#Defi Role Playing Game Development

[ellysecherry]

Gamesdappis a Role Playing Games RPG Development Company launches its own Role Play Gaming or RPG Gaming Platform where players can blend with the game world with our RPG Game Development Services.

[second-best-if]

Second Best IF

Demo to come soon

Sibling of the chosen one—the spare. That’s how the people of Aristea whispered your name. Celine, your twin, was blessed by the gods with radiant power and breathtaking beauty, while you, the second born, stood in the shadows. Since the fateful day of the Choosing, when the gods selected your twin and overlooked you, gifting you only the pitiful ability of conversation with beasts, your life has been confinement and disappointment. But now, fate has shifted. Celine has been taken, abducted by monsters during a purification journey. As the kingdom’s finest gather to embark on a discreet rescue mission, a new path unfurls before you: the chance to step into the role of your twin and reclaim your place in a world that has long deemed you unworthy. In Second Best you take control of the spare, controlling their destiny and their path. Will you fight for freedom or stay in your sibling’s shadow?

Second Best is a romance fantasty interactive fiction story with dark elements. This game is made for an 18+ audience and contains potentially triggering and sensitive topics such as swearing, violence, sexual content, injury & more - a full list of warnings will be updated once the demo is released and updated with each new chapter added

Play as the spare and customise them to your tastes

Name

Gender {with male, female and nonbinary options}

Pronouns {choose a preset or create your own}

Appearance {hair colour, eye colour, scars and more}

Personality {make choices that will develop your personality traits and that could change your fate}

Romance one of four potential love interests - with each choice creating a branching path and a new story for you to explore {you will be able to choose the genders of each love interest or randomise them}

Discover the truth behind your twins life and their kidnapping

“I would give my crown and kingdom to keep your heart” | The Royal | Prince/ Princess Wallace Aurelius

Age: 27

Height: 175cm/ 5'9

Build: Average

Eye color: Yellow

Hair color: Black

Character traits: Polite, Kindhearted, Calm, Distant, Lovely, Academic, Repressed

Bio: Heir to the throne of Aristea and Celine’s supposed finance although they never met. Given the moniker 'the kind' - however when you meet they seem polite but distant.

“I will protect you with every fibre of my being, and fight for you until my dying day” | The Knight | Farris Butcher

Age: 26

Height: 195cm/ 6'5

Build: Broad and extremely muscular

Eye color: Blue

Hair color: Ginger

Character traits: Sarcastic, Cold, Duty Bound, Emotional, Romantic

Bio: Childhood friend to the twins and now a head knight of the Royal Order. Farris is assigned to protect you while you pretend to be your twin.

“My soul is bound to yours and I would defy the gods just to keep you close” | The Magician | Leon ???

Age: 28

Height: 170cm/ 5'7

Build: Thin and lanky with long limbs

Eye color: Green

Hair color: Dark Brown

Character traits: Humorous, Witty, Smart, Resourceful, Pragmatic, Flirtatious

Bio: Magician and protector of your house, Leon is a close friend and trusted confidant of your twin, but was asked to stay back to maintain the ruse.

“You are the light in my veins and the shadow that haunts my darkest thoughts” | The Foreign Dignitary | Ludovica/ Ludovico Barboza

Age: 29

Height: 185cm/ 6'0

Build: Well muscled but lean

Eye color: Orange

Hair color: Light Brown

Character traits: Bold, Outgoing, Talented, Scheming, Flirtatious

Bio: A foreign dignitary from a Country neighbouring Aristea, they are here to sign a treaty of trade between the two nations, however they seem to be here with an ulterior motive and flirt with you every time you meet.

[hellspawnmotel]

Same guy that asked about Susie: well, do you like her, find her interesting, have thoughts about her characterisation, relationship with other characters and her future development?

read this and said out loud "OF COURSE I LIKE HER!!" lol. what kind of idiot doesn't like susie. which, as I've mentioned, is a really interesting part of her character actually. she's just magnetic for some reason, but in a way that makes other people project their desires onto her. I want to see that crumble at some point, as done either by the narrative or susie herself.

speaking of expectations crumbling, I'm curious to see how susie's ability to defy the "rules" of the narrative will play out in the future. she doesn't seem to have any inherent connection to whatever outside layer gaster, the vessel, and the soul reside in, like kris noelle and ralsei do, but maybe because of that she's the main character with the most freedom to actually live by her own whims.

one aspect of that I hope to see more focus on is her friendship with lancer. as a card kingdom NPC, lancer is supposed to be "lesser" than any of the main cast. he's a darkner, but unlike ralsei he can't even travel between worlds without turning to stone. he's not supposed to have main character status. he's supposed to stay at home in castle town and be a cute comedy side character for us to check in on every now and then. but susie has formed a genuine connection with lancer- she loves him and sees him as just as much of a person as anybody else. he was her first real friend. if the narrative keeps insisting that lancer's role in it is effectively over, I don't think susie will be very happy about that.

I think susie is very much being set up as the hero of the narrative outside the narrative- toby's story, not gaster's and not the prophecy's. she's going to be critical to the core themes of the game about growing outside of whatever roles you've been shoved into and it might become all up to her to help the other characters find that ability in themselves as well.

but then I have to wonder, is it really okay for us to expect so much of susie? is it fair to ask just one kid to defy fate and save everyone else?

[yurimother]

'I'm in Love with the Villainess' Anime - Episode 1 Review

An astounding and hilarious first outing for the series with the power to revolutionize Yuri

We are finally here, the long-awaited and much anticipated first episode of Platinum Vision’s I’m in Love with the Villainess anime aired on Tokyo MX and is streaming everywhere outside of Asia with a plethora of dubbing options, including English, on day one on Crunchyroll.

The first outing covers most of the events of the light novel’s first chapter, or the first three chapters of the manga, at a rapid but steady and not overwhelming pace. At this rate, the anime should be able to cover much of the series’ first arc, or the first two out of five books, in a single cour. Perhaps a bit less, depending on which of the story’s various adventures it elects to include. This is an exciting possibility, to be sure, as the story is a character-driven, socially mindful, and expertly written and, despite its fantasy setting, an exceptionally relevant tale of romance, socio-economic inequality, and of course, queerness.

While the first arc of Villainess is a triumph, it would be a shame not to see at least some of the developments from the extra chapters that lead into the second story, like (spoilers for the end of volume 2) Rae and Claire’s wedding and their adopted twin daughters May and Aleah. If we are lucky, perhaps they will appear in the final episode or, dare to dream, a second season (end of spoilers).

Now, onto the show itself. For those who, for whatever reason, have not read Inori’s masterpiece, I’m in Love with the Villainess follows Rae Taylor. A salary worker who dies and is reincarnated as the protagonist of her favorite otome game, Revolution. However, Rae has no interest in any of the game world’s three eligible royal bachelors and has eyes only for the game villainess Claire François. Armed with exceptionally magical ability, Rae sets out determined to secure a happy ending for her beloved Claire against the coming revolution and perhaps win her heart in the process.

Now, the opening of I’m in Love with the Villainess is the series' weakest moment in all mediums, which, considering episode one’s outstanding quality, only highlights just how superb the Yuri masterpiece is as a whole. Even with its need to establish the setting, characters, and premise of the series, the premiere managed to be an excellent introduction and set the bar high with lots of laughs, entertainment, and service between our two leads.

I watched the Japanese audio, and Yu Serizawa and Karin Nanami are fantastic in these roles, with Serizawa playing up Rae’s teasing adoration and borderline masochism at full blast, and Nanami explicitly giving voice to Claire’s arrogance and frustration. She even manages to deliver a perfect Ojou-style laugh to seal the character’s elite status and lean into the show’s use of otome tropes. And having the leads sing the excellent opening and ending themes is just icing on the cake.

Speaking of tropes, while Ironi’s original work is a genre-defying masterpiece that broke the Yuri mold, it is never afraid to play with the genre’s iconography and its otome game setting. Every other scene had another allusion, including to the book’s cover. As always, I am likely overeager to see connections, however intentional they may be, but the academy’s halls harken to otome staples, the bells and strings of the first scene's soundtrack conjured blistering memories of Strawberry Panic (perhaps a sacrilegious comparison to make but I digress), and even an areal shot of the campus was another check mark on my “Scenic Yuri” theory.

Now, as mentioned, I’m in Love with the Villainess has to establish the groundwork here, and narratively, these are the weakest moments, often direct exposition, with a few exceptions like Rae’s conversation with her roommate Mash about maintaining Claire’s attention. The narration is at least accompanied by relevant and creative, if perhaps limited, animation. But to their credit, these moments are succinct, existing only as long as they have to in order to provide the necessary information and get out of the way for what matters most: the characters.

