#faster things that are easily readable!!!!

[rawliverandgoronspice]

I drew girls from my zelda stories.....

[maximumzombiecreator]

Hi! Your talk about ADnD's mega dungeons was really interesting to me! What games would you recommend to emulate this style of play? Are there modern games that follow ADnd'd example, or should I just try out ADnD?

Most OSR (Old School Revival) game systems focus on recreating the kind of gameplay that 1st edition D&D created, so there are actually a lot of options. Old School Essentials (OSE) is very true to original D&D, basically just taking those original rules and putting them in a book that seems like it was written by a coherent human instead of Gary Gygax. I believe they also sell expansions on this? I haven't played OSE but it comes highly recommended by people whose opinions I trust.

OSRIC (which is the Old School Reference and Index Compilation) does the same thing for AD&D. This one I have played a fair amount of, and it's very true to AD&D while just being more readable than the original books.

That said, old D&D was also... I shan't say it was bad. It was early. Many of the game design decisions just feel weird and clunky to more modern sensibilities. For some that's a plus, for others less so. So there are a bunch of OSR games that focus on recreating the feel of old D&D and not necessarily the mechanics.

Probably the one of these I've played that I can recommend the most easily would be Worlds Without Number. WWN does focus a little bit on running open world sandbox games (for which it is incredible, and I think any GM looking to do that should download the free WWN pdf for the tables alone) but since it creates that faster, simpler gameplay loop that AD&D had, I think it'd still be great for running a megadungeon in.

I'm sure other people will have good OSR game suggestions as well, it's a really interesting and active community.

[archive-z]

Do you have any advice on how to learn to read faster?

not faster necessarily, no, pretty much all of my advice is abt learning to read slower sry. since most my problems are abt memory & fatigue & hitting yr cognitive threshold for the maximum amount of info you can absorb in one sitting, things like rereading & taking notes in the margins are abt forcing myself to go slower so i rly digest what it is im trying to read.

an app like instapaper, which can save articles in dark mode/large font/preferred line spacing reduces some of the difficulty for me, which i guess leads to being faster? and having the audiobook play at the same time as im reading can help too. covering up yr page (i usually use a bookmark) except to the line that yr reading is helpful to reduce the fatigue of yr eye jumping ahead on the page. i get pretty picky about the books i buy bc i try to avoid any editions where the text is too small & cramped on the page. if there is a hard passage im rly not getting, i read it out loud to myself. i use my pencil to follow along and point to the words im reading. i give myself lots of breaks so i don’t burn out. when its rly important (like having to read complex articles for my grad classes) i would try to read in bed around 10-11am bc that tended to be my best time cognitive energy-wise. difficult to do if u have other things that are higher priority, but sometimes you gotta be gentle with yourself and go “i had to prioritize [x thing] so i have less energy to spend on reading for fun, and it’s okay that im gonna be slower”

oh also! maybe look @ yr toolkit of pre-reading strategies. before i sit down to read something closely, i skim the abstract, the author bio, the section headings/chapter titles, the bibliography, the end notes, the index. i highlight anything that might be interesting or relevant. this helps give me an overall sense/shape of what im going to be reading. it gives me “anchor points” to tether information to. if you feel like yr rly wading thru mud, maybe u need to practice yr pre-reading strategies (like exercising a muscle, it gets easier to more consistently u do it)

also, you may just be reading something that’s rly hard! we had to read a lot of Elfriede Jelinek and like — she’s difficult to read, and deliberately so as a philosophical/stylistic choice. also, if yr reading a text in translation, i find that browsing a few translations beforehand or asking around which translations my friends like makes such a huge difference. a lot of public domain translations (like the cheap dover thrift editions you can get secondhand rly easily) are ASS when it comes to readability. like i had my Lattimore translation of Oedipus beside one of the public domain ones and it was like night and day in terms of readability.

lastly, idk yr reasons for wanting to read faster, but if it’s something like yr workload for a university course — i would usually email my profs to introduce myself in the summer before term or over winter break. i’d say i’m looking forward to their course & ask politely if they had their reading list on hand bc being able to read in advance made a big difference with how i could keep up with the workload during term time. and also importantly: if i was truly struggling, i would ask myself “is this a normal human being amount of reading to assign? or does this prof have expectations that are not grounded in reality?” bc sometimes the latter is v much the case! and you should just release yrself from putting undue pressure on yrself. try yr best but don’t beat yrself up for something that is an impossible task.

