gamertwins13

[gamertwins13]

Happy Easter! In honor of this special day, we're giving our fellow Pokémon fans an extra-special treat: A Pokéball-styled egg with a cute little Pikachu inside! We originally planned to draw a regular Easter egg with a little bunny inside, but we left that to someone else. Considering our love for video games, we just couldn't pass up this opportunity.

Have a wonderful egg-filled (or Pokéball-filled) day!

[gamertwins13]

The Volume of Excitement: A Call for Calm in Fandoms

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Growing up, my brother Jamie and I were taught that screaming is reserved for genuine emergencies—like a dog attack, an abduction attempt, or a house fire. We learned early on that expressing excitement or frustration can be done without raising our voices to an extreme level. However, it seems that not everyone has had the same guidance. During our time on the internet, we've encountered many individuals—primarily girls, but some boys too—who express their excitement through loud screams, regardless of their age.

While we understand that excitement can be overwhelming, the sheer volume of their reactions often leaves us feeling frustrated. It can be jarring to witness someone shriek over what seems like a trivial matter, and it’s hard not to roll our eyes at such displays. We recognize that not all fans behave this way, but the prevalence of this kind of reaction, especially on social media, can feel inescapable.

Screaming fangirls have been a part of pop culture for decades, from the days of Frank Sinatra to Elvis Presley and the Beatles. However, the scope of what prompts these outbursts has expanded significantly. Nowadays, fans scream not just over music stars but also over movies, TV shows, books, comics, video games, and even mundane social media posts. The list goes on, and it can be overwhelming to witness.

While we appreciate the joy that fandoms bring, the volume of these reactions can be excessive. It’s not just loud; it can also come across as immature or undignified. We often wonder why such extreme expressions of excitement are necessary.

We understand that some fans may feel an intense rush of emotions when they see their favorite idol in person, discover new fanart, or hear a new song. It’s natural to feel elated about these moments. However, there are healthier ways to express that excitement without resorting to screaming.

Jamie and I can relate to being passionate about our interests, but we choose to express our enthusiasm in a more measured way. We often find ourselves scrolling through social media, only to be startled by sudden outbursts of excitement from others. It can be jarring and even lead to feelings of anxiety or irritation.

We want to clarify that our intention is not to insult anyone or cause offense. We simply feel frustrated by the unnecessary volume of these reactions, which can be harmful to our ears and the ears of those around us.

There are certainly valid reasons to scream—like when faced with a genuine threat or danger. But when the trigger is something as ordinary as fanart, a new episode of a favorite show, or a social media post, it raises questions about the appropriateness of such reactions. We believe that finding a balance in expressing excitement can lead to a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Here are some examples of overzealous excitement Jamie and I have encountered on the Internet in the past few years, mostly over illogical things that don't justify all that noise (we're not going to mention any names for the sake of privacy):

YouTube Users: It’s not uncommon to see creators on YouTube who express their excitement with lengthy, loud reactions—like celebrating subscriber milestones with an overwhelming scream during a livestream.

Fandom Wikis: Some fans engage in enthusiastic shouting in community posts when discussing things like personal milestones, leading to curiosity about emotional regulation in fandom spaces.

Art and Community Platforms: It's frequently observed that fans leave exuberant comments or posts on art-sharing sites, expressing delight over fanart of their favorite characters, often in a way that is difficult to follow due to the sheer volume of excitement.

Discussion Boards: On various fandom wikis, certain users have been known to react with extreme excitement to announcements about new character forms or expansions of their favorite series, resulting in multiple outbursts in comment sections.

Streaming Platforms: Enthusiastic fans often erupt in excitement when seeing beloved characters or content creators, sometimes making comments that are overwhelmingly lengthy and difficult to decipher due to repetitive exclamatory remarks.

Celebratory Reactions: Some individuals exhibit intense reactions during milestones, such as the release of much-anticipated content—like animated series or game updates—often leading to discussions that spiral into chaotic emotional exchanges.

Social Media Platforms: It's not rare for users on platforms like Twitter and Instagram to vociferously express excitement over new projects or appearances, which can sometimes overshadow the actual content they’re excited about.

Multi-Platform Reactions: Across various platforms, some fans express their passion for a particular series or game through excessive exclamations and reactions, often in a back-and-forth screaming match, creating an environment that can sometimes feel overwhelming to others.

Event Announcements: Whether on comic or anime platforms, individuals may react vocally to new season announcements or art reveals, leaving others to wonder whether such reactions could be expressed in less jarring ways.