Rae and Claire are front and center from the very get-go, and there is little time wasted in showcasing Rae’s intense bottom energy or establishing Claire’s elitism and bewildered anger towards Rae’s excitement in the face of Claire’s carefully calculated cruelty. It is a montage of silly and fun competitions between the two that had me laughing and smiling all the way through, as the Yuri was present in full force, and gives glimpses at the mutual obsession the women have for each other that will soon blossom into a wonderful romance.

These early story beats have a light tone and focus on the bullying, teasing, and rivalry between Rae and Claire, a dynamic that previously and understandably made a subset of readers somewhat uncomfortable. However, assuming the anime unfolds in a similar manner to the manga and light novels, the narrative will explore meatier, heavier subject matter and a far deeper lesbian romance, all without losing its sense of fun and adventure. The next episode or two will be incredibly telling - as the source material is perhaps the most profound and forthright depictions of LGBTQ identity in Yuri, and that all starts with a pivotal conversation that, if it is included, will be coming up shortly.

Overall, I am incredibly excited for this series. The first episode is everything I had hoped for out of an adaptation of one of my favorite works of all time, save the animation, which is average at best. While there is a lot more to see, and we will have to wait to know if I’m in Love with the Villainess lives up to its incredible potential and source material, I am extremely hopeful. We have one of the funniest, most thoughtful, and queerest works of Yuri transformed into a stunning anime project unlike anything that has come before and offers the chance at not just a new Yuri “gateway” but to continue the work of its source material in revolutionizing the genre.

Ratings: Story – 8 Characters – 10 Art – 5 LGBTQ – We shall see… Sexual Content – 3 Final – 8

I'm in Love with the Villainess is streaming on Crunchyroll with English sub/dub.

Review made possible by Avery Riehl and the rest of the YuriMother Patrons. Support YuriMother on Patreon for early access, exclusive article, and more: patreon.com/yurimother

[fierce-little-miana]

The anime and the movie did Chizuru dirty for me😭 cuz at least in the game Chizuru for me at this sorta of young boyish look, I always thought if she more smart with her disguise and work on her voice more she could pass off as a young boy much longer not get so easily discovered.

Also it's implied that Chizuru (since she's a Oni) has some sort sixth sense (or spidey sense lol) I haven't play the game in a long time and forgetten most of it but does it get brought up much? like the developer can't introduce such a dope ability and not make it be used at all?

So this is part of two very old Hakuouki asks I got a lifetime ago and I am so sorry to only come back to them now… Anon I hope you are still around to see this answer and I am very very sorry about this.

I like Chizuru in the movie and the anime, still 😅.

I don’t think her disguise is that unbelievable. Sure it is not the most convincing disguise I have ever seen (and plenty of people who do interact with her are not fooled: Hijikata, Saito, Okita, Sannan…) but I think it is enough to fool bystanders, which its actual purpose (hence, why guys like Ito are actual threats to her safety, because they can’t really be kept at a "safety distance").

I think to judge Chizuru’s disguise one must remember how gender (as a social category) is about assigned roles and presentation to the outside world. A woman is supposed to act and dress a certain way, a man a different way. While Edo era clothes were less gendered than European clothes of the same era, there were some differences that allowed the onlooker to immediately pick women and men apart (notably the hairstyle, but also some clothes were strictly gendered like haori for example, etc.). In the same way, the way to pick a man apart from a boy was also through presentation rather than being strictly an age category (boys had bangs, men shaved their head, etc.). Of course, some people defied those social constraints and there were categories of people who were also allowed to toy the line between genders (male actors who played female roles, kagema, but they were a bit on the "outskirts" of polite society and also they could be on the receiving side of a lot of scrutiny because of this).

The main things that make Chizuru’s disguise work in universe is that and the fact that people will see what they want to see. A woman is not supposed to be dressed and act (carry a sword around, travel on her own) like she does. So she must be a young man, end of story. Thinking that a woman might be able to do all that (dress as man and behave like one) is more challenging (and dangerous) to the very structure of society than thinking that Chizuru is just an effeminate young man. So the onlooker who sees her pass by might, you know, check her out twice because she looks and sounds very feminine but hey what’s more likely? That the Shinsengumi has a young woman disguised as a young man running around with patrol and gave her a sword for some reason or that the Shinsengumi has a weirdly effeminate page? Especially considering that effeminate/beautiful young men were not exactly unheard of in Japan at the time…

At the end of the day, Chizuru does not need to do much more for her disguise to work on its intended target (onlookers) and doing more might actually raise more suspicions (working on her voice more and speaking with a voice that might sound fake would draw more attention than simply being high-pitched).

As for your question about her “spidey sense”, you are touching the thing I think Hakuouki handles the worst: the vague and incoherent canon around Oni lore (or all the supernatural lore). Oni powers are not well-defined, change from one route to another, and are inconstant in nature. In the routes I have played as for now, I don’t remember Chizuru having any kind of sixth sense, expect maybe knowing a bit in advance when they might be a problem with rasetsu and even that might be just me misinterpreting the tension being built during tense scenes, lol.  

[autumnslance]

FFXIV Write 2024: 9 Lend an Ear

The Emperor of Garlemald was meant to be the most powerful man in the world.

It was instead poor comedy, of the kind his grandfather used to watch with such glee—the more subversive and borderline treasonous, the better.

Now Varis understood why.

His very much alive—for some meaning of the word—grandfather swanned around the palace now, stepping out of the shadows to taunt and lecture Varis. He never thought he would prefer the days when the old man ignored him, trying to deny his existence because he was no more than a memory of his dead father.

Another eldritch manipulator wore the body of Varis’s son. The monster’s death was no real loss, and Varis acknowledged the role he had played in Zenos’s development—but that boy had been wrong from the start. Perhaps due to the tainted influence of their bloodline.

And where did that leave Varis?

A pawn who had been made aware of his nature by ancient beings who used his name, his throne, his people, in their games.

There had to be something he could do. He was the Emperor. He had fought tooth and nail, wresting the crown from his uncle and cousin in order to continue the path to glory and greatness, to conquer those realms that had eluded his grandfather’s grasp and bring the light of civilization to the savages who had defied them.

He had wanted to prove himself better, prove that Solus had been wrong about Varis. But Solus zos Galvus had been a mirage, and Emet-Selch’s plans for Garlemald were far more insidious.

Every servant was a potential spy. Every soldier and guard as well. The walls had ears and eyes, and a hundred masters to report to. These had been facts of life for as long as Varis could remember, but now the webs were not obstacles to be navigated, weapons to command.

They were cocoons, and he the fly caught in the spider’s web. The more he struggled, the tighter the binding.

Gaius was gone; he had been Solus’s loyal hound, but the man’s honor and dedication to the role of Emperor itself, the mentorship he had granted Varis years ago, might have made him an ally, had his own ambition not been tangled in Ascian schemes and lost to the Eorzean Champion’s hand.

Regula...that loss still stung. He had fought beside the Black Wolf’s killer, sacrificing himself in favor of an Echo-bearer and his soldiers. Damn the honorable fool. Varis had been aware of Regula’s carefully-concealed sentimentality, his morals and honor, his drive to prove himself as much as Varis—it was a reason they had become true friends as young men, despite the disparity of their births.

He walked across grand courtyards, along ostentatious promenades, to the severe edifice of the family mausoleum. The people whispered of their Emperor’s respectful devotion due to the frequency of the visits.

It was where he went to get away from his shadowy puppet masters.

He ignored the grand central chamber, the crypt where his grandparents’ bodies were entombed. It was difficult to dismiss the idle thread of thought about the real Solus Galvus. Had he been dead when Emet-Selch occupied his form? Had he been alive but buried beneath the Ascian’s persona?

(Would he have loved Varis as a grandfather should?)

He shoved the speculation aside as always, continuing along the chambers shaped like the omnipresent chain links to where his parents and wife lay. He barely remembered his father, but his mother had always stood with him, even arguing with his grandfather on Varis’s behalf, and aiding him in his bid for the throne until the day she died.

She had found and arranged his marriage to Carosa. The demands of royalty, and their son’s...behavior had strained the relationship, but they had persevered, and her loss was one of the few times in his adulthood that he had allowed himself tears. His mother’s death had been another.

He stood in the chill of the mausoleum and imagined their faces, warmer than the stone likenesses, ever willing to listen and then aid in planning a course of action. So many of the servants within the palace and among the high houses had been their spies, and he had lost those networks on losing them.

Gaius. Regula. Mother. Carosa. The few he could have relied upon, could have trusted. All gone.