[opal-owl-flight]

7. Do they take part in ink battles? What kind and how often?

Absolutely! Inksport leagues are what most of the NSS do outside of agent duties. Theyre a major part of most Inkfish's lives in my writing, a lot of the themes I explore revolve around uh. Sport Movie kinda dealios BAHAHAH (alongside rhe Horrors but shh. When it comes to ocs outside the NSS, Inksports are the main focus)

3s a turf war legend both topside and underground. They were there when the sport was something only the delinquents did, unregulated and dangerous, matches that moved at a fast pace and where they had to leave IMMEDIATELY after or be caught by the authorities. Squid Force eventually found this sport and started sponsoring a safer, more regulated version of it. 3 rose up the ranks all the same (while complaining abt how EASY it is now). Theyve been here since the start. Their splashtag is whispered in awe ans reverence. They are usually followed around by a gaggle of fans or press (please leave them alone qoskw). They still participate in trench turf to satisfy their desire to turf like the good old days. 4 and 8 and Neo3 have no clue about it. They show up with new light scarring and people think its from agent stuff they do on their own -- nope!!

They also play ranked. Tower Control is their favorite mode! Positioning is critical in all modes, but this one has some very specific spots they can exploit and the battles have a flow thats easily readable to them. Its the same route every time! Opposing teams move in pretty specific ways! Its like chess to them. Massages their brain just right.

4s a rising star in the turf leagues. She was great at it back in her hometown in the highlands (the sport has been established here for awhile), but she feels that people are intentionally throwing their matches against her because shes a clan singer. She wanted to have the Real Deal. Moving to Inkopolis, she had a taste of what real turf matches are like...and saw how much more brutal they are. She grit her beak and learned, explosively, in fact, how to play properly. She rose up the ranks quickly the second she found her main weapon class. Shes only ever played topside turf but she is a force to be reckoned with. 3 complains that the new regulations made the game "easier", but someone who grew with the rules can see that its added more complexity. You cant just brute force everything in here. 4 weaves around these added limitations with ease. One can argue shes just as good as 3, if not better...

Her favorite ranked mode is (obviously) Rainmaker. Sneaking around, getting up close and personal with the carrier or their teammates clumped around them is something she greatly enjoys. Holding the nuke itself also gives her quite the rush!! Literally. Shes so beefy that she can carry it faster than the rest of her team (Judd flags her for that, she has to slow herself down to keep the game fair for everyone else). The Rainmaker mode is also reminiscent of some of the ceremonies she does/participates in back in the highlands. Its her job in those ceremonies to call the rain. It involves moving from place to place, carrying a relic that will make her voice heard to the heavens. Despite her not liking how suffocated she was in her homeland, she admits that she misses it, as well.

8 is relatively new to the turf scene. Shes always yearned to be a part of it, back when she was still underground. Now that shes on the surface, she frankly doesnt understand why its such a big deal anymore. Its just a game?? Why are people sweating over this?? And why is all this violence so revered here?? I think her general dislike for combat/conflict may be due to her being raised in a wartime context. She got out of that life, shes not going to go back to it. Still, bc she adores hanging out with 4 (and later 3), she plays the more casual turf war leagues. She occasionally plays ranked modes (splat zones are a favorite), but she tends to stick to the casual side of things. The high octane action and vigilance of the pro leagues makes her uncomfortable...

Neo3 is very new to the turf scene. She compares it to the sacred salmon runs that shes been a lucky witness to (its her only point of reference, bless her hearts). A fight for honor! A fight to the death! And you get to keep living after them? Its the best of both worlds! She enjoys terrorizing the opposing team in any mode. Shes as tenacious and as stubborn as a salmonid that easily slithers over enemy ink. Hitting from blind spots. Easily overwhelms foes with strength and numbers. As annoying as a flyfish. Occasionally, she claws and bites her opponents...which gets her flagged down by Judd. Its fine!! Shes having fun here!

Her favorite ranked mode is definitely Clam Blitz. In salmonid spawning season, the survivors of the runs gather the dropped eggs around the battleground into the nesting grounds to hatch them. Neo3 is reminded of that time as she gathers clams. She defends them as if they were eggs. (And then you see her trying to crack the clams open so she can eat them after the match....)

[topazadine]

Common Writing Issues that Reduce Readability

A short little Monday post so that we stop pissing readers off!

Beyond the usual issues that are easily fixed, like typos, there lie a few more pernicious problems that can drag readers out of a story kicking and screaming. Unfortunately, they happen to nearly everyone, no matter their skill level, and must be watched for carefully.