Creative Platforms: Users often showcase their reactions to new content on platforms like DeviantArt and Newgrounds, where emotional expressions sometimes take precedence over a more thoughtful interaction with the ongoing discussions.

While we understand that excitement can be intense, the sheer volume of these reactions often feels excessive. I've been genuinely concerned about these users' behaviors and want to help them find healthier ways to express their enthusiasm. However, I worry that if I reach out with suggestions, they might not respond positively, as evidenced by some previous interactions.

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "What's the big deal? It's just a little screaming." But the truth is, excessive screaming can have some serious consequences. For one, it can be incredibly annoying and discomforting for others who may not share the same level of enthusiasm. It can create a negative atmosphere and make others feel uncomfortable or irritated. In extreme cases, it can even escalate into online harassment or bullying, targeting those who don't share the same opinions or feelings. Furthermore, constant screaming can lead to social isolation. Others may avoid interacting with you online if they know that you're going to scream and freak out over every little thing. It can also damage your credibility and authority on a particular topic, making you come across as immature or attention-seeking. But that's not all. Excessive screaming can even have physical and mental health consequences, such as headaches, anxiety, or stress. And for public figures or influencers, it can be seen as unprofessional and damage their reputation. Perhaps most importantly, screaming can reinforce negative self-image and low self-esteem. If you feel like you need to scream to validate your own feelings or opinions, it can create a toxic cycle of behavior that's hard to break.

Now, I know it can be hard to resist the urge to scream and freak out when something amazing happens in your favorite fandom. But here's the thing: there are healthier ways to express your excitement and enthusiasm. 

Allow me to introduce a little step-by-step guide for you to help calm down and control your need to scream:

Awareness - Recognize when you are becoming excited and anticipate the urge to scream. Being aware of your emotions can help you prepare to manage them.

Breathing Techniques - Practice deep breathing or mindfulness techniques to help calm yourself down. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this for a few times until you feel calmer.

Count to Ten - When you feel the urge to scream, try counting to 10 slowly in your head. This can help you pause and regain control over your emotions.

Physical Movement - If possible, engage in physical activities like walking, stretching, or even clenching and releasing your fists to release pent-up energy.

Channel Your Energy - Instead of screaming, redirect your excitement into a creative activity, such as painting, playing music, or engaging in a hobby you enjoy.

Mindfulness Meditation - Practice mindfulness meditation to stay present in the moment and observe your feelings without judgment. This can help you manage your excitement more effectively.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation - Tense and relax different muscle groups in your body one by one. This can help release tension and calm your mind.

Positive Affirmations - Repeat positive affirmations to yourself to focus on the good feelings associated with your excitement. Try some affirmations like "I am calm," "I am centered," "I am grounded," "I can manage this energy," "I choose to breathe deep," "I am capable of handling this," "I choose to be mindful of my emotions," and "I am releasing any unnecessary tension."

Practice Gratitude - Take a moment to appreciate what is making you excited and express gratitude for it. This can help you shift your focus to positive emotions.

Practice Self-Control - Remind yourself of the impact that screaming may have on others around you. Practice self-control and consider expressing your excitement in a more controlled manner.

Know Your Triggers - Being aware of what triggers you can help you take back control. Pay attention to situations that typically lead to screaming and try to anticipate them to manage your response.

Celebrate With Words - Instead of screaming or gushing, express your excitement verbally in a calmer tone. Phrases like "I'm so excited!" or "This is amazing!" can convey enthusiasm without overwhelming those nearby.

Think Of Others - Remember that the way we express joy can impact those around us. Taking a moment to reflect on how your actions may affect others can help cultivate a more respectful fandom culture.

Seek Professional Help -  If you're still struggling to manage your emotions, consider talking to a therapist.

Remember to practice self-awareness, respect boundaries, and find healthy outlets outside of fandoms. With a little practice and patience, you can learn to express your enthusiasm in ways that are respectful, considerate, and positive for everyone involved.

In conclusion, let's all strive to express our enthusiasm and excitement in a respectful and considerate way. Let's create a positive online community where everyone feels welcome and valued. Remember, we can be passionate and enthusiastic about our favorite fandoms without screaming at the top of our lungs. Let's promote positive behavior online and celebrate our shared interests in a way that brings people together, rather than driving them apart. Thanks for taking the time to read this post, and we hope you'll join us in promoting respectful online interactions. Share this post with your friends, and let's work together to create a better online environment for everyone where we can celebrate passion without the need for noise.

