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Posted a year agolmfao let's go less babyfur shit is always good
It's been one year since I started HRT.
Posted 5 years agoOne year ago today I started my journey into womanhood. Well, technically around two, but I started HRT a year ago. It's been a journey. My body has changed in ways I could never imagine, but so too did my life. It's been wonderful. This time last year I was at home, drinking in the fact that I'd just taken Estrogen for the first time. The day had been a flurry of emotions from travel, discourse with family for two weeks leading up to it - lots of yelling, shouting... and it was also where my feelings for my girlfriend truly manifested. I had always had a little crush on her, but there was something about those events that day that truly changed things for me. She was with me the whole way and had been for the days prior, helping me with Trans issues.
Six days later I told her how I felt and became her girlfriend, and her mine. Not so long after that, I quit my job that I hated - for I was now taking stands for myself, ultimately. More than ever before. This would end up costing me my home. I was kicked out of my house on Sept. 11th of 2019 - they swear it wasn't for trans related issues, but I know my obstinance about it didn't help matters. Still... With the last of my money and leaving my new job I loved very much (Subway), I was homeless for a night. I enjoyed one last meal at my favorite restaurant, showered at the old gym one last time, waited for a couple hours at the train station... and my father, he called. Asked if he could see me. I omitted, that before I left for the gym, I saw my father again.
He told me, hugging me, holding back tears just barely, voice warbling like I hadn't heard in many years, "You are such a perfect bastard, you know that?" - it was a... particular, way of showing affection. When I left, it took everything I had not to look back to see if my father and last true family member I had was watching me leave. It took a lot. I still loved him. So, when he called to see if he could come see me off, asking if he could bring me my favorite drink, McDonald's Iced Coffee, I said he could. But only him. Nobody else.
He asked me in earnest what my new name would be, what my plans were, what I was going to do. I didn't trust him at the time so I didn't tell him specifics. When the time finally came, he helped me with a couple bags I had - I'd been carrying three around my body for hours, and I boarded the train to leave Illinois... Probably forever. I never really truly want to return. He choked up again, I could hear it. For all his problems, my father loves me still, even if he doesn't understand everything. He doesn't want to see me suffer, and I'd never been this far out of his reach before. It was more uncertain for him than it was for me. But, I rode a train for the next... 18, 24 hours..? Or so? Just. Riding, you know? Getting by however I could.
When I arrived at New York it was... something else.
I'd never seen a city so huge in my life. Massive digital billboards in the rain... but before this, I met her. I met my girlfriend, Juniper, for the first time in person. My Gods, it was amazing - and daunting. I was actually WITH this person that I called my Girlfriend! I still remember how it felt to hold her hand tightly in the bus, fingers locked. I remember the weird conversation of the dysfunctional couple behind us. Gods, I remember the car ride and the first time I tripped down the stairs at her house. I spent the night with her, for the first time. It would be the first of many, many nights with her... and our relationship flourished. I experienced things I'd never had a chance to in life before. Getting out there, meeting my woman's friends, family, seeing the places she grew up in, her memories laid out before me. I learned what it was like to feel the loving touch of another person, what it was like to hold somebody closer than I ever would anybody else. What it was to love wholly, fully, completely, another in my arms. I truly came alive here in New Jersey.
I just, changed so much. I grew true breasts, my hips became wider, fuck I found The Gods good and proper! I completely reinvented myself - though, some things of course didn't change too hard. I'm still me, but... That's how it is, you know? Transitioning isn't about completely destroying who you were. It's about admitting who you have always been and owning it to its fullest. It's about finding yourself, and for the first time in your life looking in the mirror and saying, "I'm here for you.".
It is absolutely everything. It means so much.
My name is Kara Calhoun.
And I'm here to stay.
Here's to another year. May we get through this one.
Six days later I told her how I felt and became her girlfriend, and her mine. Not so long after that, I quit my job that I hated - for I was now taking stands for myself, ultimately. More than ever before. This would end up costing me my home. I was kicked out of my house on Sept. 11th of 2019 - they swear it wasn't for trans related issues, but I know my obstinance about it didn't help matters. Still... With the last of my money and leaving my new job I loved very much (Subway), I was homeless for a night. I enjoyed one last meal at my favorite restaurant, showered at the old gym one last time, waited for a couple hours at the train station... and my father, he called. Asked if he could see me. I omitted, that before I left for the gym, I saw my father again.
He told me, hugging me, holding back tears just barely, voice warbling like I hadn't heard in many years, "You are such a perfect bastard, you know that?" - it was a... particular, way of showing affection. When I left, it took everything I had not to look back to see if my father and last true family member I had was watching me leave. It took a lot. I still loved him. So, when he called to see if he could come see me off, asking if he could bring me my favorite drink, McDonald's Iced Coffee, I said he could. But only him. Nobody else.
He asked me in earnest what my new name would be, what my plans were, what I was going to do. I didn't trust him at the time so I didn't tell him specifics. When the time finally came, he helped me with a couple bags I had - I'd been carrying three around my body for hours, and I boarded the train to leave Illinois... Probably forever. I never really truly want to return. He choked up again, I could hear it. For all his problems, my father loves me still, even if he doesn't understand everything. He doesn't want to see me suffer, and I'd never been this far out of his reach before. It was more uncertain for him than it was for me. But, I rode a train for the next... 18, 24 hours..? Or so? Just. Riding, you know? Getting by however I could.
When I arrived at New York it was... something else.