Now, I want to note that I am never attempting to prescribe how you should write. However, I want you to think back to the last time you read something that made you roll your eyes and give up - it's likely that at least one of these problems was present.

Here is the sum-up, and then we'll talk details. I will be showing examples of my own writing that include these deadly sins, so feel free to point and laugh.

Double describing

Overly long sentences

Overexplaining

Head hopping

Again, a big disclaimer.

I can't tell you how to write, this is just my opinion, you are the crafter of your own story, take what you like and leave the rest.

Alright, let's get into it.

Double Describing

Describing the same thing in two different ways right next to one another feels repetitive and annoying; it comes across as self-indulgent, like you're more interested in showing off how smart you are than telling a story. I have been a perennial offender in this, as shown by my story "Beyond Mortal Sight."

Here, I've highlighted the things that were double-described in blue. This includes:

The underworld

Higekiri

The crypt

The room being mostly empty

Pick the strongest descriptor and cut the other ones. You might think that this makes your writing weaker, but it actually strengthens it, as you're not diluting the description and can move along faster.

If you're not sure whether you're double describing, try removing one of the selections and see if you're still describing what you wanted to. Maybe you just need to tweak one of them, but both of them can still stand on their own; in that case, differentiate them more, or move them so that they are not right next to each other in order to provide better emphasis.

Now, sometimes you really do want to linger on a specific description, and that's fine. However, you need to ensure that you're looking at different aspects of the same thing.

I do end up lingering on the moths for a long while, and it doesn't get too repetitive (at least I don't think so) because I'm describing different elements of them.

Overly Long Sentences

The longer a sentence is, the harder it is to emphasize certain things, and the more likely that a reader will get lost aong the way and need to reread things. Of course, we want readers to take our time with the work, but paradoxically, readers are more willing to linger and reread with shorter sentences because they're not getting frustrated and glossing over key elements.

Take a look at this section of my story "A Tale of Two Citadels," which I've been meaning to rework for ages because it has chronic logorrhea. The sheer length of these damn sentences!

Right off the bat, we see that the first sentence blasts past the typical "four lines max" rule. The second one is slightly better, but it still has way too many clauses and can be confusing. The third one can easily be cut up into at least two sentences, maybe three, without losing the rhythm.

When reworked, you can see how much better it flows by the color coding.

The sentences are still complex, but they're more manageable for readers. The longer a sentence, the more difficult it is, and the more likely that your reader will get lost.

At the same time, you do want some complexity and variety in your sentence lengths. These are all about the same length, which can become a bit boring.

If I were really committed to editing this, I'd go further and add some very short sentences too.

Reading your sentences out loud, or using an auto dictation tool, can be very helpful to see whether you're overdoing it with sentence length. If you have to stop to take multiple breaths while reading a single sentence, then it is probably too long.

You can also color-code while you are editing to see whether your sentences are all around the same length. If so, see if you can cut a few of them up.

Overexplaining

This issue often shows up more when we are explaining why something happened, but it can start to feel boring and repetitive. As an example from my story "Shattered Pieces:"

This part happened right after someone was stabbed and, frankly, takes away a LOT of the tension from the story.

Is it really necessary at this exactly this second, when someone is lying on the ground bleeding, to explain why the incident happened? No, it's not. Half of this could be removed and the story would read so much better, like so:

Now we can move to the juicy stuff of Uguisumaru lying on the ground bleeding to death. Much more important.

A crucial element of writing is to reveal details as they become important, not before. This doesn't mean hiding things from your reader, nor throwing in things at random whenever you feel like; rather, it's about not forcing your reader to do the work of holding onto this information in the hopes that it will become important at some later time.

Is what Mikazuki thinking about here really that important to the overall story? No, we don't need that information. Maybe they can talk about it later, or maybe it will never be discussed.

Now, a quick sidetrack about foreshadowing here. Great foreshadowing works by not feeling like toil and by not beating the reader over the head with the information. They pick up on it, but they don't feel like they need to hold onto it. Careful foreshadowing sprinkled throughout a story feels effortless and natural, without imposing a cognitive load on the reader.

As I've mentioned before when discussing fantasy in general, we do not want our reader to feel like they are doing work. Few of us are at the level of someone like Mark Z. Danielewski, where we can create a book that is all about doing work but readers will still enjoy it because it is that entertaining. (I did not like House of Leaves personally, but that's just me.)

Therefore, our goal is to reduce friction as much as possible while still developing a fun, compelling, thought-provoking piece of fiction. We do this by avoiding infodumping, as I did in that above passage, and revealing information as it becomes important without seeming like things just come out of nowhere. That's where foreshadowing becomes crucial.