He said nothing of his troubles and frustration. The dead could not hear, while even these walls might, and he still had to maintain the charade of implacable Emperor. But allowing his roiling thoughts to run rampant here, in sight of their memorials, was soothing in a way he could not justify. It simply was.

He turned to begin his slow return to the palace. He stopped. Someone else had entered the mausoleum, intruded upon his solitude. Varis strode into the central chamber. If it was one of the Ascians daring to infringe upon this space—well, he could inconvenience them with a bullet again.

He stopped short as the lightly armored figure turned to regard him. Brunette instead of blond, but the features were similar enough to his own, and as strained as ever. “Forgive me for the intrusion, Your Radiance,” Nerva said, bowing low. “I was hoping to find you here.”

“What do you want?”

His cousin straightened. “To serve my Emperor, for the glory of Garlemald, as ever.”

Varis snorted derisively. If only Nerva had an inkling of how hollow that “glory” was.

“I know,” Nerva said, hands raised in supplication, misunderstanding Varis’s reaction. “My father fought you for the crown. But you won, and he lies dying for his trouble. We can, and should, put that behind us, for the good of our people.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“A fair question. Mayhap you shouldn’t, given Father’s scheming. But,” Nerva let out a breath, and with a slight shift, the demeanor of the Senator was gone. “Cousin, there are strange rumors about. And some lick of fondness from our childhoods remains enough that I am...concerned.”

Varis glowered.

Nerva shook his head, smiling thinly. “Of course, you can take care of yourself, and always have but...The things being said about your son. Some rather ridiculous ones about Grandfather’s shade haunting the palace. All while provinces secede unhindered and many of our troops stand stalled on Eorzea’s benighted doorstep. Varis—”

“None of it is your concern.” He walked forward again, tromping past Nerva. Who grabbed his arm.

Soldier’s instinct had him grip the offending limb, twist, spin, and Nerva grunted as he hit the wall, pinned by Varis. “You arrogant arse,” Nerva gasped. “I’m offering my aid—”

“It is none of your concern,” Varis growled. “The throne is mine, its troubles are mine.” He then looked Nerva in the eye. “You should leave,” he said, softly. “Take your father, your household, your loyal arms, and go.”

Nerva stared at him, then narrowed his own eyes. “You know I cannot do that. No more than you could. We are of House Galvus, and have our duty.”

If only Nerva knew what that truly meant. For a wild moment, Varis entertained the idea of telling him the truth, of confiding in his cousin, and urging him again to leave. Or keeping him as an ally.

Neither outcome was likely, and the second...Once, it might have been reasonable. But not since the civil war.

Varis shoved away from Nerva, turned, and walked out. As much as he wanted an ear to hear his troubles, to offer advice and aid, he couldn’t trust his cousin—nor did Varis want him entangled in the Ascian schemes. Nerva and Titus had managed to escape the worst by failing to win the throne. This was the closest he could come to protecting what remained of their family.

The confidantes Varis wished for were long gone. This was his burden, and the price of his victory.

[icyg4l]

PAC: How Can I Be More Connected to My Community? (LGBTQ+ EDITION)

Hello all! In this week’s edition of the Women’s History Month tarot series, I have decided to add a more specifically inclusive topic to this series. I will be reading on how you can develop more connections with women in your community. 🫶 Using my LGBTQ+ tarot deck, I will get to the bottom of this. Without further ado, pick your pile.

***Disclaimer: The purpose of this reading is to help women/femmes connect with other women/femmes! Much love. 🫶

Left-to-Right (1-6):

Pile One: Pile One, I feel like you have some issues with women in general. This is what a sociologist would call internalized misogyny. Every woman goes through this at some point but I am picking up on bisexual femme/*general* lesbian energy. This is what is keeping you from being in close company with other women. How are you going to be distrusting of women if this is what you are trying to attract? Whether romantically or platonically, I feel like you need to open up your world a bit. I feel like you can be particularly distrusting of women who mirror your energy, which is ironic. There is some shadow work that must be done for self-forgiveness. You have not forgiven yourself for something that could have happened at work or school? Some type of situationship perhaps. Or maybe you have the tendency to get into crash-and-burn type of relationships, which explains your lack of trust. Learn how to take things easy and slowly; lean into those gut feelings. The type of women you will attract in your circle/community will be women that aren’t afraid to apologize and take accountability. You need people around you that are going to be there for you when you fall. I get the feeling that the people attracted to this are people who are on medication. A bonus tip: Take your medication please! (this is coming from someone who has to do so as well). You need to be around people that will ground you and make sure that you aren’t too imbalanced. I pulled some Rebel Deck Oracle cards for you and this is what your community would say to you:

“Fuck fear.”

“You are going through some tough shit.”

“You need a good fucking cry.”

“You need some fucking yoga in your life.”

Cards Used: The Star (RX), Knight of Wands, The World, Four of Wands, Ten of Pentacles, Temperance, Ten of Swords, Three of Pentacles, Ace of Wands, The High Priestess, The Empress, Two of Wands, Five of Swords and Nine of Pentacles (RX).

extras: mommy issues. being the wild card. “gone with the wind.” melanie martinez. aries. bryson tiller. makeup forever. yo perreo sola by bad bunny. rue bennett. BPD. card games. playful energy. “likewise.” roaches/blunts. twitter fingers. snapbacks. jordan dunks. cheeky underwear.

Pile Two: Pile Two, your message is similar to Pile One’s. I feel you need to stop being so male-centered or heteronormative. You could be agender but have a partner who falls into the binary, and this make you feel conflicted on what gender roles you should take on. You could be a lesbian who looks for a specific woman to play the “man” or the “woman” in the relationship. You could be a transwoman who is hyperfixated on not being clocked. You could identify as bisexual but have a cishet partner, and because of this, you feel fraudulent. If you fit into any of these categories, I feel like the main thing you need to know is you shouldn’t beat yourself up for being bold enough to express yourself the way you want to. You should, however, examine the relationship that you have with men/masculine. Whether you like it or not, you’re holding yourself to a standard that a man created and therefore, you are playing into misogyny. You are defying the odds in some way, shape or form and it has been done for years. Stop putting the people who oppress you on a pedestal. I feel like you’ve been around too many straight/cis-heterosexual people or internalize their ideas. The first step is to grieve your old self. You need to step into the version of yourself that is forward-thinking and pioneering. This can be a lonely road to take but it’s going to help you get to the people that you seek. You’re supposed to be around people who protest; strong, independent thinkers who do not take no for an answer. Reintroduce yourself to the world, Pile Two and great people will await you. I pulled some Rebel Deck Oracle cards for you and this is what your community would say to you:

“You got a feeling you just can’t shake.”

“It’s dark and you can’t see a fucking thing.”

“Get over yourself. Pull your shit together.”

You need a good fucking cry.”

“Put the fucking phone down”

Cards Used: Eight of Swords, Four of Swords, Nine of Wands, Ten of Pentacles, Four of Wands (RX), King of Wands (RX), Ten of Pentacles, Queen of Swords, Three of Pentacles, Queen of Wands, Four of Cups, Five of Cups, Ace of Wands.

extras: but i’m a cheerleader. “Dani”. can’t back down by camp rock cast. leather boots. lots of rings. chunky highlights. recently got a car wash. need for pampering. long legs. stylish. fringe. long eyelashes. brimmed coats. new york. miami. LA. colored eyes. flashy jewelry. the color gold. pigs.

Pile Three: Pile Three, you honestly could just keep doing you. I feel like people are naturally drawn to you. Your energy reminds me of my friend who is friends with other gay women and she’s so likable. You could honestly vibe with anyone. You could fall in any LGBTQ category, but you have a big heart. I’m not going to lie though, Pile Three, you can come on too hard with some people; especially those who are on the shy side. So, calm it downnnn just a bit. People appreciate your community organizing efforts though. I feel like you’re known in your local community just for being friendly, helpful and wanting better for the LGBTQ+ community. This is something you take pride in. I feel like something that you can do to attract more LGBTQ+ women in your life is to actually do the opposite of Pile One. I feel like you tend to draw in all types of people, so you have the tendency to be disappointed by people’s actions. Be more protective of your energy and you’ll attract more community members like yourself. People who have ideas that are as big as yours. People who want to change the world. People who want to leave behind old traditions. People who have dreams that they actively pursue. Your energy is just so precious and bright, Pile Three. You really need to be careful. I pulled some Rebel Deck Oracle cards for you and this is what your community would say to you:

“Stop talking.”