I'd never seen a city so huge in my life. Massive digital billboards in the rain... but before this, I met her. I met my girlfriend, Juniper, for the first time in person. My Gods, it was amazing - and daunting. I was actually WITH this person that I called my Girlfriend! I still remember how it felt to hold her hand tightly in the bus, fingers locked. I remember the weird conversation of the dysfunctional couple behind us. Gods, I remember the car ride and the first time I tripped down the stairs at her house. I spent the night with her, for the first time. It would be the first of many, many nights with her... and our relationship flourished. I experienced things I'd never had a chance to in life before. Getting out there, meeting my woman's friends, family, seeing the places she grew up in, her memories laid out before me. I learned what it was like to feel the loving touch of another person, what it was like to hold somebody closer than I ever would anybody else. What it was to love wholly, fully, completely, another in my arms. I truly came alive here in New Jersey.
I just, changed so much. I grew true breasts, my hips became wider, fuck I found The Gods good and proper! I completely reinvented myself - though, some things of course didn't change too hard. I'm still me, but... That's how it is, you know? Transitioning isn't about completely destroying who you were. It's about admitting who you have always been and owning it to its fullest. It's about finding yourself, and for the first time in your life looking in the mirror and saying, "I'm here for you.".
It is absolutely everything. It means so much.
My name is Kara Calhoun.
And I'm here to stay.
Here's to another year. May we get through this one.
Hey there! Commissions open!
Posted 5 years agohttps://twitter.com/KCDodgeroo/stat.....46287018962944
Hey! So! Uh, I'm opening up commissions right now..! Look I wanted to get a proper portfolio finished before I did, but that'll be next month!!
Just as an example of what I'm currently working on, this is my current quality. The prices are...
Headshots: 10-15 on complexity.
Busts / Halfbodies: 25-35 ditto.
Fullbody / posse: 60.
Add color: Headshot - Bust - Fullbody: 5, 10, 15.
Add shading: 10 - 15 - 20
So the lowest it'd cost is 10, the highest is 95.
I won't charge extra for dynamic poses because I need the practice and you need cool art that's worth your time. I'm currently taking five slots! Turnaround time is based on complexity, three days to two weeks.
So hit me up! I'm available!
Oh here's the example art!! It's unfinished so it's a taste of what you can get!
Hey! So! Uh, I'm opening up commissions right now..! Look I wanted to get a proper portfolio finished before I did, but that'll be next month!!
Just as an example of what I'm currently working on, this is my current quality. The prices are...
Headshots: 10-15 on complexity.
Busts / Halfbodies: 25-35 ditto.
Fullbody / posse: 60.
Add color: Headshot - Bust - Fullbody: 5, 10, 15.
Add shading: 10 - 15 - 20
So the lowest it'd cost is 10, the highest is 95.
I won't charge extra for dynamic poses because I need the practice and you need cool art that's worth your time. I'm currently taking five slots! Turnaround time is based on complexity, three days to two weeks.
So hit me up! I'm available!
Oh here's the example art!! It's unfinished so it's a taste of what you can get!
A note about Heathenry, by Kara.
Posted 5 years agoI am Asatru.
This means I worship Odin, The All-Father, and the Aesir. You know what this does not mean?
This does not mean I am racist or hate minorities.
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/94.....#cid:146266694
LOOKS like, however, a chunk of my brethren did not GET the memo that racism is out of fucking style. Forever.
Listen. You're safe here on my page so long as you're not an alt-right fuck. There's a real fucking problem in my religion with people who have some kind of white supremacy fetish, some kind of over-reverence for their Anglo-Saxon roots. Our theism is to respect and revere our ancestors, yes.
We can fucking do it without excluding everyone else in the process. We can do it without putting every "Ethnic" group below us. We should be better than that.
For shame, Heathens. The All-Father does not smile upon you.
For the rest who follow me, know you are loved and respected. Know that you're safe and welcome here, and that these guys can fuck themselves.
This means I worship Odin, The All-Father, and the Aesir. You know what this does not mean?
This does not mean I am racist or hate minorities.
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/94.....#cid:146266694
LOOKS like, however, a chunk of my brethren did not GET the memo that racism is out of fucking style. Forever.
Listen. You're safe here on my page so long as you're not an alt-right fuck. There's a real fucking problem in my religion with people who have some kind of white supremacy fetish, some kind of over-reverence for their Anglo-Saxon roots. Our theism is to respect and revere our ancestors, yes.
We can fucking do it without excluding everyone else in the process. We can do it without putting every "Ethnic" group below us. We should be better than that.
For shame, Heathens. The All-Father does not smile upon you.
For the rest who follow me, know you are loved and respected. Know that you're safe and welcome here, and that these guys can fuck themselves.
My Discord is OPEN!
Posted 5 years agohttps://twitter.com/KCDodgeroo/stat.....14609428844546
PORT CALLAHAN IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
You're allowed!
PORT CALLAHAN IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
You're allowed!
Wow, FA is uh, sure is um.
Posted 5 years agoSo maybe we should find somewhere else! Anybody got any alternatives I'm not already using?
This is new.
Posted 5 years agoI was called a bully and a bigot by...
Someone who wants to keep using slurs and cries when people don't let him.
Well okay.
Someone who wants to keep using slurs and cries when people don't let him.
Well okay.
LGBT: Let's talk nomenclature, and the harm it can do. (TW?)
