#update: the bottom option is the bad choice

[perilegs]

ok so the way graduation/sotsugyou (1999) works is like a lot of other dating sims. we get three options in dialogue, one that will net us a positive response, one a negative, and one a neutral. which is simple enough, but.

why have i been given three ways to harass this guy in a locker room here. am i supposed to believe one of these will give me approval.

[justastraymoa]

HOW DID YOU LOSE MY CAT?

I was in a complete state of panic and three thousand miles from home, unable to do anything to help the situation at hand.

"How did you lose Cheese?” I wheezed into the phone trying to calm my breathing and thoughts enough to focus on the problem at hand.

Its really my fault. I made the mistake of trusting a neighbor to watch my precious baby boy while I was on a week long work trip. The trip was mandatory and last minute so I had no choice.

I just moved a couple months ago and with the new job and settling into the new apartment I hadn’t had time to really get to know the neighborhood or the neighbors. Still, the middle aged man across the way seemed nice enough the few times we chatted and he agreed to go feed Cheese twice a day.

He didn’t give updates unless I specifically asked for them, but beggers couldn’t be choosers and I had no choice but to go on this last minute trip.

"Its not my fault. He bolted when I opened the door.” Luo responded. I could practically hear the shrug over the phone.

"Well did you go after him?” I pressed. Honestly I felt like I was pulling teeth here. The man took responsibility for my cat by agreeing to take care of him for the week, the least he could do was feel bad for losing him.

There was a drawn out dismissing noise on the other end of the line. “Not really. I followed him to the stairs but he was gone by the time I got to them.”

I clenched my fist and nearly bit my tongue off. I wanted to yell and scream at the man for not caring even a little bit about my loved one! “Can you go out and look for him or put up posters or something?” I asked. Surely this was not too much of an ask. It was the bare minimum someone in this position could do!

"Ill put a bowl of food out for him, but I don’t have time to wander around town looking for a cat. Just get another one when you get back if he doesn’t show up. There are shelters full of them I am sure.”

I stood in my hotel room in angry shock. How could this asshole say that to me mere minutes after learning my pet ran off to god knows where! How heartless!

"Listen, I have to go. Ill let you know if he shows up.” The line clicked and I looked at the screen to see my own reflection staring wide eyed back at me in the black screen.

I looked around the room, thinking through my options. I was the lead in this meeting and no one else could present like I could. Even if someone could take over for me, I am the only one on this trip from my company who knows most of this information. There was no way anyone could answer any of the questions the others were sure to ask. And I was still too new at the company to risk a bad review or ask for any favors.

Bottom line. I was stuck here while my baby was out on the streets thousands of miles away doing god knows what. He could be hurt or worse! He was an all black cat and there were some sick people out there who would see that and use him for some awful purposes and do unspeakable things to him!

There was no way I was going to be able to sleep for the rest of this awful trip! And I still had to look and act presentable! Five days of not knowing what was happening to my Cheese! Why did I think this job was a good idea. I was perfectly fine where I was. In my cozy little hometown working at the local grocer on the weekends and the tiny doctors office the rest of the week.

Sure my knowledge and degree were being wasted there, and I was miserable at both jobs. But I knew everyone there and was known back. And people cared about each other there. Everyone knew Cheese and would have turned the town upside down to try and find him the moment he got out the door. Not that he ever even tried to get out with me. He is mischievous, sure, but he had never once tried to escape. But no, I got the opportunity to work my dream job in a big city hours from home and I thought it was perfect.

Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe Cheese would come back for dinner in a couple hours and this whole nightmare could be over.

A text message the next morning from Luo stated that the food bowl he put out had not been touched.

I went about my day as best I could. I noticed some odd stares and several of the other people asked if I was okay because I was being quieter than usual. I was honest with them as much as I could be without being annoying and whiny. They were appropriately sympathetic, but of course could not or did not offer any solutions.

As I sat at a dinner with a whole group of people I only just met for this trip my phone pinged with a new message. After a quick glance I excused myself and almost ran to the bathroom.

I quickly texted everyone I could to see if anyone was available to go pick up Cheese from his savior and cat sit for me for the rest my trip.

Parents were immediately a no. Dad got hurt trying to clean the gutters by himself and mom was stuck waiting on him and making sure that he actually rested and took his medications properly.

BFF was also a no. She was on a vacation with her new boytoy out on some beach somewhere with perfect sunsets and white sand. I’m a little jealous not gunna lie.

I wracked my brain for any other options on people. Luo was obviously a hard no. Forever. I would not trust that man to borrow a cup of sugar from now on.

At least Cheese seemed to be okay. And he found himself a friendly household. In the pictures this Bangchan sent Cheese looked happy and healthy. No visible injuries, and Bangchan said he didn’t see any either. He even has a cat loving roommate. So Cheese would be okay for a little while until I could figure out someone who could go get him.

I felt really guilty for sticking my cat on some strangers who already had gone above and beyond for both him and me. But Bangchan seemed adamant, and I knew Cheese would be okay with them.

I need to go out and get something for them. A gift or souvenir or something to show my appreciation. That’s how I would spend my evening to occupy my time and brain from the guilt and missing my boy.

Okay so me and Lino are going to get along amazing I can already tell.

First he sent me a pic of my boy without even me asking first. An actual update without having to ask for one!

Second, Bangchan was not lying. He is a cat lover through and through.

Lino:

'I have happily sacrificed half my bed for Cheese.’

A new picture of Cheese and him all cuddled together on what looked like a very large bed soon followed the message.

I laughed to myself.

Me:

'Don’t let him hog the bed too much. He likes to shove me off the side occasionally.’

My bed was a queen, and I only upgraded to that size because of Cheese. My full size was just not big enough for both of us. He liked to touch you when sleeping, and he will physically use all 4 paws to push you until you are on the very edge of the mattress.

Lino:

‘its far too late for that. I happily give it up though to be honest. And he snores! It’s the cutest thing I have ever heard in my entire life! I recorded it.’

Then a recording came through, the first time I was hearing my baby boy in days. I nearly burst into tears, as it was my eyes stung. I saved the recording and set it to my message tone so I could listen to it anytime I got a text.

Me:

'Thank you so much for sending me that you have no idea how much I miss him'

'I was so worried when he got out and my neighbor didn’t even care!

Lino:

'I understand somewhat. I have three boys at my parents house that I miss so much.'

A picture of three adorable cats followed all labeled with their names.

Me:

'Aww they are so cute!'

Bin is allergic to cats! The guilt is back full force and more! Not only did I stick my cat on some strangers for 3 days, but one of them is ALLERGIC!

I truly am an awful person. I need to go out and get more thank you gifts for them. There is no way I have enough.

Much later as I was getting ready to head to bed I got a videocall from the latest of Bangchans roommates. I answered a little leery about video calling someone I only just messaged for the first time a couple hours ago.

I tried not to react to the absolute cuteness that greeted me on the other end of the call. Not only was Cheese there, but Bin was a cutie himself. Cheese was curled up on his chest as he lounged on what looked like a couch.

“I know its strange that I am calling you when we haven’t even met.” Bin started cheeks turning a little pink. On the screen I could see him absent mindedly stroking down the length of Cheeses back over and over.

I melted inside. “its not a problem. Is something wrong? I truly am sorry you are stuck with Cheese when you are allergic. I feel really bad!”

“Actually that’s why I called. I don’t want you to feel bad. I would tell you if it was a problem, I promise. But he doesn’t seem to be triggering my allergies much.” Bin shrugged and Cheese chirped in annoyance at being jostled.

I sighed as I curled up on my bed. “If you are sure. I can still try and find someone to come get him.” I offered. It may be easier to get mom to come out if it was only for tonight and tomorrow. I was due back the day after that in early morning. I could probably convince her if I begged and pestered enough.

“No no don’t. I am enjoying him. He is a little heater! Feels good after a long workout.”

We chatted with no real conversation for a good half hour more, which kinda shocked me. I wasn’t one to be super sociable. And I didn’t even really know this person. He was just sweet and really easy to talk to.

Hyune, the fourth roommate, made me realize that I hadn’t told anyone my name. It didn’t even occur to me to. I was so focused on Cheese and that whole situation. Even if he asked for it in kind of a rude way. Who asks for a name without giving one first??

AND HE WAS A DOG PERSON!

My poor Cheese is stuck with a dog person! The horror! Its downright wrong! Im a bad pet parent!

Still, it felt really good to be so easily folded into their conversations and bantering like they did. And they don’t seem to mind when I banter back with them. It feels like it used to when I lived in my hometown. Friendly.

I was going to be home tomorrow. Finally sleeping in my own bed with my baby in my arms!

And I could shower in my own shower and cook actual food on a stove and not have to go out for every meal!

I missed home. I missed Cheese.

There were tears, though I didn’t point them out to either Lino or Bin. I just politely ignored their sniffles and quick swiped across their cheeks.

It warmed my heart to know that they liked Cheese so much. He was the best cat ever, so im not shocked. But it makes me feel better since they watched him for me for several days.

I didn’t stay at the Bangchan apartment long. I was exhausted from the flight and week long travel, and I think the boys could see that as well so they didn’t push.

I gave them the several bags of gifts. Everything from keychains to food. Anything I could find that I thought suited the situation.

Hyune and Bin snatched the bags and moved a few feet away to look at everything in excitement. Lino was still standing beside me, petting Cheese who was in my arms. His eyes were still wet and he sniffled occasionally.

“You really didn’t have to get us anything. We enjoyed Cheeses company. It will feel a little lonely here without him to be honest.” Bangchan stated side eyeing his two roommates.

I shook my head with a smile. “It was the very least I could do. I was out of my mind with worry when he was missing and then you took him in for days when I couldn’t find anyone. Trust me, this isn’t even close to enough to show how thankful I am.”

Bangchan smiled sweetly. “Well thank you, im sure we will love everything. As you can see they are already very excited.”

I headed home soon after that. Giving Cheese the lecture of his fuzzy life as I drove. For his part, he listened quietly, but didn’t seem at all fazed.

A/N: okay so since the texts were originally by themselves they don't match up perfectly but bear with me here.

I don't know if anyone will really enjoy this but I wanted to get more detailed my own self so I am writing for me mostly. Self indulgence.

Love you all and thank you for even trying to read. Sorry for errors, I'm hooman 🤷🏻‍♀️

And thank you in advance for any reblogs, notes, comments, tags, replies, and/or anything else. Let's have fun with this together 🩷💙💜

Masterlist

[dawns-beauty]

How to Write Bug Reports for Mods (that are actually helpful for the modder)

I have received a lot of useless bug reports over the years and it sucks big time. So here's a guide on how to write not-sucky reports for mods. Keep in mind this is based on my experience modding Skyrim on the Nexus, so YMMV, but hopefully it's somewhat game-agnostic.

Before you do anything:

Read. Everything. EVERYTHING in the mod's description. Then, when you're done with that, go to the Comments section and read ALL Sticky Posts. Then at least skim the most recent comments.

If you don't find your solution there, then proceed.

What is a bug?

A bug is an error in the mod. Whether it's a bad texture, mesh, or an error in the data package (.esp files for Skyrim.) Bugs will be present even on an otherwise unmodded setup.

What is NOT a bug?

Mod conflicts are when two or mods have conflicting data with another mod. This often presents the same as bugs BUT the key difference is that issues caused by mod conflicts are not present if the other mod(s) is not loaded.

These may need a patch to fix or you may just need to adjust your load order.

Why does it matter?

Bugs are a modder's responsibility and they (and other users) would benefit from knowing about it. If you find a bug after ruling out your other mods, please report it in the Bug Reports section!

Mod conflicts are not a modder's responsibility: there is no way modders can (or want to) test their mod with the millions of mods out there. Conflicts are not inherent to the mod, and should not be reported as bugs. However, it would be beneficial for users and the modder to know about, so I recommend leaving a comment.

What Information Should You Include in a Bug Report?

What version of the mod are you using?

Include the version number. Nexus tacks one onto reports, but it is usually inaccurate.

If there are multiple versions of the mod (whether it be separate files or choices you make while installing with a FOMOD etc.) include your choices. This can make a HUGE difference, as they can contain completely different data and the modder needs to know exactly where to look for the issues.

Are you using any additional patches the modder made?

Include these in your report.

Have you ruled out other mods/tested on a minimal mod load?

If not, please do this. If you don't want to, then don't post as a bug report (as it may or may not be a bug.) Adding a comment about it is fine, though, of course.

Explain your issue.

Give as much information about who/what/where/how you encounter the bug. Give information about how you tested for it, what happens, exactly when the problem happens.

Did you encounter the bug while updating? Say what version your started with and what version your updated to.

Particular NPC(s) affected? Add their names (please.)

An Example of a Report I'd Like to See:

*on the Nexus Bug Report Page: Very Real Cat Mod*

Hi Modder. I'm using version 2.0, the Oops All Bingus option.

While playing, I noticed Bingus (the cat that lives in the Bannered Mare) has solid purple eyes. I tested without any other mods active and it still happens. It only happens to Bingus, all the other cats I've seen have normal eyes.