Head Hopping

This one is discussed often, but it's also really easy to accidentally do when you're working in third-person limited (my preferred POV). In small cases of dipping into someone else's head, it doesn't really cause concern for the reader, who might not even notice it, but it does make it harder to keep track of the main POV.

It's also important not to dip too often into peoples' heads while you're doing omniscient POV, either. Here, in this segment of "Dreams Within Dreams," we have at least four partial POVs, which I have color coded:

This is technically fine for an omniscient POV, but dipping into too many heads too quickly can become overwhelming and exhausting for the reader. Thankfully, it is an easy fix by simply removing the assumptions of judgment and focusing entirely on the actions.

I mean, it's still not the greatest writing, but we have a more opaque, birds-eye view of everyone, rather than constantly jumping in and out of everyone's head.

This is especially hard not to do when you have numerous characters all together in one scene, which is why it is often easier to avoid having a huge group of individuals together, especially if you're not confident in your skills yet.

The more characters you juggle, the more you need to ensure that you're not leaving anyone out and that everyone gets at least one line without it feeling choppy. This scene definitely could have used a lot more work so as to feel more natural. But that's the joy of fanfiction! It's all about learning and growing as a writer.

Nowadays, I try to limit my scenes to two "main" talkers and then add at least one line for other side characters if I have a big group, but I specify that they're off doing something else so people don't wonder where the hell they went.

And that's about it for today! Again, my posts are never about telling you how to write. I am sharing what I have learned as both a reader and writer so that you can make the choices that best fit your story. Happy writing!

If you enjoyed this, perhaps you'll consider purchasing my book, 9 Years Yearning, a gay coming-of-age romance set in a fantasy world. Which does not include any of these sins. Only $2.99 or ZERO DOLLARS with Kindle Unlimited!

If you're not sure about spending your hard-earned money, check out this review to learn more.

[elieowlsclownery]

Summer Preview Part 2: Story Summary

Really glad I gave myself a month instead of one or two weeks to finish each part from now on. Because the further along you get in the story the more context there is to gleam meaning from between the story of theater kids preparing a play and the play itself. Like at the newcomers' the themes are simple and easy to digest and the play is literally a fairy tale, but by the winter play I'm pausing each line because of all the hidden layers. Mind you you don't have to write or read a 10,000 word thesis paper to understand the story and enjoy it. That's the beauty of JJ, it has such excellent writing that's usually easily readable without smacking you over the head with it while still keeping its impact.

...But hey, I'm calling it an overanalysis for a reason, so bring in the sledgehammer!

Jack Jeanne Overanalysis Part 3 Summer will be posted next Friday April 6th at 7Pm EST. To post it on any other day of the week would be unthinkable!

Here's another preview for you and maybe a request for advice? Before the analysis part I add a story summary for both what happens to the theater kids and what happens in the play, but somehow the summary is always the hardest to get through. 2,000 words about one line of dialogue? Easy. Simply describing what's happening in a short and succinct manner? Uuuuuuuuuuuuuh-

Long story short if you see something amiss with the summary let me know? Should I make it more terse and less flowery? Should I treat it like a storybook and go all out? Remember there's going to be over 5,000 more words after this bit to read. I haven't been in a literature class in over a decade. I wish I had this many words in me back when I had to write six page papers...

---

Preparing for the Performance

Before things kick off for the summer performance prep Kisa's introduced to members of both Onyx and Rhodolite. In Onyx we meet their class lead and Jack Ace Kaido who has a self-proclaimed rivalry with Kai, his Al Jeanne and dancing princess Sugachi, and their first year stars Kasai, Dante and Toechi. In Rhodolite we meet their class lead, Tresor and Al Jeanne Tsukasa who's insistent on recruiting Shirota, his Jack Ace and busybody Minorikawa and three first years Eita, Yuki and Tsukasa's little brother Mare.

Then Neji announces the summer performance and the cast list. Al Jeanne Fumi and Jack Ace Kai are given the lead roles as expected, Suzu is a Jack and Soshiro is a Jeanne, Otori and Neji gets minor roles as a sparkly Jack and Jeanne duo, and Kisa is also a Jack.

...Wait Kisa's a Jack!? This shocks everyone since Kisa's small stature, cute face and appearance as the Al Jeanne in the newcomers' performance meant her being a Jeanne was a given. Neji doesn't explain why he made Kisa a Jack and continues with the script read like usual.

