Times Are Changing

The wind’s blowing, temperatures are rising, and summer is here. Most of all, times are changing and I’m struggling to keep up. Recently I’ve announced on Twitter that I’ve started a new job and now find myself struggling to find time to do anything else. Ironic enough, my last post was all about finding time to blog. As I said, it’s a work in progress.

The new job pays way better than my last gig, but I’m a newbie again and now trying to immerse myself in the new work environment. The good thing is, I’m finally getting some kind of rhythm in my second week and seeing opportunities now to peek my head in the blogging community door once more.

Speaking of newbies, the Newbie Blogger Initiative is still going, which is good. I even see a couple new faces joined.

Just East of West

Pleasant Gamer

The Wild Core Chronicle

I'm Not Squishy

Shadowz Gaming Blog

A to Zeo

Cookie Cutter Monks

SparkoMarcoGaming

Most recently, I saw a couple add-ons in the NBI Discord channel (find a link to the channel on the right).

Chordian

Aunion (Eyestrain warning)

If I’ve missed any newbies and returning blogs, be sure to tar and feather me, but also let me know so I can link them to (and add them to my feedly).

So what have I been up to lately? Getting into some indie games. I’m a fan of the Endless series by Amplitude Studios and had their Endless Legend sitting on my Steam list for a long while now. Seeing as I was tight on budget, I thought I’d go ahead and boot it up. I’m glad I did because it’s a fun take on the 4X strategy genre. If you aren’t sure what 4X is, it means explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate. Civilization tends to be the most popular.

Quick fact, the old Civ 2 game had the best advisers. They had video responses, would change depending on the age, and the domestic adviser was an Elvis impersonator. You could say he had the most influence in my reign.

Next up to bat, thanks to my friend Rakuno, I was able to snag the Witcher series on Gog for a good price. I started up the first game and currently enjoying the story and lore through the white wolf’s eyes, Geralt (yes, that’s a take on Through Wolfy’s Eyes blog name). The game’s mechanics take some getting used to, but I think I’m understanding them a bit more as I progress.

Since I’m packing a lot of blog into one post right now, I’ll also throw in a writing prompt I found on the Discord Channel (remember, link to it on the right). This prompt was made by my friend, Faeldrey. “Describe your ideal game and all its features.” My ideal game would be a MMO, but since I don’t have the time, nor do I want to scare any of you away with a 5 million word post, I’ll stick to the 4X strategy genre.

I would like a Fantasy 4X strategy game that lead into ages like the age of men, magic, alchemy, steam, technology, and finally space. Each age has their own tech trees and the later ones build on top of the previous ages instead of making them obsolete.

There would be multiple Human, Beast, and Fantasy races to choose from. Humans include Dwarves, Gnomes, Halflings, Barbarians, and themselves. Beast includes Lizardmen, Avians, Canines, Felines, and Rodent. Fantasy includes Elves, Orcs, Fae, Spirits, and Ents.

You would choose a race as your base and a government as your “class”. Obviously there will be other races that help make up your government in the later game, but your base is what gives you your racial stats and other perks.

You would conquer the planet you’re on like a traditional 4X game, but would be able to build your city like Sim City.

Once you hit the Space age, then it would open up like Spore and you can conquer other planets in your system while still competing with the other governments.

I’d expect a game like this to take me a couple months for a single play through. Any developers out there that take inspiration from this, it’s all yours. Don’t even need to give me any credit, I’d just want to give you money and play this game.

Any suggestions on improving this idea?

 

Finding The Time To Blog

It’s still June, so it’s still time for the Newbie Blogger Initiative, and that means it’s time to part with some more wisdom. Blogging takes time, but sometimes you have other stuff you want to do (or have to do) and finding time can be difficult. Maybe my experience can help out.

Being a blogger is hard. If you have a schedule you want to keep, you have to think of writing prompts for yourself, or finding time to sit down and write out the post. Then you have to find time to edit it and finally post it. If you’re like me, you’ll also want to promote it out to Twitter, and if it’s game related, Anook. Some also share on Facebook, but who uses that? Am I right? >.>

Now being a blogger and YouTuber is even harder, because now you need to find time to record video and edit that. Do you add commentary? That’s more editing. Like to create stories? Now you have to write for that and the blog.

Even further, being a blogger, YouTuber, and gamer is far harder. Now I have to find time to actually play the games that interest me.

Adding to this already long intro, being a blogger, YouTuber, gamer, and pet owner. Oh, also spending time with my family (parents and siblings that is, not married or have kids as of yet). But some day I may brand the father and husband badge. Some already do and that splits time up further. And then some also have their faith to consider.

The thing is, we all wear hundreds of badges and hats during our lives and they all require time and attention. Many can handle their time better than me… err, I mean others. :p

But what I found for myself helps me make time for (almost) everything I like to do. From gaming, to blogging, and watching movies to hanging out with others. So how do I handle all the madness? I use a cycle system to put attention to a few things at a time.

