Converting to Godot and Understanding Differences
[alert]Sorry for the long break I have been very busy with college and other events the last couple months hopefully we will return to at least one post a month. Also I hope everyone one had a good new years unfortunately I missed the 1 year anniversary of the website but I do have something planned that will maybe be done in the future.[/alert] Recently with the problems we have seen with the trustworthiness of Unity, many have escaped to the game engine that is Godot. Today I am going to take a look at it, compare it with Unity, and look at some code examples with it.   Understanding Godot Godot is an open-source, cross-platform game engine that boasts a user-friendly interface and a powerful set of features. Developed by a passionate community, Godot has gained traction due to its transparency, active support, and the absence of licensing fees. With support for 2D and 3D game development, Godot provides a robust foundation for developers to bring their visions to life. Differences There are many…
The Importance of Proper Representation in Media
Minorities have always been put on the back burner in media and as such any time one is included in any way it was seen as a win. But lately we have seen soulless representation to bring in the new audience that has been slowly developed by the maturity of a new generation. Representation in media is meant to be a way to show people that they are not alone or unseen not a grab for attention. Understanding Representation in Media Representation in media is when a group of people rarely seen or have a lower amount of power in society are shown in media rather than being ignored or passed up. Historically we saw either overlooking of minorities or bigoted portrayals such as black facing. However, recent trends suggest a shift towards more authentic representation, reflecting the changing demographics and values of society. This evolution highlights a growing recognition of the importance of diverse and nuanced portrayals in media. Authentic representation in media is super important for how we see ourselves and how others…
Switching to Arch: My Experience and Unofficial Guide
[admonition]I am no where near a expert in Linux and this guide should be taken with a grain of salt. This guide is meant to be a jumping off point where I point you more in the places of where you should research information about Linux and Arch (I personally recommend the arch wiki), and I am in no way promoting Arch over other distros as I do not want to open that can of worms.[/admonition]   Linux has been becoming a more and more viable operating system for those who spend a lot of their computer time playing computers or doing things you might believe is Windows specific. With the pioneering of Valve's Proton and the improvements made to Wine, you can run almost everything from Windows on Linux. In this guide I am going to go over what you need to do to get into Linux and some advise related to Linux based off my experiences.   Choosing the Right Linux Distribution Linux has a bunch of different options for what you want…
Unity Destroying their Chances and the Current Game Development Community
The recent events of Unity in which they have decided to prioritize their short term income versus the long term income creates a dangerous expectation where Unity can continue to increase their prices without needing to check into the community and taking its feedback properly. After the introduction of their install fees many game developers have been complaining about not only the extra fee (which punishes those who run on a free to play model, or who works with a subscription service) but also violates the trust of the community. Here's a quick look at the policy: Some have mentioned that the install cost may go over their estimated revenue for their game. The Risks Many may be thinking why it would matter to make a small addition to the pricing change of games but you may remember that this system is based off installs of a game. This means that game developers are at risk for: Piracy: Pirated copies are likely to still count as an install. Subscription Services: Joining a subscription service means…
A Quick Dive into Character Quirks
[admonition]This article will contain major spoilers for some media including: [label]Fullmetal Alchemist (Brotherhood)[/label], [label]Steins;Gate (0)[/label], [label]Sherlock Holmes[/label], and very minor spoilers for other media. All major spoilers will be [spoiler]"spoiler-ed"[/spoiler] and not essential to understanding the content of the article. If you are using RSS to read this I am not sure the spoilers will work so I recommend you read it on my site.[/admonition]   Introduction Characters are the hearts of storytelling that breath life into narratives. They are the heroes, villains, and friends that help build the world around the viewer. But behind their normal dialogue and actions lies another driving force that turns words into people: Character Quirks. What would Sherlock be like without his insane deductions or Armstrong without his generational knowledge. These quirks aren't just meaningless details; they are instead brushstrokes that paint a portrait of who these characters are, down to their core. From the way they walk and talk to their peculiar interests and habits, character quirks are the elements that set them apart, making them resonate with…
Understanding Threads: Why Mastodon Shouldn’t Federate
Threads is a new social media by Meta which is just a copy of Twitter using Mastodon as a base. Threads accounts are based off Instagram accounts in the same way that YouTube accounts are based off Google accounts, except that without even entering threads Meta already created you a ghost Threads account that people can follow request. While this approach may seem novel, it has raised concerns within the user community regarding privacy and consent. Some argue that the creation of ghost accounts without explicit user permission infringes upon their autonomy and control over their online presence. On the other hand, proponents of this feature view it as a convenient means to kick-start user engagement and facilitate connections on the platform. Restrictions It is essential to acknowledge the valid concerns surrounding privacy and consent that arise from the creation of ghost accounts. In an era where data protection and user rights are paramount, social media platforms must prioritize transparency and user control. To address these concerns, Meta must provide clear and comprehensive options for…
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Ghost-Type Eeveeloution
  I tried to make an Eeveeloution that was ghost type and this is what I came up with below are the coloured and uncoloured verions of the drawing.    
How to design a DLC properly
DLC lately have been seeing a decline in quality. Many have noticed that lots of DLC have been just skin packs, or highly hated by the community. As James Thomas writes on the Cultured Vultures, "Many times I have found myself shaking my head at the sheer cheek of some of the gaming companies that charge you £10 just to buy an additional outfit for your character to use in-game. As anyone who knows me can attest, they are constantly reminded by me that I genuinely hate that aspect of the gaming industry today." Some of these DLC don't only do that but make the game actively worse. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="965"] This DLC is $20 without sale which is half of the game's cost.[/caption] That does not mean we need to lose our hope for DLC done right. There are instances where downloadable content has successfully enhanced games and provided meaningful additions that resonate with players. When DLC is thoughtfully developed and offers substantial content, it can greatly enrich the gaming experience. DLC done…
Why Japanese Storytelling is so Different Compared to the West
There is something different about Eastern storytelling. Someone who doesn't watch anime or read Eastern literature might not notice at first glance. This doesn't stop there it can be seen in many games, especially JRPGs.   Plot, Plot, Plot Western storytelling is obsessed with progressing the plot as fast as possible. As if the only way a reader can be enjoyed or can take something away from the story is if something happens. The important difference to compare the two is how they handle conflict. While Western storytelling often focuses on external conflicts and the resolution of those conflicts, Eastern storytelling places a significant emphasis on internal conflicts and the personal growth of characters. In an article by Kim Yoonmi (김윤미), she highlights that "Unlike most 3-act and 5-act European stories, it[Eastern storytelling] heavily is based in self-realization, self-actualization, and self-development. Anything short of this in this story type are usually pretenders. It also often thinks of time itself as a circle." Moreover, Eastern storytelling tends to embrace ambiguity and open-endedness. It leaves room for…