#savvy speaks

[sweetums0kitty]

Dear Universal Studios, please replace Harry Potter world with Barbieland. Please and thank you!

Or like I wish there was a cool big budget Gotham world.

[eternal-savvy-blog]

How many of the things in your bio do you actually reblog anymore?

Lmao, fuckin OOPS! havent updated this in LITERAL YEARS! I should do that xD Yeah, I think i literally still only blog about Anime Campaign (or rather Epithet Erased) now! Certainly due for an update haha

[askbookwormflareon]

TLDR; Life Just Keeps Happening and has been happening for the past couple months. I'm still alive, just busy trying to get to a stable routine/pull myself out of burnout! details under the cut if you're feeling nosy but that's the gist of it really. CW for medical talk under the cut but! I'm fine!

After getting a diagnosis back in october for what was going on with my thyroid, the next month I threw out my back and it's been an ongoing cycle of feeling better and then something happens that causes me to hurt it again despite proper exercise and medication to mitigate the pain ever since. I'm trying to look into physical therapy at this point but all my dr has given me is videos to follow along to where I'm not sure if I'm doing them properly since I have no proper feedback.

While this has all been going on I've been working on my vet assistant accreditation- which I had to stop for the past little while due to needing to attend a funeral in my hometown. (I also fainted while there so we're now trying to investigate if I have blood pressure issues or if it was the heat combined with meds interacting.) Upon returning home we also got the news that my wife's sister had terminal cancer so we had her at home for hospice until she passed. We're slowly returning to our normal routine now after her funeral.

So yeah!! Things have been busy! I'm still thinking about the blog, it's not going anywhere! I'm just trying to get things in order and most importantly catch up on my vet coursework before I throw myself back into things here!

[exorcismist]

fuck canon, embrace headcanon

(long post, sorry!!!)

Besides her fear of commitment, Spy ran off when Scout was born because she had recently discovered that she was transgender. She didn't know if Scout's mom (im gonna use my hc name for her from here on out— Julie/Julianna) would be approving and didn't want to hurt Julie because she knew she probably wouldn't love her anymore (newsflash, she still would). Spy knew she deserved better, so she ran, but she never really went far. She simply moved to New York (Albany— or Salem, i like that better), where she could still keep an eye on them.

Of course, she traveled all the time for her assassination jobs, but every now and then she would visit Boston, walking down the street of their home in a different disguise each time. She did get to watch Scout grow up, but from afar. It hurt her every time she saw him alone. There were a couple of times she came by later at night (just to see if Julie had moved on to a new man), and saw her precious Jérémy sitting in the backyard all alone. In those moments, she wanted nothing more than to run up and embrace him, but she couldn't.

^^ (That could have been a reason she said, "You're stronger than you'll ever know, Jeremy," in the comics. She knew some of what he had been through by those check-ins.)

She was already working for Red a little before Scout was, and she begged Pauling to get him in discreetly. By the luck of whatever god was up there, it worked. It was her first time seeing her son face to face since he was just a baby, but she couldn't find it in her to tell him. She never could.

She did (eventually) reach back out to Julie, showing up at her doorstep one night and apologizing profusely. She had drunk a bit before she came, maybe a little more than she should have. Spy just had to dull the pain or she might die just looking into Julie's eyes. Julianna was rightfully upset, but she could see that Spy was genuinely distraught. She asked her to come inside and talk, as the boys weren't home then. Spy explained everything, leaving out the bits about who she really was, though she hinted at it here and there, but was too scared.

Julie saw right through that. She understood her immediately. Spy nearly exploded into tears when Julie told her that she would love her no matter who she was. She cried in Julianna's arms harder than she had ever cried before. Julie could also see that she was clearly a little drunk, and she didn't want to leave her alone in this kind of state, so she let her stay the night.

Even after that, Spy made Julie promise not to tell Jeremy. She had to be the one to tell him face to face, and she knew that. Spy held it off for years; she was terrified of how Scout would react. Would he be angry? God, she hoped not. Then they were fired, and she was so, so upset. It hurt her, God, why had she held off for so long? Now, what if she never got to tell him?

The comics took place (even though comic 7 doesn't exist, shhh), and once everything went back to "normal", she told him. Actually told him.

How Scout took it is up to interpretation. I have so many different ideas I couldn’t possibly explain them all (most of them are sooooo angsty btw. hurt no comfort type angst.)

[polyamorouspunk]

At this point it’s not even “kink should be at pride because-” it’s literally like I would rather see people dick deep in someone else at pride than have terfs ever feel safe or comfortable. I say this as a fellow lesbian. I hope you guys are extremely uncomfortable seeing kink and trans people being happy.

[inkmachinx]

I hope you all know that it makes my day seeing that you are enjoying my art. It means so much to me !!! Genuinely !!! It brings a smile to my face whenever I see your cute little comments in the tags. Thank you so, so much for sticking with me, despite my horrendous posting schedule.

[side1track3starchild]

Alright, for the handful of you who followed me for my 'Steve Harrington has Powers' AU updates, here you go.