I am not using any of your other patches for the mod.

Bottom line: modders should not have to play 20 Questions to get to the bottom of the problem.

[semi-good-artist]

Possible candidates for the sixth weapon in hades 2 [Spoilers!]

didnt see anyone really talk about this on here, but i want to hear the tumblr thoughts on this

Part one: the patterns

first i have to start with the pattern i have seen in this game's roster so far: so far the weapons can be seperated into three categories, those with a short attack and ranged special (s/l), those with either long or short ranges (but not the other)(s/s and l/l), and those with long attack and short special (l/s). remember that im not factoring the omega options, since those vary to much. in the silver pool, they are ordered like this

you might also note, that each category has one faster and one slower option (at least by game feel, i didnt run tests) so the last weapon is probably a l/s slow weapon

the next point i realised was another split in the weaponry, illustrated here:

One might argue on my placement of Descura (the staff) in the magic category, but since its attack patterns drawing spell circles instead of clobbering foes, i hope i can dissuade these grievances. Of course this order could change in later updates.

so a martial ranged option would fit these findings

but there is another thing which places this into conjecture (maybe the skull is martial after all, since it physically hits things); when observed top to bottom, you may find this pattern

So a long attack, martial (?), floaty weapon according to the patterns drawn in the silver pool.

Part 2 cool concepts, which could fit these patterns

unfortunatly i cant think of a weapon that fits this bill, so lets ignore it and just imagine some that fits at least some of them

For this i consulted reddit threads, as mentioned above, who had some interesting ideas, like a whip or lyre, but im unsure about

first lets discuss the whip; this being a physical option with some range to it, fits 2 of my patterns, but i dont know if it can differentiate itself from the axe and staff enough. the axe has some range with sweeping attacks, while the staff has kinda single point damage (which i imagine the whip to have aswell). also what would the special be?

now to the lyre; while having some clear connections to already present figures (Apollo, Orpheus and Hermes) which could be great aspect choices; i dont think, if they are going for an instrument it would be the lyre, since zagreus already has one. for attacks maybe its a range of homing bullets/notes that Melinoe has to sit down for to play (kinda like one of Scyllas attacks), thereby creating a slower attack speed. but homing bullets might not have the heft known from slow weapons. for a special it could be a danse macabre type of deal, where Melinoe summons shades or the recently fallen foes to fight for her, or after a foe dies, the weapon spawns a mote that can be erupted by the special, kind of like mines

if theres a instrument based weapon i personally hope its based after Athena's/Marsyas' flute, since i dont hear that myth brought up a lot. (this can also fit the theme of divine punishment, since Marsyas got it bad after playing it). if we get Pan (since hes mentioned in the aspects), this flute could spark a conversation about his own. also with the danse macabre special, it could also reference the Piper of Hameln.

Another idea i heard was a spell tome, since the apparent witch theme; but im unsure since we already got the staff which is quite witchy with its sigils already. it could float so theres that

A lot of people also wanted another gun or other weapon type to return from the first game; but this is a boring option. cant you think of literally anything else?

if you can think of anything else i would love to hear it!!

[cidthesquid]

Monster Hunter Rise - Character Creator Chat (+CCC Series Update!)

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[Series Update:feel free to skip! 'Chat' Begins after first Creator photo As a quick note, I've wanted to find a new (yet still catchy) name for this series. I like the former name 'Character Creator Critique', but I felt it was a little 'too formal' and it did not really fully capture my goals with the series. It also proved to create a bit of an unrealistic expectation of the type of coverage I'd be providing, so from here on out, it's just a 'Chat!'

Along with the name change, I think I'm also going to try branching out with my character creations!

For a bit of background (without getting too much into my previous 'oversharing posts') I previously pretty much exclusively stuck to recreating my style savvy avatar.

[CW/TW: Anxiety/Overthinking - Feel free to skip till after photo]

This severed multiple purposes, 1-I'm not very creative, 2-As a darker skinned person myself, I thought it would be nice to share darker skinned characters, and 3-I was SUPER anxious about the various aspects of designing a custom character publicly.

(Like people assuming since I'm a guy, any female character I create is my 'ideal women', or people feeling bad if my designs tend to ally 'too much' with conventional beauty standards, or a number of other negative outcomes, Despite going to great lengths to prevent that)

But overtime, as I played more games and designed more characters,

I started to learn more about myself and my views, and I learned (a little) more about design as well!

So to continue my journey, I'm going to challenge myself to branch out and design new characters, and not just talking though the systems these games offer, but also why I chose them, in my typical Neurodiverse over-explaining format!

It's my hope that this will be still entertaining, and show how much I learn, and how my design perspectives and views change over time.

Alright, with that out of the way, let's get started, We're going in plan-free this time, So let's see how it turns out!

(I'm a little anxious, But hopefully this will still be fun!)

It looks like gender labels have been removed, But surprisingly they're just called 'types' not even 'body types',

Another nice improvement over 'world', is that the starting designs are much closer now:

Sure, the hair color and style is different, but the base design is similar enough that you can just scroll through both choices and decide for yourself. If I wanted to nitpick, I'd argue they push you a little bit, by giving the male design a slightly more serious and confident look with the chosen hairstyle, pose, and facial expression, and the more feminine design looks a bit less so, even changing out the bone necklace for seashells, and lack of muscle mass leading to an overall more delicate/cute look. But that may have been what they were going for, a slight subconscious signalling to give off a more traditional masculine or feminine look, while allowing you to teak the final outcome as you go, And I think that will serve as a good inspiration for my new design! I think I'll see if I can make a feminine character that leans a bit more confidant and cocky in appearance while still maintaining a cute edge to see how flexible the options are! But mainly because... It's a style I like, and I think it could be fun! And here are the 10 Presets we get this time around:

A bit less diversity in skin tones this time around, [Comparing to Monster Hunter World's preset (top) to Rise (bottom)]

The most notable chance is the angle of the previews. I like rise's choice of a lighter background, and a much closer to front view, as well has having all the presets on one page, for easy comparison. Most of the hairstyles for world are back, with a few extremely similar looking ones removed and replaced, I really like the additions of 9+10 You can also change the lighting position as well as the character's 'expression' at any time to test how your character will look in a more dynamic way:

We'll be starting with preset #5 (shown above) as a base, as I think it's a good foundation to work from, I think it's both cute and confident, and fun, But I think we can add a little more intensity without going fully punk/rock, but we'll see! Starting with the Basic Settings: First up is Face Type:

It seems to be based on the selections (or preset) you've chosen And gives you a few options that make slight changes to the hair color eyes, nose shape and slight skin tone adjustment, As far as I can see, it does not affect your overall face shape (outline) in a noticeable way

It looks the 'Wrinkles' option from world has been replaced by an age slider, it kinda feels a little weird to have a character look like an adult, with an age listed as 'Zero', but I get the intent. it more like an option for 'aging' like how much 'older' do you want them to look, rather than their actual age.

It's an interesting option, but very hard to notice at any value under 75 or so. And with the less realistic art style, and shader, it's hard to really see what you're doing here.

I'm just going to put the age as 24, I can't notice a difference, but it's my head canon age for the character now! (haha) It seems like this is a quick section you can enter to make tweaks to your preset, and it's a nice addition, but then the only option you have for 'hairstyle' is 'Random'? I feel like this 'basic Setting' section is a HUGE missed opportunity, With a few tweaks this could easily become a 'Quick Setting' style menu, for those who don't want to get bogged down with tons of sliders. But as of now, it basically just serves as a subdivision of the preset's menu, and a weird spot to hide away the wrinkles/age slider. The 'Face Type' Section is useful, (but could use more Face shapes) I would have separated hairstyles out into it's own sub menu here, (removing the random option) You could even limit the section to 10 common hairstyles and a independent selection, with a few colors to pick (if you wanted to keep thing SUPER simple) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now On to the 'Advanced Options' First up 'Face Shape'

No presets, just a bunch of sliders with, with no 'undo' option. D:

Lucky hovering over these options will hilight the area they adjust, so you at least know where to look. But it's still not super easy. I ended up just rounding out the face a bit, to try to hope that will get us a few 'cute points' to help us when we try to balance in the other elements. Next up is skin:

We see a return of the 'Age' Slider, along with a muscle slider! But even when maxed out, looks far less toned, than default male. The Skin tone pallet seems to have been improved a bit as well, or at least, this game's art style seems to fit it better. Here are the maximum ranges, and center point compared to mhw:

Again, far less realistic, but I feel like the more exaggerated maximum values, and having a more 'peach tone' for the center point allows for a wider range of skin tone choices. Next up hairstyles:

( I disabled the sunbrake dlc, but I have not checked if it worked)

And Again, it's nice to see the fully expanded selection, rather than 6 per page like in worlds, There are a lot of repeats, (ofcourse) but featuring the rise camera angles for a better view. We have fewer options this time around, but the distribution of hair styles feels about the same, with only a few choices past shoulder-length. The colors choices seem roughly the same,

with the same sliders that allow you to dial in preferred look. The 'Brightness' slider, has been more accurately labeled 'contrast', Eyebrows are up next:

Were given 17 basic shapes, much more than last time, and it's not split up into separate sections for thickness and angle. And after selecting the shape, you can further customize the placement and spacing of the eyebrows:

And this is where I really feel like the 'expression' toggle shines, You can pick you preferred brow type and test it on the various faces your character could make, to see if for example, you think it looks weird when they smile, or something. Next up is eyes, and oh boy...

Tons More Sliders, and no presets. My favorite! (sarcastic) They offer a fair amount of options, you can adjust the upper and lower eyelids default position, you can change how deep in the skull your eyes are, and you can adjust spacing, positioning and pupal size. The section labeled 'Eyelash Length' has three options, “short”, “normal” and “Long”, this controls both the length and volume. You can adjust both eye colors individually, or as simultaneously, and you can even adjust the eyelash color. I always run into trouble with sections like this, so I just messed around with the sliders a bit, ended up lowers the upper eyelids a hair, raise the lowers slightly to match, and raised the outer edges a bit. I feel like this gives a slight 'natural smile' edge to the neutral expression. And I think that will be favorable for both the cute and confident looks we're going for. I may go back and change the hair color it may be too bright with the blue eye shade I went with, but for now I'll stick with it, and I dyed the (long) eyelashes a dark purple to help match and offset it a bit. Next up is nose...

Those who have followed CCC for a while all nose know, that I always get stumped on this section, We have 7 sliders. (no presets) Nose Height - moves everything in or out. (towards/away from face) Nose Position -moves everything up or down.(close/far to lip) Nose Bridge Height - Move middle slant of nose in/out Nose Tip Position - movesthe nose tip up of nose up/down Nose Bridge Width - Adjust width of center of nose Nostril Width - width for end of nose, and nostrils, Nostril Position- Nostril up/down(outsides) indecently of nose tip

And this kinda leads to fairly blocky adjustments as each of these points can only be adjusted most on two Axis, and there's no way to kinda smooth them out. or even adjust the nose tip's height without scaling the whole thing, and there's no real angle adjustment or roundness.

I did not really have a nose plan going in, but as the design developed, I thought I'd try out a smaller nose with a smooth slope and a bit of a sharper end. I don't know how that would look in the long run, but it kinda seemed like it would fit, and I found the available options strangely restricting.

Ok, wow, maybe I went a little overboard there, let's move on..

Next up is mouth, you can adjust how much the slips stick protrude, as we as things like the lips width and height

Next up is mouth, I think we're losing the original concept a bit,

I tried to dial up the cute factor a bit, adjusting the mouth corner position for a very slight smile,

I got a little stuck trying to decide on the width, doing super thin goes for the mature model look that I don't think quite fits, going too wide looks a little cartoony, so I just stick with right in the middle.

I still feel something missing adding an air of confidence to this look... Next up is factial hair,

Again, it's not generlocked/bodylocked, 20 options, so 1 less than last time, But still fully dyable, but lacking any other options such as 'density' or dual colors for an adged (greying) look. Makeup is next:

30 options out of the gate, Now with 3 slots! And they really pulled out all the stops for options this time!

The UI is a bit more uniform this time around, so you don't have vertically positioned sliders for vertical adjustment,

But aside to being able to adjust the size, position and color of your makeup/scars/lipstick, like last time, you can now adjust the transparency, and add a metallic and or glossy, semi-gloss, or even Luminous Finish!

I ended up adding a very thin layer of black eye shadow to cover up some of the weird texture stuff,(makeup1)

I then applied tome light red semi-gloss lipstick with a very light luminance value (makeup 2)

And I finished off with a extremely faint layer of freckles across the face (makeup3) to help add some extra detail(It doesn't show up well here)

I figured going with a makeup that was too punchy would distract a bit too much from her eyes, the brightest part of her face by far.

And I think the purple hair, is suitably wild without being too attention grabbing.

Next up is clothing:

This is pretty much your underwear, and if you think the default is too revealing, you'll have a n option to use other styles to choose from.

And that's pretty much it for your character!

All that's left is selecting a voice, but I can't really show that..