“It’s dark and you can’t see a fucking thing”

“Rebel”

Cards Used: Knight of Swords, Justice (RX), King of Wands, The Moon, Page of Pentacles, Four of Cups (RX), The Star, Seven of Wands, Three of Swords, Page of Swords, The Hermit, King of Pentacles, Three of Cups, The Sun, Eight of Cups, The Hanged Man, Page of Cups.

extras: stripes. fruit lover. small hoops. glasses. checklist. virgos. the color blue. mondays. morning people. cash register. mom friend. goofball. nice smile. shoulder length hair. bright pajamas. trans right advocate.

Pile Four: Pile Four, you’re like really smart and confident. This could rub people the wrong way though. I feel like your energy is only for certain people, you’re not everyone’s cup of tea. I think that you were probably born in the wrong state or town. You probably are the only queer/trans person in town when you’re supposed to be in a place like Dallas, California or Atlanta. Relocation is the move for you definitely. I get this sense that you’re the token gay friend. The energy feels awkward. I feel like where you’re right now is for school and you’re just trying to stick it out for now. But if you are able to move, please do so. If you cannot though, the steps that you need to take toward having more community is pushing past the people that you encounter on a daily basis. You aren’t looking hard enough for your types of people. You keep circling the same places instead of trying out that new activity. The old fashioned way of seeking community is out! Perhaps, you should download Tinder or actually go to that event at school. If all else fails, you should start a club for LGBTQ+ students and see who shows up. You will know that you’ve found your people by looking outside the box; the outcasts; the quiet people; the loners. I pulled some Rebel Deck Oracle cards for you and this is what your community would say to you:

“Laugh”

“Eat your fucking vegetables”

“Rebel”

Cards Used: Strength, Eight of Cups (RX), King of Cups, Two of Swords, Six of Wands, Knight of Pentacles, Seven of Swords, Eight of Pentacles, Four of Cups, Justice, Seven of Pentacles, The High Priestess, The Lovers (RX), The Emperor.

extras: scorpio energy. pasta and lobster. aquarius. rap music. banana. artsy. theater kid. biracial. young thug. “cordial.” patience is key. “get lost.” bree runway.

Pile Five: Pile Five, you’re quite the mysterious one, aren’t you? Your energy feels so discreet. I feel like you’ve done the work to be perceived as more approachable but you still feel a little empty. I think you need to take a vacation. You work so hard, maybe a little too hard. This will be where you find your *gay* people. The feeling of being burned out comes to mind. It feels like you’re a loner. Maybe you’re Pile Four’s type of people lol. You need to be refreshed. I think you actually need to go outside. Soak in the sun, go to the beach, the park, somewhere outdoors. It feels like you don’t have people around you. You’re isolated. You stay to yourself but doesn’t that get lonely, Pile Five? I would also say consider making long distance friends or internet friends who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community in order to combat this loneliness. I also would say that you need to put in more effort to maintain these friendships as well. The types of people that you will be attracting are the genuine friendships where you go bar hopping with them. You need people around who are going to keep you light on your feet and entertain you with the latest news about how Gay #1 is secretly in love with Bisexual #2. I pulled some Rebel Deck Oracle cards for you and this is what your community would say to you:

“Take a fucking trip”

“You are talented and fucking amazing”

“Shit is going down with your job”

Cards Used: Six of Swords, The Empress, The Magician, The Hanged Man, Judgment, Queen of Wands, Justice, The World, The Star, Death, Ace of Swords, Three of Cups, King of Swords, Two of Swords.

extras: “quiet as a church mouse.” purple. wigs. red nails. “you’re so dry.” day-by-day. bad at texting. celebrity gossip. spirituality. meditation.

Pile Six: Pile Six, you’re so scandalous lmao. I don’t want to be the one to say this but you need to stop sleeping and/or flirting with women’s partners. It scares off potential friends and it causes people to not trust you. Another thing you need to stop doing is kissing your friends. You need to draw some lines between platonic and romantic relationships. And if you are polyamorous, your favorites are starting to show; show love equally or expect a mess to blow up in your face. You need to expand outward, Pile Six. I know people are making a spectacle of your love life and you don’t understand why but remember this: Every habit that you have is connected to how you treat others. People take notice of this. You moved like you’re in a small room, dear. You need to expand! Expand your circle of lovers; stop messing with people in the smalltown that you’re in when you should be with someone in the city. Instead of taking offense to other people’s words, you should be doing some self-introspection. Why do you do the things that you do? Is it for attention? Out of boredom? Out of desperation? For revenge? You should take up a hobby and find a new passion. This may be where you find your people. I think that being around people who are older/more mature than you would benefit you. You need to be around a community of people who are mothers/act like mothers. They have stories to tell and you will gain knowledge from them. You will feel understood. They won’t judge you ‘cause they’ve been there. I pulled some Rebel Deck Oracle cards for you and this is what your community would say to you:

“You are going through some tough shit”

“You = Tight ass”

“Fuck fear”

“They broke your heart”

Cards Used: Temperance (RX), Judgment (RX), The Magician, The Star, Queen of Wands, Five of Cups, Nine of Swords, Four of Pentacles, Nine of Pentacles, Three of Wands, Page of Swords (RX), The Messenger (Hierophant), Eight of Pentacles, Knight of Wands (RX).

extras: pisces. cuticles. cucumbers. questioning. dominance. foreplay. sexual education. “you clean up nice.” fake drunk. long dresses. cocoa brown complexion.

[theresattrpgforthat]

do you have any games with a sci-fi fantasy setting that are adventuring/exploration focused, similar to numenera or wildsea? the flexibility to play more or less mature games, lots of character creation options, and a solid combat system would be a bonus

THEME: Exploration

God I wish I could recommend As the Sun Forever Sets yet but it’s still in development. It’s a game inspired by The War of the Worlds, and is a Forged in the Dark hex crawl. The creator is partnering with Evil Hat so you’ll want to keep an eye out for when they start crowdfunding it.

If you’re interested in games like The Wildsea, I’d also recommend checking out the Wildsea Discord, where there are plenty of games in the works using the Wild Words engine. I don't think much there has reached playtest levels yet, but there's a lot of game-things that look very interesting.

Anyways, let’s see what else is out there.

Dreams and Machines (Players Guide) (Game-Master's Guide), by Modiphius.

Dreams and Machines is a brand new RPG setting where people come together to rebuild their world following a catastrophic war. You will venture into a world of mystery and adventure, a world where slumbering mechs dot the landscape and people build their lives anew in the wreckage of paradise. Take on the role of one of the new tribes of humanity, an Archivist, Dreamer, Everan, River, or Spear, and forge a path for yourself and your people.

The war against the machines was 200 years ago, but many threats from that era abound, along with others, like raiding parties of Thralls from the deep ruins, that have arisen in the intervening years. The machines are dormant, but they sometimes awake, causing death and destruction until they are stopped. Hideous, mutated, creatures infest the landscape, vicious byproducts of the war. Ghostly nanograms lurk in the ruins promising knowledge or luring the unwary to their deaths. Yet against all this, humanity is rebuilding. People live full, happy lives despite the threats that assail them. Cooperation and mutual aid are everywhere, humans coming together to build something new amid the ruins of the past.

If you are a fan of Horizon Zero Dawn, this game was made for you. While it’s not taking place within the official licensed setting, the inspiration is visible all over this game. The game uses the 2d20 mechanic found among many of Modiphhius’ well-known titles, tailored for the large range of movement and large-scale conflict expected in a game like HZD. Characters are composed of an origin, archetype, temperament and bond, and refer to attributes and skills when determining whether or not the succeed. Some rolls have a difficulty determined by truths attached to locations, scenes, or equipment. Others are contests, and the outcomes are determined by the results from each opponent. These pieces point towards a complex ttrpg that has plenty of potential both for exploration and combat.

If you don’t want to get the Players Handbook and the GM’s Handbook without a bit of a first taste, you can check out the free Quickstart!

Between Clouds, by Andi Licht.

Between Clouds is a colorful, biopunk, tabletop RPG about a family of misfits navigating the open skies atop their beloved flying beast. Life among the clouds revolves around the Kirin, oversized animals that possess volatile genetics and the gift of flight. Across the skies, floating vessels and cities are held aloft by the animated remains of hunted Kirin, whose beating hearts defy gravity itself. Commoners are wary of becoming abducted or eaten by these creatures, while propaganda and folklore only stoke their fears. With an uninhabitable surface below, humanity must learn to coexist with the flora and fauna of their airborne realm or perish.

In Between Clouds players assume the role of Symbiotes, rare outcasts who have formed unbreakable bonds with a Kirin. It is not an easy choice to join forces with such a reviled creature. Those who crave power and a comfortable life seek to hunt the Kirin, and the Symbiotes with them if necessary. Few are ever approached by the flying beasts, and fewer still head the call. Those who do lead nomadic lives. They travel across Empyrea atop their airborne companions, making allies and enemies along the way, all while striving to help those in need and protect the wild Kirin that they encounter.