What I mean by a cycle system is that I’ll concentrate on a few things at a time. When I feel I’ve put enough time behind it, I’ll start focusing on the next few things. Eventually I’ll go through all of them and cycle back around to the first group.

For example I’ll spend today going through blogs, hitting likes and giving comments. I’ll also make time to write a blog post of my own. The next day, I may just play a game to gain my mental energy back up.

On top of individual day planning, I may assign this week to blogging and next week to YouTubing.

The system is still being developed, but it uses  my mild OCD and inability to let little things go. They help me remind myself to revisit certain blogs I’ve been meaning to read, or I need to work on an idea that’s been in my head for a month now. I currently have a comic idea I wanted to do for a year now and been coming up with mechanics for a game I wanted to do for many years.

Very important things I don’t leave to my memory only, I’ll write it down on a notepad I have on my desk. That pad is a godsend when it comes to helping me remember fleeting thoughts.

Some things tend to stay high on my priority list and shows up many times in a cycle, like playing games, while other things comes up a couple times a cycle, like making YouTube videos. My mom keeps asking when I’ll have another video up. It’s like when I told you about the trash, I can’t take it out yet until I find a safe spot to save the game, mom. I can’t just pause in the middle of a cutscene!

Sorry, an old memory was surfacing… Where’s my notepad? I need to make another video.

Bringing in the new

The 2016 Newbie Blogger Initiative is kicking in gear and my first contribution is a silly screenshot post. Hey, sometimes a silly post is all you have time for, and the world can use some more light hearted things to read.

Eri over at Healing the masses posed a screenshot challenge and it looks right up my ally. Recently, MJ of Massively OP boosted her Ark server to increase mating and breeding times of tamed dinosaurs, that way people have a chance to play with those mechanics. It was only for the weekend, but I used that time to bring up a new t-rex.

Welcome baby Scar to the Ark. Looks almost like his mother. Normally, I would be looking at day's worth (nonconsecutively) of hatch time, and then some days worth of constant feeding until he grew up to an adult. A quetzal would take 4 times as long, but the boosted time meant I had a new rex hatched in about half an hour.

Momma keeps close guard of her new born, making sure he grows up strong and healthy.

I love this game, and constantly amazed at all the work still going into it. Rabid at Queue Times made a post of some recent updates. There’s now neat stuff you can do with the new born like pet it and play. I’ll have to try that out next time.

They grow up so fast. Momma still doesn’t want to let him go, though. I’m sure she’s very proud of him.

As fun as this post is, it’s also a parable for NBI. We have some new and returning blood, that needs help to grow up big and strong, and eventually may help new bloggers as well. The cycle continues and the community stays strong for it. Welcome to the family and enjoy yourselves.

Just East of West

Pleasant Gamer

The Wild Core Chronicle

I'm Not Squishy

Shadowz Gaming Blog

A to Zeo

Cookie Cutter Monks

Newbie Blogger Initiative 2016

The 2016 Newbie Blogger Initiative was about to take a break this year. Seeing as it’s a big event that I didn’t want to see pass us by, I’ve tried doing a weekly prompt. You’ll notice there was none last week because Doone has taken the lead (kicking and screaming I bet) and announced the NBI will happen in June this year. What does this mean? Any reader that wants to start a blog themselves, or has friends or family looking to start a blog can climb aboard this initiative train and join along with veterans (and myself) for guidance and a boost of readership.

What is a blog?

Why it’s basically a personal place you can post opinions, advice, thoughts, reviews, comics, stories, rants, or just about anything you want to share with other people.

What subject should I blog about?

Well that’s up to you. I personally use it to talk about games and some fandoms I’m interested in. It can be whatever you want though; games, art, books, television, home improvements, anything.

How can I get started?

To join, you just need to start a blog, either with Wordpress or Blogger, or even make your own if you have the web skills. If you need help, contact us through the following means.

NBI Forum

NBI Twitter

NBI Discord Invite Link

Don’t fret if they look kind of bare at the moment. The event is still building up. Once you have a site setup, please share it on Discord in the “Announce Your Blog” channel, and also the NBI forum board in the “Newbie Blogger Check-in” section.

If you need any help along the way, please get in touch with us. Twitter is the best to get our attention. If you’d like to contact me directly, you can find me on Twitter at Tyrannodorkus. I’m also getting more settled in Discord, so you can find me there as well and you can find plenty of others there too. If you’re comfortable with Discord, you can also look into joining the Game Bloggers Anonymous channel that Jaedia setup.

Have Others Influenced My Writing

For this week’s Newbie Blogger Initiative prompt, we ask if your writing has been influenced by others. I’ll post the full prompt below.

"Does interacting with readers or bloggers through discussion influence how you write or what you write about?"

This interaction can happen anywhere, from comments on your blog, to commenting on or reading other blogs, to discussions on social media. Anywhere you can talk about the subject you write about.