Anyway before I go, there are two neat little features you'll find at the end of character creation, one is called "All Settings"

And this gives you a full print out of everything you tweaked:

While I would have preferred an a 'export feature' or QR codes, for easy sharing, it's still really neat that you can essentially share your character design with other players.

You'll also have the option to save your character as a 'preset', for easier editing, later, but I don't think presets are sharable on console.

With all these cool new sharing features you'd think the game would finally let you edit your character at any time.. But sadly you still need paid 'character edit vouchers' to make any major edits.

(makeup, hairstyle, and some others small stuff can be changed free) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well I'm done with the design now it did not turn out exactly how I pictured, but I still had fun, and I'd argue that's more important.

After saving my character I forgot to pick a name, and I have zero brain cells left, after spending a few hours working on this.

(and as I said, I'm not super creative when it comes to design stuff)

So I just ran a name generator a few times, and Marja is born!

I don't really play co-op so I don't really have a need for a reasoning behind it, or a last name, I just think it sounds nice.

I haven't really decided on a weapon either, maybe incest glave, I feel like he'd be the type to show off a little in combat, haha.

Anyways I had a lot of fun making this write up, and I hope you enjoyed reading it too!

CCC is always changing, so I probably won't do the full "here's my though process" for every one of them, I'm still trying to figure it out.

I still have a ways to go, as I slowly learn design my own way, I Know my designs may not yet be 'good' nor my insights all the informative.

But I appreciate you coming along on this weird little journey with me! ( I'll see you all again in the MH: Worlds Beta! :D )

Next CCC: Monster Hunter Wilds (beta) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thanks for reading! I had a lot of fun making this, so I hope you had fun reading it as well!

As always, comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome! And If I describe something 'objectively wrong', or use the wrong terminology, feel free to correct me, I'm always looking to improve! (But If it's subjective/personal preference, please let me figure it out myself, so I find my own style! :D )

[fuckssakegofuckndie]

What in hell is bad.

I have an opinion on a certain matter.

Ok listen i love this game so far (even when im being kicked alot, but im not complaining about that), like i LOVE IT, its interesting af.

But i have to say, as someone who doesnt generally go for the bottom position when doing H scenes and such, im a bit disappointed that i dont have a choice in that. At least, in the main story quest, that is.

Im not saying its too big of an issue. Like, i still enjoy the story, and i still like the H scenes, but im just a bit sad that we dont get a choice in the matter. I probably wouldve enjoyed them a bit more if i was given a different option. I do love that we had the possibility to choose the gender, that im thankful for, as most games of this sort dont even let you choose that! I just believe that an NSFW game like this should allow you to make a choice on similar matters.

Maybe it will change in the future updates, but i just wanted to speak my mind about the matter. Hey, who knows, maybe im the only one that actually feels this way 😅

Thats all, just wanted to see if anyone else has thoughts on this matter! If ya do, id be glad to hear some opinions.

[bakersstreetirregulars]

ROMANCE KINGDOM! ~SUGAR SWEET DESTINY~

☁️ You found this game in the trash…?

🍓 Yeah… why not give it a try?

☁️ Sure…!

Synopsis

Sugar Sweet Destiny is Cookie Run: Kingdom’s newest April Fool’s Day event for 2023 based on countless PC games about finding love in high school. This post is not exhaustive yet, and it will be updated with time as I- the Editor- play the mode more and more. There will be spoilers for the endings here below the break, as well as a few pointers on how to win their hearts.

In order to start a new game, you need 15 Blooming Hearts. These Hearts will restock over time, and you can always buy more with Crystals, ads, or in packages

The Gifts and Album menus will open after your first playthrough

Clicking the “Minimize” button or desktop bar will minimize the game and show the desktop, and you can return to the game by clicking the icon on the bottom bar or the desktop

The red X button will close the game and take you back to your kingdom

Protagonist: You play the role of the protagonist, in which you name yourself. Choose carefully, that name will appear throughout the current run through the story. You are a reasonably popular student of Kingdom High, Class 1-C, going about your day, when you suddenly find a box of chocolates in your locker! Your choices will determine whether you make your feelings known to your classmates and win their hearts, or fall apart in a blubbering mess trying. How do you make these choices? When multiple blue buttons appear in the middle of the screen, choose one to determine your character’s next action.

If you make a choice that results in a Bad Ending before choosing to express your feelings to someone at the end of Day 5, you can choose to spend 15 more Blooming Hearts to go back to the scene and try again with another option

Your Classmates

🌟 Marcus Madeline: The Student Council President. Comes from a very wealthy family and has an official fan club that spans half the school. VERY popular and makes his fellow classmates freak out when they see him.

🌿 Herbert Hoo: Your longtime childhood friend, and an avid gardener. He’s soft spoken and likes plants, and they seem to like him too. The Gardening Club just had to have him as a member, and he enjoys doing it. Although he enjoys his time being together with you too.

🗡️ Rachel Raspberry: The Star of the Kingdom High Fencing Club, and the Class Rep. A child prodigy in swordsmanship, she defeated a high school student in a fencing competition while she was in middle school. She also fended off multiple bullies from a neighboring high school who didn’t know who she was, and took them all on with just a stick… and WON.

🌊 Serena Faire: A class senior, famous for her otherworldly beauty and quiet nature. The last member of the Astronomy Club, she has her sights set on the moon with genuine feelings and love for it quite frequently during her moon-watching sessions at night. Known for her frequent shutdowns on other students’ attempts to date her. Also known as the Ice Princess for seeming so cold with her perceived ignorance, but actually quite compassionate and kind.

⚔️ Derek DaChoco: The thuggish super-bully, rumored to be the son of a shady corporate bigwig. Doesn’t pick fights, but when he does, he swings a 2x4 (a two-by-four wooden board, most likely) with a raging flurry. Known as the Dark Tornado of Kingdom High. “Public Enemy Number One” of Kingdom High. Rumored to have flunked junior year for a full decade, can make almost everyone quake with fear.

Album

The Album contains memories of every ending and certain moments that take place in the game. Each memory and ending has a picture and a reward associated with it. Get all the Happy Endings to unlock a Special Memory Painting.

Happy Endings

“Looking at You” - Visiting Serena Faire on the roof during her moon-watching sessions, and even showing her how to turn a bowl of dough that looked like the full moon into moon pancakes, you could understand her and her fascination with the moon… and you were the only one who would accept her for it as you would also look up to her. (300 Crystals)

“No. 1 Fan” - Seeing you being hounded by the fans for trying to cut the line to express your feelings without a gift, Marcus Madeline had to tell them to stop and shoved his way through the crowd. It was there when you mustered all your courage to ask him out on a walk by the lake. In front of EVERYONE. In a gasp and shock from the crowd, Marcus was seemingly just as confused as he wanted to give everyone his love. With unanimous approval from his fans, he reached out to you for the way YOU saw him: as himself. In a burst of emotion, the two of you express your true feelings for each other as the fans erupted in thunderous applause and entrusted you with his love. The two of you run off to the lake, smiles all around, hand in hand. Your high school love life is just beginning…! (300 Crystals)

Memories

“Leave me Alone” - Upon uncovering the curtain in the nurse’s office, you find Derek DaChoco in bandages and bad shape and tend to him with fresh bandages after he awakens in front of you. The nurses tried to object, but Derek was alright with it. He even suggested that you should be a doctor! You share a moment as he talks about what his father said about trying not to get other people involved with his own path. (100 Radiant Shards)

“Rooftop Serenade” - Following your friends cautiously through the unlocked door to the rooftop while simultaneously knowing that Serena Faire could be up there, you remain there after they disperse upon seeing nobody- and no ghost- there. You know where she is, and you call for her… and she responds back warmly. She remains there quite often to stare at the moon and feel her worldly concerns and whatever weighs her down melt away. The two of you share a moment in silent tranquility, nobody to witness it except the stars of the night sky. Words cannot express the feelings the two of you shared that night as you comforted each other and held each other’s hands, feeling the stars travel across the sky. (100 Radiant Shards)

“The Great Cream Explosion” - Visiting a classroom with a lot of noise, you find Marcus Madeline and his world-famous madelines being swarmed by his fans and their recommendations for pastry pairings. It’s hard to cook in this, but sprinkles in some whipped cream was enough for the cream to practically explode and cause you to turn into a creamy mess in 3… 2… 1… not. Because Marcus was there to protect you from the brunt of the blast! As the two of you share a moment and embrace before a teacher helps guide everyone with the cleanup process. (100 Radiant Shards)

Bad Endings

“No. 0401 Fan” - Getting rejected by Marcus Madeline in front of his fans in the name of student camaraderie as you tried to express your feelings by week’s end, you soullessly accept the offer to join his fan club from other classmates while collapsing into a crumpled heap in front of everyone. You weren’t the first one either… and you even considered transferring away from Kingdom High. (3 Epic Soul Essences)

“Locked-up Heart” - Leading your classmates to the rooftop door to uncover the truth behind a ghost story of a blue-haired girl on the roof, the door was unfortunately locked. Forget it. Don’t get their hopes up so quickly. It usually leads to disappointing not only them, but also yourself. (100 Rainbow Pearls)

“Disappointment” - After giving the senior bullies from the day before some money to stave them off, your attempt to approach Derek DaChoco was brushed off as he looked away and pretended to not know you. Faith in humanity shattered. Probably shouldn’t have tried to ask Derek about his age, especially the second time around. (5 Arena Tickets)

“Delicious Nonetheless” - Looking for Derek DaChoco during the annual baking day since you talked with him twice, you instead see his handiwork instead: chocolates! It’s unknown whether it was meant to be a dented snowman or a heart, but it was too good to be thrown away. Thinking- no… hoping that someone would show up and ask what you were doing, you kept eating the chocolates Derek made. Nobody came, so you left the room with a satisfied appetite… and a disappointed heart. Perhaps you were too quiet with those chocolates, hm? (30 Topping Pieces)

Gifts

Accessible after experiencing someone’s Happy Ending, you can give your classmates gifts (from your Kingdom inventory) to increase your affection with them. Each person has their favorites and preferences, so looking for context clues is important. Increase their affection high enough, and you’ll get a special Title and even their Profile Picture! Unlock all 5 Happy Endings to interact with Someone Else…❔

[digitaltravelexpert]

Why Travel Brands Need to Prioritize Reviews( Best Strategy)

Why do travel brands need to prioritize reviews? Learn why prioritizing reviews matters when selling travel products. Reviews build credibility, improve search rankings, and attract more travelers. In the world of travel services and products, customer reviews are a game-changer. If you’re not prioritizing reviews, you're missing out on one of the most powerful tools for growing your business. According to Forbes, up to 98% of consumers read reviews before making a purchase. Whether you're offering a unique safari experience, luxury hotel accommodations, or essential travel gadgets, reviews influence potential customers more than ever. In today’s digital age, reviews are everything.

Why Reviews Are Essential in the Travel Industry

When selling travel products or services, trust is the cornerstone of success. Unlike other industries, travel involves a significant investment of both time and money, and potential buyers want reassurance that they are making the right choice. This is where reviews come into play. A customer’s positive experience shared through a review acts as social proof, easing concerns and validating the value of your offering. For travel brands, this trust can be the deciding factor between a booking or a bounce. A glowing review about how your safari tour exceeded expectations or how comfortable and durable your travel products are will resonate deeply with future customers. Google also recognizes the value of customer feedback and factors reviews into its ranking algorithm. Recent updates have emphasized review quality, making it more critical than ever for businesses to collect and manage positive reviews to rank higher in search results.

Why Travel Brands Need to Prioritize Reviews: The Power of Reviews in Shaping Consumer Behavior

To understand the significance of reviews, consider the modern traveler's journey. They spend hours researching destinations, comparing travel products, and searching for the perfect accommodation. In many cases, this journey begins and ends with reviews. If a hotel or travel accessory has no reviews or, worse, bad reviews, potential customers will likely move on to the next option. The stats are clear: 98% of consumers read reviews before making a purchase. That means almost every person considering your travel service or product will factor in what others are saying before deciding. Not only that, but many consumers prioritize reviews over other marketing materials like descriptions or product specs. They trust fellow travelers’ experiences more than polished ad copy. The bottom line? If you aren’t leveraging reviews to boost your brand’s credibility, you’re leaving money on the table.

Beyond the Travel Review Request: Creating a Delightful Customer Experience

Collecting reviews is more than just asking, “How did we meet your expectations?” For travel businesses, the process starts long before the final transaction. Reviews are the byproduct of a customer’s entire journey, from their first interaction with your website to the moment they complete their trip or receive your product. You must invest in delivering exceptional service from start to finish. This means understanding your audience and tailoring every touchpoint to exceed their travel expectations. For instance, if you run a luxury travel service, the experience begins the moment they visit your website. Everything from the user interface to how easily they can find information and book a service will contribute to their overall impression. If your customer is purchasing travel products, ensure your descriptions are clear, and your checkout process is seamless. The more you focus on creating a hassle-free, enjoyable experience, the more likely you are to receive positive feedback. Delighting your customers isn’t just about providing what they expect—it's about surprising them in ways they didn't anticipate. Maybe it’s an extra service or personalized support that makes them feel valued. If you want reviews that shine, the key is to go above and beyond, making sure every part of the customer journey feels effortless and exceptional.

