It's been a rough week. I know good and well I had a lot on my plate, and it needed to be done by next week. I've certainly been trying to achieve that task, that's for sure. But of course, there's also what today is. A holiday that is one of the few I don't ever recognize.
There are quite a few reasons why. One of them, unfortunately, is a very sensitive subject, especially since those memories came back to torment me in late May last year. I haven't really been the same person since then, and I've had to hide it offline; the private background isn't a pleasant one.
If it were around this time last year, maybe I'd have said a little. But even if I could say anything, the deeper details of it are something that I could only say to those that were close to me for a long period of time. The number of times it was told, I can count on one hand.
Just know that it ended up shaping me by means of my personality then being nuked. It would be largely blown apart again in the summer of 2020, thanks to my paternal clan being an atrocious pile of shit and not having anyone to turn to.
So yeah, I look at today as just another day. I've done it for years, now. What else am I gonna do?
It's better to do that and carry on with my business, than recognize a holiday that would very much reel in misery.
It is what it is.
I do want to highlight something I played around this time last year, though.
I took a deep dive into the PC-FX maybe three years ago, once I got an opportunity to explore the system (I had known about the PC-FX for longer than that, but I wasn't in the position to give it a chance at the time). Of course, you got Zenki FX and Zeroigar. Maybe Chip Chan Kick, too. But beyond that, it's tough to get into unless you could understand how to read a good chunk of Japanese.
I mainly knew about this game because of the anecdote that it was the last game published for the system (24 April 1998), but later, I found out about the secret the game had. At some point, I had to give it a go.
That time would come last year. Over time, it ended up becoming one of my favorite games for the PC-FX. Something about it just felt...sweet, especially considering it was known ahead of time that this game was gonna wrap up the system's run. So, the developers and cast wanted to make this something special. Well, it certainly was.
The game would later get on the PlayStation, and a second game was released on the Dreamcast (the Special Edition of II includes a port of the first game). Both would again be compiled onto the PS2 in 2003 (I did play II, btw, it was also alright). The later port has a few differences, particularly in events/scenes which ultimately split the game into two discs (for the PS and DC versions), but the PC-FX original has a secret fighting minigame coded in the game. That alone makes playing this game worth it, for some people (in fact, I made something about it last year).
I hope it gets a translation someday, so others can experience it. The PC-FX one's got a good chance, considering the library size.
I'd do it myself, but I don't know the first thing about that stuff.
---
Anyway...onto the usual trainwreck.
Tails Adventure
I'd say it did pretty well. Nearly 600 recorded in 24 hours, and has managed to truck along nicely. It just past 4000 views as of typing this.
Not bad for a video that was nearly scrapped because of shit hitting the fan back in November.
There are two other Sonic games I want to talk about, one having been on the docket for gods know how long, but now isn't the time for them yet.
Shorts
I was planning my third Short to release today and a fourth releasing on the 20th.
Unfortunately, that intended third Short didn't happen. Main reason was a tongue ailment that got pretty bad by the 11th. No chance in hell I was gonna record lines, and with my main focus having been the next video, I cut my loss.
Apart from selecting the game and recording the intro part (for formatting purposes), I didn't even start it. I wasn't in the condition to do it.
As a result, what was gonna be Short #4 is now #3. This one does have most of its stuff done. All I need to do is add text and line it up with my speech. Maybe change one scene on it, if I have the time. I know what to use, if I do get the chance.
This Short is still set for the 20th, as a precursor for the next main video going public the day after.
Speaking of that...
Upcoming Video
It was already called out by SylverReZ and Scotty, so I'm not even gonna try to hide it.
[This space was for an image that refused to work.]
Floppy Disks. That is all.
But seriously, it's a bit on the Famicom Disk System. 21 February will mark the 40th anniversary of its launch (in actuality, the paired Short is set to go public at exactly midnight on 21 February in Tokyo. It's Japan, after all). Of course, this also means it's the Zelda franchise's 40th, too.
