It turns out the problem with me not being able to upload on here WASN'T anything to do with the router-side thing mentioned in the previous journal. I still don't know what it WAS, but if I had to guess it was simply that the document I was trying to upload was JUST under the file size limit and the server got cranky about it. And because we had just installed Pi-Hole on the server, I erroneously attributed it to that. From now on I'll err on the side of caution and upload LP parts in PDF format.

That said, that leads into a bit of a question. It's question I got crickets on when it came to DA, which I took as a "no more LPs", but I'll ask it again here:

Which would people rather do? Would you rather I continue my LP work or focus more fully on story writing? I'll still upload the LP stuff that was already uploaded elsewhere either way, of course, but this will influence the future of uploads on here once I finally catch up.

For comparison, my recent writing looks like this:
https://www.weasyl.com/~joat/submis.....n-vulpix-tf-mc
https://www.weasyl.com/~joat/submis.....e-primarina-tf
https://www.weasyl.com/~joat/submis.....e-pachirisu-tf

Whatever the case may be, once November starts I'll be doing quite a lot of uploading here, until finally I get caught up with what's on DA and Weasyl.

This is for several reasons. From lowest to highest significance:

- My main work is the LP work. Of the three websites, this one provides the least convenience when it comes to actually reading my content. Since screenshots are a large part of things, simply reading a description-section transcription will not cut it.

- I have heard plenty of complaints about FA, making me kinda wonder about the longevity of this site. Yeah, sure, it seems too big to fail, but then again, Skype was big, too.

- Uploading to three sites concurrently is... a pain, to put it mildly. Though, if this were the main issue, Weasyl would be the first on the chopping block, since I'm getting less attention on there than on either of my other two upload locations.

- There is a bug which prevents being able to edit story submissions. This major bug has, from what I've been able to gather, has been present for several years.

- The person who owns the router integrated, long story short, router-side ad-blocking. All well and good, but the server I need to access to upload content was apparently a casualty (the timing of when the issue arose supports this). I would ask him to make an exception, but aside from that being a potentially awkward conversation, he had a hard enough time getting the thing set up in the first place. I'm not sure if he even knows how to make an exception. Plus, I don't know exactly what the URL is that needs to be unblocked. I doubt it's as simple as "uploadification.furaffinity.net" or somesuch. I'd probably still try to get things going somehow, if not for all the above issues.

Anyway, my Weasyl and DeviantArt acccounts may be found in, naturally, the Contact Information section. I can still be reached via the notes system in FA.

Over the course of the day, I shall be uploading a fair chunk of Shadow Madness stuffs, because creating a Christmas card for you all is too mainstream!

Update: For whatever reason, uploading stopped working. Not sure whether it's just for me or for everyone, but I'll try again tomorrow on the rest of it. If you want it earlier, you'll have to check my Weasyl account.

As the semester draws to a close, I don't have to worry about the massive amount of schoolwork hampering my ability to work on LP and other content. Now, however, I will be able to work on more new LP content, as well as continue uploading works to DeviantArt. Indeed, things should become much more lively.

That said, among those projects is a revamp of my Final Fantasy VII Let's Play. I have come to realize that I've been writing the LP as if only people who are familiar with the game's mechanics will be reading it. This is far from a safe assumption. so I will also be updating the FF7 LP along the way.

Indeed, it's that time of year again. I've been doing this for years now, actually, but this is my first time posting about it here, for whatever reason, if memory serves.

Anyway, Extra Life is an event where I play videos games (and, this year, a bit of D&D 5e) for 24 hours straight without sleep in order to raise funds for charity. This is going to occur, for me, starting at 8:30AM central on November 5. The planned games, aside from aforementioned D&D 5e, are Bunny Link to the Past, the incomplete Bunny Link's Awakening, RPG Maker, and Borderlands 2, not necessarily in that order.

About Extra Life
My Extra Life Page
My Team's Extra Life Page
My Twitch.tv Page

Nobody voted on what to do next, so, um... *rolls a die* Shadow Madness it is!

My college workload is thinning for now and, with that, I can get back to LP and other content. However, one of my projects, The Adventures if Hot rod, is one upload away from completion, so because of that, there is about to be a hole in my projects list. So, among the following, which should I choose?