How Reviews Impact Your Online Presence

Your Brand Rankings in Search Engine Results Google’s recent algorithm updates highlight just how important reviews are for online visibility. In the travel industry, where competition is fierce, having positive reviews directly impacts your rankings in search engine results. Google now places a significant emphasis on user-generated content, including reviews, in its ranking factors. If two travel services are otherwise equal, but one has better reviews, that service will likely appear higher in search results. For travel marketers, this is something familiar. You can't talk about travel marketing and ignore the power of the best travel product reviews for your hotel or safari company. More reviews (and higher-quality reviews) improve your SEO, making it easier for potential customers to find you. Brand Loyalty: Authenticity and Relevance Matter Do best travel product ratings influence your travel brand loyalty? The answer is yes. But it’s not just about volume. Authenticity and relevance also matter. A well-detailed review from a customer who loved your safari package will carry more weight than several one-liners about how great your product is. The richer and more authentic your reviews are, the better they will perform in Google’s eyes. Additionally, reviews influence local SEO. For businesses like hotels, tour companies, or travel services, reviews help you rank higher in local searches. Travelers often search for services based on location, so being at the top of the list when someone searches for "luxury safaris in Kenya" or "best gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda" can be a massive advantage.

How to Encourage Positive Reviews for Your Travel Brand

Building a strategy for getting reviews isn’t difficult, but it requires a thoughtful approach. Here are a few tips to encourage customers to leave reviews: 1. Ask at the Right Moment: Timing is crucial. Don’t ask for a review immediately after the purchase. Instead, wait until the product has been delivered or the trip has been completed. This way, your customer has time to form an opinion based on their entire experience. 2. Make It Easy to Leave Reviews: Provide clear instructions or links to review platforms. The simpler you make the process for customers to leave a review, the more likely they are to do it. 3. Offer Incentives: While you should never buy reviews, incentivizing customers with a small reward or discount can be effective. It’s not about bribery but encouraging those who are on the fence to share their experiences. 4. Respond to Reviews: Show your customers you care about their feedback. Engaging with both positive and negative travel reviews fosters trust and strengthens the reputation of your travel brand or hotel. A quick acknowledgment shows that you’re invested in the customer experience and can even turn a neutral or negative review into a positive one. 5. Follow-up: If a customer hasn’t left a review after a few weeks, a polite follow-up email can remind them. Sometimes, life gets busy, and people need a nudge.

Managing Negative Reviews

Even the best businesses receive negative feedback from time to time. The key is how you handle it. Negative reviews are not the end of the world; in fact, they can provide valuable insight into areas that need improvement. When responding to a negative review, always remain professional and empathetic. Apologize for any inconvenience, explain what steps you are taking to remedy the situation, and invite the customer to reach out privately if necessary. Handled well, a negative review can turn into a positive customer relationship. People appreciate businesses that take responsibility and work to make things right. FAQs: Why Travel Brands Need to Prioritize Reviews Why are reviews important in the travel industry?Reviews are crucial in the travel industry because they enhance trust and credibility, complementing all forms of digital marketing like Google Ads, content marketing, and social media. They offer authentic customer feedback that influences potential travelers more effectively than traditional marketing alone.How to write a review for a travel company?To write a review for a travel company, highlight key aspects of your experience, such as service quality, accommodations, and customer support. Be honest, concise, and specific, sharing both positive moments and any areas for improvement.Why use a travel agent instead of booking online?Using a local tour provider with excellent reviews offers personalized expertise and in-depth knowledge of the destination, ensuring a more authentic travel experience. While travel agents may provide convenience for some travelers, a highly-rated local provider delivers tailored, on-the-ground insights that surpass generic booking options.Why choose a travel company?Choosing a travel company over online booking platforms fosters meaningful connections that enhance your travel experience, as they offer personalized service and expert advice. Travel reviews play a crucial role in building trust and ensuring you select the best options tailored to your unique needs.How to write a review for a travel agency?To write a review for a travel agency that assisted with your travel package, detail your experience, highlighting the agency's support and any specific arrangements they made for you. Also, mention the local tour operator involved, emphasizing how their efforts contributed to a memorable trip.Should you prioritize travel reviews on third-party sites like Tripadvisor?Yes, prioritizing travel reviews on third-party sites like TripAdvisor is crucial, as they often carry more weight with potential customers and can enhance your visibility. However, it's also important to cultivate reviews on your own website to showcase your brand’s authenticity and engage directly with your audience. Conclusion: The Power of Reviews for Travel Businesses In the travel industry, reviews are more than just feedback—they’re an essential component of your digital marketing strategy. Reviews influence how potential customers perceive your brand, affect your visibility in search engine rankings, and shape your reputation within the industry. By prioritizing customer reviews and working hard to create an exceptional experience, you’ll not only increase your chances of receiving glowing feedback but also build trust with future customers. So, if you’re selling a travel service or product, make reviews a core part of your strategy. After all, in today’s consumer-driven world, reviews are everything. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dBjRgE4_Jw Read the full article

[medicinemane]

I think I've figured out how to solve windows updates sucking so bad (not as in something we can do about it, how I'd fix it if I were in charge of microsoft)

Cause everyone's problem is that it's annoying as hell to have it insist on updating when it wants to update and you have to fight with it to stop it from doing that, right?

And I assume the logic is "well what if there's a major security update?"

So I'm pretty sure this would be real simple to implement

You need two new windows sounds, one for "update ready" and one for "urgent update ready". Second one isn't an annoying sound, just something pretty unmistakable

Then they've got that little notification icon in the bottom right of the screen, yeah?

If there's a regular update, make it solid yellow till the user clicks it, if it's urgent make it flash the way something like discord does. You click it, it gives you info on what's actually in the update... literally just patch notes, important stuff first, blah blah later, same as you would with any patch notes

If it's an urgent update you say in big bold letters "URGENT SECURITY UPDATE, PLEASE RESTART YOUR SYSTEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE", followed by patch notes probably telling you something like "we screwed up bad, please update for the fix"

Now this is the key, you 100% can't cry wolf with this even once. This is for those massive breeches where people can backdoor everyone's systems, the urgent update is in essence the nuclear option

Why? So people will actually take it seriously

You do all this, you're no longer having to force people to update on some schedule, they literally can just do it the next time they shut off or restart their computer. You give them a little notification that an update's ready, you make them open a screen at their convenience so they can get rid of the yellow update notification in the corner which should bug people enough to notice but not enough to piss them off, and then they can read if they want to decide if they want this update now or later

Everyone's less pissed at you cause you're not strong arming them, you're not interrupting things they're doing or like... restarting their computer in the middle of the night while it was compiling something lets say... you're not taking away their choice

And again, you have a way to let people know "HEY, THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO UPDATE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY!!!!" in a way that's not gonna piss them off by ripping them out of what they're doing, but it'll make sure they notice it soon

They'll never do this of course cause microsoft are a bunch of control freaks and also this would make it harder to slip in scummy data harvesting what with the easily accessible patch notes... like the way they do things isn't a glitch, it's the way they want it

...I'm just saying they could stop pissing everyone off if they wanted, they just don't want to

And I came up with this in a couple of minutes while fighting my insomnia at 10 in the morning... imagine what they could do with actual software devs if they wanted or cared (so also if there's flaws in this I don't really need to know, cause again... idea by an insomniac, I'm sure they could do better)

(Poorly optimized trash, wretched anti consumer... every damn thing about anything microsoft touches. There's a reason I'm putting linux on my next computer even if it'll be more of a pain than just going with what I know. I haven't heard a single positive thing about 11... at a certain point I need to back up my words and not use them anymore, and so the cut off is I'll keep it on the stuff that has it, but I'm not putting it on anything new I get)

[mark6f]

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[lamentingwclf]

Sam had given him a heads up they would be coming, and had given him a heads up on just how much of a bad idea Gwen believed it to be. It wasn't something he took personal, given how emotional she'd been before, exacerbated by trying to adjust to everything that had changed, and getting no real updates about how she'd been doing besides a call from his bank about suspicious charges he'd had to approve. He didn't know what to expect, but when he heard the door open, he gave her room to explore and waited until she hit the creaky stair towards the top to come out and greet Sam in a half hand shake, half hug, that men tended to lean towards.

"She spent...a lot." Sam told him, almost apologetically, as the bed of his truck was packed with bags. Thankfully, he'd purchased a hard top cover for it, so everything was protected, or they'd never have made it anywhere.

Bucky just shakes his head, with a smile. "I'm sure you had nothing to do with encouraging that behavior."

"I didn't know it would be that extreme."

Because he didn't know Gwen and her upbringing. Didn't know she was used to living in excess because it was normal for her. Sam and Bucky shared similar backgrounds of just barely making it by. To show no hard feelings, he drops a hand to Sam's shoulder as he heads for the stairs and squeezes. Tells him there's food in the fridge.

He's more strategic in his steps, knowing which boards to step over to avoid making sound. That combined with years of training means he's silent when he approaches and rests against the door frame with arms crossed and a tilt of his hip. Bucky just contents himself to watch for a moment, and takes it as a good sign that she doesn't jump when she realizes he's there. "I picked up a lot of skills over the years." He tells her with a modest shrug. Not all of them were bad, and not all of them were ways to hunt and kill someone. "What I didn't already know, I figured out how to do on the internet, and Sam helped."

It's not lost on him that she refers to Delacroix as home. He tilts his head to it, and masks the way it makes his chest ache. It does not make him regret his decision to push her away, to push them to both take space, but it doesn't mean there isn't part of him that's hurt by it either. That doesn't feel the press of her hand on his arm and want to cave beneath it, fall to his knees, beg her to stay. But the time has passed and he doesn't know what's going on inside her mind let alone his own.

"Let's go to the back garden, we can talk there."

He backs away slowly, making sure she's going to follow him, and takes the stairs much quickly. He crosses through the open bottom floor, glancing only over to see Sam huddled over a container shoving forkfuls of pasta into his mouth, and the humor of the moment shows in his raised brows and shake of his head. Bucky is thankful it's a nice night as he goes out the back doors onto the porch. He hasn't finished his work out here yet, but the grass is still a healthy, rich green. The flower beds closest to the house are lush with different plants - it's just the rest of the yard that's still a blank slate because he hasn't decided yet what to do.

He settles in one of the chairs, leaving her the option to sit next to him in its partner, or on the swing. But waits for her to be settled before he answers the other question she'd posed. "I didn't finish the room because I wanted to give you something I didn't have a lot of over the last few years: a choice." He winces as he says it, because it didn't sound quite as dramatic in his head. "It's yours, if you want it, or when you're ready for it. And if the day comes, and you don't - " He shrugs. He hadn't really thought of what he'd do if she didn't. In his mind, it was always just going to be hers.

Bucky lets the silence fall, tipping his chair back a bit and testing the bounds of the two back legs to support his weight.

"I guess it's been okay with Sarah and the boys?"

The first three days starting her separation from Bucky were a blur. She just remembers the tears, the pleading. She vaguely remembers getting to the airport to go to Louisiana with Sam, and that fear in itself would cause a panic, but now being separated from the last piece of her past was far too much. There's a slight remembrance of kicking and swinging. What she can’t quite place is if she had made contact like Bucky would have or if it was like the many swings Steve had taken before the serum. Either way, she doesn’t remember much else. Suddenly she was at Sam and Sarah's home. “Did you drug me?” Were the first words out of her mouth, but then she’s quick to apologize for it all then start pleading for Bucky again.

It was Sarah that pushed her- hard. She was still kind about it, but Gwen realized swiftly that she was going to make her save herself. The first couple weeks were brutal. She ached for Bucky, missed Steve, Harry, her family, and friends. She missed her life before the war. Hell, she missed Bucky too and often times found herself digging in her chest and clutching his undershirt every night that sleep wouldn’t come find her. After a week she tried to call, but there was never an answer. She wrote to him, but nothing returned. He didn’t want her…and frankly she couldn’t blame him.

The town was nice. A stark contrast to New York, and it was after the fourth week Gwen realized she was smiling more. The boys liked to show her their favorite spots, Sarah began slowly working with her on how to live a life fit for the 21st century. The people in Delacroix were kind and patient, all eager to help her, eager to greet her, and slowly her fears around people began to diminish.

Sam often would take her out on his boat when he was around. He’d tell her stories about his life growing up, about his service or work for veterans. He'd talk to her about the Avengers and after a couple months passed finally started telling her stories about Steve and while they once would have had her on her knees weeping for him, normally the stories had her laughing. The longing never went away. She missed him- and Bucky but now Sam could say his name without it crushing her. Eventually the stories revolved around Bucky, and one day she found herself telling Sam her own.