Oh and Amber, the class full of geniuses who's really difficult to compete with won't be performing this season for some reason. No big deal or anything.

Neji also gave Suzu a lot of fast-talking lines that he's weak at, but thanks to his determination to get an individual award he pushes through and memorizes the lines faster than expected. With Suzu's rapid improvement despite his difficult tasks it's Kisa who's left to struggle with her new role as a Jack. There's so many other students better suited to be a archetypal Jack, like Suzu and Kai. She begins experiencing body envy, constantly comparing herself to her much manlier classmates.

Then early into rehearsals the other class leads overhear Kisa playing a Jack. Kaido's furious at Neji misusing Kisa's talent and believes she'd be better off in Onyx as a Jeanne, while Tsukasa likes the idea of Kisa as a Jack and would be much more suited as one in Rhodolite. With both Onyx and Rhodolite wanting Kisa, Neji proposes a challenge: if Quartz can't help Kisa win an individual award this performance she'll transfer to the winning class instead. If she wins an award the other classes need to plan a big party for them at a fancy restaurant. The class leads agree to the challenge. It's a battle between classes as to who gets Kisa!

Needless to say this confuses and upsets Kisa and the rest of the Quartz members. The 1st years in the other classes like her and want her to join, and the class leads are nice and believe they know best for Kisa's future. But none of them believe she can be a good Jack in Quartz. This sends Kisa into a further depression, until one day Kai meets her in the dance studio and gives her the exact advice she needed. Instead of focusing on the things she's unable to change, she should focus on the character she's playing. Someone with the same voice and body as her. This gives Kisa what she needs to start focusing on how to develop her character and instead of envying her classmates starts to observe them for inspiration.

Through this she's able to perform a great character, someone who's strong, mature and protects his friend despite his small stature. An excellent Jack! Now everyone's on track to win the class award and for Kisa to win an individual award. Except...Kisa notices Kai, who was so supportive to her and everyone else in the class, doesn't have that support on stage. He calls himself nothing more than a vessel, a supportive role meant to prop up the flower of the stage Fumi. But if that's the case, who's Kai's vessel?

On the last day before the performance it hits her. She has to become his vessel. Even if means destroying and rebuilding the role she worked so hard to develop.

Day of the Performance

Between the last rehearsal to the next morning Kisa worked tirelessly with Neji to redevelop her role to become Kai's vessel. Now it was time to show it on stage! They head back to Univeil Theater and start the show. Everything's going well for the group, until Kisa enters the stage with her new role. Kai is upset that Neji made Kisa a vessel, a role far less likely to win an individual award, but he accepts Kisa's resolve. Even so, later in the play he finds a way with the help of Neji and Suzu to make Kisa stand out. Thanks to this Kisa's Jack was able to shine. After curtain call and the class award announcements comes the individual awards and...Kisa got one! She can stay in Quartz and they get to go to a fancy restaurant, wahoo! Except Neji, he's banned from eating meat for setting up that transfer debacle.

Both class leads from the other classes apologize for their short-sighted visions of Kisa's future. Kaido is saddened he received the bronze and was defeated, but even prouder to see his rival Kai shine on stage and guide his talented junior so well. The other class 1st years are disappointed Kisa won't join them but are even more impressed after seeing her Jack. After the award ceremony and talking to everyone Enishi announces summer break will begin the next day and sends Kisa over to Chuza. Now that Kisa's been through the summer performance she knows just how hard it is to get a lead role, but that won't deter her.

Story of the Performance

In a steel jungle lies a successful and longstanding business known as Great Galleon SJB, selling everything from A to Z. Among it's most upstanding employees there's Louis, an elite businessman with inexhaustive energy and a perfect smile, Hasekura, a tall yet nervous man who's helpful to his colleagues yet lacks self-esteem, Shiroma, a woman with a kind demeanor and an adorable smile, and Mukai, a self-assured but snarky young man who works under Hasekura. There's also a pair of oddballs mysteriously known only to Galleon's staff as Employee A and Employee B, who loudly announce when it's time for the weekend to start so they can enjoy life to it's fullest.

But when Employees A & B ask Hasekura what he'll do for the weekend, he never has an answer. He doesn't have a personal life, doesn't speak to his crush Shiroma, and lets the more enthusiastic Louis and his junior Mukai walk all over him. He knows he should be more confident, more like Mukai and Louis, but he doesn't know how. Until one night while wandering the city he spots Shiroma entering a studio. There he meets Ando, a beautiful, elegant and confident woman who teaches social dancing. Shiroma is one of Ando's students, and after she leaves another of her students Kanna asks if Hasekura only came because of Shiroma. Panicked he ends up joining Ando's class to avoid her accusations.