- Fresh Scales: This was originally intended as a stand-alone tale, but it has plenty of potential for continuation. Just be warned that he continuation will not be focused on transformation like the first part was.
- Let's Play Chrono Cross: This game needs more attention, I feel.
- Let's Play Jade Cocoon: It's really too bad this got labeled as a Pokémon ripoff, because it's more than that. Admittedly, listing it here because I'm kinda looking for an excuse to play it.
- Let's Play OFF: From what I hear, this game being at least somewhat active, in terms of battling, is somewhat unavoidable. However, I can at least make it pause while choosing a target and other stuff, so as long as no more than one interesting thing happens per pause point, this is doable.
- Let's Play Pokémon Zeta: A Pokémon fangame of fairly high quality, I feel.
- Let's Play Shadow Madness: Well, I enjoyed this game, at least. I really do need to finish it at some point.
- The Adventures of Hot Rod Part 2: Yes, there's a more of the madness, though this was never finished.

EDIT: Added some entries. I considered adding Undertale as well, but what I've heard of the battle system (the dodging being an interesting factor that needs pointing out AND being real-time) puts it in the "Enough of a hassle to LP that I'll only do it as a commission" bin.

The sad thing is, this was supposed to be posted a while ago, but then I got distracted by a shiny.

- I have placed the Bunny Link's Awakening project into official haitus until work on the art is completed. In the meantime, One Little Rat, a Sonic Robo Blast 2 mod, will be taking its place.

- Speaking of Bunny Link's Awakening, Dr. Doc MD would appreciate assistance on cutscene/photo graphics, if any are willing to give it.

- I have people to look over my work before I post it, now! ryusuta is looking over the PMD series when she can, while thegreenflyer is looking over all LP content.

My apologies for the extended absence, but now I return! I do hope to become as active now as I was before. In fact, after this post is made, I intend to upload another part of The Adventures of Hot rod.

On another note, the poll for whether I should become a Mightyena or remain a Poochyena in PMD is still in effect. Tallying votes on FA and Skype, the result is currently a tie. The poll may be found here.

As I progress farther and farther in Red Rescue Team, it has become more and more of a pertinent question - When I am able to evolve, should I? Or shall I remain a Poochyena? I desire your opinion, people of all the internets!

The dialogue for Bunny Link's Awakening is done, but not finalized. I plan to do one last look-through of the dialogue once dr_doc_md's work on the mod is complete. That way, I can see how well the dialogue meshes with the art. Not to mention, waiting a fair while means I'll be approaching the dialogue with a fresh mind. After that final look-through is complete, the mod should be ready for release.

This does, however, mean that, until Dr. Doc MD's work is finished, I will have nothing to do on the mod. As a result, I will be starting work on the LPs and The Annotated Adventures of Hot Rod again. Though, I will not be doing so very quickly, likely, since I also have a final project and various other things to work on for the end of the semester. Though, after May 6th, I should have significantly more free time.

No, I am not quitting LPs. I am referring, instead, to the abridged versions. Partially, it's a matter of nobody really seeming to pay the abridged versions any mind, but mostly, it's a hassle. It feels like more work than it's worth, especially since I'm uploading to more than one site.

That's the deal-breaker, really. After all, a major part of the purpose of this is for me to have fun. If I'm not having fun, what's the point?

That said, to fulfill the purpose of catering to those who like my stuff but don't have time to keep up (or came in late and wish to catch up), I may instead have a monthly "best of" document upload.

On another note, speaking of uploading to more than one site, I am considering dusting the cobwebs off my DeviantArt account and posting stuff there as well. Does anyone reading this journal have the foggiest idea what category the LPs should be submitted under, if I do so?

Those of you who follow me may have noticed that there has not exactly been much of any content, lately. As you may have guessed, this is largely due to work on Bunny Link's Awakening. Most of the sprite work is completed, and I'm not yet sure what there is left on my plate after that, long story short.

That said, I'll be resuming work on the LPs alongside that. I really need to get back to creative work other than Bunny Link's Awakening. Bunny Link's Awakening is fun, true, but it's beginning to get tiring in much the same way that even the most delicious ice cream dish would lose its appeal when one has had nothing else to eat for a while.

No, the title does not mean I am rescinding the offer for trades and commissions.