Five months pass, just a couple weeks shy of Thanksgiving before Gwen steps from the small mobile cottage they’d put in in the backyard and into Sarah’s house to tell Sam she’d like to go to the city and revisit Harry’s resting place and finally see her parents graves. “I’d like to also to stay in the city for a few days- at the Plaza Hotel and I’d like to try it alone….but….but you can stay in the city too. Just in case….please.”

So much had changed. The city was still busier and louder than she could imagine it to be, but it was far less overwhelming than it was when Bucky first brought her back to Brooklyn. She lets Sam bring her to the cemetery where she visits Harry first, laying a few white roses down before softly kissing his headstone. “Happy holidays darling…”. She doesn’t stay long then lets Sam drive her to where her parents lay. She has no flowers for them, and her hands wring nervously as she steps out and walks to the grave. “…. Hi mom…. Hi daddy.” Forgiveness isn’t given, not yet, but for the first time, while anger is there, it’s not the first emotion and she cries for them as a daughter mourning her parents should.

The next four days are spent on her own and she’s quick to navigate the city like it was hers. Her days are spent shopping or dining, even taking a trip to her old schools and her favorite library growing up. And while she exposed herself to far more than she thought she would, it’s the shopping bags that really sum up the trip. “You said I could shop without any worries,” Gwen reminds Sam when she sees his eyes widen by the amount of bags she and the concierge bring to the car. She’s quick to begin her rambling, telling him all about her stay and adventure, that she doesn’t realize they weren’t heading south. “Wait-Sam I don’t. I don’t think this is a good idea. He doesn’t want to see me, I really don’t think we should disturb him. I think we should just go home.”

The rest of the ride she doesn’t shy away from letting him know how bad of an idea she believes it to be and she’s nearly sick when he begins pulling into the familiar driveway, but the finished outside of the house and furnished porch distracts her. Slowly the woman steps out of the car, her gaze locked on the large white house as she heads inside. Brown take in every inch of the finished house as she begins making her way through the main level then quietly heads up the stairs, stopping at what used to be her room, and is surprised to find it nearly identical to how she left it. She steps in, fingers brushing over a dresser before her head turns to find Bucky standing near the doorway.

".....Hi," Gwen whispers softly. "I'm sorry. Sam said I could just walk in." She bites her lip, glancing around the room once more. "The house is beautiful. I didn't know you knew how to do this kind of thing. Your old apartment didn't even have a couch in it." Granted his money was a bit tighter back in the 30s and 40s. "How come...how come you didn't finish this room?"

She's quiet a few more moments before braving a small smile. "I went to the city. Sam dropped me off at The Plaza. There's some parts of it that haven't changed one bit. It was nice to see. I um, I did a lot of shopping. Got some things for Sarah and the boys for Christmas, but I'll have to come back in a few weeks to get more. But...I'm sure Sam thought it would be nice to see you before we head back home."

A slight sadness comes to her features as she steps to him, her hand reaching out to lightly rest on his arm "....You look tired, Bucky." ....I've missed you. I was so worried you wouldn't be here...."

[girlmeetsliv3]

Cruel Liaisons

~~ Previously Lingerlust ~~

A/B/O!MiniMoni x Reader; Poly BTS

“When one strikes the heart of another they seldom miss, and the wound is invariably fatal.”

Release Date: May 7th, 2021 @ 12:15 p.m. (GMT-5)

Apologies for the late update. Hope you enjoy it.

Trigger Warnings: blood and gore.

February 2nd, 2022

           “Please state your name for the record.”

           “Jeon YN.” YN stared at the recording machine in front of her, it looked antiquated like the type that wasn’t automatically connected to a cloud or storage system. “Those types have to be manually saved. Which can come in handy.” The officer’s cleared their throats, drawing back YN’s attention. What were their names again? “We need you to state your sub-gender as well.” The one on the left spoke lowly, his voice coming out a bit tense and nervous. “Beta.” When YN tried to smell them, she noticed both were wearing scent blockers, though her sense of smell was never her strong suit.

           “This is officer Park Sooyoung and officer Kim Jisoo.” The taller one stated, her tone dull, as if she rather be anywhere else. Judging by the bags under her eyes and the large cup of coffee in front of her – a bed seemed to be her choice. Officer Kim reached to the ground and placed a file on the desk, she opened it to reveal a series of photographs; five to be precise. Males and females from around a same age group are placed with one female in the center, she looks strangely familiar to YN. The rounded tip of her nose and arched brows but she can’t quite place the face. There is someone YN does recognize though, a face she saw just a few days ago.

           “Anyone you recognize?” Officer Kim asks, her tone is serious but airy. The smile on her face after every sentence lets YN know that she’s the ‘good cop.’

           YN points at the second photo from the left, “Him. I saw him in a missing persons ad on the news, but he didn’t look this old.” They had likely picked a picture from when he was younger, the man on the news held a bright smile. His jawline sharp and his cheekbones high but not defined. The man in the photograph in front of her had a pronounced jawline, hollow cheeks, and an ugly scowl that did nothing to mar his features. ‘K.T’ read the bottom.

           “What news channel and around what time?”

           “KBS, maybe late evening. I watch it before I go to sleep.”

Both officers nod, as Park shifts around on her seat. Now facing directly at YN, resting both elbows on the metal table. “Are you aware of the reason you were brought into the station today?” Officer Kim jumps in before YN can answer, “Just so you know you aren’t being charged with anything.”

Yes. “No, I don’t know.” She shrugged, keeping her eyes level and gaze neither too intense nor too bored.

“You’re here due to your affiliation with Alpha’s Kim Namjoon and Park Jimin,” Park spoke, “They’re your employers, correct?” There was an edge to her voice that YN recognized. Many people weren’t fond of them – many had a reason not to be.

“Yes.” YN nods.

“How long have you worked for them?” Kim asks.

YN notes how neither women are writing anything down, nor looking towards the one-sided mirror behind them. Are they perhaps recording this with a second device? If that’s the case it's not just her voice YN must be cautious of, but her expressions as well. “Around nine months, I’m their housekeeper and take care of Hyunwoo.” After a bit of silence from the police, she elaborates more, “I cook, clean, and help the child with his homework.”

“That’s quite a lot for just one person. Especially considering you have little background in those areas before you were hired, correct?”

They’re trying to bait me. “I’m used to doing those things at home.” YN shrugs, she can see the growing frown on Park’s features.

“How exactly did you hear about the job?” Kim leans forward, but one of her hands drops below the table. Park’s eyes dart over to her partner for a second, but YN catches it. Kim likely gave her a signal or something like a reassuring squeeze, YN hopes it’s the latter. “What was the hiring process like?”

“From an acquaintance Dr. Sihyuk.” Both officers nod along, they don’t seem to recognize the name. “Bang’s dead. Unlikely anyone will find something there.” They always knew to cover their bases. “Um, normal, I guess. I sent in an application and then had an interview.”

“You made a lot of money as the Kim’s housekeeper. Did you never ask yourself where that money was coming from?” It seemed the officers were done trying to be subtle.

“No, it wasn’t my place. Plus, most of the money I earned went into paying family debts.”

“Do you know Kim Namjoon’s or Park Jimin’s source of income?”

“Again no. I just did what I was supposed to do.”

“You never thought to ask?”

“No.”

Sooyoung smirks, “Interesting how everyone around the Kim’s just accepts things at face value. Their co-workers, drivers, bodyguards, even their housekeeper just does what their told. You weren’t even a little bit curious as to how they could possibly afford the lifestyle they have?”

“Curiosity killed the cat.” YN’s arms were clenching around the chair, trying to hold herself back from reacting negatively to the hassling.

“But we aren’t cats.” Sooyoung remarks and for a second YN feels like she’s lost a battle. Jisoo points to the picture in the center, it's a beautiful young woman with flowy hair and a bright smile. Her delicate features give away her omega nature. Though the closer YN inspects the picture, they’re bags under her eyes, permanent frown lines etched onto her face, a hollowness to her eyes. She looks somewhere between life and death. “Do you recognize this woman? You lingered on her a bit longer than the rest of them.”

The longer YN stares at her the more she starts to piece things together, but it still feels like she’s missing something. So she gives a generic answer. “She looks kind of familiar. Has that kind of face.”

“What kind of face?” Jisoo questions.

“Like…pretty, popular, all over billboards kind of face.”

It's enough to satisfy them for now. They slowly start removing all the pictures while leaving only the woman’s, the longer YN sees it the more unnerved she becomes. Her head begins to hurt as another migraine begins to pound at her temples. Creating a sort of hazy fog over YN’s mind. Both officers’ then hold up the picture and flip it revealing a picture of the same woman holding a young child wrapped in blankets. She looks so much happier, so full of life. Instantly YN places her, recognizing the toddler wrapped in blue velvet.

“This is Hyunwoo’s mother. The last time anyone saw her alive was three weeks ago when she just so happened to be having dinner with your employers.” Fuck.

Present

           YN’s phone dings as another text from Mark appears on her screen: ‘boss wants to know when you’ll start paying?’ She groans exhaustedly, responding with ‘I have been paying. He gets half my salary every week.’ Which hasn’t made living very comfortable for YN, but she makes do with what she can.

           Mark: It’s not enough princess, not with the way daddy’s been spending money.

           Me: What am I supposed to do if you keep giving him money?!

           Mark: That’s not up to me. So, the money?

           Me: I’m looking for a second job. One that pays better.

           Mark: Just go sell your eggs or something. Not like you have any use for them.

           “Asshole.” YN muttered, muting her notifications. She looked up to the entrance of the fertility clinic debating whether or not to go in. It wasn’t like she had much of an option; she needed the money and fertility clinics were the only ones willing to provide big sums of money fast. Not to mention she had missed a day of work to make the appointment, which meant less money to give to Mark. I hate this. I hate this so much. YN was about to walk away, leave everything when she spotted a black BMW parked on the curve. Its driver observing her intensely. She knew what it meant.

           Mark was getting pushy. Meaning his boss was getting pushy and YN didn’t need to be on the bad side of some loan shark – not again. So, she mustered up the courage and opened the glass doors, being hit with the smell of lavender and pheromones. It reeks. Nonetheless, she forced a smile on her face and walked towards the front desk. “Hello, I have an appointment with Dr. Sihyuk.”

 “Unfortunately, there is a limit to how many eggs we can safely remove from you. Betas aren’t like omegas, you have a set number of eggs. Removing the majority of them would leave you infertile. We’d also be unsure of whether the eggs are useful or not without running the proper examinations which can take weeks.” Dr. Sihyuk explained as he went over YN’s medical file, each sentence uttered destroying her hope little by little.

“I understand but I am quite fertile. I carry a recessive gene from my father who is an omega. Not to mention I’m not interested in having children so I would have no use for my eggs,” she could sense the doctor’s hesitation, “unlike someone who might benefit from them.” I just really need the money.

“Oh, I know, you betas are lucky in that sense. Don’t have to worry about population growth.” Though it was said jokingly it still made YN uncomfortable, let her know he wasn’t buying her bullshit. The doctor closed the file, “Why exactly are you interested in donating your eggs? Is it for the money?” He saw right through her.  At her silence the doctor sighs, “We get one of you every once in a while. Always wrapped up in some business started by a family member or mistakes you’ve made.” Sihyuk opens a file cabinet beside him and shoves her file in there, “Unfortunately for you there’s no market for beta eggs.”

YN sags exhaustion and fear taking over her, “I –” Sihyuk takes a small white business card out of the cabinet holding it out towards her. “Fortunately for you, I happen to know someone hiring. They specified only betas applied.” Hesitantly YN takes the card, “What kind of job?” Though she knows one should never look a gift horse in the mouth it feels to good to be true. “A housekeeper for an alpha couple. They’re long-time associates of mine. Give them a call you won’t regret it.”

 Evening of June 20th, 2021

           Hyunwoo wouldn’t stop crying. YN truly regretted feeding him chocolate before bed, he had nightmares that had not let the three-year-old rest. Though YN had time and time again reassured them there were no monsters under his bed or strange men coming to take him at night, he wouldn’t hear of it. Insisted she had stayed in bed with him and when that didn’t work cried out for his daddies. The issue being his daddies were currently busy, in the middle of their ruts with their weekly guests. Thankfully, their bedroom was across the apartment from Hyunwoo’s, or else she’d have to explain to the child that the screams being heard didn’t belong to ghost.

           “I want papa! I want daddy!” Hyunwoo shrieked, snot and tears dribbling down his face. At this rate, he’d get himself sick if he didn’t permanently injure his vocal cords – or her hearing.

           “I know. I know, but they’re busy right now. I can go get them later.” When their guests are gone and they’ve cleaned their bedroom. YN never quite knew how they manage to sneak them out and clean up so fast, but she didn’t question it. Less work for me.

           “NO! I want them now!” Hyunwoo bolted towards the door, his little legs running as fast as they could. Though they couldn’t compare to YN’s.

           She hugged the toddler, “Alright. I’ll go get your daddies but you have to promise me you’ll wait in bed.” Hyunwoo began to shake his head, “Come on Woowoo, imagine what they’ll say if they hear you threw a tantrum. What would daddies say?”

           That seemed to sober him up a bit, “They would be disappointed.”

