AI

As an artist and a Master in AI degree holder, I believe I have the view of both worlds and can contribute opinions that are less biased. Let's start with how I feel on the surface level: I'm annoyed that every time I look at ANYTHING I have to ask myself "Is this an AI slop designed to farm engagement"? Or "What is the percentage of LLM-driven bots on this site?". In the end, I just spent less time on social media thanks to that.

More on what I "feel like facts", I "feel" like the community is underestimating how much AI will both take away from us. Do NOT underestimate what it can do. Absolutely no "But AI can't blah blah blah" well, what if we wake up tmr and now it can? My current belief is as long as it's a specialized task (e.g. generating texts/images), do not assume that it won't ever be able to do so. I believe the only thing that is far away from us, is AGI (Artificial GENERAL Intelligence), in short, something that can truly learn by itself and adapt to any field of knowledge without having to sacrifice other fields it already learned. If you want to learn more, you can try Googling that up, but read from many many sources because it's a buzzword AI CEOs loooove to use.

So, back to "What can it take away from us?". What I believe we need, is a serious regulation, or some kind of tech to universally prevent our data from being scraped, and used to train. Which I think is not going to happen. Companies probably already stored all our data away and ready to train/already training before the laws/tech can get into place firmly enough to prevent it.

To artists, what you absolutely must do on top of boycotting usage of generative AI, is be better than them. Offer what AI currently and will unlikely not able to offer: Creativity. I can see the industry thriving in a more "niche and relatable" direction. Remember that one viral art of a tiny dragon looking at a bakery's glass window from outside? THAT kind of idea is what will thrive IMO, what AI slop cannot replicate, not in foreseeable future at least (IMO this is related to achieving AGI). Yeah, it's not our fault that our work is stolen and used against us. But what can you do.

Gaming

My personal project pretty much is on hold. Making a game both day and night, weekdays and weekends just don't feel right to me. I did experiment with a few prototypes and ideas. I had 2/2.5D/3D character moving around, addressing some of the pain points I've had in the past like skills system (I learned Unreal GAS for that, not worth it for this scale). Fiddling around with material functions/VFX a little since I only learned it from my fulltime when I had to assist our team's tech artist. But in terms of product? I didn't really deliver, I'm a let down, and there's really no other way to say it. I have to do better.

On the bright side, I got assigned to work on a very big name title in the AAA scene. Currently contributing my best, but I can already see potentially what people will complain about lol. And unfortunately, whether this is a banger or a slop, it is up to the higher ups decisions as always. We are small engineers/artists that don't really get to see the big picture of the project, and I think that is the pain point of AAA slops these days. But still, I learned so much and now seeing video games differently than before by seeing how much there is to consider about.

Now... for the games I played this year, do NOT play Path of Exile (both 1 and 2 IMO, I've not played 1 but heard it's similar). It's designed to be addictive, I feel extreme FOMO by playing it. At first it feels like nothing has ever enlightened me as such, but then I realize later it's literally a job. It feels weird to say this but a game like Monster Hunter (Wilds) feels like a much more time spent even with its grindy system. At least I can enjoy the combat, trying out different stuff. The game had a rough start but I think it's getting better. Very much enjoyed monster updates especially Omega fights, but Gogmazios not so much (Fk the third phase Fortnite gameplay).

Life

My mom went through a brain surgery a few months ago. It went well thankfully, but I wish I could've physically been there for her. But if something were to happen and I had to fly back, the current US government might create problems when I return. They spooked me once with the $100k fee on H1-B (which isn't affecting me as of writing this anymore), it just shows that they can Thanos snap me out of the country whenever they want, just because I do not have the citizen status. "They're only going after illegal immigrants" they said c:

As for the social side of my life, I'm way more detached from big social groups this year. I don't enjoy furry conventions as much as before. While I always have a fantastic time at every single con I went, with how demanding work can be and how little time off I get, it's just not worth it. My social battery and need also shrinks substantially. I can go on for days without having to talk to anyone honestly, and while that can feel a bit lonely, I've definitely been through way worse. So, in case if someone actually notices my absence and worried about yourself doing something wrong (because I feel that a lot lol), it is not you. It is just me.

Art

I must first announce my favorite art piece of 2025: Clair Obscur Expedition 33 cccc:

Okay this may fit in gaming more but hear me out.... There is no single game in existence that had me stop and listening to the MAIN MENU MUSIC on the first time I booted it up until it ends. And I know exactly why I like it (sorry, not going to post here because it is too long, if you want to discuss, note me.) The trend follows on literally almost every single piece of music in the game. And boy, it has everything: Story just feels like it's stabbing me over and over which I'm so into it (looking at you... FFXIV Shadowbringers/Endwalker...), and the visual art and how it implies... hehe no spoilers here.

Okay back to art for real, my art. I've been drawing way less. I still draw, but I don't post it. Just feels like there's nothing deserving to be posted even though some of you all will probably still enjoy it regardless. I don't know if I stated it yet, but I have no interest in Wings of Fire anymore, not since long long time ago. I still enjoy some of the character's looks, personalities, or ships, but that's about it. So, while I appreciate your attention, no need to send me WoF art or memes :P

However, I've been really into Monster Hunter much more, thanks to Wilds... Seikrets are just <3
I had this idea of a runaway seikret, being abused by its owner, eventually ran into a predator in the wild. But the predator was trapped and... the seikret helps it out instead, out of the sympathy it built during its early life. Then the relationship of survival knowledge, and hunters knowledge exchange starts from there.... It could be a good comic series, but I currently do not possess the power to pull this off lol

2026

The direction of my life depends on whether I got picked for the work lottery or not, if I do, then I'll probably gather some more experience in the AAA industry first. If not, then I start my own indie project seriously with fundings and scheduling. Of course, there'll probably be a first playable prototype that aims to actually be fun to play before I go for funding. If a prototype isn't fun then the full game will never be. Still want to contribute something to the world the same as last year, in some form of dragons of course, before I leave this world permanently.

Last notes

Well what can I say other than wishing you all happy holiday whether you celebrate it or not. Wish you all have a better 2026 if 2025 wasn't kind to you, but if it was, then I wish you an even better one!