You may have noticed that I have been rather idle during these past few days. That's been for a number of reasons, actually, but one thing that has not exactly helped is that, when I attach deadlines to LPs, they suddenly start being less fun.

I mean, yeah, sure, they are still somewhat fun, but having that pressure associated with missing an intended post date, well... that part is not fun. Not to mention that I have also felt like uploading earlier and felt held back by "It's not time yet."

Plus, let's face it, the Watch function exists for a reason, and I do not think anyone will mind if my schedule is a bit less consistent, if it means me being able to put more love into each LP. I will still try to upload one part per day on average, at least.

Since I have an update schedule on my plate as well, I'll only have one slot open for now, among both trades AND commissions, which should be fine for NOW, since I am fairly obscure. I will increase the amount of slots if I later feel I should be able to take more on without much risk of major hiccups in my update schedule (and again, I apologize for the recent hiccup - I do hope to avoid such in the future), but playing it safe at first.

There are no set commission prices. Rather, they will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. After the price or trade is settled, I will start working on it. When it is done, I will show a preview of it to you and, if it is found to be satisfactory, I will request that the payment or your end of the trade be sent, after which I will send you the full work.

If, after that, you feel that the work is worth more than the initial price, you can send more. I was considering doing a strictly pay-what-you-think-it's-worth thing for commissions, but I decided to go with the initial small price instead because, let's face it, there are a lot of people out there who will use that system to rip me off, requesting a commission with the intention in advance to pay me little or nothing regardless of quality. A lot of decent, honest people out there, too, mind, but still, best to be safe.

The main commission type I am offering is stories. Technically, a commission or trade can be poetry, visual artwork, or music, but I am neither a poet, nor a musician, nor a visual artist, and cannot make any promises about the quality of work I produce.

There is also the option of an LP. If you desire an LP, there are additional things to keep in mind:

- While I mainly refer to a text-and-screenshot LP, I am also willing to do a more traditional video LP.

- If you want me to LP a console game that is from this or the previous generation, note that I refuse to acquire said game or get footage for it through... "other means." I am only willing to do so if you are willing to cover all costs of acquiring the game and footage legally. The same goes for computer games I do not own.

In any case, the option of an LP commission does not mean that suggestions are closed. This is mainly for if someone wants me to do an LP that I would not normally do (like a horror game), especially if it is because it would require additional work. For example, in the case of a text-and-screenshot LP, a game that runs at a large resolution would require me to manually resize each image before pasting it in, in order to fit into a suitable file size.

Addendum: Other than aforementioned LP suggestions, this does not mean that I am taking requests.

First, my apologies for the lack of updates. I am easy to distract, sadly...



Anyway, on another note, remember that story, way back, that I spoke about, that I wrote when I was a mere ten years old? That is, "The Adventures of Hot rod". I am planning to, before too long, upload an annotated version of that story here. I am thinking I may, once I start uploading them, upload one part per day (the file size is small and I could theoretically upload it as a single file, but I think that something 54 pages long should be broken up - plus, I think this is the sort of so-bad-it's-good experience one should savor), alongside the LP entry for the day.



Last, but not least, I feel that this is quite important: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVqFAMOtwaI

I feel it is worth watching whether you like the Nostalgia Critic (or any of the others speaking in that video) or not, because it is an issue endangering all YouTube uploaders. Not sure exactly how to combat the faulty YouTube systems discussed here, but I suppose getting the word out is a good first step.

I first heard about this from a journal by Ryusuta, and yes, I know fully-well how ironic it is that I am trying to signal-boost something Ryusuta said.



UPDATE: I have decided to make The Adventures of Hot rod take up its own spot on the rotation, between PMD and FFVII, because I am struggling a bit on keeping on schedule. So, adding that reprieve could help, I think.

First, an announcement. I have decided what to do for my next LP, since the gameplay portion of the Bunny Link to the Past LP hath concluded. The game in question is FFVII, which, yes, is not what anyone recommended, but everything that has been recommended has been either declined or delayed for various reasons. That said, I am still taking recommendations on the previous journal entry.

Anyway, for today, I have decided to upload one part of each of the LPs! As well, I have uploaded a commission that was done a while ago, bought by my beloved as a gift for I. It seemed an appropriate thing to upload, considering.