[gamertwins13]

Dance of the Dragons

Joy's Note:

In honor of the Year of the Dragon, I have composed a modern Chinese track on GarageBand called "Dance of the Dragons". This song combines traditional Chinese elements with contemporary sounds, creating a harmonious fusion that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of China.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies that intertwine with energetic beats, evoking images of dragons soaring through the sky and ancient tales coming to life. The traditional Chinese instruments, seamlessly blended with modern electronic elements, create a unique sonic experience that pays homage to the past while embracing the present.

I hope this track transports you to a world where ancient legends meet contemporary artistry, where the spirit of the dragon comes alive through music. Enjoy, and happy Lunar New Year!

[gamertwins13]

It's our 2 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

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Joy: For this September, the DeviantArt team has given the community some new challenges that they can contribute to. One of them is the Pokemon/Digimon Rainforest Collab, held by Charity-Guildmaster. This collab is to help support the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and people can contribute to it by submitting jungle or rainforest-themed artwork of a Pokemon or a Digimon. When Jamie and I learned about this, we decided to partake in the collab ourselves. I also had downloaded some nature-themed brushes for Procreate, so this was a perfect opportunity to test them out. 

Jamie: Since Joy and I love both Pokemon and Digimon, we decided to include one of each in our drawing. The 'Mons we chose were Sprigatito and Palmon, which is very fitting because they both have a nature theme. Sprigatito is a Grass-type Pokemon while Palmon is a Vegetation Digimon. Not to mention they both have nature-related powers and attacks (Sprigatito has Leafage, Seed Bomb, Magical Leaf, Grass Knot, Bullet Seed, Leaf Storm, Grass Pledge, and Solar Storm, while Palmon has Poison Ivy, Root Breaker, Plant Shock, Thorn Thrust, Sleep Spores, Thorn Throw, Stench Attack, and Poison Powder). So, who wouldn't see these two be included in a jungle/rainforest-themed scenario of sorts?

Joy: I drew Sprigatito, while Jamie did Palmon. I also did the background using my new brushes, including the grass, ferns, and tree foilage. I must say, we both did a pretty good job. But while we want to enter our submission to the collab, there's only one little problem: Backgrounds are not allowed, and Charity only wants transparent backgrounds. So, to solve this problem, we will submit our drawings separately and without the background. However, we'll keep it just for our gallery. We might also upload separate drawings of Sprigatito and Palmon just in case. Even if our submissions don't make it to the collab, we know we still had fun drawing some cute 'Mons in a scene that fits their type. 

Jamie: Wouldn't it be cool if we got a jungle-themed Pokemon game or a crossover with Digimon? I bet it would. What do you think?

Pokemon belongs to Nintendo Digimon belongs to Bandai

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Joy's Note: A few days ago, I heard that Newgrounds is holding a special collab that celebrates the birthday of everyone's favorite teal-haired Japanese virtual idol, Hatsune Miku. I was pretty intrigued, so I decided to take part in the collab as well. For my contribution, I decided to draw some fanart of Miku. Specifically, I chose to draw the Friday Night Funkin' version of her, as she appears in the fan mod Concert Conundrum. Since I downloaded some new brushes and stamps on the Procreate website, I decided to use those to give my artwork a little more flair, hence why the "Happy Birthday Miku" message is written in bright, glittery letters and the scene is decorated with fireworks and neon smiley faces.

Since Miku is Boyfriend's older sister, I imagine her inviting BF to sing with her in honor of her special day, just like she did in Concert Conundrum. It would probably be a private singing session and not in front of a large crowd like last time, since Miku wants to spend some quality time with her brother instead of around her fans. Hey, even virtual idols need some peaceful time to themselves. Boyfriend would really make his sister happy by collaborating on a new song with her. Who knows?

With that being said, have a wonderful birthday, Miku!