This game looks so pretty. The world looks very unique, with larger-than-life creatures called Kirin and a number of isolated biomes accessible only through riding on their backs. While the system uses the Year Zero engine, the creator also claims inspiration from Belonging Outside Belonging and Forged in the Dark games, so I’m expecting a complicated world with a lot of narrative prompts to drive the story forward.

Electric Bastionland, by Chris McDowell.

Bastion - The Electric Hub of Mankind. The only city that matters.

In Deep Country, the land stretches forever. The long shadow of our embarrassing past. Villages rot away, trees don’t bother to flower anymore, and the potato is eaten cold from the ground. Things were better before. Better before Bastion.  In the Underground are impossible tunnels beneath time and space. Devious machines release their creations into the corridors. All while the twisting network grows and touches everything. Connects everything. You can get anywhere, but there’s always a challenge. 

You have a failed career and a colossal debt. Treasure is your only option. A spark of hope in Electric Bastionland.

Electric Bastionland is a roleplaying game written by Chris McDowall, author of the critically-acclaimed Into The Odd. It uses and expands upon the systems developed in Into The Odd, resulting in a rules-set that’s easy to run as a Referee and even easier to play. It’s not a sourcebook or an expansion - it’s a standalone journey into an unknowable world. 

If you like OSR games this might be a game for you. Bastion is such a unique city that begs you to explore it. Your characters start as people who have failed in another career before, which is an interesting premise to give you at the beginning of the game. Treasure hunting was nobody’s first option, so your entire crew already has something in common. This feels like a game where survival is difficult, and everyone is trying to get themselves out of a rough place to a slightly less rough place. If you want a fantastic setting that might beat you up a little bit, I recommend Electric Bastionland.

Odyssey Aquatica, by Old Dog Games.

The year is 1960 and you are an Oceanographic Adventurer, a brave or foolhardy soul who goes to the most remote seas and the deepest ocean trenches to conduct groundbreaking research, help those in peril, document the wonders you discover — and bask in the glory. You will chart your character’s life work, from their first expeditions to their last, and record memoirs of the years lived in-between. 

ODYSSEY AQUATICA adapts the fast and flexible PARAGON system to a world of 20th century oceanographic adventure inspired by The Life Aquatic, Subnautica, and the life and times of Jacques Cousteau.

I’ve talked before about how AGON is a great tool for exploration games by providing you with a new way to journey, and plenty of the supplements for this system confirm my theory. Odyssey Aquatica keeps the exploration at sea, but brings it into the modern day, adding memoir rules that expand the game’s timeline to cover your characters’ careers. It’s also beautifully laid out, with a stunning boat sheet to help you keep all of your tools and equipment organized. If you like PARAGON games, you’ll like Odyssey Aquatica.

Bug World, by Alfie.

maybe the apocalypse could have been averted, but it wasn’t, and here we are, in a brand new world. this isn’t your cold, nuclear winter, sparse and dead kind of post-apocalypse. the end sent the world on a new course, brimming with life - just not quite as much human life as before. ok, barely any. in the super oxygen-rich atmosphere of the earth today, insect life has thrived.

it only took a few decades for bugs to reach incredible sizes, and now, about a century-and-a-half after the disaster, gargantuan insects are a normal sight. from a ladybug the size of a dog, to millipedes that might as well be trains, to horned beetles with skeletons big enough to use as shelter. bugs are huge and they are everywhere. the remaining humans have domesticated some, trained others, made wary peace with some intelligent groups, and carved themselves out sections of the world to live.

BUG WORLD is a Powered by the Apocalypse TTRPG where players navigate this post-apocalyptic jungle world, with all its scavenger towns, junk economies, and incredibly huge bugs. playbooks include more classic TTRPG options alongside bug wranglers and jockeys, rock collector archaeologists, and mob bosses.

Currently a work in progress, this game is all about exploration and survival. It uses a PbtA ruleset with moves like deal damage and survive harm for combat, and playbooks that specialize in it, like the Brutalizer and the Exoskeleton. As a post-apocalypse game I think it has plenty of opportunity for death and danger, and like plenty of PbtA games, the setting is baked into the character options more than anything else. I like the premise of this game and I think it holds a lot of promise, even if your play group has to build a lot of the setting themselves.

Nibiru, by Araukana Media.

Nibiru is a science fiction tabletop roleplaying game, set in a massive space station in a neighboring solar system. Players take on the role of Vagabonds; people who woke up in the space station with no memories of their past.

Nibiru tackles themes of memory, nature and artificiality through simple mechanics, evocative art and immersive worldbuilding.

This feels like such a unique game to me. Nibiru has a character creation system that you engage with during the entirety of your campaign experience, as your characters are uncovering more of their backstory as they play. You will fill in pieces of your memory as your character tries to do new things, and each new experience has the potential to cement a part of your character’s personality. The world itself is also begging to be explored: the Skyless World is a monstrous space station with an unknown purpose. Each choice your characters make will draw them deeper into the world, and have ripple effects on the world around them.

If you want a unique method of character generation, and a truly breathtaking reading experience, I recommend Nbiru.

Games I have Recommended in the Past

Apocalypse Roadtrip, by Mynar Lenahan.

Songs for the Dusk, by Kavita Poduri

ICON, by Massif Press.

Ultraviolet Grasslands, by Wizardtheiffighter.

[citylighten]

character/story inspiration tag

rules: write up a blurb or make a visual collage of the people or characters (from books, TV shows, movies, etc.) that inspired your story and/or OC, either visually, personality wise, or just a general vibe

Snatched from @wavvi Tagging @crimewriter/@neonoirland, @digital-deluxe, @havemercymusic, @joannebernice, @armoricaroyalty, @swiftviolets and if you have a story consider yourself tagged!

So because I can't update Sink or Swim like I want to, I decided to whip this up.

For Rosaria

Starting from the left side, we have the actress Marisa Abela who originally served as a means of inspiration for Rosaria’s facial features. Peggy Olson from Mad Men, Retsuko from Aggretsuko, and the movie Secretary.

On the right side we have lyrics from the song "Bad Girls" by Tennis, American Crime Story: Impeachment, Andrea Sachs from The Devil Wears Prada, Waylon Smithers from The Simpsons and the film Funny Girl. I watched Secretary before writing Sink or Swim because I knew it had the tone I wanted with its lead character essentially having a 'sexual awakening' through her boss. A narrative element that connects Aggretsuko and Secretary, beyond its office setting, is how its lead female characters find themselves in relationships with subpar men (sorry to any Haida fans, but that relationship wasn't developed well) which represents how Rosaria began Sink or Swim in a relationship with Ben. Something that connects Secretary, Funny Girl, and The Devil Wears Prada is how its female protagonist undergoes a transformation in terms of presenting herself through the attire she wears. Additionally, in the case of Funny Girl, I took inspiration in how Barbra Streisand's character defied idealized female beauty standards. Fanny Brice found a role at the Follie’s for her comedy, not her appearance, but as she accumulates wealth we see her become a glamorous woman who gains the attention of a traditionally handsome gambler. Beyond portraying a deeply inappropriate workplace relationship, Impeachment provided me a lot of inspiration in how her voice should sound and the various ways she wears her hair.

FOR PIETRO

Starting from the left side, we have Mad Men, The Sopranos, Henry Tomasino of Mafia II, and Michael De Santa of GTA V. On the right side we have lyrics from “Count Me Out” by Kendrick Lamar, Benny of Fallout New Vegas, Hades from Lore Olympus, and the musical Company.

Video games played a bigger role in Pietro's characterization than I realized. Benny was my first source of inspiration from Pietro, as he is the protege of a powerful man (Mr. House) who has ambitions of his own. I always felt Benny was someone who felt he could do better and be better than the man he followed. This is exactly how we'll eventually come to see Pietro's dynamic with Raphael whereas Henry Tomasino is a character I modeled Pietro's voice on and Michael De Santa? Well, when it came to dressing Pietro I always think about the clothes that are available for his character to wear. I checked out Lore Olympus before writing Sink or Swim because I wasn't sure how I wanted to characterize Pietro when it came to his relationship with Rosaria. He isn't necessarily like the boss from Secretary, he isn't Christian Gray, and while I saw LO had its critics I wanted to look over the comic and see what worked or, if there was anything I liked about Hades' characterization that could be incorporated into Pietro. Turns out there were a few things (relationship issues, therapy, a soft spot for dogs). On the subject of therapy, Pietro's sessions with Dr. Bracco are inspired by Tony's reoccurring sessions with Dr. Melfi in The Sopranos. I liked how they provided a gateway into what Tony's character is thinking, and I also thought it would be the best for readers to get to know Pietro, a quiet, vague guy, that way, but Mad Men was ultimately more of a inspiration for Pietro than Sopranos was. Inspiration from the musical Company would come a little later once I decided that Pietro was a guy with relationship troubles as the musical depicts a stable, successful man who is seemingly fine with being alone, but actually craves to receive romance and 'be alive.'