           “Exactly,” YN led him back to bed, gently tucking him in. “I’ll be right back with them soon, okay?”

             The hallway felt eerily long as YN struggled with how to politely interrupt without being subjected to the alpha’s rages. Ruts were an especially tricky time and there would be very little she could do to protect herself if it took a turn for the worse. Not to mention she was breaking one of the very few rules set by them: no bothering us after nine pm. YN glanced at her watch, it was currently 11:43 pm. I am so going to lose my job. But Hyunwoo needed his parents, and she didn’t want to risk the toddler running into their bedroom and being witness to something that would certainly cause trauma. Not to mention I might get sent his therapy bills. More debt. YN reached their bedroom doors. A light red hue leaking from the bottom, she willed all her courage and knocked.

           “Come in, darling.” Jimin spoke, his dulcet tone sounding a little rougher than normal. Surprisingly the door was unlocked, so YN opened it. At first, she saw nothing out of the ordinary, just Kim Namjoon and Park Jimin laying in their bed. The red silk sheets, she so often had to wash, concealing their more intimate parts. It wasn’t until YN noticed the stains covering their bodies and the walls. It caused her eyes to dance around the room until she landed on what had caused such a mess: the two dismembered bodies lying on the floor. The red lighting of the room serving to conceal what the stains truly were: blood.

           Namjoon beckoned her inside with a wave of his hand and YN felt obliged to obey. She could still smell the pheromones in their air, still feel their rut. Not to mention, Hyunwoo might have been following her. She locked the door behind her.

           “To what do we owe the pleasure?” Namjoon spoke, smirking and showing off his blood-stained pearly teeth.

[skysometric]

dev commentary time! in true adhd fashion, Vinegar Void is one of the first levels that i finished for Retrush. originally titled Venison Void, it was a major casualty of weird version regressions, where updating to later versions of Mari0 required huge structural reworks.

the level features lots of purple gel, which flips Mario's gravity until he touches the ground. early versions took this to the extreme, with walls and pipes covered in purple gel from top to bottom – turning simple structures into logistics and navigational puzzles!

unfortunately, later versions of Mari0 made purple gel on walls almost entirely un-viable, so i had to pivot to ceiling gel / upside-down only. surprisingly there wasn't *too* much wall gel, but i did have to substantially rework several sections of the level over this.

the only remaining wall gel is in this tiny little U-turn, which is a small enough section that it doesn't fall apart and minimizes the chance of players running into issues.

before i show the other major section reworked for wall gel, let me mention another factor of the regression: old versions of Mari0 also let *enemies* climb all over wall gel, whereas enemies in new versions don't interact with any type of gel.

that's fine, because i didn't have any *normal* enemies climbing on purple gel...

one of Vinegar Void's many unique mechanics are these upside-down enemies with reversed gravity. this is a native feature of the enemies that has nothing to do with purple gel.

these "gravigoombas" (etc) were made by setting the gravity of the enemy to a negative number, tricking the game into reversing its gravity.

now, take a moment before scrolling, and guess what happens if you put THAT on purple gel.

—

—

—

—

You Get This.

so returning to the purple gel on walls, this middle section had pipes slathered in the stuff. and the only enemy in the whole section, was a single gravigoomba... bouncing all over the insides of the passages.

absolutely absurd nonsense. i hate it so much. i love it so much.

the section that replaces it is frankly less interesting, but taps a little of that original "navigation puzzle" intent with the gravity gel to get the player to think on their feet. not half bad for only being limited to two directions!

honestly, though, the level as a whole is probably better off after the conversion; limiting my options made me seriously consider how much purple gel i was using across the board, and limit it to the best interactions i could muster rather than just slathering it everywhere.

the last major change to the level is the vanishing tiles; the old versions used to blink in and out, which was hard to look at after a while. the new versions palette fade, which was an inspired choice, and fits the space theme quite nicely~

outside of this list, the vast majority of the level is the same as it was originally, which is super impressive for being one of the first levels completed. i feel like i balanced it really well, all things considered! a great penultimate challenge leading into the grand finale.

Vinegar Void (4-3) | Retrush

A true test of talent, this orbital station features gel that flips your gravity, giant laser cannons, and line after line of vanishing blocks. Altogether, it's an *incredibly* satisfying and impressive-looking run!

[barbwritesstuff]

Hello everyone.

This post is going to talk about a particular issue with the sex scenes in Blood Moon, in particular trans inclusive choices. I’m going to use explicit language to talk about these scenes. If you’re a player that isn’t interested in sexually explicit content (and I know some of you aren’t), feel free to skip this post.

As many of you probably know, Chapter Six of Blood Moon contains the first three sex scenes of the game. I was very nervous writing these, and I really tried hard to make them dynamic, inclusive, and respectful. This is a big part of the reason why it took two months to write Chapter Six, instead of just one.

I’ve gotten a lot of feedback regarding these sex scenes. The vast majority of that feedback has been positive, which is a tremendous relief. However, shortly after posting the update, it quickly became clear that some choices were confusing some people.

In particular, the ‘condom choice’.

To specify, as a way to try to be trans inclusive in my sex scenes, and not break the narrative flow of the story, I asked players if their character needed a condom.

So, for example, when a player is having sex with Shawnie they will be given this choice:

If, and only if, they select the bottom of these three options, they will (after some text) be presented with this choice:

This was presented to all players, regardless of the gender they selected at the start of the game. It was my way of trying to be trans inclusive, without asking the ‘do you have a penis?’ question, which I thought would be awkward and ruin the mood.

A similar choice appears in Vicky’s sex scene. Marco’s sex scene doesn’t have a choice like this, because the sexual activity performed in that scene works no matter the player’s sex organs.

Unfortunately, a small number of people playing female characters reported the ‘condom choice’ as a bug.

I explained that it wasn’t a bug, and most people were accepting of this, though some said they’d rather that choice be elsewhere. I considered this but rejected the idea. I didn’t want to put this choice elsewhere, as I don’t want to ask players about their character’s sex organs until after they’ve consented to an explicit sex scene.

However, because enough people were initially confused, I spoke with some readers I trust, as well as a couple of people on discord, and tried and figure out a clearer way to present the question so people wouldn’t get confused (and I don’t want to judge anyone for being confused by this question, it was deliberately vague in order to maintain the mood, and comprehensive trans inclusive sex education is a rarity around the world).

In the end, what I decided to do was change the question to be really frank and obvious, to make it clear what exactly I was asking.

And so, the question became:

I thought this was frank, obvious, a little awkward, but it would be over quickly, and it’s still only presented to the people who explicitly choose certain sexual activities. Not ideal, but perhaps better than what I had originally. I even added some variables with the intension of programming the game so the player only ever had to answer this question once.

However, I missed an obvious thing which some of you may have already realised.

That is... in replacing the old choice with this one, it creates a situation in which choosing ‘yes’ (in Shawnie’s sex scene) immediately links the player up to the penetrative scene (which a condom would infer, but a penis wouldn’t). This honestly didn’t occur to me until an anon sent me this message:

And... anon. You’re totally right. I fucked up. It was never my intension for the scene to read that way, and I’m really sorry that it did. I hope I haven’t hurt you, and thank you so so much for taking the time to reach out to me. This sort of feedback is invaluable.

So, in light of all this, I have reverted Shawnie’s scene back to the ‘condom choice’ (Vicky’s scene still has the penis choice for now because it doesn’t have the same issues).

Personally, I don’t think the condom choice is a bad choice. Yes, it will confuse some cis people, but frankly they aren’t, and shouldn’t be the priority here. And them being momentarily confused is far better than ruining the scene for someone else.

However, I want more opinions on this. Do you think the ‘condom choice’ works? Should I do something else? Is there any other ways I could make these scenes better and more trans inclusive?

For obvious reasons, I’ve very interested in trans perspectives on this.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out and helped make this game better. I hope you’ll bare with me as I sort through these issues. Also, just to let you know, I do get some anxiety about interacting with people online, so sometimes it takes a while for me to respond to things. I hope that’s okay.

[digitaltravelexpert]

Why Travel Brands Need to Prioritize Reviews( Best Strategy)

Why do travel brands need to prioritize reviews? Learn why prioritizing reviews matters when selling travel products. Reviews build credibility, improve search rankings, and attract more travelers. In the world of travel services and products, customer reviews are a game-changer. If you’re not prioritizing reviews, you're missing out on one of the most powerful tools for growing your business. According to Forbes, up to 98% of consumers read reviews before making a purchase. Whether you're offering a unique safari experience, luxury hotel accommodations, or essential travel gadgets, reviews influence potential customers more than ever. In today’s digital age, reviews are everything.

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When selling travel products or services, trust is the cornerstone of success. Unlike other industries, travel involves a significant investment of both time and money, and potential buyers want reassurance that they are making the right choice. This is where reviews come into play. A customer’s positive experience shared through a review acts as social proof, easing concerns and validating the value of your offering. For travel brands, this trust can be the deciding factor between a booking or a bounce. A glowing review about how your safari tour exceeded expectations or how comfortable and durable your travel products are will resonate deeply with future customers. Google also recognizes the value of customer feedback and factors reviews into its ranking algorithm. Recent updates have emphasized review quality, making it more critical than ever for businesses to collect and manage positive reviews to rank higher in search results.

Why Travel Brands Need to Prioritize Reviews: The Power of Reviews in Shaping Consumer Behavior

To understand the significance of reviews, consider the modern traveler's journey. They spend hours researching destinations, comparing travel products, and searching for the perfect accommodation. In many cases, this journey begins and ends with reviews. If a hotel or travel accessory has no reviews or, worse, bad reviews, potential customers will likely move on to the next option. The stats are clear: 98% of consumers read reviews before making a purchase. That means almost every person considering your travel service or product will factor in what others are saying before deciding. Not only that, but many consumers prioritize reviews over other marketing materials like descriptions or product specs. They trust fellow travelers’ experiences more than polished ad copy. The bottom line? If you aren’t leveraging reviews to boost your brand’s credibility, you’re leaving money on the table.

Beyond the Travel Review Request: Creating a Delightful Customer Experience

Collecting reviews is more than just asking, “How did we meet your expectations?” For travel businesses, the process starts long before the final transaction. Reviews are the byproduct of a customer’s entire journey, from their first interaction with your website to the moment they complete their trip or receive your product. You must invest in delivering exceptional service from start to finish. This means understanding your audience and tailoring every touchpoint to exceed their travel expectations. For instance, if you run a luxury travel service, the experience begins the moment they visit your website. Everything from the user interface to how easily they can find information and book a service will contribute to their overall impression. If your customer is purchasing travel products, ensure your descriptions are clear, and your checkout process is seamless. The more you focus on creating a hassle-free, enjoyable experience, the more likely you are to receive positive feedback. Delighting your customers isn’t just about providing what they expect—it's about surprising them in ways they didn't anticipate. Maybe it’s an extra service or personalized support that makes them feel valued. If you want reviews that shine, the key is to go above and beyond, making sure every part of the customer journey feels effortless and exceptional.

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Your Brand Rankings in Search Engine Results Google’s recent algorithm updates highlight just how important reviews are for online visibility. In the travel industry, where competition is fierce, having positive reviews directly impacts your rankings in search engine results. Google now places a significant emphasis on user-generated content, including reviews, in its ranking factors. If two travel services are otherwise equal, but one has better reviews, that service will likely appear higher in search results. For travel marketers, this is something familiar. You can't talk about travel marketing and ignore the power of the best travel product reviews for your hotel or safari company. More reviews (and higher-quality reviews) improve your SEO, making it easier for potential customers to find you. Brand Loyalty: Authenticity and Relevance Matter Do best travel product ratings influence your travel brand loyalty? The answer is yes. But it’s not just about volume. Authenticity and relevance also matter. A well-detailed review from a customer who loved your safari package will carry more weight than several one-liners about how great your product is. The richer and more authentic your reviews are, the better they will perform in Google’s eyes. Additionally, reviews influence local SEO. For businesses like hotels, tour companies, or travel services, reviews help you rank higher in local searches. Travelers often search for services based on location, so being at the top of the list when someone searches for "luxury safaris in Kenya" or "best gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda" can be a massive advantage.

How to Encourage Positive Reviews for Your Travel Brand

Building a strategy for getting reviews isn’t difficult, but it requires a thoughtful approach. Here are a few tips to encourage customers to leave reviews: 1. Ask at the Right Moment: Timing is crucial. Don’t ask for a review immediately after the purchase. Instead, wait until the product has been delivered or the trip has been completed. This way, your customer has time to form an opinion based on their entire experience. 2. Make It Easy to Leave Reviews: Provide clear instructions or links to review platforms. The simpler you make the process for customers to leave a review, the more likely they are to do it. 3. Offer Incentives: While you should never buy reviews, incentivizing customers with a small reward or discount can be effective. It’s not about bribery but encouraging those who are on the fence to share their experiences. 4. Respond to Reviews: Show your customers you care about their feedback. Engaging with both positive and negative travel reviews fosters trust and strengthens the reputation of your travel brand or hotel. A quick acknowledgment shows that you’re invested in the customer experience and can even turn a neutral or negative review into a positive one. 5. Follow-up: If a customer hasn’t left a review after a few weeks, a polite follow-up email can remind them. Sometimes, life gets busy, and people need a nudge.