Posted 6 years agoHey there, Kara Calhoun - KCDodger here. I wanna' talk to you today about gender, representation and why particular titles can be harmful to minorities.
If you're already rolling your eyes, you can probably stop reading here. But let's say you actually give a damn about helping people and bettering yourself. None of us start perfect and if I'm honest- in the early 2010s I was not an ally to the LGBT community at large and I was a conservative on top of being christian.
See my profile to see how much has changed. Worked to better myself.
So let's start. Note that I'm still learning, myself.
_________________________________
Herm: The longest standing "Endowed Woman" archetype in the furry fandom. You probably know them by other terms such as Futa and Dickgirl. Both are also pretty rotten terms. But why?
If your character is genuinely hermaphroditic, cool. You need to do some research to make sure you're representing that extreme minority well, however. If anything the concept is closer linked to Intersex- which are not explicitly trans issues but definitely adjacent. If you're making a pinched-waist lady with a perfectly functional set of both sex's genitals that can operate without issue to satiate your fantasy... Well, you need to be better. That's not how you do right. You want something better? Intersex. But they're not even quite the same thing.
Futa or Dickgirl: Gods where do I fucking start? The reason these are a thing is because there's a lot of guys out there who think women with penises are really hot. Okay, cool. Where's the problem right? By their logic, "Futa/Dickgirl" always had it so they were just born that way, so they're a "real girl" and not one of those "gross trannies" who decide they want to be, "Something they're not." It's several different kinds of fucking not okay, because when someone argues in favor of Futa/Dickgirl tags instead of trans tags, they're making the motion, explicitly, to exclude us. To delegitimize transgendered individuals and our issues.
Cuntboy: Same concept really. "Was always a guy but can get pregnant / has a fully functioning pussy" to avoid the "gross mastectomy scars" or "chick that's trying to play man". It's exclusionary and horny in a bad way by nature. Don't do it.
We exist. When you draw a woman with a penis, when you draw a man with a vagina, you're drawing somebody with a bodytype that belongs to us and has for as long as anybody can remember and no, we are not "a recent thing". There is nothing bad or wrong about representing us. Yes, it's possible you will make some people angry. Like right wingers and TERFs. If you care about making them angry you seriously need to re-evaluate your stances on things, because you're very probably in the wrong.
Tag your characters right. If you're drawing a guy with a vagina or a woman with a penis, understand that you're drawing something that exists and calling it something it's not. You need to tag your characters as trans if they have these bodytypes, otherwise you are willfully excluding us for no other reason than to make some kind of anti-trans point.
Have I been abrasive? Maybe a little. But this needs to be heard, it needs to be said, and I needed to be able to show people this at a moment's notice.
Represent us and you have allies. We ALWAYS appreciate it and our numbers are growing. We're a community that does right by those who do right by us. You have nothing to lose from supporting us.
If you're already rolling your eyes, you can probably stop reading here. But let's say you actually give a damn about helping people and bettering yourself. None of us start perfect and if I'm honest- in the early 2010s I was not an ally to the LGBT community at large and I was a conservative on top of being christian.
See my profile to see how much has changed. Worked to better myself.
So let's start. Note that I'm still learning, myself.
_________________________________
Herm: The longest standing "Endowed Woman" archetype in the furry fandom. You probably know them by other terms such as Futa and Dickgirl. Both are also pretty rotten terms. But why?
If your character is genuinely hermaphroditic, cool. You need to do some research to make sure you're representing that extreme minority well, however. If anything the concept is closer linked to Intersex- which are not explicitly trans issues but definitely adjacent. If you're making a pinched-waist lady with a perfectly functional set of both sex's genitals that can operate without issue to satiate your fantasy... Well, you need to be better. That's not how you do right. You want something better? Intersex. But they're not even quite the same thing.
Futa or Dickgirl: Gods where do I fucking start? The reason these are a thing is because there's a lot of guys out there who think women with penises are really hot. Okay, cool. Where's the problem right? By their logic, "Futa/Dickgirl" always had it so they were just born that way, so they're a "real girl" and not one of those "gross trannies" who decide they want to be, "Something they're not." It's several different kinds of fucking not okay, because when someone argues in favor of Futa/Dickgirl tags instead of trans tags, they're making the motion, explicitly, to exclude us. To delegitimize transgendered individuals and our issues.
Cuntboy: Same concept really. "Was always a guy but can get pregnant / has a fully functioning pussy" to avoid the "gross mastectomy scars" or "chick that's trying to play man". It's exclusionary and horny in a bad way by nature. Don't do it.
We exist. When you draw a woman with a penis, when you draw a man with a vagina, you're drawing somebody with a bodytype that belongs to us and has for as long as anybody can remember and no, we are not "a recent thing". There is nothing bad or wrong about representing us. Yes, it's possible you will make some people angry. Like right wingers and TERFs. If you care about making them angry you seriously need to re-evaluate your stances on things, because you're very probably in the wrong.
Tag your characters right. If you're drawing a guy with a vagina or a woman with a penis, understand that you're drawing something that exists and calling it something it's not. You need to tag your characters as trans if they have these bodytypes, otherwise you are willfully excluding us for no other reason than to make some kind of anti-trans point.
Have I been abrasive? Maybe a little. But this needs to be heard, it needs to be said, and I needed to be able to show people this at a moment's notice.
Represent us and you have allies. We ALWAYS appreciate it and our numbers are growing. We're a community that does right by those who do right by us. You have nothing to lose from supporting us.
2020 onwards, and where I stand, what I will do.