[redwing2k02]

DELTARUNE: Susie and Defying Fate.

Spoilers, obviously

I played Chapters 3+4 the day they came out, went back after finishing to do the secret bosses, and it's been turning around in my brain since. I firmly believe that Susie is the real main character of DELTARUNE. Every instance of being told our choices don't matter are completely correct. It's Susie's choices that matter.

I'm not gonna give a complete summary of each chapter because it's not necessary. The short version of Susie's character development so far is from violent maniac to a caring friend, rough but with a heart of diamond. In chapter 1 her time spent with Lancer, someone who actually looked up to her as a role model is what finally broke through to her and let her start showing her compassionate side. When she learns a healing spell in chapter 2, while funny that it heals less than 5 HP despite costing 90% of your TP, is more symbolic of her nature as a defender.

The main thing I want to talk about is chapter 4. Throughout the duration of the chapter it's clear that Susie is feeling overshadowed, because Ralsei is the healer, she can't do anything meaningful with her ability, like it's a waste of time. After the fight with Jackenstein, while Ralsei is trying to heal him, Susie runs off and after the old man goads her into using her healing, she takes a shot at him, missing him and instead healing Jackentstein. Up until this point the focus on her is being a damage dealing tank. But if you're playing as a pacifist? You're hardly ever even going to use the fight button. If you go through with finding the secret boss to get that axe in Gerson's study, I believe the Susie healing spell sub-plot comes to a climax, and a satisfying conclusion.

Gerson is the only secret boss so far who hasn't used the shadow crystal and therefore gone crazy. He's also the only "enemy" in the game that doesn't give you a game over when you lose. With Susie being the only one fighting, he wants to see HER abilities. Gerson wants to see Susie prove herself, and if you don't beat him on the first try, she shows herself to being someone with a good sense, refusing to take the reward unless she really earns it. Chapter 1 Susie would have taken it without a second thought, but after all the growth she's had she wants to show him that she can earn it. But I think the thing he really wants to see, is her nurture her healing spell.

On the first attempt to use an item, Gerson quickly grabs it from you and says that since he can't use items, it's only fair that she can't either. This means the only way to heal is to use her OKHeal. Over the attempts at the fight you quickly notice that the TP cost goes down, gradually going from 90% to 80%. I had personally equipped Susie with items that increase her healing stat to make her heal more. When she first learned the spell she was inefficient and ineffective, high TP cost with a low payoff. After closing the fountain, the next time I saw her abilities screen, the skill had upgraded to BetterHeal, with a cost of 75% and with a magic stat of 9 healed over 120HP per use. While it's still less efficient than Ralsei's Heal Prayer, her healing is only getting stronger the more it's tried, just like Gerson suggested.

This all comes back to my claim that it's Susie's choices that matter. She's not the healer, shes not supposed to be the healer. She's the meat headed tank that throws the punches. Learning that spell let's her become something more than what is expected of her. During the Gerson fight, he tells her a story, one that's supposed to end after 6 chapters. When he asks her how it should end, she says "it shouldn't". When she see's the final prophecy, she destroys it herself, refusing to accept that it needs to happen.

Above all else, while Kris has the ability to ACT in a fight, Susie acts out the most. During the fight with the roaring knight in chapter 3, she moves to protect Toriel, she is the one who takes the first swing at the knight, she taunts them, and even when the 3 of them have fallen, she still tries to stop the knight.

Susie told Kris their choices don't matter, because hers are the ones that matter.

Honestly I probably didn't organize my thoughts that well but I just needed to get it out there unless I wanted this to be rattling around in my brain until the end of time. Basically, Deltarune is Susie's story, only she has the power to defy the prophecy and change fate, we're only along for the ride.

[ellysecherry]

Gamesdappis a Role Playing Games RPG Development Company launches its own Role Play Gaming or RPG Gaming Platform where players can blend with the game world with our RPG Game Development Services.

[honestlyvan]

Hey! I heard you said that you disappointed in Xenoblade 3 and Future Redeemed So what all scenes do you want to rewrite if you had one?

Haah.... I'm sorry to say that it's not just a matter of rewriting a few scenes to make the story work. I would have to straight up change the ending to Xenoblade 3 to make it satisfying for myself, and I simply don't think anything that happens in Future Redeemed is redeemable in the light of the story I would like to tell instead of the one that we got.

Fundamentally, my problem with Xenoblade 3 is that it's a story at odds with itself. Our main team, the six Ouroboros, literally embody the transformative potential of new connections and the inherent value of moving forward and letting yourself be changed, and the villains literally embody a destructive fear of moving on and the seductive potential of retelling the same stories over and over again. However, the conclusion of the story is about how our heroes need to press a big "revert all changes" button, and that everything that had happened up to that point, including the birth and development of the culture of the City, had no inherent significance except for their ability to facilitate things going Back To Normal.

Future Redeemed, then, was about convincing us as the audience that the past the City and everyone on Aionios sacrificed themselves for at the end of the game was all that was promised, up to the point of putting the people happy and content with Aionios itself in the roles of the villains, cosmically wrong about their pursuit of something new over the maintenance of something old.

The way FR did this was largely through putting a lot of references to the first two games on screen and gesturing at them like "don't you remember all this stuff? Wasn't it great????" Series staple iconography, the presence of legacy characters, all of these things were meant to appeal to us, the audience, to remind us about how much we already like Xenoblade and would like Xenoblade to keep existing. The plight of the Liberators and their urge to get back to their own universes is only really touching if you care more about Xenoblade 1 and 2 than you did about Xenoblade 3. Only if you buy into the idea that the six Ouroboros we played as and all their companions are more disposable and are less interested in them than you are in the collective casts of the previous two games, does siding with the Liberators feel compelling.

And even with the focus on the legacy characters, the writing was sorely lacking. We outright did not even get more than four total, and Melia and Nia had such thin on the ground parts that it wasn't actually clear if they wanted to push the big revert button, or if they would have been totally comfortable rebuilding their kingdoms in a stable Aionios. All of the new Liberator characters really only existed to gas up Rex and Shulk, to convince us that these characters had some well-developed offscreen lives that the perpetuation of Aionios was damaging, but never actually giving us a reason to give shit about them except for the fact that they were implied to be the children of characters we cared about -- just like we were implied to only be invested in the lives of Nikol and Glimmer because they were the children of Shulk and Rex, rather than being invested in them for the same reason we were invested in Noah's and Mio's gang in the main game.

And speaking of Rex and Shulk, they too had been in stories that were all about moving forward, so in order to make the fundamentally regressive plan they had to make sense, they could only bear surface level resemblance to their past selves. The boy who defied destiny and the young king who toppled his own throne were now acting the part of legacy-defined power figures, and everything they did in the story had to paint them in the most beneficial light possible and make everyone repeat it to them that they were in the right.

I singled out Glimmer, because the way they treated this powerful mage who had been fighting her whole and was good at it, acting like her preferring the life she had always known instead of unquestioningly following the commands of Just Some Guy was somehow petty and childish of her really demonstrated that the story simply did not think anything that happened on Aionios mattered or was that serious -- essentially going "if you were emotionally invested in the forever war because the emotional stakes for the people fighting that fake war were real, you're failing to see the big picture." Even if you took out every scene of Rex belittling or acting controlling towards Glimmer, that would not help, because Glimmer still wasn't a "real person", as far as the story was concerned, and even once she became a real person, the City's existence still only mattered as long as they kept working towards the annihilation of their own civilisation.

The problem with Xenoblade 3 was that nothing that we did during Xenoblade 3 mattered even a little bit, because the ending told us that everything that happened in the story was just so that we could rewind the tape to the point before everything went wrong. Future Redeemed then doubled down on that, and painted anyone questioning if rejecting everything everyone who had lived up to that point was moral as the villains, as the unreasonable ones for not wanting to discard their present.

Future Redeemed simply is not compatible with the ending Xenoblade 3, in my opinion, should have had, because there's just no way to twist the set-up of the story to support an ending where Bionis and Alrest are sacrificed so that Aionios and everyone already living on Aionios with all the baggage, history and emotional scars their situation has caused, could go on so everyone could find a new path forward. Shulk and Rex wanting to split the worlds back apart makes sense for their characters, but the story would have to be about the two of them discovering that that is the wrong attitude to have, and that they have to be willing to let go of their pasts and everyone in them to let the future move forwards as it should.