First and foremost, I write for myself. When a subject comes up that I’m interested in, and I want to talk about it, I’ll create a post. Granted, not all of them actually get finished and posted, but I stick with what I like and am interested in.

That isn’t to say I haven’t tried writing about popular subjects, it’s just none of them actually made it to post probably because I had little interest in them. Looking through my history, I had a big interest in every one of those posts. Sure, many only got an average amount of views, but a handful have struck it big.

I mention views because I would be lying if I said views don’t matter. I made a public blog for a reason, to share my experience with others and to see what they have to say. If my blog received no attention at all, I’m sure I would have quit long ago. To be perfectly honest, I like to write, but it’s the attention others have shown me that makes me feel I’m not alone in my interests and to continue writing.

However, discussing with other bloggers and commenters and seeing what they’ve done has got me to try new things. For example, I love viewing posts where fellow bloggers have shared screenshots of the games they play, recent examples being Ravalation 6 on 6 and Faeldray’s Glimpses of Darkenss: Mystery Lake. I decided to give it a try and came up with my Screen Share posts where I share a screenshot, but then add in a short story about it.

I like to see what other’s have done. When I really like something, I’ll try to emulate it with my own style. In a way, that’s how culture works and grows.

For some, they may fear that it’s copying someone else’s idea. It’s not if you make it your own. There’s nothing wrong with trying to copy someone you like or respect, it gives you practice and something to start from. Trying to start from scratch is tough, like incredibly tough. However, if you can take something you like and change it to something you love, that’s what you should do. I’ve seen some incredible stuff where people took something they like and made it their own.

If you’re a newbie blogger, or someone making a return, has talking with bloggers, or reading blogs influenced how you want to write, or what you want to write about?

How You Can Use Gaming to Explore Your Love For Writing

The Newbie Blogger Initiative is having a bit of trouble gaining some traction this year, so a few of us bloggers came up with an alternative solution, we’ll try to share advice and experience to new bloggers and those trying to regain their spark again. The title is the first prompt, with a reverse prompt for new bloggers at the end of the post (no spoilers).

A quick bit of history, I’ve been blogging since mid-February of last year, giving me only a year and some change worth of experience. However, it’s not my first rodeo to writing. I’ve done some light writing for stories on and off for most my life and even elected a writing class in highschool. Writing is a blast because I love stories. Currently reading up on Rakuno’s ARPil character story and enjoying it.

Video games are another love I share. In school I would discuss popular games, and come up with new games between my brother and friends. I would play Dungeons and Dragons, come up with adventures, and create characters and backgrounds. I appreciate the gaming culture like no other.

So what convinced me to want to blog about games?

Beginning of last year was a pretty hard time for me. My favorite gaming news site, Massively was being axed by their AOL overlords. This was my home for years for MMO gaming news. I was really connected to the writers and community that formed around it and felt I was going to lose it. I didn’t want to lose what I’ve cherished, I wanted to fight it and saw a movement of bloggers trying to keep the flame going. I was already in the middle of trying my hand at YouTube that it felt like the perfect combo. I can make silly videos and playthroughs while simultaneously talking about these games and creating stories. If anything else, I had to try to keep the Massively flame going.

It also benefited me because being able to talk about games was  impacted since I was no longer around my highschool friends. My circle was very game averse aside from my nephews that only want to play popular games, but they don’t really have the appreciation that I do. All I had left was my brother and my recently converted gaming mother to talk shop with. Since blogging, that circle greatly increased to people who know what I mean when I say “let me kill this boss first so I can find a safe place to afk.” It’s been a boon to now talk more about my love of games.

Back to my Massively story, it was really hard on me because it takes me a very long time to feel comfortable around people. I think I was a lurker on Massively for a year before I finally forced myself and made an account to comment. Then another year to feel comfortable doing that. I was relieved when Bree and the crew decided to start their own MMO news site, Massively OP, that I had thought about just focusing on YouTube again. Instead, I enjoyed blogging so much that I kept it going. Since blogging, I was still very shy talking around the community, but after a year and getting comfortable with everyone, I did the unthinkable to my former self - joined Jaedia’s newly created gaming bloggers Discord channel. I’m sure some of you know what I mean when I say that it wasn’t an easy thing for me to do.

So to really sum all this up, writing about games really helped me deal with my social awkwardness and disabling shyness. Sure, it took me years and a strong push, but it was the catalyst to help me open up social opportunities that I’ve didn’t think I wanted.

Conversely, if you are just starting out or looking to start blogging, think about, or better yet write about, what inspires you in your game time to write? Is it the love of the game, the want to discuss it with others, or do you feel like you have ideas of your own you’d like to share? Whatever it is, let it out, one way or another. If you’re still unable to share, try starting more gently and put it in a private blog or physical notebook. Just the act of writing can help give you perspective of your own thoughts.