Posted 6 years agoHey there folks.
It's ya girl, Kara, and I wanna' talk! As you know, these last few months have been the busiest of my life. My day to day has changed in every imaginable way, and there are many more things open to me as a person, creator, and so on.
So what does that mean for all of you guys?
First off
I am going to regularly draw and upload my own art. There is no reason for me not to pursue this after nearly a decade and a half of actively wanting to draw. I have ideas. I have some talent and a modicum of skill. I have support. I can do this now.
I will regularly write, develop and create new content, and you will see it to be certain.
Second off
I am going to have a more active presence here on Furaffinity, Twitter, and beyond. You know, I've considered streaming sometimes too? Like gaming streaming, but that'd be such a small thing by comparison. Anyway, yeah. Very active elsewhere, I gotta' be. I'm not a watcher anymore. I am a content producer, and you will see that reflected shortly.
Finally
Life has changed. It will continue to change. But this next decade will be where I end up as a recognizable name, and you have my gods damned word on that one. I promise you this, and it will be for extremely good reasons.
Kara, out. I'll be putting stuff up soon.
It's ya girl, Kara, and I wanna' talk! As you know, these last few months have been the busiest of my life. My day to day has changed in every imaginable way, and there are many more things open to me as a person, creator, and so on.
So what does that mean for all of you guys?
First off
I am going to regularly draw and upload my own art. There is no reason for me not to pursue this after nearly a decade and a half of actively wanting to draw. I have ideas. I have some talent and a modicum of skill. I have support. I can do this now.
I will regularly write, develop and create new content, and you will see it to be certain.
Second off
I am going to have a more active presence here on Furaffinity, Twitter, and beyond. You know, I've considered streaming sometimes too? Like gaming streaming, but that'd be such a small thing by comparison. Anyway, yeah. Very active elsewhere, I gotta' be. I'm not a watcher anymore. I am a content producer, and you will see that reflected shortly.
Finally
Life has changed. It will continue to change. But this next decade will be where I end up as a recognizable name, and you have my gods damned word on that one. I promise you this, and it will be for extremely good reasons.
Kara, out. I'll be putting stuff up soon.
Holy shit!
Posted 6 years agoOkay, holy shit, wow! So I bet some of you have been wondering where the FUCK I've been, huh?
I was kicked out of my parent's house on Sept. 11th of this year. I, a small town girl, took a midnight train going to New Jersey, basically. Okay, fine. It was a 3:00PM train.
I ended up living with the absolute love of my life,
oPashoo, Juniper, and have spent the last four months in the safety of a loving home surrounded by people that care about me.
I've had more than ten psychological and emotional breakdowns when reflecting on past events, all of which my loving girlfriend has stayed with me through, often holding me as I cried.
But I've gotten better.
I've made many friends.
I've improved my art skills.
I've lost some weight.
I've become so much more healthy mentally.
I'm actually pretty hot for an overweight chick now.
I have a pretty good job! 13/hr? Damn!
I'm... Just...
I'm the best me I ever have been. I'm happy, well and truly.
Yes, I have neurotic ticks, issues, paranoia and a lot of awful psychological baggage. But I'm better. I'm okay.
My name is Kara Calhoun, and I'm a hell of a lady.
I was kicked out of my parent's house on Sept. 11th of this year. I, a small town girl, took a midnight train going to New Jersey, basically. Okay, fine. It was a 3:00PM train.
I ended up living with the absolute love of my life,
oPashoo, Juniper, and have spent the last four months in the safety of a loving home surrounded by people that care about me.I've had more than ten psychological and emotional breakdowns when reflecting on past events, all of which my loving girlfriend has stayed with me through, often holding me as I cried.
But I've gotten better.
I've made many friends.
I've improved my art skills.
I've lost some weight.
I've become so much more healthy mentally.
I'm actually pretty hot for an overweight chick now.
I have a pretty good job! 13/hr? Damn!
I'm... Just...
I'm the best me I ever have been. I'm happy, well and truly.
Yes, I have neurotic ticks, issues, paranoia and a lot of awful psychological baggage. But I'm better. I'm okay.
My name is Kara Calhoun, and I'm a hell of a lady.
Why was Star Fox 64 so successful?
Posted 7 years ago __________________________________________________
The year is 1997, the Nintendo 64 is one of the hottest consoles in households now, and for the past few months, there has been an ad campaign for Nintendo’s still fresh intellectual property, Star Fox. As of yet the only game released for the series was the original game on the Super Nintendo and with two games- a sequel for the SNES game and a title for the Virtual Boy that never left prototype stages unreleased, it had been some time since Fox McCloud and company had taken to space in the Lylat system.
Releasing in Japan during April, America during June, and the rest of the globe in October, Star Fox 64 quickly became a smash hit for its massive improvements on the original title four years prior, being rendered in then-stunning 3D visuals, and for the purposes of short term marketing, most importantly, the Rumble Pak™ that Nintendo had just released alongside the game, a feature that is now considered mundane and expected in modern systems.
The impact of the Rumble Pak is not to be understated, as it provided direct, immersive kinetic feedback to the player’s inputs and what was happening to their starship on-screen. It is with no doubt that I assert this changed the industry forever- however minute this change may seem today.
But what kept people playing?
The Rumble Pak was only so much to keep people thrilled in the moment. The characters, while quite memorable despite brief characterization were certainly not what kept players coming. There was no gripping story, short of Fox McCloud finishing what his father had started years before, saving the Lylat system. The setting itself was simple and while enjoyable, offered little that other science fiction titles and media didn’t offer in greater doses.
