a cat and mouse chase between a criminal couple, a crime family, and a journalist in an alternate USA in the midst of civil war

I mainly post about Ward (my fave) but I also dabble in the other works at times.

I also have been branching out into doing analysis posts on the Alien Franchise, Predator Franchise, Alien vs Predator, and calling out right-wing grifters or TERFs

I hope you enjoy my posts and feel comfortable enough engaging in a fun and thoughtful way!

[coramatus]

Submas RP variants: Stoker and Ingo 1 Prime

After @timelord-emmet broke an entire universe, he is banished far, far away, to a world where Arceus barely has any influence. His Trial of Patience has begun and he must pass it if he wishes to go to Hisui to rescue his brother.

Luckily for Time Lord Emmet Railer, he’s not the only Emmet there.

Unluckily for Subway Boss Emmet Stoker, his life in New York City, New York is about to get a lot crazier.

Or

Time Lord Emmet lands in the A Unovan in New York City universe.

Assorted notes:

Upon meeting each other, the two Emmets differentiate themselves from each other by being called by their last names: Railer for the Time Lord and Stoker for the regular guy who accidentally yeeted himself to our world.

Unlike other universes, this Emmet knows about the fourth wall and likes to lean on it sometimes, as evidenced by him waving at us. Ingo Prime has no idea what Stoker is waving at but is amused nonetheless.

When Stoker breaks the news that Pokémon don’t exist in this world, Railer, still unstable in his powers, loses it, scaring the living shit out of Stoker. It makes him too terrified to reveal the next two key facts Railer needs to know about this world: that Pokémon are only seen as imaginary creatures and that they themselves are popular fictional characters in the franchise. It takes Railer running away in shame and nearly dying to a botched mugging attempt that Stoker eventually can broach the subject. He doesn’t like it, but he doesn’t lose it again.

Stoker and Railer both keep their Pokémon in top-shape, which is helped by OC Jamal taking a few Pokémon at a time to train on his own. What he teaches them would be honestly incomprehensible to a pro trainer because he uses moves in different ways, i.e. using Thunderwave as a field of visible energy to detect invisible ghosts, using Dig to launch battle partners, etc.. It doesn’t help that he likes naming said moves absurd meme names.

When Ingo and Dawn join them, Stoker makes sure to dress the two up in the most absurd tourist crap they can find. The USA hoodie Ingo wears is the only thing they kept because it was warm.

[ranchstoryblog]

PRESS RELEASE: Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma’s Bold Reimagining of a Beloved Franchise is Revealed During Nintendo Direct

Marvelous USA Announces Spring 2025 Release Window for Fresh Take on Fan-Favorite Action RPG/Life-simulation Franchise; PAX West Presence Confirmed

TORRANCE, Calif. — Aug. 27, 2024 — Marvelous USA today revealed Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma for the Nintendo Switch™ system and Windows PC via Steam, debuting the first official trailer on today’s Nintendo Direct livestream and announcing a Spring 2025 release window. This next-level offering is the latest entry in the popular action-RPG and life-simulation series, and introduces players to the lands of the east for the first time in franchise history with Japanese-inspired visuals and new twists on familiar themes and gameplay elements. Attendees at PAX West, taking place Aug. 30-Sept. 2, will be able to participate in a Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma booth activity showcasing Earth Dancer abilities and have the chance to earn exclusive, themed merchandise in the Marvelous USA booth, #809. 

Ravaged by the effects of the Celestial Collapse and the cessation of power provided by the runes, the eastern lands of Azuma are a shadow of their prosperous past. Weakened by corruptive forces, the gods of nature retreated from the world, leaving mountains to crumble and fields to wither. The people of Azuma seek aid against a blight that has swept these once-bountiful lands. One young hero enters into a contract with a dragon and sets out on a journey. “Accept the might of the Earth Dancer. Use this power to save the land.”