For the time being, I am intending to upload one part of one LP per day. I may revise this later if I find this to be too much or too little.

In any case, I have completed one of the LPs at this time and am taking suggestions for something to replace it. However, there are some general guidelines:

- No Pokémon games - I already have one in the rotation and would prefer to keep to one game in that series at a time, to avoid burn-out.

- Action games are discouraged - These are generally poorly-suited to the style of LP I am doing, being more well-suited to video LPs.

- The game must have a pause function - For this, I will need to pause frequently to tend to screenshots, especially if the game has no native "save a screenshot" function, thus requiring me to go through hoops for each screenshot before I can take another screenshot. Note that, due to DOSBox, all DOS games are considered to have a pause function.

- The game must be runnable in 640x480 or lower resolution - There is a submission file size limit that I must be mindful of.

- If it is a console game, it must not be from the current or previous generation - I feel that discussing my reasons for this will potentially result in some unwanted arguments, so I shall leave it at that.

- Minecraft is out of consideration - The way I play that game is fairly boring to watch, honestly. This also applies to Terraria. And technically Starbound, though that's already disqualified due to the lack of a pause function.

- Horror games are discouraged - Call me a wimp if you like.

- The game must have a reasonable amount of meaningful choice - That is, I should be able to create my own story. The general rule of thumb is to ask whether one could create two meaningfully different LPs for the game. For example, Bunny Link to the Past allows me to choose what obstacles to tackle when and gave me many options on what tool to use for each obstacle, while Pokémon Mystery Dungeon allows me to choose my allies, own species, what missions to tackle, what items to use, what moves to use, what names to give the Pokémon, and many other things.

- A plot is encouraged - It gives me much more to talk about.

- Free games are encouraged - I'd like to give such games a signal boost. That said, please do try to make sure that the game is a free game, rather than a "free" game or simply a free demo.

Oh, good HEAVENS it has been a long time!

Anyway, greetings to anyone who may still be watching! Hopefully, I shall get back into storywriting again eventually, but for now, that is on haitus. However, I am working on a couple of text LPs. Or at least, poking around with them. Having fun thus far! I may post them on hither, since I am making them in a Word document. One is on Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and the other is on A Bunny Link to the Past, a rom hack I found while poking around, made by ryusuta.

I shall try to remember to update further on hither. Try. I am still kinda frazzled from the hustle and bustle of the end of the semester.

That said, a few other things to note:

- Draco is no longer accompanying me, and I shall update my profile later to match. I have two tulpae (or tulpas, however you prefer to pluralize it) now, though, who may make comment from time to time.

- Von Entertainment hath dissolved, due to the other person involved no longer being motivated to continue. I plan to have another website, this time with someone who I feel is more committed to the idea, but it is not fully made yet.

- I am now a bubblegum phoenix, 4' tall. As in, literally made of gum, not just bubblegum-colored.

- Well, sort of.

- Actually, I am still a fox, but am nigh-always transformed into a gum phoenix by a transformation gun. Which I got from the EGS Mayhem forums.

- I am rambling.

- Yes.

- Sorry for my lack of progress on the stories. I have recently been a bit busy on the game-making front (and before that, college). I am getting closer to having the next version of DIM done.

- I have a new person watching me, it seems. I am quite flattered that people are still aware of my existance, really. I am, as always, thankful for it, but I do wonder exactly how he found me. Or she, depending on gender. Then again, it, if the watcher is a robot. Or somesuch.

- I have changed my website to Von Entertainment, where I tend to keep my work, rather than a long-abandoned blog-turned-site.

Ha! While you were wondering what STORY I would come up with next, I came out with a sneak attack and made a GAME instead!

Sneakiness for I, that it is.

I have not departed. I am working simultaneously on AW Chapter 6 and TGF Chapter 3.

To satisfy thy curiosity, the planned chapter titles are “Rising Shadows, Rising Light” and “Recollect”, respectively.

Chances are that the AW chapter will be done first, since it was started on first.

I shall put the text for my stories in the comments section. That way, downloading it isn’t mandatory.

However, I will warn you, I use italics for thoughts, and the stories might be a touch confusing without the formatting. You’ll need to use context clues to determine a thought from a word.

I have just finished proofreading AW Ch.1. I am going to proceed to other chapters as the time presents itself.