What was it that kept players engaged?
At the risk of echoing modern game journalists, there is another series of games out there now that is noted for its difficulty, replayability, and strong multiplayer scene- though the final point holds only passing significance to Star Fox 64. I probably don’t even have to say the name of the franchise of which I speak, given the undeniable influence it has had- and will continue to have in gaming- and perhaps beyond, for years to come.
What kept the players engaged for so many years was difficulty and reward.
__________________________________________________
Divergence / Difficulty
__________________________________________________
Star Fox 64 is the game that fulfills the promise, “No two playthroughs will ever be the same*”.
Many games are marketed as emergent in their content and the capabilities of the engine or AI and like to make the boast that no two playthroughs are the same. Yes, it is true that when I enter the jungle clearing where the Brute Captain looms over his Grunt search party, that he may not shoot me in the chest- perhaps he may shoot me in the face, or maybe his grunts will swarm me, even though that is unlikely given their plodding, clumsy approach.
I have yet to forget Bungie’s statement on that.
But Star Fox 64 tells the truth for the most part. It tells it for a fairly specific reason. If you do the bare minimum for each mission, the chances are high that your run will be Corneria-Asteroids-Fichina-Sector X-Titania-Bolse-Venom 1. This is the “Easy” route and offers plenty of thrills for a first time player.
But in every level, there are a set of bonus objectives you can complete to accomplish your mission rather than merely complete it.
For instance: During Corneria, halfway through, Falco’s G-Diffuser system will malfunction. The enemy fighters will eliminate him from the fight if you do not take them out first. If you do, he’ll begrudgingly thank you and you will proceed on with the mission.
What isn’t told is that Falco is a rival of sorts to you and actively observes your flying. When you approach a river and fly under each natural arch, Falco will compliment your flying and shout at you to follow him- where a dumbfounded fox will ask where he’s going. You fly through a waterfall and encounter the second boss on Corneria, one that is certainly more difficult.
Once you complete this objective you are rewarded with the Mission Accomplished in your final rating, rather than Mission Complete. When you see this, you have completed the level’s hard route and optional objectives.
This sets you on a path to a more difficult level in the game. Every single level has secondary paths and objectives like these and you will be rewarded by going through even harder missions with even harder secondary conditions to accomplish- culminating in a final attack on Andross’ fleet and planet- and eventually against his true form, rather than his robotic duplicate on the easy route.
However, there are various in between levels that you can choose to go to by opting out of these secondary objectives- should you do so intentionally or simply fail, to go that route instead. With three major paths to Venom, the final stage in the game, you have an extremely wide variety of paths that you may choose to accomplish your ultimate objective.
This was the key to Star Fox 64’s success.
This variance in replayability allows players to test themselves, accrue higher scores in the harder routes of the game and frankly, boast. Boasts well earned, as somebody who has completed the hardest possible route various times. It is no easy feat, especially given Star Fox 64 required that you complete it in a single session- something its remakes have “Rectified” but I personally do not believe this was necessarily a problem.
However… Star Fox has not seen the success it did in 1997 and at this rate never will again.
Because Star Fox isn’t really a game franchise. It’s a gauge for new technologies.
__________________________________________________
The Gimmick Problem / The Star Fox Curse
__________________________________________________
Star Fox is a Tech Demo.
Star Fox has never been a concrete video game franchise. It has always been a technology demonstrator for Nintendo. This can be traced back to its roots on the Super Nintendo.
In 1993, Star Fox released with the Super FX chip installed in the cartridge- increasing its price but providing a genuine, 3D rendered, high speed and fidelity experience that left an incredible impression on its player base. Its sequel would not see the light of day, but sought to expand on the game’s concepts- but it was shelved in favor of releasing a brand new game- a remake, on the Nintendo 64, opting to create a Definitive version for the new console generation.
Between then and 1997, Nintendo attempted to create a game for the Virtual Boy, but it never came to fruition. Given the Virtual Boy’s intense commercial failure, this is probably a good thing on the whole.
In 1997, Star Fox 64 showed the graphical fidelity of the Nintendo 64’s 3D capabilities- and looking back, it is still impressive today. What’s more, like its predecessor it debuted alongside a game changing piece of technology, the Rumble Pak.
In 2002, the trend was broken by Star Fox Adventures, but it was still an experimental game in many regards and certainly proved the Gamecube was no graphical slouch compared to its competitors. Fox’s still-great-looking-fur is evidence of this.In 2005, the trend was genuinely fast-asleep, but in this seeming return to formula, the most engaging aspects of Star Fox 64 prior were abandoned- opting for a more cinematic, narrative driven, linear story, going alongside a trend rather than attempting to set one. Star Fox Assault did not succeed and was met with a severe lack of enthusiasm from critics and players alike.
In 2006, Star Fox Command was released and received overwhelming negativity from players, largely panned for confusing and poor characterization. Its gameplay was almost entirely touchscreen based- which was considered extremely cumbersome for controlling a fighter in every imaginable regard. Its dubious, multiple endings and minor RPG elements only helped to muddy the waters that Star Fox Command barely tread successfully in.
Nintendo did not produce another Star Fox game for five years.In 2011, Nintendo released Star Fox 64 3D on their now quite successful 3DS handheld console. Much like its predecessor from 1997, Star Fox 64 3D was widely regarded as a success and nobody was unhappy with the title. Emboldened by this success, Nintendo went forward with their next title in the series- the most recent, and heavily panned one.
