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Squid Games

Squid games is a series about people playing in a battle royale for the chance at a better life... Wait, that sounds like the last two posts...

(I couldn't help myself...)

For this one, i don't want to really touch on the inspirations the show itself contains but rather its lose of identity that came with its success.

Squid Games's original season was only meant to be just that. 1 season. But with the staggering popularity and the interesting topics of classism and capitalisms way of ruining lives, the idea of write and wrong that the show presented became a fasciate that enthralled me.

But the series popularity came to dull the stigma the show tried to present. Take for instance Mr Beast and how he created his own version of the game. When the whole point of the show was about how the rich made the game to simply enjoy themselves. So to actually make the game in real life almost cheapens the whole idea, and how dystopian we can all get when watching media.

And with Squid Games season 2, the message the show originally had felt completely lost with the amount of marketing and sponsors the series had. The show about a death game had slowly been perceived as more of a challenge for the characters to overcome, and not a look into how desperation and money can reveal people's true core.

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Battle Royale

Battle Royale is a movie about... it's in the name.

But yeah, battle Royale is a movie about a dystopian government subjecting teenagers to a cruel death game that is almost treated like a game show.

The movie was an interesting watch, as the character all felt different enough to differentiate between. While I had found the movie good, I don't feel as though there was all too much for me to take too much inspiration from that other media hadn't already driven.

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The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is a series about a group of people forced to take part in a Battle Royale, with the winner treated as a celebrity despite the bloodshed.

Now, I despise the books the series originates from, along with the movies. But I may as well talk about it. The story has heavy themes of classism, and how the lower class try to fight to survive everyday life.

While the themes are interesting as a topic, I find myself less invested in our main protagonists struggles and found myself more interested in the antagonists, who in even then weren't as interesting as I expected in the end.

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Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Who Wants To be A Millionaire is quite simple when it comes to it's rules. A contestant is asked a series of questions, with every right answer increasing the amount they receive, though one failure means they are out.

The game has a lifeline system where a contestant can either ask the audience, call a friend or 50:50. Despite the simplicity, the game is rather memorable because of that fact.

While I don't take much from the game itself, the way hosts banter with the contestants is something I should take note of, as it is a central part of the show that makes it enjoyable.

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Deal or No Deal

Deal or No Deal is another British gameshow, where contestants are forced to pick from different boxes, removing the potential amount of money from the game as they slowly get rid of more and more boxes are removed until only two remain.

Finally, the contestant has the choice to choose a box, receiving the amount of what ever was inside.

The game has a sense of luck to it, with every action having the potential to change the outcome with a mere action. I want to capture a similar effect in my story, maybe playing as a regular gameshow for a chapter.

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Game Shows: Golden Balls

Golden Balls is a British gameshow where competitors are put against one another, trying their luck at receiving a golden ball that has a random amount of money inside, with the show concluding with two contestants deciding between split or steal.

Despite the simple rules, the show creates an interesting dynamic with its finale. The way people given the choice between cooperation or selfishness creates a fundamental interest in the game's rules.

I bring this one up as a great idea for how people react in different situations. If given the option, would you split the money or take it all out of greed?

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TV Station Logos:

With my main theme of the project being about TVs and Demons, I may as well look over a few logos to help get a better grasp of the designs behind the screen.

For instance, the Cartoon Network logo is, much like other designs of a televised nature, simple in its graphic design. Despite the cold colours, the font gives it a softer edge in my opinion that I can't quiet explain.

Logos have to try and appear recognisable in a distinctive way, such as the NBC log having eye catching colours against the simple font underneath, able to grab your attention with a glance.

But sometimes a logo can just be boringly simple, like the BBC logo. Similar to the Cartoon Network logo, this one has a more flat feeling to it, much the the BBC itself.

But then you get more creative looking logos like the Channel Four logo, which uses basic shapes to create the number 4. This logo is easier to point out and stands out significantly compared to its competitors.

With all these designs, i can see the clear angle I should take the logo when I redesign it, as it should have a rather flat look, but with the fantastical theme, I think it would be better to have to log looked as though it was changed by forces outside its control, much like one of the major theme of the story.

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Research: The Return of The Pumpkin Rabbit

The return of The Pumpkin Rabbit is an animated short centred around a group of children entering the strange, cursed house of the Pumpkin Rabbit.