At first he planned to quit soon after, but then he started enjoying Ando's lessons. The discovery that he's able to do something like dancing boosts his confidence, and his junior Mukai begins to notice Hasekura appearing taller because he's no longer slouching. Then one day Mukai accidentally lets slip that Hasekura's taking social dance lesson to Louis, and Louis goes to the studio to say hi. He sees Shiroma there and Kanna brings up an idea to compete for the chance to dance with her. Seeing Louis in the studio wanes his newfound confidence, but surprisingly Mukai stands up for him and asks Shiroma to allow the challenge. With the competition set Louis starts taking social dance lessons and quickly catches up to Hasekura's level. Hasekura's low self-esteem and losing attitude frustrates Mukai, who despite always being rude and snarky toward his senior deep down wanted him to stand up for himself more.

Realizing Mukai's true feelings Hasekura decides to take the challenge head on, but his confidence is almost battered again after overhearing Shiroma say she thought Hasekura was scary. But Ando comforts him and says that might not be all there is to it, and the only way to truly know how Shiroma feels is to face his fear and trepidation head on. Seeing Ando's comfort and encouragement Hasekura realizes his feelings for her, and finds another goal. Before Ando taught social dancing she was a competitive dancer, but lost her passion for it. Kanna always wanted to see her dance as passionately as she used to, and so she and Hasekura hatch a plan.

On the day of the dance competition Louis goes first. Before his dance he says he's always respected Hasekura, which is why he doesn't want to lose to him. Then it's Hasekura and Ando's turn. During practice Ando said she would lead to show off Hasekura, but during the dance Hasekura took the lead instead. He realized he didn't need to be like Mukai or Louis. He didn't want to show off. What he wanted was to be supportive of others, and right now he wants to support Ando and let her shine as she once did. And it was making Ando shine so bright and beautiful that made Louis admit defeat. Shiroma was amazed at Hasekura's ability to make Ando shine, and admits that while she initially thought he was scary, seeing him regularly at the dance studio made her realize how kind he is. But when she asked for him to dance Hasekura declined. Because he wants to keep dancing with Ando.

The next Friday, Employee A & B ask if Hasekura has plans for the weekend. He says he's going out dancing.

---

[talenlee]

Decemberween 2024 — Fox!

There’s a nonzero chance that hearing a guy gush about his partner might be something you consider ‘cringe,’ in which case I wish to issue you an anti-content warning. You should read this article anyway because such complaints are not based and indeed, even wack.

I don’t think I qualify as any kind of a Wife Guy but I think it’s important to recognise the best person in my life at least once a year.

Fox made a bunch of stuff with me this year. One of the big shifts we’ve been dealing with these past year is a slow bleed of production opportunities for our games. DriveThruCards has changed its printing policy, which makes the production of our games more expensive to make and export to us. In order to address that, Fox has made an enormous spreadsheet that shows the things we make and the prices we’re going to need to make to produce more games.

Through this research, which is largely just her work, we’ve been able to find production systems that still work with our game types, and we’ve been working to upgrade our games into this new system. This means amongst other things, different storage methods and new rules. As I write this, our newest game, Lysen Co is being processed by one of these options, and that game gets to appear in a metal tin with a rules booklet. Through Fox’s work doing layout and editing, making my rules text presentable and readable for an audience in a way that works with the interface of the game, that game might even be available for sale at Cancon in January.

That’s incredible considering all the work necessary to make it happen!

Straight up, working with Fox let me double my video production for the year, and opened up a type of video I don’t normally have it in me to make. Full playthroughs of some of these games is, in my opinion, a great way to surface elements of the games that an overview treatment can’t give proper attention to. It was originally meant to be a standardised format, where I’d record a playthrough with Fox, split it into two or three, and then use Sony Vegas to upload it with any necessary edits. I even wrote an article explaining parts of that process that were slow and cumbersome.

Fox and Talen Play Loom — Part 1 of 2!

Watch this video on YouTube

Thing is, because I’m working with Fox, and sitting there and talking through the actual method for doing it, we started work on making the videos in ways that are more efficient, easier to do. That led to the method I currently use, where I use keyboard shortcuts to navigate into the games, with my new keyboard that Fox got me when she noticed that I was using a keyboard where the keys occasionally failed. To do this I learned a lot about OBS, and that meant learning that some types of video I do — especially those that are just ‘slide show plus puppet’ are really easily made with just OBS. Thanks to Fox’s involvement, starting with (say) the Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People videos, I was making thumbnails before the project, I was going in with prepared sound options, and the videos were easier to make, faster to upload, and the process of uploading them was almost immediate after finishing recording them.