Hence, Short #3 covers my FDS copy of the first Zelda. It was kinda lucky timing, I guess. I bought it back at the end of September when a thing was going on in town, and some dood comes in with a bunch of Japanese Zelda stuff, including that game (he also had the Famicom cartridge one, but that's usually more expensive due to being a late/limited release and I was more interested in the Disk). Import stuff is generally a pain in the ass to hunt down in my region, so I wasn't gonna waste the opportunity.
Of course, I wanted to have some focus on the Disk System as well. Nothing particularly special with this one, but we'll see how it goes.
As of typing this, I still need to record lines for two sections (and retake two lines on a third section, due to some nasty peaking), then put it all together. It won't take long. I just need my tongue to stop being an idiot.
The FDS video is my last scheduled project, for now. My Super Mario Bros. video is still set for 7 March and isn't budging from there. I might have something ready for the second half of March, but I would need to be quick on that, if I make the decision.
If it somehow doesn't happen...well, I got the one big wild card project to work on.
For now, onto the games being played!
Blue Breaker
I did record a short run on the 12th, which did have a couple notable moments as I got set up for the next major event. This event has quite a few ways of approaching it, and I'm trying to line up with the best route. Game-wise, it's still the focus of recording.
Ancient Roman
I haven't touched this game since my last session on 29 January. I'll get back to it once I complete the FDS video and accompanying Short.
3rd Game
I might be going with Keio Flying Squadron next, if only because I have the folder ready and would like to have that intended project squared away.
There's also the Famicom choices, which might get a test run or two in before I actually start recording them. This way, I know what I'm getting into.
I'll see what can be done over this next week. The main gauntlet is close to done. I do want to try to have something for the second half of March, even if it's a relatively short video like Tails Adventure was (I tried to get the video past 10 minutes, but I simply couldn't do it).
I'm not sure if Keio would make it, if I tried. I'll have to look around and see. April, on the other hand, is a good chance to relax more.
That's pretty much it. Next Update: 21 February, considering the news.
~E14~
There are quite a few reasons why. One of them, unfortunately, is a very sensitive subject, especially since those memories came back to torment me in late May last year. I haven't really been the same person since then, and I've had to hide it offline; the private background isn't a pleasant one.
If it were around this time last year, maybe I'd have said a little. But even if I could say anything, the deeper details of it are something that I could only say to those that were close to me for a long period of time. The number of times it was told, I can count on one hand.
Just know that it ended up shaping me by means of my personality then being nuked. It would be largely blown apart again in the summer of 2020, thanks to my paternal clan being an atrocious pile of shit and not having anyone to turn to.
So yeah, I look at today as just another day. I've done it for years, now. What else am I gonna do?
It's better to do that and carry on with my business, than recognize a holiday that would very much reel in misery.
It is what it is.
I do want to highlight something I played around this time last year, though.
I took a deep dive into the PC-FX maybe three years ago, once I got an opportunity to explore the system (I had known about the PC-FX for longer than that, but I wasn't in the position to give it a chance at the time). Of course, you got Zenki FX and Zeroigar. Maybe Chip Chan Kick, too. But beyond that, it's tough to get into unless you could understand how to read a good chunk of Japanese.
I mainly knew about this game because of the anecdote that it was the last game published for the system (24 April 1998), but later, I found out about the secret the game had. At some point, I had to give it a go.
That time would come last year. Over time, it ended up becoming one of my favorite games for the PC-FX. Something about it just felt...sweet, especially considering it was known ahead of time that this game was gonna wrap up the system's run. So, the developers and cast wanted to make this something special. Well, it certainly was.
The game would later get on the PlayStation, and a second game was released on the Dreamcast (the Special Edition of II includes a port of the first game). Both would again be compiled onto the PS2 in 2003 (I did play II, btw, it was also alright). The later port has a few differences, particularly in events/scenes which ultimately split the game into two discs (for the PS and DC versions), but the PC-FX original has a secret fighting minigame coded in the game. That alone makes playing this game worth it, for some people (in fact, I made something about it last year).