The stylised animation, akin to children's shows, has a unique twist to it that lends itself to the creepy, atmospheric tension the short presents. The designs themselves are also rather fascinating with how the children's flat colours create a contrast to the detailed monsters who lurk in the shadows through out.

I bring this up because I like the style of the animations, and how the story presents itself.

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Design details: Jestina De Scurra

The Jester has received the most in terms of redesigns. I settled on making the design looking more soft and round, like that of a stuffed animal. I think it helps with the cuddly and bumbling Talk show host that Jestina is.

I wanted the character to be naïve to a degree, carefree in nature. All of which hides a hard coded need to sow apathy and misery to others, only ever seeming disappointed whenever her words fail to hit the right notes.

Essentially, Jestina's purpose is to be a more immediate antagonist, usually stealing the stage from the other host's and basking in the spotlight.

I wanted Jestina's design to be rather whimsy and silly, straying away from the common creepy clown trope. But i still needed an edge to it, so I thought up the mask that hides her true sheepish appearance.

I also saw it fit to experiment with other body types with the later designs of the character, wanting them to keep to the things I had listed previously.

Jevil From Deltarune

One of the biggest inspirations for Jestina's design was Jevil. You can see the resemblance in the purple colouring and the mask like face. Yet I did my best to still shy away from a lot of Jevil's staple features like his skin or tail.

Deltarune did make quite the secret boss with this one, with the clown theme played up to a silly degree in his attacks, something that I wanted reflected into Jestina's own.

I much prefer the fun, goofiness of the character than the mystery behind his story. Since sometimes taking what you get at face value ain't so bad.

Circus baby from Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister location

So obviously Circus baby is themed after a clown. It's kinda obvious by the name. A name that feels just as fun in terms of laziness as my own.

Anyway, the reason I bring Baby up is because of her role in the game as a soft, sweet talking manipulator who tricks the player into having their innards scooped out like ice cream.

Her design is themed around a circus performer with an animatronic twist, with the bright colours drawing children. She can sing, she can dance. But there's another part that should probably be mentioned.

The claw in her chest. That's waht makes Baby such a good reference for what I want to write. In the story, she was designed to deceive and lured a child to their death with ice cream, as FNAF is one to do.

Makima From Chainsaw Man

Bang

Makima is a character from the hit manga series Chainsaw Man and similar to the previous character I looked at, her story is heavily tied to (Spoilers) conquest and control. Literally.

Makima makes herself out to be the head of the devil hunters, leading the charge in the scourge that plagues the earth. But in truth, she is not only a devil herself but actually one of the Four Horseman of The Apocolypse: Control.

Through the story, their are many hints and foreshadowing that tell you that Makima isn't who she seems. Yet when it is finally revealed, it's done in the best way possible. I don't need to get much into how, but rather the fallout.

The main character, Denji, wrestles with his blooming (If a bit groomed) love for her, and decides to end her himself. It all culminates in a finale that remains memorable even after all these years after reading it.

Makima is a character born for deception. They don't try to really humanise her either, but rather treat her like a hollow slate who barely emotes. But you can always just write it off as her calculating demenour. It all flows so well that I must sing my highest praise.

Marx From Kirby

Kirby. A host to many cosmic horrors disguised as a kids game. Anyway, Marx's design starts off as a simple cute design bouncing along on a ball that morphs into an adorable cute killer who can rip himself in half to summon a black hole.

I am so stealing that.

To the point, I mention Marx because it's this sort of finale I want the character to evolve into. One that's both cute and menacing. Plus a clown crashout just seems fun to write.

Tricks and Trivia

Jestina's full name is Jestina De Scurra, but people just call her Jestina or Jester, or jest, or Joke, occasionally Giggles, sometimes bubbles, rarely Jumbles, and never #####.

Jestina has practiced every Act in the book. From your usual clown shenanigans to advance illusions, even hammer throwing. (She lost the rights to axes in a court case against her sisters. circa ##04.)

She has a love of masks, swapping them out between scenes. Sadly no one notices due to all her masks being the exact same.

Jestina really likes The Nursery Rhyme Mary Had A Little Lamb. No one actually questioned this when finding out, as they just assumed all sheep liked the Rhyme.