[gamertwins13]

Nature Therapy

© gif by riverwindphotography, May 2023

[gamertwins13]

Friday Night Funkin: Guys’ Night Out

Behold, the sequel pic to Girls' Night Out, this time featuring some cool male characters! All of these guys are members of the Anti-Daddy Dearest Force. The Anti-Daddy Dearest Force (or A.D.D.F. for short) is an organization of people (mostly males) who fell victim to the evildoings of Daddy Dearest, and are now plotting revenge against him to make the demonic ex-rockstar pay for what he has done to them. When they're not busy thinking of ways to get rid of Daddy Dearest, they talk about the problems they've been facing and give each other a bit of advice from their own experiences. It's kind of like group therapy, in some way.   While his girlfriend Carol is out on the dancefloor with her friends, Whitty has decided to sneak into the club with some of his friends from the A.D.D.F.. All of them have their own ideas of having fun at the club on their minds.   Senpai only wants to check out some of the beautiful girls in the club, but the other guys think he focuses way too much on flirting with girls (which is something he can't help because he's an AI from a dating simulator game), and want him to hang out and rap with them. Senpai thinks that rapping with the other guys might help him show all the ladies in the club just how cool he is. Garcello is with the guys because he brought Annie to the club with him, so while he's just chilling and watching the guys rap against each other, he's also keeping a careful watch on Annie, who's at the bar. He's making sure she doesn't overdo it on the drinks, especially the "Liquid" that she's so addicted to. Everyone knows what happens when Annie gets drunk, and it's not a pretty sight.   Tabi and A.G.O.T.I. want to show off their incredible singing talents, hoping to step back into the spotlight again after they fell off the radar thanks to Daddy Dearest. However, Tabi isn't so sure if people will recognize him as the same person now that he's an invisible man with a goat skull and skeleton hands. Thankfully, being his best friend, A.G.O.T.I. reassures him that his fans will still love him despite his intimidating-looking appearance. Ever since Salty escaped the game machine he was trapped in, he wants to catch up on all the fun he missed in the real world throughout the years he was gone. Luckily, he agreed to come to the club with the other boys to test out his rapping skills, and it seems like he's still got it. On weekends, Yukichi likes to take a break from patrolling space and come to Earth to see what kinds fun things await him on the planet. He especially enjoys going to the club. He likes the music, atmosphere, and all the friendly Earthlings who usually hang out there. He thinks it's a great way to interact with people who aren't from his planet. NOTE: Despite being also a victim of Daddy Dearest, Berzerk is not present because he just won't care about partying at a club anyway. Pico, Ayana, Rosie, and Shirakami are also not present because they aren't members of the Anti-Daddy Dearest Force. Yes, they were hired by Daddy Dearest to get rid of Boyfriend, but that doesn't mean they were victims to his evildoings. Senpai belongs to PhantomArcade and Moawling Whitty belongs to SockClip and NateAnim8 Garcello belongs to Atsuover and Rageminer Tabi belongs to Homskiy Salty belongs to Tsuraran A.G.O.T.I. belongs to SugarRatio Yukichi belongs to Pierogii

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“Friday Night Funkin’: Girls’ Night Out”

What does Girlfriend do when Boyfriend isn't available to go out on a date with her? She spends a night on the town with her female friends, of course! Sometimes on Friday nights, these girls head on over to the nightclub, where they hit the dance floor and sing some karaoke together. Girlfriend likes to sing karaoke because it helps her improve her singing skills so that someday, she will be just as talented as her parents. She certainly has a bright future as the next demon rockstar ahead of her. Carol, GF's best friend, really likes to boogie on the dance floor. Some people call her a "disco diva" because she loves anything involving disco and has some really sweet moves she wants to show off. Even though Sarvente knows that partying is a very "unholy" thing to do, she still thinks it's great to go out and loosen up sometimes. She is a demon in disguise, after all. She only goes to the club on her own, as she doesn't bring Ruv along because she knows that he's not a party person and if she ever brought him to sing karaoke, his loud, booming voice might destroy the place. Instead, she leaves him at the church to make sure it doesn't get trashed by some sneaky pranksters. Annie isn't much of a dancer, but she still likes to sing some of her favorite songs with the girls. When she's not on the mic, she's at the bar, swigging down drinks while Garcello keeps an eye on her, making sure she doesn't overdo it, especially on the "Liquid" that she's so addicted to. Everyone knows what happens when Annie gets drunk, and it's not a pretty sight. Ayana often goes to the club because her girlfriend Dalia works there as a part-time DJ. She loves to get funky and sing the night away while Dalia spins the tunes. Monika and Miku like to hang out at the club, too. Monika thinks it's so nice to go and see the world outside her game sometimes, just like her boyfriend Senpai. When it comes to karaoke, Miku likes to sing popular Vocaloid songs, and often invites Monika to sing with her. QT sometimes goes to the club, too, because even though she's basically a killer robot in disguise, she thinks singing karaoke and dancing are a great way for her to control KB and keep it from dropping her human disguise and going on a rampage. She's also a fan of Miku, and hopes that she'll get a chance to sing with the teal-haired Vocaloid someday. We do not own any of the characters. Girlfriend belongs to PhantomArcade Carol belongs to bbpanzu Annie belongs to Atsuover Sarvente belongs to Dokki.doodlez Miku belongs to Crypton Future Media Monika belongs to Dan Salvato Ayana belongs to RatNonFat Dalia belongs to IagoAnims QT belongs to Hazardous24

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This is a Toca Life music video Joy made for Valentine’s Day a few years ago. 