Managing Negative Reviews

Even the best businesses receive negative feedback from time to time. The key is how you handle it. Negative reviews are not the end of the world; in fact, they can provide valuable insight into areas that need improvement. When responding to a negative review, always remain professional and empathetic. Apologize for any inconvenience, explain what steps you are taking to remedy the situation, and invite the customer to reach out privately if necessary. Handled well, a negative review can turn into a positive customer relationship. People appreciate businesses that take responsibility and work to make things right. FAQs: Why Travel Brands Need to Prioritize Reviews Why are reviews important in the travel industry?Reviews are crucial in the travel industry because they enhance trust and credibility, complementing all forms of digital marketing like Google Ads, content marketing, and social media. They offer authentic customer feedback that influences potential travelers more effectively than traditional marketing alone.How to write a review for a travel company?To write a review for a travel company, highlight key aspects of your experience, such as service quality, accommodations, and customer support. Be honest, concise, and specific, sharing both positive moments and any areas for improvement.Why use a travel agent instead of booking online?Using a local tour provider with excellent reviews offers personalized expertise and in-depth knowledge of the destination, ensuring a more authentic travel experience. While travel agents may provide convenience for some travelers, a highly-rated local provider delivers tailored, on-the-ground insights that surpass generic booking options.Why choose a travel company?Choosing a travel company over online booking platforms fosters meaningful connections that enhance your travel experience, as they offer personalized service and expert advice. Travel reviews play a crucial role in building trust and ensuring you select the best options tailored to your unique needs.How to write a review for a travel agency?To write a review for a travel agency that assisted with your travel package, detail your experience, highlighting the agency's support and any specific arrangements they made for you. Also, mention the local tour operator involved, emphasizing how their efforts contributed to a memorable trip.Should you prioritize travel reviews on third-party sites like Tripadvisor?Yes, prioritizing travel reviews on third-party sites like TripAdvisor is crucial, as they often carry more weight with potential customers and can enhance your visibility. However, it's also important to cultivate reviews on your own website to showcase your brand’s authenticity and engage directly with your audience. Conclusion: The Power of Reviews for Travel Businesses In the travel industry, reviews are more than just feedback—they’re an essential component of your digital marketing strategy. Reviews influence how potential customers perceive your brand, affect your visibility in search engine rankings, and shape your reputation within the industry. By prioritizing customer reviews and working hard to create an exceptional experience, you’ll not only increase your chances of receiving glowing feedback but also build trust with future customers. So, if you’re selling a travel service or product, make reviews a core part of your strategy. After all, in today’s consumer-driven world, reviews are everything. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dBjRgE4_Jw Read the full article

[maxismatchccworld]

Patch Notes

Update 11/10/2020 PC: 1.68.154.1020 / Mac: 1.68.154.1220 Console: Version: 1.33

Welcome, Simmers! A relaxing getaway sure sounds nice right about now. We’re inviting you to take a trip with your Sims to your favorite destination with the newly added ability to vacation anywhere within The Sims 4! Here at Maxis, we’ll be hitting the slopes of Mt. Komorebi with the release of The Sims 4 Snowy Escape in just a few short days. Curious how it works? Read on! We’ve got a big haul of new features and requested fixes in this major update to The Sims 4.

-SimGuruGraham and SimGuruRusskii

NEW & IMPROVED FEATURES Platforms

Platforms enable you to build rooms at varying heights within a story level. As much as we’d love to sit here and go on and on about how incredible platforms are and how they completely revolutionize Build Mode, you’ll see that for yourself as soon as you try them out in-game! Here are some basics for how they function and how you start building with them.

You either can use the new

Platform Tool

directly in or you can place preset platforms that come in various shapes and sizes. You’ll find both of these within the “Walls and Empty Rooms” section of Build Mode.

You easily can add or adjust the height of a platform in any room. Simply click on a room to select it, and the new up & down arrows in the widget that appears will allow you to add or adjust the height of a platform within that space.

Because platforms can have their height adjusted up or down, you can even create platforms that sink down beneath ground… like, really,

really

deep down. I don’t know why anyone would want to do that *

cough

* devious players *

cough

*, but the option’s there! This ability to go deep is reserved for the ground level and basements.

You can stack platforms on top of platforms, on top of platforms, on top of platforms, on top of platforms, on top of platforms… Seriously, go nuts. Get creative. Make something nobody has ever seen in The Sims before!... On top of platforms…

When a platform’s height is a single step higher or lower than the adjacent floor, Sims are able to step onto it. For anything higher than a single step, connecting a set of stairs or a ladder between the different surfaces will allow Sims to reach them. Here’s your first advanced lesson in platforming: Remember that callout about stacking platforms on top of each other? If each stacked platform is a single step in height, you could certainly make some interesting custom staircases…

One notable exception - platforms can’t connect across multiple levels. If you build a stack of platforms all the way to the ceiling, the very last step will need to be a staircase or ladder to connect two separate floors of a building together.

Platforms can be utilized as fully functional space or be purely decorative areas - the choice is yours! As you adjust the height of a platform, your Sims will intelligently adapt to that space. For example, you could create a platform with only enough head clearance for a child to enter. The possibilities are endless!

The visual look of platforms can be customized in a variety of ways. The “Walls and Empty Rooms” section of Build Mode now has a “Platform Trims” subcategory. Here you’ll find trims that match all of our foundations as well as some new trims with basic materials that look perfect in the interior of a building. Want to go even further? Try wrapping the edge of a platform with half walls and then customize the edge with any wall material. Mix and match these methods for creative results!

Even More Half-Walls

Speaking of Half-Walls, we’re pleased to share that we’ve created 12 additional Half-Wall heights to choose from, adding to the 7 heights previously available. One could factually say this is our most sizable Half-Wall update ever! Pity the poor person who was tasked with writing uniquely descriptive names for each of these 19 height variations.

Sentiments

Sentiments are those special fuzzy feelings that form between Sims when they share a memorable moment together. Shared experiences between Sims now offer the opportunity for Sims to develop long-lasting sentiments between each other, which in turn affects how they feel and act in the presence of (or the absence of) another particular Sim. Unlike relationships between Sims, Sentiments can be a one-sided affair. When two or more Sims share an experience together, you may find that all, some, or none of them walk away from that moment having formed a lasting impression of the other Sims that were involved. The base game includes a wide variety of these Sentiments and Snowy Escape has additional ones tied to experiences within that pack.

Sentiments that have formed between Sims can be viewed in two locations. When socializing with another Sim, click on the heart-covered notebook that appears in the social UI at the top of your screen. Alternatively, you can view the Sentiments that exist between two Sims at any time within the new Sim Profile within the Relationship Panel. Read on for more information on this new Sim Profile ...

Sim Profiles

Have you ever gone to check out the other Sims in your Sims’ life, only to be greeted with an overwhelmingly large tooltip that extended from the tippy top all the way to the bottom of your screen? We certainly have, and we weren’t happy with it.

There has to be a better way!

...And there is! Introducing:

Sim Profiles

! Within the Relationship Panel, you can now click on the portrait of any Sim and select “Open Sim Profile” for a full breakdown of all the info the active Sim knows about that Sim. It even includes those nifty new Sentiments everyone’s been talking about!

Skin Tone Update Console & Community Identified Issues

We saw your feedback about the October skin tones update and, to improve clarity and transparency, we shared a first look on Twitter of the fix in progress.

With this patch, the Console game gets the October fixes for texture compression, resolving the banding on the cheeks and foreheads as well as discoloration on the tip of the nose.

In addition, this patch addresses the two community-identified issues of red dots around the lips and a dark blotch between the eyes. The red dots around the lips should be completely resolved at this time. The dark blotch between the eyes was softened to remove the hard edge, but the darkening is expected as part of the shadowing around the nose.

Vacation Anywhere

Couldn’t we all use a good vacation right about now? Your Sims certainly could, and now they can go anywhere! The ability to go on a vacation to any of your worlds has been added to the game for all players along with the “Rental” lot type.

To vacation to a world, a rental lot must exist within it. Should you purchase Snowy Escape, you’ll find the residential world of Mt. Komorebi includes some pre-built rental lots - a ready getaway awaiting your Sims. If you prefer to vacation in another world (Sulani, anyone?), you’ll first need to enter Manage Worlds mode and update at least one of the lots within the desired world to become a rental lot.

During a vacation, if your Sims are lacking any necessities, they now can “Order Supplies Now” from the rental’s mailbox or from their phone. Happy travels!

Toddler Slippers

We figured it’d be nice to give toddlers a pair of slippers to wear. So we did. Cozy feet!

S-Pop Radio Station

You may remember S-Pop (short for “Sim-Pop”) as a radio station in the City Living expansion pack. While the music tracks that originally came with that station will remain exclusive to City Living, the station itself is now available for all players with five new songs for all players to enjoy:

“keep on rocking” Performed by CHAI Written by Yuki Mizutani (p/k/a/ Yuki), Kanae Obata (p/k/a Kana) and Manami Obata (p/k/a Mana) Published by Sony Music Publishing (Japan) (JASRAC) Recording courtesy of Sony Music Japan by arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment “Kanzen Houki Sengen (Simlish Version)” Performed by Nanawoakari Written by Nanawoakari & Tamaya2060 Published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing Recording courtesy of Sony Music Japan by arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment “Part. 2” Performed by SASUKE Written by SASUKE Published by Warner Chappell Publishing Recording courtesy of Warner Music Japan Inc. by arrangement with Warner Music Group Video Game Licensing “Ninhursag’s Tone” Performed by Unite Satisfy Written by Shintaro Aoki Published by Syn Songs Recording courtesy of NNN Records & Cross Groove/Syn Songs “Harujion” Performed by YOASOBI Written by Takuya Shimizu (p/k/a Takuya) and Akira Tsubono (p/k/a Akira) Published by Sony Music Publishing (Japan) (JASRAC) Recording courtesy of Sony Music Japan by arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment

And now, onto the fixes:

The Sims 4

Freelancer Sims now can complete Gigs they have signed up for and harvest the fruits of their labor. Simoleons, Simoleons, Simoooleons… SIMOOOLEOOONS.

Does your Sim look bored all the time? Even when you think they are having fun, they look bored to you? Not a problem anymore. It’s been… taken care of.

Calls Dropping? Is your Cell Phone behaving like a certain network is just not up to snuff? We have upgraded all Sims to Simgular - Llama’s Choice Network that does not allow Off-the-Grid shenanigans when your Sims are not Off-the-Grid.

The NanoCan Touchless Trash Can has been recalled and fixed so now all your trash can be cash in a flash.

Did you ever experience the Honey I Shrunk the Basil and Sage Plants issue in-game? No longer! *No Sage or Basil Plants were harmed in the fixing of this issue*.

Ever had Sims show up looking like a product of a bad makeover? Did your Debate Judge just show up to the debate wearing a mascot hat when they're not the mascot? Did your fellow Spellcasters show up in the Magic Realm wearing not so magical clothes? Say no more… We have applied a fix so that non-playable Sims can be a bit more appropriately coordinated in their outfits and per occasion.

Door lock settings now persist when Sims travel. That’s right! If I disallow everybody, it should stay that way when I travel… or when I exit the game… and the occasional restart, too... hmpf!

Sims who have passed away no longer sometimes disappear from their Genealogy. This is not retroactive, so any Sims that already disappeared will not return.

Sims no longer ignore the kitchen sink and dishwasher to wash their dishes in the bathroom sink. Okay.

Oasis Springs’ World Map now shows lots in the correct locations. I see you, Yuma Heights - don’t be sneaky now.

Sims now can propose to their beloved without rejection (congratulations!). On the same note, Sims with multiple romantic partners now can propose and marry one of them and not get sabotaged by their partners’ predicament of not being able to get married because they are employed together, even when they are not.

Sims who have finished their workday now get back to things sooner instead of sometimes staring off into space.

Ever wished your delicious food just never… ended? We thought we did until our Sims were unable to finish their meals. Now they are able to finish Eating Leftovers. They are leftovers, not leftFOREVERS.

Sims sharing double beds now can Nap or Sleep in any combination. Sim A can nap and Sim B can Sleep… or Sim A can Sleep and Sim B can nap… or they can both Sleep… or nap… well, you get the picture.

Shower Tubs now can be cleaned enough to be visibly squeaky-clean.

Another one bites the dust. The issue that generated Error Code: 110:c875d8ff on game load has been fixed.

Style Influencer Sims now perform Quick Sketch Impression without breaking the Digital Sketchpad. Be kind with your tools and toys.

Removed incorrect Moodlets such as “Awkward Hug” when Unflirty Sims hugged kids. In the same fashion, we made sure Unflirty Sims no longer receive the “Witnessed Crass Act” Moodlet when parents and children hug or kiss cheeks.