And Monolithsoft does not think that Xenoblade 3 is worth sacrificing anything for.

[cryptowealthnet]

As we enter 2025, the cryptocurrency market is poised for significant growth and innovation. With numerous options available, it can be challenging to determine which cryptocurrencies are worth your investment.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best cryptocurrencies to buy now, focusing on their unique features, growth potential, and current market trends.

Best Cryptocurrency to Buy Now in 2025

Based on recent research and market trends, here are some of the best cryptocurrencies to consider investing in now:

Before investing in these cryptocurrencies, you need to know how to invest in the Primary Crypto Market.

Bitcoin (BTC)

Bitcoin remains the most recognized cryptocurrency and is often considered a safe investment due to its established reputation. As the first digital currency, it has paved the way for others and continues to dominate the market with a significant share of total market capitalization. Its limited supply of 21 million coins creates scarcity, which can drive demand and increase its value over time.

Ethereum (ETH)

Ethereum is not just a cryptocurrency; it’s a platform that enables developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) using smart contracts. With its transition to Ethereum 2.0, it promises lower fees and faster transaction speeds, making it an attractive option for investors looking for growth potential. The growing number of projects built on Ethereum enhances its utility and value.

Polkadot (DOT)

Polkadot aims to facilitate interoperability between different blockchains through its unique parachain technology. This capability allows multiple blockchains to work together seamlessly, making it essential for future blockchain development. As more projects adopt Polkadot’s technology, its value is expected to rise significantly.

Solana (SOL)

Solana has gained popularity due to its high transaction speeds and low costs. Known for its efficiency, Solana is becoming a favorite among developers in the DeFi and NFT spaces. Its ability to handle thousands of transactions per second without compromising security makes it an appealing choice for those looking to invest in innovative technology.

Avalanche (AVAX)

Avalanche is making waves with its unique consensus mechanism that allows for high throughput and low latency transactions. This scalability makes it an attractive option for developers looking to build decentralized applications without sacrificing speed or security. With a robust ecosystem and increasing adoption among various projects, Avalanche is carving out a name for itself as one of the top cryptos for 2025.

Cardano (ADA)

Cardano takes a research-driven approach to blockchain development, focusing on sustainability and scalability. Its commitment to peer-reviewed research sets it apart from many other cryptocurrencies, making it an attractive option for long-term investors. Cardano’s strong community support enhances its credibility in the crypto space.

Chainlink (LINK)

Chainlink plays a vital role in connecting smart contracts with real-world data through oracles. As more projects rely on accurate data feeds for their operations, Chainlink’s importance continues to grow within the blockchain ecosystem. Investing in Chainlink could be wise if you see the value of decentralized finance expanding significantly over the next few years.

JetBolt (JBOLT)

JetBolt is emerging as an exciting player in the cryptocurrency space with its innovative zero-gas technology! This feature allows users to make transactions without incurring gas fees—a game-changer for many crypto enthusiasts. Its successful presale performance indicates strong investor interest, positioning JetBolt as one of the most promising altcoins to watch in 2025.

Ripple (XRP)

Ripple focuses on facilitating cross-border payments efficiently and at low costs. Its partnerships with financial institutions enhance its credibility and potential for growth as digital payments become increasingly important globally. Ripple’s unique technology allows it to process transactions quickly while keeping fees low—making it an appealing choice for investors interested in practical applications of cryptocurrency.

Kaspa (KAS)

Kaspa stands out with its instant transaction capabilities using the GHOSTDAG protocol! This unique feature positions it well for future growth as users seek fast and secure transactions without long waiting times. As more people become aware of Kaspa’s advantages over traditional blockchain technologies, its popularity may rise significantly in 2025.

Emerging Cryptocurrencies to Watch

In addition to established coins, keep an eye on emerging cryptocurrencies that show promise:

Sei (SEI): A new player focusing on scalability.

XRP: Known for cross-border payment solutions.

Pepe (PEPE): A meme coin capturing community interest.

Bonk (BONK): Another meme coin showing potential growth.

Aave (AAVE): A leader in decentralized finance lending.

Beam (BEAM): Focused on privacy features.

These coins may not have widespread recognition yet, but could offer significant growth potential as they develop their technologies and communities.

[digitaldetoxworld]

Top 10 Emerging Tech Trends to Watch in 2025

 Technology is evolving at an unprecedented tempo, shaping industries, economies, and day by day lifestyles. As we method 2025, several contemporary technology are set to redefine how we engage with the sector. From synthetic intelligence to quantum computing, here are the important thing emerging tech developments to look at in 2025.

Top 10 Emerging Tech Trends In 2025

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Evolution

AI remains a dominant force in technological advancement. By 2025, we will see AI turning into greater sophisticated and deeply incorporated into corporations and personal programs. Key tendencies include:

Generative AI: AI fashions like ChatGPT and DALL·E will strengthen similarly, generating more human-like textual content, images, and even films.

AI-Powered Automation: Companies will more and more depend upon AI-pushed automation for customer support, content material advent, and even software development.

Explainable AI (XAI): Transparency in AI decision-making becomes a priority, ensuring AI is greater trustworthy and comprehensible.

AI in Healthcare: From diagnosing sicknesses to robot surgeries, AI will revolutionize healthcare, reducing errors and improving affected person results.

2. Quantum Computing Breakthroughs

Quantum computing is transitioning from theoretical studies to real-global packages. In 2025, we will expect:

More powerful quantum processors: Companies like Google, IBM, and startups like IonQ are making full-size strides in quantum hardware.

Quantum AI: Combining quantum computing with AI will enhance machine studying fashions, making them exponentially quicker.

Commercial Quantum Applications: Industries like logistics, prescribed drugs, and cryptography will begin leveraging quantum computing for fixing complex troubles that traditional computer systems can not manage successfully.

3. The Rise of Web3 and Decentralization

The evolution of the net continues with Web3, emphasizing decentralization, blockchain, and user possession. Key factors consist of:

Decentralized Finance (DeFi): More economic services will shift to decentralized platforms, putting off intermediaries.

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) Beyond Art: NFTs will find utility in actual estate, gaming, and highbrow belongings.

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs): These blockchain-powered organizations will revolutionize governance systems, making choice-making more obvious and democratic.

Metaverse Integration: Web3 will further integrate with the metaverse, allowing secure and decentralized digital environments.

4. Extended Reality (XR) and the Metaverse

Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) will retain to improve, making the metaverse extra immersive. Key tendencies consist of:

Lighter, More Affordable AR/VR Devices: Companies like Apple, Meta, and Microsoft are working on more accessible and cushty wearable generation.

Enterprise Use Cases: Businesses will use AR/VR for far flung paintings, education, and collaboration, lowering the want for physical office spaces.

Metaverse Economy Growth: Digital belongings, digital real estate, and immersive studies will gain traction, driven via blockchain technology.

AI-Generated Virtual Worlds: AI will play a role in developing dynamic, interactive, and ever-evolving virtual landscapes.

5. Sustainable and Green Technology

With growing concerns over weather alternate, generation will play a vital function in sustainability. Some key innovations include:

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): New techniques will emerge to seize and keep carbon emissions efficaciously.

Smart Grids and Renewable Energy Integration: AI-powered clever grids will optimize power distribution and consumption.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Advancements: Battery generation upgrades will cause longer-lasting, faster-charging EVs.

Biodegradable Electronics: The upward thrust of green digital additives will assist lessen e-waste.

6. Biotechnology and Personalized Medicine

Healthcare is present process a metamorphosis with biotech improvements. By 2025, we expect:

Gene Editing and CRISPR Advances: Breakthroughs in gene modifying will enable treatments for genetic disorders.

Personalized Medicine: AI and big statistics will tailor remedies based on man or woman genetic profiles.

Lab-Grown Organs and Tissues: Scientists will make in addition progress in 3D-published organs and tissue engineering.

Wearable Health Monitors: More superior wearables will music fitness metrics in actual-time, presenting early warnings for illnesses.

7. Edge Computing and 5G Expansion

The developing call for for real-time statistics processing will push aspect computing to the vanguard. In 2025, we will see:

Faster 5G Networks: Global 5G insurance will increase, enabling excessive-velocity, low-latency verbal exchange.

Edge AI Processing: AI algorithms will system information in the direction of the source, reducing the want for centralized cloud computing.

Industrial IoT (IIoT) Growth: Factories, deliver chains, and logistics will advantage from real-time facts analytics and automation.

Eight. Cybersecurity and Privacy Enhancements

With the upward thrust of AI, quantum computing, and Web3, cybersecurity will become even more essential. Expect:

AI-Driven Cybersecurity: AI will come across and prevent cyber threats extra effectively than traditional methods.