The instrumental song in this video is called "Beat of My Heart", and it's from a Filipino music company called ProwelBeats. If you liked the song and want to hear more ProwelBeats music, you should probably check out their channel.

 Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day! (Even if it’s just a day late.)

[gamertwins13]

Joy’s Note: Hey, folks! Long time, no upload, huh?

Since Lunar New Year is here, Jamie and I decided to celebrate by drawing three cute rabbits from video games we enjoy. Here to represent the Year of the Rabbit are Cream from Sonic the Hedgehog, Scorbunny from Pokémon, and a bunny from Animal Jam. Let's face it: Everyone loves bunnies, especially ones from fictional media. If you think they're not super cute, you must be lying to yourself. These three video game rabbits, in particular, have different traits that make them adorable. Cream is polite, shy, and kind, and loved by a lot of fans for her sweet qualities. The Scorbunny is full of energy and loves to run, although it can be a bit of a hothead at times. The Animal Jam bunnies not only have a cute appearance, but also a very playful streak, since they can breakdance on their ears, hop very high, and spin their ears to fly like a helicopter. Cream, Scorbunny, and the AJ bunny are all so honored to have this year focusing on them, and they want to give you best wishes for 2023. Have a "hoppy" Lunar New Year! Cream belongs to Sega Scorbunny belongs to Nintendo Animal Jam belongs to WildWorks

[gamertwins13]

Joy’s Note: This is a drawing I did of tiger character from one of my favorite video game franchises: Animal Crossing. The one I chose to draw was Claudia (or Marilyn, as she's called in Japanese), the only tiger villager with a Snooty personality.

There are seven tigers in Animal Crossing: Bangle, Bianca, Claudia, Leonardo, Rolf, Rowan, and Tybalt. These tigers only have four personality types: Peppy, Snooty, Cranky, and Jock. Bangle and Bianca are Peppy, Claudia is Snooty, Leonardo and Tybalt are Jock, and Rolf and Rowan are Cranky (although Rowan is Jock in some games like New Leaf). The reason I chose Claudia was that she's the only female tiger that doesn't have a Peppy personality like Bangle and Bianca do. Other interesting facts about her is that her skill is stomping around, her goal is to become a CEO, and she likes having a cool coffee shop in her home. Although she is described as having a bad temper and a short attention span in Pocket Camp, she's actually quite easygoing. As she might say, "A tiger can't change its stripes. Ooh la la!"

[gamertwins13]

Joy’s Note: Since today is Easter, I decided to upload a song here that I made a few years ago using an online game called "Singing Easter Eggs". There are three eggs in the game that sing and make music: The green egg plays a banjo, the red egg whistles, and the blue egg provides a vocal bass line.

Enjoy, and Happy Easter!

[gamertwins13]

Wow, it’s hard to believe we made 10 posts here already!

[gamertwins13]

This is a side face portrait of Rabbit from Walt Disney's Winnie the Pooh franchise, sketched and colored entirely in Procreate.

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Those are some pretty cool tigers. Great job to all the artists who drew them! :D

tumblr tuesday: the tiger is out

Hello, it’s another Tuesday. It’s also the start of the Lunar New Year, and this one’s the year of the tiger, and tigers are cool, especially when they are out. Here, have some out tigers. 🐯

@ceearrchua​:

@inkyami​:

@judeltapasjutriangle​:

@pandorama-art​:

@sapherin​:

@mochimars​:

@gryphll​:

@vaimetanyx​:

@k-rme​:

@decapitiger​:

@obscurelocalstranger​:

@borzoiboogers​:

@dogfruit​:

@chebaba​:

[gamertwins13]

Jamie's Note: Since Lunar New Year is right around the corner, I thought the best way to celebrate was to draw something related to the holiday. Since this year is the Year of the Tiger, I decided to draw a cute little tiger for you to enjoy.   Happy Lunar New Year to all of you who celebrate it!