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Design Details: Mima Mera

For Mima, I wanted the character to be rather simplistic in terms of appearance. Though this picture doesn't capture all the features I wanted it to have, the mime aspect is a lesser part of the character, with it more themed around a stage director or studio worker. Someone who works behind the scenes forced into the limelight.

I figured a TV head, while used commonly with OCs and characters for how simple the designs can get, I decided on it since it better fit the character. Forced to wear a mask of her profession at all times.

For the hair, I wanted something that could give a human element to such an electronic design. So the simplest thing I could think of was giving the design hair that was inspired by Hatsune Miku.

The cyclops angle was another part I wanted to have, but for the opposite effect of the hair. Since the character would have human proportions, I felt as though a detail like a singular eye would still indicate that whatever was behind the mask wasn't 100% a human.

Another reason as to the simplicity is because Mima is meant to serve as the major antagonist of season 1 of N.B.N. I want the character to feel as if the design is colourless, lacking in meaning or purpose until the big reveal where the colours come to life.

Mr Puzzles From SMG4

So why choose this one? I dunno either. I suppose the black and white with the technicoloured teeth is pretty cool. But the reason I chose a character I am admittedly somewhat unfamiliar with, is because I found the design to be striking.

Like most designs I've looked over, they keep an element of simplicity to them. Mr Puzzles is a character meant to be a twisted version of old kids TV shows., helping to lend itself to the silly yet almost threatening joy the character always seems to express.

Another aspect I liked was how the character presents himself as an antagonist. The showfolk way he struts around, amusing himself with games an TV. He truly has creative control.

Wes From Don't Starve

Wes. The official worst character in Don't Starve. Wes's entire thing is that he's silent... because he's a mime. The game does well to capitalise on that fact by having him make balloon animals that do practically nothing.

Don't Starve itself has an interesting Tim Burton-esque style to it that gives it that creepy yet charming nature the game is known for. I wanted to mention Wes not because he was a mime, but because I just like don't starve.

But other than his style, I don't have much more to say. Much like him.

Futaba Sakura from Persona 5

Futaba is a characterized initially as a depressed shut in who barely leaves her room. Earing her the tarot card of the hermit who eventually learns to come out of her shell.

The reason I list her is because I drew some inspiration from her personality. I wanted Mima to be a shut in, but of a different nature. Someone who simply hates everyone else and wants to stay inside and work behind the scenes.

Now, Futuaba is the complete opposite in the direction I want to take the character. But the two share the same role as the woman behind the scenes. I want to use that smug, playful energy for Mima when her big reveal happens. The character should be an unstoppable ball of colourful life, even if an antagonist. So Futaba was a good choice for me when it came to researching how to write.

SCP-079

SCP-079 is a sentiant computer from the fan created series SCP. The computer, while just a short story essentially written in the form of a scientific paper, has spawned some of the most fascinating stories that the series has to offer.

I bring it up for the idea it brings and stories it creates. What if something behind the screen could see you too? Not like in a big brother way mind you, no. I mean that the computer, or the beings inside, where alive.

That's why i brought up 079. I want to toy around with he existential themes that the series can bring. The idea of even truly living if your life is behind a screen. For people trapped in a cycle of sloth to break free of the chains of sin, relishing unto them untold inspiration.

I got really wordy there. But yeah, I just wanna play around with the concept in the story of living.

With that we wrap this up-

Is...

Is that...

Hatsune Miku

Hatsune Miku is a Japanese Virtual Idol from Hololive. Now, even if you haven't heard her music, you probably recognise the iconic design. The two large twintails is what I really wanted to take in, as I am a personal love of the design itself.

The casual look to the cyberpunk attire is also another aspect I would take into a new version of Mima. Perhaps when i get to the right moment in the story.

Tech and Trivia

Mima's original name is unknown, though there was someone of similar talents who went by the Handle of Techtronic. A Mechromancer capable of bending even nigh unstoppable machines to her will with a single wave.

Mima has a strange hatred of blue wires. Having a personal rule never to use them when it comes to the studio's electrical systems.

Her favourite acts are usually the soft, quiet types, much like herself.

Mima's first ACTZ created was based on the one thing she truly regrets.

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Design details: Big-Top

So with this post, I want to go over a few of the main inspirations that helped create the ringmaster character of Big-Top, along with a few trivia questions and the way I went about the characterisation.