Adult Sims now Teach Blocks to their Toddlers. Learning in early life is important!

Sims on vacation now can hire a Nanny and/or a Butler to take care of things while they are away.

Toddlers no longer will show as “At Daycare” when they are taken back home via the “Care for Self” option. No Toddler clones here... you can’t be two places at once!

Toddlers left at home while the rest of the household goes on Vacation now receive proper care and otherwise can join the Vacation. THINK OF THE CHILDREN. Toddlers deserve fun and relaxation in new places, too!

Toddlers no longer get the “Silly Ocean” Moodlet from playing in rivers.

Children once again can earn Adult skills. *sniff* They grow up so fast!

Simmers in social events now get a warning when switching to a Sim in another neighborhood rather than the event cancelling automatically.

Sims with enough Simoleons now can move into empty lots.

Splitting households and then moving no longer causes an infinite load.

We told Sims that they should probably not take 45 minutes to drink a single cup of Coffee. As you guys know, I am a coffee fiend, but nursing the same cup for that long is not in the coffee lover’s manual for enjoying fresh coffee.

We met with our wonderful Sim Firefighters and came to the agreement that they now also will extinguish fires on wall objects such as paintings.

Action progress bars no longer are interrupted when a new action is added to a Sim's queue.

Sometimes items could disappear from your Sim's inventory after travelling. This should no longer happen. Where is my cup of coffee? Oh, okay, it is here….

Sims no longer have Clay Blobs, Future Cubes, and/or Sketch Pads spawn infinitely in their Inventory. This felt like grabbing something out of Felix the Cat’s bag… just a never-ending bag of Clay Blobs, Future Cubes, and Sketch Pads… what did it all mean!? We may never know.

Opening a stack of Inventory items and then going back now highlights the correct item.

In reviewing items in Inventory, we realized that some item stacks were showing the number 99+ incorrectly on Multiselect. What’s the number? - Stomp, Stomp! - What’s the number? - Stomp, Stomp! - The number of the day… you’re about to see the number is the actual number of items you have! Ah ha ha. That’s the number of the day!

Sims no longer endlessly play games such as Chess, Sabacc (if you own Journey to Batuu), Voidcritter Cards (if you own Kids Stuff), and your regular Card games. I could play with Meduso forever though… #Meduso4ever.

Page Up/Page Down and Home/End Keys now work in Free Cam Mode.

The Aspiration Panel now shows the gender of Sims regardless of whether they are active.

Now only Gardeners autonomously remove wild plants. Sims with Green Fiend Trait (if you own Eco Lifestyle) were being a bit overly eager in removing plants everywhere, so the professionals will handle it from now on.

“Listen To Together” on a Stereo no longer resets Sims.

Sims no longer get “Poorly Decorated” and “Dismally Decorated” Moodlets when decorations are in the room. This applies to new Saves as it is not retroactive, but, my, how judgemental Lots were….

Columns now can rotate 45 degrees and in Free Rotation. Spin them right round, Simmers, right round.

The liveeditobjects cheat no longer surfaces items with broken thumbnails that were not meant to be part of that cheat. Pardon our dust.

Shower descriptions in the catalog said they were “Uncomfortable.” Showers are meant to relax and be a place of meditation, so the catalog now says they provide “Discomfort Relief” unless the specific shower really is uncomfortable.

The Subtle Saucer and the Super Subtle Saucer now have images that are more distinct from each other in the catalog. Super Subtle, Super Saucer.

Removed the “Player Feats” door because it wasn’t really a door…

Dishwashers The Professional Dish Laborer, Washer Pro Free-Standing Dishwasher (from Dine Out), and Industrial Dishwasher Unit (from Parenthood) no longer have a gap between counters.

Digital World wall tiles have been polished. Shiny and new!

Career-unlockable outfits no longer show up when filtering for Custom Content.

Toddlers no longer have bald spots when zoomed out on Low Graphics Settings.

Frayed jean ymBottom_EF13JeansFrayedCrop_Black no longer clips with several tops.

Anniversary t-shirts yfTop_EF05ShirtTeeAnniversary and ymTop_EF05ShirtTeeAnniversary fit better on more body types.

Sims with certain feminine frames now look better when wearing Pants or Full Body outfits.

Fixed some Create a Sim item backgrounds.

Selecting what you want to do next at the end of the tutorial on console no longer has the mysterious word "Label" in the background.

Gallery filters no longer cut off some venue type names in some languages. This was particularly egregious for French and Brazilian Portuguese text.

Game fonts got some spiffing up to keep all characters looking their best.

As with every update, the localization team has tweaked, improved, and fixed text across all Packs and previous updates.

To explain a bit further, we created a much more robust set of internal tools that allows us to have greater control over the outfits that the Sims choose to wear in unique situations. We’ve improved a lot of the wacky townie fashion you’ve seen previously (it’s called fashion sweaty - look it up), but if you still see oddities - let us know. It’ll be an easier issue for us to “iron out” moving forward! Together, we can defeat the dreaded eyeball ring.

Get to Work

Scientist Sims placing collected crystals and metals in their Laboratory no longer crash the game. Do you ever science so hard, the simulation crashes?

The “Test Serum” action on a Scientist co-worker no longer causes an error.

Get Together

Stone Frame Window (window1x1_EP02TUDstoneFrame2Tile_set1), Holey Geometry (window1x1_EP02TUDLow_03_2Tile_set1), and King of Diamonds Classical Door (doorSingle2x1_EP02TUDHigh3Tile_set1) now place properly.

Sims in Clubs with a Read rule now finish the books they choose to read. No cheating, my friends.

Wearing their Earbuds (if you own Fitness Stuff) and participating in Club Gatherings no longer causes an error.

Club affiliation on University Housing (if you own Discover University) now persists after entering Build/Buy Mode.

City Living

Ultra Speed now works while Festivals are in progress. Some conspiracy can be said about Festivals wanting Simmers to enjoy them in all their glory… at a normal speed at every speed, but these are just conjectures… yes.

Sims no longer read their mail aloud while conversing with their apartment neighbors. Talk about rude, right?

“Read about Festival” now consistently displays festival information.

Sims from specific San Myshuno neighborhoods now have more variety on their appearance.

Cats and Dogs

Stencils in Create a Sim (Pet) now consistently paint your furry friends without crashing.

Seasons

The holiday tradition New Skill Day now focuses on starting new skills and improving low level skills so skills that are maxed out don’t count.

Toddlers who are inside during a blizzard and in a high chair no longer want to Run Inside, so their caretakers won’t take them out of the chair prematurely. You are safe little one; you are safe.

Now all onions, carrots, mushrooms, potatoes, apples, tomatoes, and growfruits can be planted indoors during freezing weather.

Plants no longer change their quality or evolve on their own after Sims traveling.

Some Outdoor Plants that were stuck in summer/fall now turn brown and lose their flowers when winter starts.

Sims now can book Vacations on the computer during holidays.

Simmers who have disabled Rain and Snow no longer should see them during Mysterious Weather. Mysterious indeed.

Male Sims now wear appropriate shoes when working as a Floral Designer or Botanist.

The beanie hat cuHat_EP05BeaniePom now looks a bit better.

Sims scheduling an event in the Calendar for a Rental Lot no longer end up in a Lot where they have not been greeted.

Get Famous

Stans (“stalker fans”) and Kleptomaniac Sims no longer steal Pet food bowls or Cat litter. I have no words for this one. I have nothing.

Sims with maxed out Atrocious Reputation now maintain their reputation when traveling. Atrocious you shall be forever.

Island Living

Conservationist Sims now Write Conservation Articles at the appropriate career level (level 4). On the same note, the task for Research Conservation now can be completed.

Odd Jobs no longer get stuck in a state where Inventory and Build Mode cannot be accessed.

We had long conversations with Island Celebration Participants and agreed that no random Sims should enter a Sim’s home without permission, barging in as if they owned the place. Excuse you, privacy, and property are a thing, you know?

Discover University

We chatted with the registrar at Britechester University and got them to agree that students should receive class time reminders before class instead of after. You’re welcome. Now, make sure you go on time, alright?

School Spirit Day no longer schedules multiple instances at the same time. But… Did you know it is Spirit Day?

Club gatherings no longer have Sims with their bikes indoors in a disruptive manner.

Sims traveling long distances including stairs now properly walk the stairs and then hop their bikes and they don’t leave their bike behind. You can’t just abandon your bicycle - what about the poor bike’s feelings?

Sims now properly get off bikes while on a slope.

Lawyer Sims now File Court Documents as their tasks dictate at levels after 5. Just because you move up doesn’t mean you stop filing docs.

Students in a different neighborhood from their University now go to school instead of work when choosing “Go to Class” from the Career Panel.

Students now can receive only one merit scholarship per term.

Sims no longer are listed as being at University when they are at home.

The game no longer sometimes freezes when Sims enroll in University. We get that attending University is life-changing, but freezing a game is taking it a bit to extremes.

Students now return to Campuses in their leisure time to cloud gaze and play Soccer in the surrounding areas of Britechester University and Foxbury Institute respectively.

Sims jogging in an Exo-Mech suit no longer get fatigue-related Moodlets.

For Eco Lifestyle Simmers, “Throw Away” and “Compost” now are available on piles of discarded food. The consequences of not having these were especially egregious at University Dorms.

Sweatpants yfBottom_EP08LooseSweatpants now look better when paired with scarf yfTop_EP08SweaterScarf in Create a Sim.

Eco Lifestyle

Recycle Disciple Sims without the Kleptomaniac Trait now swipe household objects less often. We get it, we are all trying to do our best for the environment, but going after your Dumpster was a bit too far… we kinda need that.

Eco Footprints no longer change very quickly from “Green” to “Neutral.” Knox rejoices.

Eco Footprints in Worlds no longer become Neutral when entering Manage Worlds.

We had a chat with Eco Inspectors and they agreed that they should display the correct occupation from now on. And they shall be known as Eco Inspectors… forever.

Bulldozing Pinecrest Apartments now is possible without damaging the lot.

Harvestables obtained via a Dumpster no longer disappear from Inventory a few minutes later. Easy come, easy go… would you not disappear, though?

Recycling is a wonderful thing. Recycling for Inventory exposed missing text on some Grand Meals, so we filled in those names.

Toddlers living in Lots with the Reduce and Recycle Lot Trait mayyyybe were taking it a bit too far generating trash piles in their inventories. Put that down - No more trash in your pockets.

Did your floor patterns experience a glow that never went away after selecting all of them? That’s not a problem anymore.

The Wallpaper formerly known as sheetStandingSeam01GEN has been renamed to Corrugated Metal.

The Fabricator’s Fabricated Couch (no dye) recipe now creates the correct item.

Residential Wall Speaker is renamed to Venue Wall Speaker: Americana to accurately reflect its function and music.

Venue Wall Speaker: Americana now looks correct with the neutral wood option.

Women’s sandals yfShoes_EP09PlatformSandals now look better when paired with jumpsuit yfBody_EP09JumpsuitUtility.

Men’s hairstyles ymHair_EP09CurlyBun_Black and ymHair_EP09CrimpedLong_Black have cleaner hairlines now.

Dine Out

Sims no longer get up from their seats at restaurants randomly and create chaos by speaking to other patrons, grabbing food from their table, putting it somewhere else, and taking over the place by playing the piano or singing. But it was quite the show, wasn’t it?

Xbox One Simmers now can edit Restaurant Staff Uniforms in Build Mode along with other Simmers.

Vampires

Vampire Spar no longer negatively affects Conflict resolution for Simmers with Parenthood.

Realm of Magic

Spellcasters with all spells learned and maxed out no longer lose those when downloaded from the Library/Gallery Muscle memory perhaps?

Create a Sim no longer has the less-than-attractive skin type that was intended only for cursed Sims as an option.

Spellcasters have reviewed the terms of their “Always Transportalate” Spell and now can actually teleport anywhere, even places with stairs.

Journey To Batuu

Sims now are able to complete First Order or Resistance missions and then choose the Hope vs Order - First Steps Aspiration and complete all goals.

The Lightsaber Collection plaque now has a proper name and description so you can display it with pride.

The First Order sent a memo stating to change the First Order Blast Door to not accept any decals or wall decorations.

Create a Sim asset yfBottom_GP09VillagerPatchVertical now goes better with different styles of shoes across multiple Packs.

The Career Panel now displays the active Mission chosen from the Mission Panel.

The game no longer freezes when Sims “Freshen up at the Dwelling” at Black Spire Outpost.

Luxury Party

Create a Sim asset yfBody_SP01SleevesFlutter_SolidBrown fits better when wearing Get to Work’s ymHair_EP01LongWavySwept_Platinum hairstyle.

Movie Hangout

Movie night has been reclaimed! Sims now can watch complete films from start to finish without getting stuck in a never-ending loop… or I should say not in a Neverending Story? STTOOooooryyyyyYYYY.

Knifty Knitting

Create a Sim boots cuShoes_SP17BootsBuckled_SolidRedPin work better with jeans cfBottom_SP07JeansPrint_FloralBlueLt.