In 2015, Star Fox Zero was released on the Wii U, heavily pushing the steadily failing system’s gamepad and its gyroscopic mechanics to try and convince audiences that the gamepad was not a superfluous thing and did indeed have use. Critics and fans alike did not agree at all. Unfortunately, Star fox 64 was as safe as it was a risk taker, remaking the original game and its narrative for not the second or third time, but the fourth time, the Star Fox fanbase now well and truly tired of the same narrative repeated once again in order to cash in on nostalgia.
As part of the SNES classic, Nintendo released Star Fox 2 in a finished format.
Nintendo does not believe in making mainline, non-technology-pushing Star Fox titles. When they do, it’s hit or miss- but mainstream, simple and to the point games in the franchise have always done average or below, so Nintendo does not believe the risk is worth it.
Star Fox also has the problem of being more popular in America than it is in Japan, meaning that their core teams have difficulty understanding the nuances of why such a title is successful here. Metroid suffers the same problem, but to a far less extent, as its games are typically allowed to just be games, regardless of their console’s technology or limitations.Nintendo has failed to realize what makes Star Fox 64 in particular so immensely successful, popular, and fun to play. They do not understand why it is the fandom’s gold standard for the franchise, and why it is the game all other Star Fox titles are to be measured against.
Star Fox 64 is successful because it is increasingly difficult, has a high level of variety, variables, replayability, and is essentially a high-score chaser. Many, if not most gamers, are competitive if the rising popularity of Esports and the long standing success of competitive shooters, RTSs and the like are to be taken at face value.
Many gamers enjoy challenging themselves to pursue more difficult tasks, play as optimally as possible, gain as high a score as they can, and tell their friends. It is an adrenaline rush, the risk / reward factor compounds as the hard difficulty (that you choose by way of your own skill threshold) moves forward, until you are rewarded with the final boss fight and the true ending.
Star Fox Zero does not make your movement towards more difficult stages mandatory, allowing you to choose- but only after playing the main narrative mode to unlock the much more 64 styled arcade mode that most players consider a more faithful-to-formula experience. Furthermore, unlocks like the difficult-to-attain Red Arwing are unlockable with Amiibos, essentially acting as DLC/Microtransactions, a marketing device that in 2015-onwards, the gaming public at large is incredibly tired of and wants to see disappear.
Compound all of the new gimmicks such as the Gyro Wing, its Direct-i, the walker mode for the Arwing, the mandatory use of two screens and the gyroscopic controls for the aforementioned gamepad, the choose-at-your-own-pace level design, lack of goals to achieve and so on, Star Fox Zero is the messiest game in the franchise and sold incredibly poorly.
It did so poorly- and was projected to do so, that it was bundled with another game, and the developer’s president, Tatsuya Minami stepped down only a day after Zero’s release, the atmosphere surrounding the game is not only troubled- it is entirely negative, corporate and players sharing this outlook.
Star Fox is slated to return to Nintendo systems in a crossover with Star Link: Battle for Atlas and his typical appearance as a mainstay in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. While Nintendo has not released any official statements about the state of the Star Fox franchise- given their intense investment in Zero and incredibly likely disappointment, it may be yet another five years until we see another Star Fox game.
Another Star Fox game that, in the cynical opinion of this article’s writer, is liable to miss the mark of what made its ultimate predecessor so successful to begin with, leading to more and more foibles for the unfortunate franchise once again.
But I sincerely hope I’m wrong. I want nothing but the best for the Star Fox franchise. It was formative to who I am today, and I still love its characters and setting with all my heart. Here’s to hoping Nintendo can find Good Luck on their next outing with the Star Fox crew.
The year is 1997, the Nintendo 64 is one of the hottest consoles in households now, and for the past few months, there has been an ad campaign for Nintendo’s still fresh intellectual property, Star Fox. As of yet the only game released for the series was the original game on the Super Nintendo and with two games- a sequel for the SNES game and a title for the Virtual Boy that never left prototype stages unreleased, it had been some time since Fox McCloud and company had taken to space in the Lylat system.
Releasing in Japan during April, America during June, and the rest of the globe in October, Star Fox 64 quickly became a smash hit for its massive improvements on the original title four years prior, being rendered in then-stunning 3D visuals, and for the purposes of short term marketing, most importantly, the Rumble Pak™ that Nintendo had just released alongside the game, a feature that is now considered mundane and expected in modern systems.
The impact of the Rumble Pak is not to be understated, as it provided direct, immersive kinetic feedback to the player’s inputs and what was happening to their starship on-screen. It is with no doubt that I assert this changed the industry forever- however minute this change may seem today.
But what kept people playing?
The Rumble Pak was only so much to keep people thrilled in the moment. The characters, while quite memorable despite brief characterization were certainly not what kept players coming. There was no gripping story, short of Fox McCloud finishing what his father had started years before, saving the Lylat system. The setting itself was simple and while enjoyable, offered little that other science fiction titles and media didn’t offer in greater doses.
What was it that kept players engaged?
At the risk of echoing modern game journalists, there is another series of games out there now that is noted for its difficulty, replayability, and strong multiplayer scene- though the final point holds only passing significance to Star Fox 64. I probably don’t even have to say the name of the franchise of which I speak, given the undeniable influence it has had- and will continue to have in gaming- and perhaps beyond, for years to come.