All because Fox helped smooth through one major part of the process!

This smoothing meant we’ve also been looking into further upgrades. After all, a lav mic is unnecessary when the core of my video production is just me, but when it’s me and Fox and we both have animated avatars we use for lip sync, that introduces a new kind of technical option. We’re experimenting with ways to make video that has both of our avatars in it, lipsyncing to our specific tracks. At the same time, because this process is being done months in advance, we’re able to recognise the ways that the process can be improved from point to point.

The Hollowness of M*A*S*K with Doc Destructo

Watch this video on YouTube

The video I made with Doc Destructo talking about M*A*S*K was a product of this kind of work! I was able to put all this together so that the heart of what happened was a single call. Now, because it was a single call, the way that Doc’s call got garbled was inescapable in the edit, as was the Bonus Dog Content of Elli barking. Part of the point was to have a pure conversation with Doc, which did create some problems, and now I know I want to have a pause-and-restart recording option for that kind of situation. It’s rough but it’s also a breakthrough of sorts because it has the animated avatar with eye tracking and lip syncing and my friend on the other call.

And this is just ‘stuff Fox has done with me this year.’ This is ignoring that Fox has also been contribtuing to virtual tabletop projects across two systems, contributing to Pokemon Infinite Fusion and oh yeah, also having a job as a web developer.

This is the twentieth year of being married to Fox. This is not our twentieth Christmas, but it is our Twentieth Christmas as a married couple. Our first Christmas was so very uncertain, and this year, we have some new uncertainties to grapple with. We’ve both had concerns throughout the year, we’ve had things that have set us back – but Fox has been relentless in finding ways to push forwards doing things in ways that work for her, that do what she wants to do with her effort, in the time she can expend it.

Fox is part of why I’m using kind.social. Why I’m using Duckduckgo. Why I’m using Office Calc instead of Microsoft Office any more. She set up activitypub. She manages the websites. She wrote plugins for functions on this website I that do things I want because she’d rather a solution be done right rather than whatever I can cludge around. In terms of things Fox can do and make she is absolutely interested in a particular philosophy of why not do things the right way?

She is my housebeast and my best friend, and I say it every year, but every day with her is a gift.

Check it out on PRESS.exe to see it with images and links!

[quirkwizard]

Hello great wizard, Can you please expand on your quirk Assembly, I really like it it gives a various explainable methods to be useful, but it reminds me a lot of weld (they are similar in the sense of putting things together, while weld can redo these things). Would Assembly be able to put back buildings or other intricate things/or make buildings? Also keep up the good content, I love you're style of writing in which is cohesive and easily readable (as a non English speaker).

Thank you, I'm glad you find my work so comprehensive. Though as a general reminder: "Assembly" does not reshape or rebuild anything, It's only taking materials around it and crafting them to match whatever plans the user has gathered into something new. They need the specific materials and plans to have it work. "reshaping the area" was just hyperbole I used to make it sound cool.

So for training, the user should be trying to work with the Support Course or whatever equivalent they can get. Basically anywhere with people building lots of stuff and the user can read over the blueprints. It's one thing to read the instructions, it's another thing to see people build it. The user can then in turn practice building up stuff, ranging anything from small tools to more complex electronics. The Support students can then help teach the user about the various pieces and designs to help them expand their understanding. Plus it would be very helpful for the Support students who wouldn't have to waste as much time building their prototypes.

As the Quirk is so support oriented, it doesn't really have a lot of great Super Move options. Evolutions would come from more the user getting more skilled with the power. The size limit is a pretty hard cap, so it'd be a matter of the user understanding their materials more, the various designs the user could make from them, and even learning to improvise from whatever may be around them. The user could evolve that power to be able to work on multiple projects at a time and working faster to build them up. The bigger ones could see the user being able to undo the creations they make, letting them more easily reuse their parts for something else.

Something like what Awase carries around would be good examples, stuff like steel plates and pipes that can can be put together in various configurations for their needs and wouldn't need to take up too much space. I'm sure a competent user could train themselves to carry around various parts that can make into all kinds of things, like various circuits and wires to make electronics, but such a feat would require a lot of time and practice. They could also have something akin to Momo's dictionary, filled with various plans for stuff they can make with their resources in case their need a refresher. They could have larger trucks for disaster zones, building up relief tents for people. Oh, maybe they could go with a engineer or construction worker theme for their outfit.