Fic has a title. Chapters 1 and 2 are written, edited, and in the chamber. Chapter 3 is about halfway written. I'm hoping to finish Chapter 3 next week, get started on Chapter 4, and post the first Chapter around the second week of July. Watch this space in case I get spicy and post secret previews.

[qiu-yan]

my instinct is to say that wei wuxian is also the sort of guy who guesses the plot twist to a tv show 10 minutes into the first episode, but he did very much also fail to guess any of the plot twists in his actual life. so maybe not that genre-savvy after all

[sweetums0kitty]

Mask Maketh The Man

Another Sav fic so soon?! What is this productivity? Anyway! This is another request from my good pal Bunny! @lovesickrobotic I hope you enjoy Bun! <3 Btw my requests are openhttps://www.tumblr.com/sweetums0kitty/717181379533815808/requests-are-open Shoot me an ask!

Warnings: None just pure fluff

He was beautiful, regal, and powerful, so different in his fearsome regalia than when he's just your mild-mannered Edward. He had finally assembled the complete outfit after months of searching Edward was finally the Riddler. "Well… How do I look?" came his modulated voice sending a cold shiver down your spine. His already piercing gaze was heightened by the way the clear frames of his glasses were set over the bridge of the mask. He looked like death, he was an angel of vengeance… Edward was everything. "You're- oh my god, this is really happening!" laughing as you pushed your hair out of your face with a deep sigh. Eddie stepped forward and you instantly stepped back from his hulking form. Arms hanging lamely by his sides he lifted his hand to scratch the back of his neck but stopped when he was reminded of the plastic wrap at the back of his skull. "Do I scare you like this?" he insinuated taking a step back with a forlorn tilt of his masked head. quickly you stepped forward attempting to soothe Eddie. "No, no! I'm not… You don't scare me! I'm just worried… What if you get caught?" beginning to pace back and forth in front of where the Riddler stood. He snorted and you turned quickly to glour at the masked man before you. "It's a perfectly valid concern!" Sighing the hot breath fogged the lenses of his mask making Eddie look a bit less fearsome. "C'mere" gesturing for you to come into his long protective arms. Obediently you stepped forward and instantly the warm, comforting presence of Edward enveloped you. Resting your head on his chest you could breathe in the familiar scents of coffee and old paper that made Eddie your Eddie. He was so tenderly soft it was hard to imagine the hands that gently stroked your hair, shushing all the niggling doubts that plagued you could be used for such gruesome violence.

Gently he bent forward hooking leatherbound gloves under your knees and bringing you almost effortlessly (He was a bit out of breath, he did always say he wasn't physically gifted. But for you! An effort was made) to the couch before sitting down with you snugly perched in his warm lap. The old futon groaned under the combined weight but held fast. Sitting curled up in his arms you felt truly safe, like nothing in the hellish streets of Gotham could take you from Edward. Still like a child afraid of the monster under the bed, you needed reassurance. Turning to face Eddie you hesitated to touch his face. Emerald eyes held your gaze and you could just see the way his brows were furloughed with the crinkle of the skin around his eyes. "Angel?" one gloved hand reached up to touch your cheek and instantly it clicked. "Can I touch your mask?" the words flopped from your lips in one undignified lump. "Of course, you can.." a bit incredulous that you would even ask to touch him. Even so, your hands gingerly met the vinal of his mask in an exploratory touch. Ghosting fingers over the shapeless face covering you could feel where his gorgeous nose was encased, down further and there were his cherubic cheeks and down once more and you were brushing over his lips. "See I'm still me, just better." whispering as you worked the hooks of the facial covering off so you could properly hold the reddened cheeks of your beloved. Letting the mask flop between the two of you as you bent forward to press a kiss into the plush petals of his lips. Instantly you melded with Edward. Lips dancing together as you cradled each other's cheeks. Finally pulling away to rest your foreheads together. "You're already amazing Eddie." gently kissing his nose. Snuggled under his chin you felt like renewal could be found within your love.

[eternal-savvy-blog]

Hello Savvy! I just wanted to take a moment to say, I think you're *incredibly* cool. I finished the ISAT streams a couple days ago and I've been thinking on this. I really REALLY respect how open you are about, well, everything that you choose to share. Whether it's about your identity, your dreams and wants and even the things that inspire you. There's a sincerity to it, that I personally find very moving. I genuinely hope that you're able to achieve the things you want to in life Savvy. I really do.

;_; I cri thank you so much! This means a lot to hear!!

I like to be open about these things because I know how much it helped me to hear it from other people! I only hope that some of the stuff I talk about helps other people out!

I will be doing my best to get things going in my life this year one way or another! So thank you!!! I only hope that when I get myself in gear that the stuff I create will connect with even a single other person

[askbookwormflareon]

If Honey could be another pokemon, of her choosing, what would she pick? Or what would you, as the mod, choose?

Hmm assuming other eeveelutions are off the table, I think Honey would like to be a pokemon capable of flying! Something like a swablu or togetic maybe!