Initially, the design was much simpler. I thought that a Ringmaster character would best fit in a circus troupe of TV Hosts as the Presenter, but that idea shifted into Big-Top taking the centre stage of the final show of the night.

In terms of the story, Big-Top is meant to serve as the introductory 'ally' in a sense. With her own desires overriding her want to keep p the show life. So I wanted the character to have an edge that seemed both self serving and dramatic.

While not captured well in the photo, initial sketches gave the simple, if somewhat unsightly performer vibe. I thought to experiment more with lips, as it would make the design stand out more when compared to the rest of the cast. I wanted Big-Top to appear a bit unflattering, yet enrapturing those around her wit her performance rather than her looks.

The cane, shown in sketches, was meant. to also be a central part of the design, as it gave more of a dynamic act as she hosts the show, with the microphone changing slightly in design as if to show her true feelings behind her metaphorical mask. I also just thought a Microphone Cane sounded cool.

The more monstrous features like teeth and weird face protrusions were meant to give the design that otherworldly demonic look. I needed the design to be almost human, as if she were an imitation of someone.

A while ago, I did a doodle design to help me figure out my style, and with the brief bust i created, I decided on simple Purple tentacles for hair. That then lead into the design decision of said hair, as I thought it made the character stand out ever so more. But i needed to give it a counter, so I decided on short cut red hair that helps make the entire design almost feel like a mishmash in places.

Enough of the character themselves, now let me move onto inspirations that I drew on for the character.

Caine From Digital Circus

He's Caine, but he won't be Abel to tell you much. Anyway, Caine is a character from the Hit Indie animated Series Digital Circus. So it was no shocker that I was somewhat inspired by the strange mouth man.

His design is very simple in terms of the body, with it being a simple Ringmasters outfit, cane and all. But the most striking part, his lack of head, is what can draw someone to the design. Despite the cohesion of the design, the abstractness of the teeth and eyes leave an impression, no matter how simple.

I mainly took inspiration from the general ringmaster vibe, though also occasionally looking to his bizarre characterisation for help. I enjoy how the character seems off in his own world, throwing people into adventures because he thinks it helps get over the insanity of being trapped in a digital prison.

Cosmo Royale From Power Rangers Ninja Steel

Cosmo was admittedly a major inspiration for Big-Top's design. I fell in love with the campy yet showman aspect of the design. I mainly drew inspiration from the face protrusions and the outfit. Plus the cane is where I got the base idea for the concept. Though I did try and expand on what had already been done before, twisting and moulding aspects I like to suit my own design better.

I did want the design of Big-Top to almost feel out of touch, as if she were from a show from the 50s or 60s era circus acts. I think that i should definitely tweak parts of the outfit to better Suit Big-Top's own personality in a more defined way.

Alastor From Hazbin Hotel

Alastor is a character from the animated series Hazbin Hotel. He is inspired by radios, Wendigos and the 1920s. What a fun concept. Anyway, the reason I bring up Alastor is because while both the previous designs share traits with Alastor, I find the design somewhat lacking.

It mainly comes from the lack of real theming in the design itself. If you hear the name 'Radio Demon', do you picture a demonic old radio with lashing violent tentacles that surge and course with extravagant strength behind each swing or do you think of a skinny twink with a cane?

I will give the design credit, as I do like how the Alastor himself is designed, with the old timey clothing blended with the demonic red that takes over the design. Also the cane. I admit the cane is another reason as to why i felt a compulsion to go over the character.

Another detail as to why i felt the need to mention him was the constant character gimmick of Alastor always smiling. In most of the scenes he appears, The Radio Demon always holds up a smile. Another inspiration was the constant ring of static that underlines the character's voice, and how static always seems to follow wherever he goes.

Leela From Futurama

A bit of a strange pick considering the show time theme the rest have, but Leela was another source of insperation for the character. I have a small love of the colour purple, so I admit I went for a similar shade of purple for Big-Top's design.

I also felt that Leela's personality of a fiery captain was another aspect I wanted to capture. The character's flexibility in an episodic show like Futurama helped mould the character with many traits.

Tunes and Trivia

Big-Top was a magician in her past life, being known as Magi The magnificent. But disappeared into the ether when it was discovered she had made a demonic pact with A Sin.