What kept the players engaged for so many years was difficulty and reward.
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Divergence / Difficulty
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Star Fox 64 is the game that fulfills the promise, “No two playthroughs will ever be the same*”.
Many games are marketed as emergent in their content and the capabilities of the engine or AI and like to make the boast that no two playthroughs are the same. Yes, it is true that when I enter the jungle clearing where the Brute Captain looms over his Grunt search party, that he may not shoot me in the chest- perhaps he may shoot me in the face, or maybe his grunts will swarm me, even though that is unlikely given their plodding, clumsy approach.
I have yet to forget Bungie’s statement on that.
But Star Fox 64 tells the truth for the most part. It tells it for a fairly specific reason. If you do the bare minimum for each mission, the chances are high that your run will be Corneria-Asteroids-Fichina-Sector X-Titania-Bolse-Venom 1. This is the “Easy” route and offers plenty of thrills for a first time player.
But in every level, there are a set of bonus objectives you can complete to accomplish your mission rather than merely complete it.
For instance: During Corneria, halfway through, Falco’s G-Diffuser system will malfunction. The enemy fighters will eliminate him from the fight if you do not take them out first. If you do, he’ll begrudgingly thank you and you will proceed on with the mission.
What isn’t told is that Falco is a rival of sorts to you and actively observes your flying. When you approach a river and fly under each natural arch, Falco will compliment your flying and shout at you to follow him- where a dumbfounded fox will ask where he’s going. You fly through a waterfall and encounter the second boss on Corneria, one that is certainly more difficult.
Once you complete this objective you are rewarded with the Mission Accomplished in your final rating, rather than Mission Complete. When you see this, you have completed the level’s hard route and optional objectives.
This sets you on a path to a more difficult level in the game. Every single level has secondary paths and objectives like these and you will be rewarded by going through even harder missions with even harder secondary conditions to accomplish- culminating in a final attack on Andross’ fleet and planet- and eventually against his true form, rather than his robotic duplicate on the easy route.
However, there are various in between levels that you can choose to go to by opting out of these secondary objectives- should you do so intentionally or simply fail, to go that route instead. With three major paths to Venom, the final stage in the game, you have an extremely wide variety of paths that you may choose to accomplish your ultimate objective.
This was the key to Star Fox 64’s success.
This variance in replayability allows players to test themselves, accrue higher scores in the harder routes of the game and frankly, boast. Boasts well earned, as somebody who has completed the hardest possible route various times. It is no easy feat, especially given Star Fox 64 required that you complete it in a single session- something its remakes have “Rectified” but I personally do not believe this was necessarily a problem.
However… Star Fox has not seen the success it did in 1997 and at this rate never will again.
Because Star Fox isn’t really a game franchise. It’s a gauge for new technologies.
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The Gimmick Problem / The Star Fox Curse
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Star Fox is a Tech Demo.
Star Fox has never been a concrete video game franchise. It has always been a technology demonstrator for Nintendo. This can be traced back to its roots on the Super Nintendo.
In 1993, Star Fox released with the Super FX chip installed in the cartridge- increasing its price but providing a genuine, 3D rendered, high speed and fidelity experience that left an incredible impression on its player base. Its sequel would not see the light of day, but sought to expand on the game’s concepts- but it was shelved in favor of releasing a brand new game- a remake, on the Nintendo 64, opting to create a Definitive version for the new console generation.
Between then and 1997, Nintendo attempted to create a game for the Virtual Boy, but it never came to fruition. Given the Virtual Boy’s intense commercial failure, this is probably a good thing on the whole.
In 1997, Star Fox 64 showed the graphical fidelity of the Nintendo 64’s 3D capabilities- and looking back, it is still impressive today. What’s more, like its predecessor it debuted alongside a game changing piece of technology, the Rumble Pak.
In 2002, the trend was broken by Star Fox Adventures, but it was still an experimental game in many regards and certainly proved the Gamecube was no graphical slouch compared to its competitors. Fox’s still-great-looking-fur is evidence of this.In 2005, the trend was genuinely fast-asleep, but in this seeming return to formula, the most engaging aspects of Star Fox 64 prior were abandoned- opting for a more cinematic, narrative driven, linear story, going alongside a trend rather than attempting to set one. Star Fox Assault did not succeed and was met with a severe lack of enthusiasm from critics and players alike.
In 2006, Star Fox Command was released and received overwhelming negativity from players, largely panned for confusing and poor characterization. Its gameplay was almost entirely touchscreen based- which was considered extremely cumbersome for controlling a fighter in every imaginable regard. Its dubious, multiple endings and minor RPG elements only helped to muddy the waters that Star Fox Command barely tread successfully in.
Nintendo did not produce another Star Fox game for five years.In 2011, Nintendo released Star Fox 64 3D on their now quite successful 3DS handheld console. Much like its predecessor from 1997, Star Fox 64 3D was widely regarded as a success and nobody was unhappy with the title. Emboldened by this success, Nintendo went forward with their next title in the series- the most recent, and heavily panned one.
In 2015, Star Fox Zero was released on the Wii U, heavily pushing the steadily failing system’s gamepad and its gyroscopic mechanics to try and convince audiences that the gamepad was not a superfluous thing and did indeed have use. Critics and fans alike did not agree at all. Unfortunately, Star fox 64 was as safe as it was a risk taker, remaking the original game and its narrative for not the second or third time, but the fourth time, the Star Fox fanbase now well and truly tired of the same narrative repeated once again in order to cash in on nostalgia.