I hope it gets a translation someday, so others can experience it. The PC-FX one's got a good chance, considering the library size.
I'd do it myself, but I don't know the first thing about that stuff.
---
Anyway...onto the usual trainwreck.
Tails Adventure
I'd say it did pretty well. Nearly 600 recorded in 24 hours, and has managed to truck along nicely. It just past 4000 views as of typing this.
Not bad for a video that was nearly scrapped because of shit hitting the fan back in November.
There are two other Sonic games I want to talk about, one having been on the docket for gods know how long, but now isn't the time for them yet.
Shorts
I was planning my third Short to release today and a fourth releasing on the 20th.
Unfortunately, that intended third Short didn't happen. Main reason was a tongue ailment that got pretty bad by the 11th. No chance in hell I was gonna record lines, and with my main focus having been the next video, I cut my loss.
Apart from selecting the game and recording the intro part (for formatting purposes), I didn't even start it. I wasn't in the condition to do it.
As a result, what was gonna be Short #4 is now #3. This one does have most of its stuff done. All I need to do is add text and line it up with my speech. Maybe change one scene on it, if I have the time. I know what to use, if I do get the chance.
This Short is still set for the 20th, as a precursor for the next main video going public the day after.
Speaking of that...
Upcoming Video
It was already called out by SylverReZ and Scotty, so I'm not even gonna try to hide it.
[This space was for an image that refused to work.]
Floppy Disks. That is all.
But seriously, it's a bit on the Famicom Disk System. 21 February will mark the 40th anniversary of its launch (in actuality, the paired Short is set to go public at exactly midnight on 21 February in Tokyo. It's Japan, after all). Of course, this also means it's the Zelda franchise's 40th, too.
Hence, Short #3 covers my FDS copy of the first Zelda. It was kinda lucky timing, I guess. I bought it back at the end of September when a thing was going on in town, and some dood comes in with a bunch of Japanese Zelda stuff, including that game (he also had the Famicom cartridge one, but that's usually more expensive due to being a late/limited release and I was more interested in the Disk). Import stuff is generally a pain in the ass to hunt down in my region, so I wasn't gonna waste the opportunity.
Of course, I wanted to have some focus on the Disk System as well. Nothing particularly special with this one, but we'll see how it goes.
As of typing this, I still need to record lines for two sections (and retake two lines on a third section, due to some nasty peaking), then put it all together. It won't take long. I just need my tongue to stop being an idiot.
The FDS video is my last scheduled project, for now. My Super Mario Bros. video is still set for 7 March and isn't budging from there. I might have something ready for the second half of March, but I would need to be quick on that, if I make the decision.
If it somehow doesn't happen...well, I got the one big wild card project to work on.
For now, onto the games being played!
Blue Breaker
I did record a short run on the 12th, which did have a couple notable moments as I got set up for the next major event. This event has quite a few ways of approaching it, and I'm trying to line up with the best route. Game-wise, it's still the focus of recording.
Ancient Roman
I haven't touched this game since my last session on 29 January. I'll get back to it once I complete the FDS video and accompanying Short.
3rd Game
I might be going with Keio Flying Squadron next, if only because I have the folder ready and would like to have that intended project squared away.
There's also the Famicom choices, which might get a test run or two in before I actually start recording them. This way, I know what I'm getting into.
I'll see what can be done over this next week. The main gauntlet is close to done. I do want to try to have something for the second half of March, even if it's a relatively short video like Tails Adventure was (I tried to get the video past 10 minutes, but I simply couldn't do it).
I'm not sure if Keio would make it, if I tried. I'll have to look around and see. April, on the other hand, is a good chance to relax more.
That's pretty much it. Next Update: 21 February, considering the news.
~E14~