Guardians of Azuma takes players on an all-new adventure in the never-before-seen country of Azuma. Here, players will assume the role of an Earth Dancer destined to return hope—and life—to the once-thriving land. Choose from one of two protagonists whose fates are closely tied together, and experience reimagined and expanded Rune Factory gameplay; as Earth Dancer, players will farm with grace, restore and build entire villages, and fight with new weapons like the Bow and Talisman. Azuma is a vast world to explore with majestic villages to uncover, each taking inspiration from Japanese culture and each with a seasonal theme. In addition to exploration, combat, and village-building, players will also cultivate relationships with the locals, recruiting them to your side in battle or to help manage the villages. Wield sacred treasures of the gods and the Earth Dancer’s power of dance to purify the land and return Azuma to its former glory. The adventure of a new world awaits.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Key Features:

Bold New Abilities and Weapons: As an Earth Dancer, use the power of dance, sacred treasures, and fresh weapons like the Bow and Talisman to purify the land, farm, and undo the Blight’s damage.

It Takes a Village: Don’t just mind the farm—rebuild entire villages! Construct and place buildings strategically to entice people to return to the villages and contribute. Revive the gods to bring vitality and valuable resources back to the plagued lands.

Your Fantasy Japanese Life: Experience beautiful Japanese-inspired character designs and aesthetics—from festivals to events to monsters. Explore Azuma’s natural landscapes and its seasonal-themed locales steeped in tradition.

Classic Romance and Relationships: Choose between male and female protagonists, then befriend or romance any of the eligible candidates—god and mortal alike—in fully voiced scenarios. Recruit these new friends to aid in dynamic battles, too!

Pre-orders for the Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma “Earth Dancer Edition” will be available soon via the Marvelous USA store and at participating retailers for an MSRP of $99.99. This stunning collection comes in a custom outer box featuring awe-inspiring art of a battle high above Azuma, and includes a physical copy of the game, an original soundtrack CD, an art book, an Azuma-inspired folding fan, the “Seasons of Love” DLC bundle, additional DLC costumes for your protagonists and their divine sidekick Woolby, and a plush Woolby keychain. The standard edition of the game will also be available to pre-order for an MSRP of $59.99. Details on digital editions and pricing will be announced later.

Developed by Marvelous and published in the Americas by Marvelous USA, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is scheduled for release on the Nintendo Switch™ and Windows PC via Steam in Spring 2025. The title will be published in Japan by Marvelous Inc. and in Europe by Marvelous Europe. More information can be found on the official website, https://na.runefactory.com/azuma/, and on X @RuneFactory. This title has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

Information about Marvelous USA’s products can be found at www.marvelous-usa.com. Fans can also check out the latest videos from the Marvelous family of titles on YouTube and get updates by following on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Threads.

[cipheramnesia]

Hi, do you think you’ll watch the new Alien Romulus at some point? Is the Alien salvageable after so many films?

I'll watch it at whatever stage it is possible to watch it for free.

Whether or not Alien is salvageable as a franchise is, in my mind, not the question. It's intellectual property owned by the labyrinthine media monopoly of Disney, and sunk into the general business culture of mainstream US movies. Hollywood has always been subject to profitability but that has overtaken production in all major studios to the point that any film with a wide theatrical release will also reliably have been defanged and homogenized for maximim marketability and profitability.

Right now Alien is a profitable product, content as it were, and much like Marvel and Star Wars, a large amount would have to change both in specific terms (breaking up Disney) and general terms (de-business-ifying mainstream filmmaking in the USA) to correct that. Alien is as salvageable as anything, all it takes is some people with skill and creativity, but that kind of freedom of artisitc choice doesn't exist in current mainstream cinema.

But to me Alien doesn't need to be salvageable, no more than Marvel or Star Wars. There are enough movies about it, there's enough content and media about all that stuff. There's always a part of yourself that wants more of the good thing, especially when it comes to art, but this franchised product all packaged and commodified and audience tested and all that, it's not more of what made all that stuff exciting, even while the originals weren't free from that process either, not entirely.

Alien as a franchise is salvageable but why? Why not try new stuff and things to get outside that box and different approaches and art that isn't a managed piece of commercial real-estate with a targeted ROI for the investors. I'll want the feeling of seeing Alien the first time for the rest of my life, I'll always love it as a creature, but damn there are too many Alien movies. It shouldn't be salvaged, it should be preserved for the future to enjoy along with whatever comes next.