As part of the SNES classic, Nintendo released Star Fox 2 in a finished format.
Nintendo does not believe in making mainline, non-technology-pushing Star Fox titles. When they do, it’s hit or miss- but mainstream, simple and to the point games in the franchise have always done average or below, so Nintendo does not believe the risk is worth it.
Star Fox also has the problem of being more popular in America than it is in Japan, meaning that their core teams have difficulty understanding the nuances of why such a title is successful here. Metroid suffers the same problem, but to a far less extent, as its games are typically allowed to just be games, regardless of their console’s technology or limitations.Nintendo has failed to realize what makes Star Fox 64 in particular so immensely successful, popular, and fun to play. They do not understand why it is the fandom’s gold standard for the franchise, and why it is the game all other Star Fox titles are to be measured against.
Star Fox 64 is successful because it is increasingly difficult, has a high level of variety, variables, replayability, and is essentially a high-score chaser. Many, if not most gamers, are competitive if the rising popularity of Esports and the long standing success of competitive shooters, RTSs and the like are to be taken at face value.
Many gamers enjoy challenging themselves to pursue more difficult tasks, play as optimally as possible, gain as high a score as they can, and tell their friends. It is an adrenaline rush, the risk / reward factor compounds as the hard difficulty (that you choose by way of your own skill threshold) moves forward, until you are rewarded with the final boss fight and the true ending.
Star Fox Zero does not make your movement towards more difficult stages mandatory, allowing you to choose- but only after playing the main narrative mode to unlock the much more 64 styled arcade mode that most players consider a more faithful-to-formula experience. Furthermore, unlocks like the difficult-to-attain Red Arwing are unlockable with Amiibos, essentially acting as DLC/Microtransactions, a marketing device that in 2015-onwards, the gaming public at large is incredibly tired of and wants to see disappear.
Compound all of the new gimmicks such as the Gyro Wing, its Direct-i, the walker mode for the Arwing, the mandatory use of two screens and the gyroscopic controls for the aforementioned gamepad, the choose-at-your-own-pace level design, lack of goals to achieve and so on, Star Fox Zero is the messiest game in the franchise and sold incredibly poorly.
It did so poorly- and was projected to do so, that it was bundled with another game, and the developer’s president, Tatsuya Minami stepped down only a day after Zero’s release, the atmosphere surrounding the game is not only troubled- it is entirely negative, corporate and players sharing this outlook.
Star Fox is slated to return to Nintendo systems in a crossover with Star Link: Battle for Atlas and his typical appearance as a mainstay in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. While Nintendo has not released any official statements about the state of the Star Fox franchise- given their intense investment in Zero and incredibly likely disappointment, it may be yet another five years until we see another Star Fox game.
Another Star Fox game that, in the cynical opinion of this article’s writer, is liable to miss the mark of what made its ultimate predecessor so successful to begin with, leading to more and more foibles for the unfortunate franchise once again.
But I sincerely hope I’m wrong. I want nothing but the best for the Star Fox franchise. It was formative to who I am today, and I still love its characters and setting with all my heart. Here’s to hoping Nintendo can find Good Luck on their next outing with the Star Fox crew.
Well this is fresh.
Posted 7 years agoKara Calhoun
06/16/18
Saturday
11:00PM
So here I am at a new stage in my life. Starting it on FA..? Yeah, I guess so. Weird choice, right? But it makes sense. After all, I'm here thanks to my best friends and my Fursona. I wasn't always KCDodger or Kara Calhoun, but whoever I was in the past doesn't matter and I haven't wanted to be them for a very long time.
It's time to really become who I want to be.
I can't really tell you what to expect from me. I'll draw a bit, commission a bit, and I am actually mainly a writer so I may do that a fair bit here too, but who knows. The stuff I work on is very much under wraps. Just like Saladin Fahlia here was for a good long while.
I might post my occasional tumblr post on here as well, and given it's Pride Month there's a few subjects.
Speaking of which.
Is it weird to say I'm proud of who I'm striving to become before they've really done anything..? Is my former self just that unaccomplished? I have no idea.
All I know is, I thank you, dear reader, for joining me on this new course in my life. Let it be a long and prosperous one, filled with loving friends and good fortune, and not the hateful individuals I've been so unfortunate to be surrounded by for my last 24 years on this planet.
-Kara
06/16/18
Saturday
11:00PM
So here I am at a new stage in my life. Starting it on FA..? Yeah, I guess so. Weird choice, right? But it makes sense. After all, I'm here thanks to my best friends and my Fursona. I wasn't always KCDodger or Kara Calhoun, but whoever I was in the past doesn't matter and I haven't wanted to be them for a very long time.
It's time to really become who I want to be.
I can't really tell you what to expect from me. I'll draw a bit, commission a bit, and I am actually mainly a writer so I may do that a fair bit here too, but who knows. The stuff I work on is very much under wraps. Just like Saladin Fahlia here was for a good long while.
I might post my occasional tumblr post on here as well, and given it's Pride Month there's a few subjects.
Speaking of which.
Is it weird to say I'm proud of who I'm striving to become before they've really done anything..? Is my former self just that unaccomplished? I have no idea.
All I know is, I thank you, dear reader, for joining me on this new course in my life. Let it be a long and prosperous one, filled with loving friends and good fortune, and not the hateful individuals I've been so unfortunate to be surrounded by for my last 24 years on this planet.
-Kara