Despite her chipper, if oddly threatening, grin, B.T has a tendency to lash out violently at random to her fellow co-stars.

Having hosted many shows in her lifetime, B.T's favourite acts usually involve juggling, Animals, and Apathy.

B.T's tentacles aren't actually that hard to maintain, usually just rubbing the occasional bit of static over them usually cleans them right up.

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Research: Book Covers

With my poster and whole project being a short story, I thought it best to look into some book covers. Take for instance Harry Potter, while the he cover doesn't directly tell you anything about the story itself, it still tells you the book is about a fantastical world of wonder.

Even the other examples i chose, they each tell you the sort of vibe the story is choosing to go. Some gritty, others more whimsy. So while they can be varied in design, much like most art forms, the covers of a book shouldn't be the judge of its story.

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Ritual Meaning

A way of doing something in which the same actions are done in the same way every time:

Coffee and the newspaper are part of my morning ritual.

The birds were performing a complex mating ritual.

A fixed set of actions and words, especially as part of a religious ceremony:

This part of the ceremony is nothing more than formal ritual.

the sacred Islamic ritual of washing the dead

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Poster Design

With everything finally wrapping up, i'll get onto the centre piece of the project. The Poster.

I decided to turn the poster into a simple book cover for the short story i had written for the new cast of characters, deciding to use the circus them to my advantage in the design.

I started out by using what I had already created, using photos of myself for pose reference before beginning to work on each of the characters separately, as to space out between drawing sessions so ideas don't blend together in terms of design and colours. I also began planning the idea with a reference image I had found on Pinterest, using it to help plan out the main design.

Before working on the font itself, i had to create the background. I had already settled on red, as it's commonly associated with circuses in terms of colour. Plus the showy nature of the whole theme made red the stand out choice for colours.

I then began browsing for fonts on dafont, deciding on some graffiti and classical ones to help make the words stand out more. Also with the help of photoshop's stroke tool, It helped make the top right words stand out better than expected.

Finally, I decided to add a static filter over the top, as I thought it would lend itself perfectly to the TV them the entire thing is based around. Admittedly, I think it does help cover up som of the less desirable mistakes the piece has, but with the filter it does take the piece up in score for me thanks to the filter.

Finally I wrapped the Poster up by adding in a different font for the poster, as I didn't enjoy how the previous iteration looked. The new font adds a much needed flair that circles around to being a small centrepiece of the poster.

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Poster: Background

For the poster, i wanted to create a glimpse into the world behind the screen that the host's find themselves in. SoI wanted to give it a TV set mixed with a theatrical stage.

I think that the basic, simple design helps make the characters stand out more when compared to the background. This was also a good chance to practice backgrounds, as i have never really bothered with them all to often. I decided to keep the design basic, with it also presenting the opportunity to practice shading and detailing with more flat colours.

Overall, I do think it has a brief charm to it all, that rounds out the finale of the project.

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Research: Cuphead

Cuphead is a 2D shooter with a stylised 1940s cartoon style. The game's style heavily relies on rubber hose style animation, creating these fun, strange moving characters who each standout in their appearances and attacks.

The creativity is my favourite part. Such as a slime with a boxing love who gets crushed under a tombstone, with the player having to fight the tombstone after. Its weird stuff like that really draws my eye.

Even the titular character Cuphead has a bunch of strange quirks despite the simplistic nature of his design. For instance firing bullets by snapping his fingers repeatedly, or the fact that his soul has a giant glowing heart inside it.

The way everything flows for the game seems to work well to its favour.

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Research: Indie Cross

Indie Cross in a fan animated series created by MORØ, with the series including a whole host of indie game characters fighting across different multiverses.

I adore how despite the premise not exactly needing a reason for it all to happen, MORØ created a reasons for things to happen. Actually creating a story for a well animated fighting series is admittedly a good move. I mean, how would Dragon Ball have turned out without its story?

Anyway, Indie Cross has fun with its concept, creating fun dynamics with each of its characters. Though relying a bit on prerequisite knowledge of the series included, they do make for fun nods here and there.

I bring it up mainly because I liked how the worlds colliding aspect is done, mainly with the use of portals that create a striking visual compared to the already vastly different worlds explored.