Zero Trust Security Models: Organizations will undertake stricter get right of entry to controls, assuming no entity is inherently sincere.

Quantum-Resistant Cryptography: As quantum computer systems turn out to be greater effective, encryption techniques will evolve to counter potential threats.

Biometric Authentication: More structures will rely on facial reputation, retina scans, and behavioral biometrics.

9. Robotics and Automation

Automation will hold to disrupt numerous industries. By 2025, key trends encompass:

Humanoid Robots: Companies like Tesla and Boston Dynamics are growing robots for commercial and family use.

AI-Powered Supply Chains: Robotics will streamline logistics and warehouse operations.

Autonomous Vehicles: Self-using automobiles, trucks, and drones will become greater not unusual in transportation and shipping offerings.

10. Space Exploration and Commercialization

Space era is advancing swiftly, with governments and private groups pushing the boundaries. Trends in 2025 include:

Lunar and Mars Missions: NASA, SpaceX, and other groups will development of their missions to establish lunar bases.

Space Tourism: Companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic will make industrial area travel more reachable.

Asteroid Mining: Early-level research and experiments in asteroid mining will start, aiming to extract rare materials from area.

[sokowachi]

STON Gains Institutional-Grade Security with Zodia Custody

Security and trust are the backbone of any thriving digital asset ecosystem. STON has taken a major step forward by becoming the first token on The Open Network (TON) to integrate with Zodia Custody, a leading provider of institutional-grade asset protection. This partnership reshapes how digital assets on TON are secured, bringing a new level of credibility and accessibility to investors.

For years, institutional investors have faced a major roadblock in the blockchain space: the lack of reliable custody solutions. Without secure storage, even the most promising assets remain out of reach for major financial players. Zodia Custody changes the game by offering a secure and compliant environment for institutional holdings. With 24/7 availability and robust infrastructure, it ensures that large-scale investors can confidently store, manage, and interact with STON without operational risks.

What This Means for Institutional Investors

Institutional investors operate under strict regulatory and security requirements. Unlike retail traders, they cannot afford to engage with assets that lack proper custodial solutions. Now that STON is secured within Zodia Custody’s infrastructure, it becomes accessible to a broader class of investors who require institutional-grade security before making large-scale investments.

One of the biggest validations of this integration comes from CoinFund, a highly regarded crypto-native investment firm and lead investor in STON. CoinFund’s decision to hold STON within Zodia Custody signals trust in the token’s long-term viability and positions it as a more attractive asset for other institutional players.

The Impact on STON and the TON Ecosystem

STON’s integration with Zodia Custody is not just about security—it’s a catalyst for long-term growth. Institutional accessibility means more liquidity, broader adoption, and stronger market confidence. With a secure custody solution now in place, STON is no longer just a token for retail investors; it is now positioned as a high-value digital asset within the TON blockchain.

Beyond STON, this move also elevates the entire TON ecosystem. A reliable custody solution attracts institutional capital, making TON a more appealing blockchain for developers, investors, and projects looking for a secure environment to operate in. This sets the stage for larger partnerships, increased DeFi activity, and long-term sustainability.

A Defining Moment for STON’s Future

The integration with Zodia Custody is a strategic leap forward. It strengthens STON’s position in the market, reassures investors, and opens the door to more institutional participation in the TON ecosystem. As blockchain technology continues to mature, security and compliance will play a central role in determining which assets gain mainstream adoption.

STON is now ahead of the curve. With a solid foundation of security, credibility, and institutional backing, the token is well-positioned for future growth, adoption, and market expansion.

[dijacrypt]

STON.fi: Driving TON’s DeFi Revolution

Decentralized finance (DeFi) is redefining financial systems, and on The Open Network (TON), STON.fi is at the heart of this transformation. More than just a decentralized exchange (DEX), STON.fi is fueling critical integrations that are expanding liquidity, enhancing gaming economies, revolutionizing trading automation, and attracting institutional players.

With over $5.2 billion in trading volume, 4 million+ unique wallets, and thousands of new users daily, STON.fi is proving its dominance in the TON ecosystem. But beyond these numbers, it is the strategic integrations and innovations that truly define its impact.

Let’s explore the key milestones and integrations that make STON.fi a force to reckon with in the DeFi space.

Seamless Cross-Chain Transactions with Symbiosis

Interoperability remains a major challenge in blockchain. STON.fi’s integration with Symbiosis solves this by enabling seamless swaps between TON and other blockchains.

This development has:

✅ Expanded TON-based assets’ accessibility across multiple chains.

✅ Made cross-chain swaps cheaper, faster, and more efficient.

✅ Boosted STON.fi’s trading volume and liquidity depth.

Now, TON users are no longer restricted within their ecosystem but can easily interact with assets from Ethereum, BNB Chain, and beyond.

Web3 Gaming Gets a Boost with Elympics

Blockchain gaming is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Web3, and STON.fi has positioned itself at the core of this evolution by integrating with Elympics, a competitive gaming platform.

This partnership allows:

Direct in-game token trading through STON.fi’s swap features.

Liquidity access for TON-based gaming projects.

A streamlined gaming economy where reward tokens can be instantly converted into tradable assets.

With this integration, gaming projects can now operate within a well-structured, DeFi-powered economy.

Enhanced Yield Farming with Farmix

Liquidity provision has always been a key part of DeFi, but STON.fi is taking it further through Farmix, which introduces leveraged yield farming.

Users can now increase their farming rewards on supported pools such as:

✅ STON/USDt

✅ PX/TON

✅ STORM/TON

The ability to leverage positions within liquidity pools means higher yield earnings for DeFi farmers. This solidifies STON.fi’s role as a top liquidity provider on TON.

AI-Powered Trading with Wisdomise

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping financial markets, and Wisdomise has integrated STON.fi’s liquidity pools to enhance DeFi trading automation.

Key features of this integration include:

AI-driven market analysis to optimize trade execution.

Automated limit orders using STON.fi’s deep liquidity.

Advanced risk management tools for precision trading.

With this, traders can automate their strategies while maintaining full control over their portfolios.

Web3 Gaming Economy Expands with TonTickets

Web3 gaming is evolving beyond play-to-earn models, and TonTickets is at the forefront of this shift. By integrating with STON.fi, it brings new possibilities for gamers and projects alike.

This integration allows:

Seamless conversion of in-game rewards into TON-based assets.

On-chain raffles and tournaments with instant payouts.

A robust gaming ecosystem powered by DeFi liquidity.

Gamers and developers now have a trusted platform for in-game economies backed by STON.fi’s liquidity infrastructure.

Institutional Investors Enter the Scene with Zodia Custody

For DeFi to achieve mainstream adoption, it must attract institutional capital. STON.fi has made a breakthrough by integrating with Zodia Custody, a regulated digital asset custody provider.

Key benefits of this integration:

✅ STON becomes the first TON-based token supported by Zodia.

✅ Institutional investors now have a secure way to hold TON-based assets.

✅ Major backers like CoinFund are driving serious capital into the TON ecosystem.

This marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between DeFi and traditional finance.

Multi-Chain Asset Management with Tomo Wallet

Managing assets across different blockchains can be challenging, but STON.fi’s integration with Tomo Wallet has simplified it.

This integration provides:

Direct asset swaps on TON from Tomo Wallet.

A more efficient portfolio management system.

Easier liquidity access, making STON.fi’s services more user-friendly.

Users now enjoy a seamless, all-in-one DeFi experience.

STON.fi SDK: The Backbone of These Integrations

A key factor behind STON.fi’s success is its Software Development Kit (SDK), which enables projects to easily integrate with the platform.

With the STON.fi SDK, developers can:

Integrate STON.fi’s swap engine with minimal coding.

Enable cross-chain transactions seamlessly.

Provide users with a frictionless DeFi experience.

From AI-powered trading to gaming and institutional adoption, the STON.fi SDK is the technology driving DeFi expansion on TON.

Final Thoughts: Why STON.fi is Leading TON’s DeFi Growth

STON.fi isn’t just another decentralized exchange—it’s a foundational pillar of TON’s DeFi ecosystem.

By facilitating cross-chain transactions, powering Web3 gaming, enhancing AI-driven trading, and onboarding institutional investors, STON.fi is proving its long-term value in DeFi.

With its SDK simplifying integrations, STON.fi is ensuring that more projects can tap into its liquidity and expand their offerings.

DeFi is moving fast, and STON.fi is leading the charge on TON. Whether you’re a trader, developer, investor, or gamer, one thing is certain—STON.fi is shaping the future of decentralized finance.