As for what I would personally choose, that's a bit tough bc she's been a flareon since I first came up with her as a character back in 2014 what do you MEAN she's 10 years old now something with completely different vibes might be fun to doodle as a one off au tho! Something like Nickit/Thievul maybe!

[psychedelic-charm]

Our very own @li-speaks has uploaded a video essay on the Style Savvy games earlier this afternoon, and she did a very good job going over each game in detail. My favorite in the series is Styling Star.

[polyamorouspunk]

Mutuals…. I need assist….

It looks like I’m going to have to take an Uber when I get up to PA possibly but uh I have *no* idea how to or how much it’ll cost.

Anyone have any generic information on how Uber works like how soon I have to put in an… order? Request? How much per minute/hour generally? How to use the app? Pretty much all I know is that you go on the app say where you’re going wait for car to show up, climb in the back seat, they take you there, and then you pay and tip them.

My mom said my aunt offered me to just drive her own car but she thinks getting an Uber would be easier, and I agree, but my anxiety is Bad™️ when it comes to rideshare apps and public transportation but this is also supposed to be my Big Grown Up Trip where I go by myself and if taking an Uber/Lyft is another big girl thing I have to do then so be it 😭

[inkmachinx]

IM ALIVE

[side1track3starchild]

So I’ve been outlining “We’ll Be Carrying Each Other.”

And it’s gonna be easily over 20 chapters long. I can see it easily getting to 150k words. This thing is a beast.

Anyway chapter 9 is 90% of the way done. Hoping to get 9 and 10 fully written before I start posting. Still looking at September 9th for a tentative date.

[falciesystemessays]

Alright, let's make this quick. You're playing a dress-up game, maybe Style Savvy, maybe Love Nikki, because you want to express yourself creatively. The game gives you some explicit goals, it is a game after all. Maybe it's to dress up in a certain theme, maybe it's to max out certain stats, but the goal is to use incentives to make you try different outfits. Fair enough, right?

Here's the problem though: Players will naturally gravitate towards the solution with the most reward. There's a common joke in RPG spaces about wearing ugly armor for better stats, but it is so much worse in a game where dressing nicely is the primary appeal. Love Nikki is especially nasty in this regard, giving you an exact score on how fashionable it thinks you are.

This is what game designer Alex Jaffe calls the "Quantified Creativity Problem," and it is one of many Cursed Problems in Game Design. As he lays out, a cursed problem is one that is unsolvable, because it comes out of a contradiction of two core promises. In this case, you come into a game like Style Savvy (but this also applies to other games like The Sims) for intrinsic goals of creativity and expression. But these extrinsic goals inherently detract from the intrinsic joy of creation.

If you want to deal with a cursed problem, you have to make some kind of sacrifice to one of the promises.

You could

Embrace the bastard behavior and say "this isn't about creativity, you're dressing up for explicit goals." This is what the Hitman reboots do, for instance. You're not dressing up for aesthetics, you're dressing up for stealth.

Incentivize creativity like the games I've described try to do. This does certainly give a variety of ideas for nice outfits. However, as I've laid out, this does still detract from the intrinsic motivators.

Simply make it impossible to minmax, which here would manifest as clothing options having no mechanical attributes at all. This is what Picrews and doll-makers are, and while they're fun in their own way, I personally feel a sense of aimlessness and overchoice with a lot of these.

Make the extrinsic motivators less intense, although still there. This is what Artificial Fashionista does, which is my favorite of all of these and the reason I'm writing this essay.

So, this game is very nice, for a variety of reasons. The game is free, with regular DLC rather than scummy microtransactions. Its writing is genuinely well-executed in making every character delightfully annoying. But more than that, it's the first fashion game I've played that gives me direction without making me feel pressured.

Simply put, the game still has Nikki-style stat requirements, for example the starting Office Lady mission requires 4 points in Cool and 6 points in Formal. However, you are shown every single clothing item's exact stats in advance, and the game will straight-up tell you when the outfit you've made meets the requirement, as well as its equivalent of an S-Rank.

And the game has no actual scoring system above that rank, so you can dress in any way as long as it meets the threshold. Which means that this

and this

are both equally valid in the game's terms. I call that second look "violating the dress code but no one seems to mind," by the way.

What this all amounts to is a dress-up game that gives you just enough direction to come up with unique outfits, while giving you the room to be creative to your own liking. Sure, you probably won't make the "expected" outfit, but that's part of the fun of it! Artificial Fashionista confidently cuts through the Quantified Creativity problem by making the game easier than most other games of its type, and honestly? I appreciate that.

I'm talking about fashion games like this because I think it's a sorely needed discussion in our discourse about game design. Like, most of the Game Analysis I've seen on social media and YouTube tends to be very focused on challenge. Level design, systems design, and pacing tend to be made with idea of "game as challenge to overcome" as the primary appeal. But there are many different appeals a game can have, and expression is a big one. So why don't I see dress-up games brought up more often in these discussions?

I say, knowing the answer.

(Also, check out "Why Fashion in (Most) Games Sucks, and Why You Should Care", a GDC talk by Victoria Tran that I like a lot!)