What's up, RMers?

[Kain Nobel]

I'm neck deep right now trying to iron the wrinkles out of animated battle system code that I had to abruptly put on hold as there is turbulence in the air. I've fallen far behind in development because life is busy and now I'm trying to re-learn what I've already known but I also have to re-familiarize myself with basically EVERYTHING again.

The other night was pretty bad (and also awesome). I had like six graphics in the works, three systems, a level consisting of 9 maps, 4 sound effects made from scratch to go with the system and graphics and a bunch of new music to add which I had recorded in the last year and some this year. So hell yes the project is still going strong, and I'm still a development powerhouse when I don't have a whole bunch of other shit going on in my life. But I'm constantly busy, life always has more important things for me to do. Always.

Not to mention, I have a rock/metal album under construction. A whole nine tracks, roughly 36 minutes of music, are already done, eight which will appear in the game (they already are). I'm not sure how long the actual album will be, or if I'll ever put it out as an "album" in the traditional sense since it is actually music for my game, but I keep all options open. The front, back and spine cover art for a CD jewel case are already done, but I have not done anything as far as what the actual compact disc might have on it. Whatever, it's 2021, the only thing I'll probably ever need is just the cover art and various streaming accounts if I ever decide to publish, I doubt it would even be worth it to put it out as a CD anymore.

The fun thing about recording music is every song is a new difficulty. Certainly I have a streamlined process of setting everything up, recording it, cutting, mixing, etc. Create the drumbeats, play the bass lines, play the guitar rhythm, improvise a lead, maybe do some keyboard, yes I play it all by hand with real instruments (except the drums). What makes each track unique is they're all focused on different music theory concepts or even the fact that I have to constantly force myself to travel outside the comfort zone and do something coordinated and concentrated. Usually it actually turns out to be good, enjoyable music. One of these days I'll have to post one of these tracks, I think people would enjoy it.

The big thing going on right now is I just sold a house, changed states, opened a business in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic and will soon be homeschooling and remodeling too. The game project might be put on the back burner, again and again. Not that I want it this way, but the political and economic climate in the US indicates things *could* go south very quickly without warning because our country is being ran by a geriatric with some form of cognitive decline and everyone is running around scared with their masks on taking experimental injection treatments and nobody truly knows what long term effects may manifest down the road. Not to mention the politics, oh god the politics, I could just vomit all over my keyboard at the whole farce.

Strange times.

I miss ya'll, glad to see everybody still doing their thing! Don't ever stop doing the things you do.