[bungerisme]

As I am very mentally ill about these two I will be discussing the character relationship between my oc Kato Tadashi and Gyomei Himejima as while it is oc x cannon it also tackles itself in a different way.

In this I’ll discuss how I perceive them, how their relationship functions, etc. may not be coherent but will do my best to organize to be readable

Warning for OC x Cannon, religious talk (kinda), historical homophobia

Also just general rambling.

Official relationship stuff and how it works

• Starting off with Kato himself. He is MLM/ Gay and desires to be a monk from a very young age and planned to go on a journey to be officially recognized as one when he reached teenhood. However due to his past where his family died due to a demon attacking them, Kato never got the chance. He now actively TRIES to emulate the life of a monk as much as possible (not perfectly but the best he can). Limiting his intake of meat, regular prayers and offerings, etc. one of the things he swore off to better emulate monk life is romantic endeavors. Both with men and women.

• The only person who knows of katos attraction is Mitsuri, being a love hashira she can sniff these things out easily, as well as having a decent relationship with Kato himself.

• Gyomei I consider to be ace-spec panromantic. Cause you can be religious and still feel an attraction. Gyomei unlike Kato is what I call a “proper monk” as he’s received teachings and has the official title as one. He has sworn off dating properly.

• Kato and gyomei at first HATED eachother. Well mostly Kato hated gyomei as gyomei shot through the ranks faster than him, kato being in the core since he was 13 while gyomei joined at 19. (To clarify something they’re the same age just joined at different times/ points in their life.) but as they grew stronger together they eventually became extremely close, becoming good friends.

• Kato and gyomei both developed feelings for eachother about a year before tanjiro became a slayer. However in the taisho era homosexuality isn’t exactly acceptable. Let alone two monks of such a high rank being allowed to be together.

• they had an almost silent confrontation with eachother with a few words opening up about how they felt. It was mutual and calm. “In the next life if I am reborn as a woman. Or if we are reborn into a world that would accept us. Let us be married alright?” A deal struck.

• While not together romantically they give each other small gestures of affection. Mostly physical touch and quality time. Though they aren’t large gestures they’re just small affirmations of “I care about you”. Like gently brushing the others hand with their own, pats on the back, etc. stuff that’s subtle.

~~~~~~~

Spin off series dynamic

• in kimetsu academy (the cannon alternate universe to kimetsu no yabai) gyomei and Kato are together! They’re actually married, meeting in college and married once they got their degrees in teaching. Kato however works at a convinence store near the highschool as he didn’t really have much of a desire to actually teach highschool students.

• they live in an apartment together

• They don’t want the relationship to be public so they try to keep it under wraps the best they can. Mostly by calling eachother “roommates”

• they’re gestures of affection are about the same just a bit more obvious and open mostly just hand holding as neither are fans of PDA.

• Kato attends events at the highschool mostly to support gyomei and see how the students that take his class are doing.

[kaylatechheart]

Bathbomb Trinity Redesigns (Adoptables)

I made redesigns to my one time OCs that I made for a Deviantart Badge thing back then, and I'm very proud on how much of a glow up it has turned out. I decided to remake them so it be in a better condition for friend @Blacksun98 to work with. As well as providing and helping info that they would want for these characters, the info will be provided below. So hope you guys like it! Note: These guys takes place in a different city but within the same PPG universe area. Old Designs: https://www.deviantart.com/kaylatechheart/art/BathBomb-Trinity-Sketch-846257627

Bathbomb Trinity now owned by: @Blacksun98 PPG is owned by: Craig McCracken

Bathbomb Trinity Info: Ingredients: Shampoo, Soap, and Conditioner + Chemical H

Ages: All 8 - 10 Years Old (Around 9 current time) Species: Neko Fish (They are not Catfish lol)

Shayla:

INFO

Shayla, a very outgoing and chaotic girl who enjoys being the center of attention and within the spotlight of others, whether in a positive or negative way. She's often very brash but straight forward towards others, and will not be afraid to be hesitant to express her feelings and thoughts. Often or not this can hurt someone else's feelings due to lack of awareness or lack of filter, but because of that other people are able to understand her better as a person and her intentions are pretty predictable to anyone's knowledge.

With her being very expressive, it's not hard to tell how she feels within that moment, making her feelings easily readable, so when it comes to her trying to hide how she's feeling it can't fool anyone. She's also known to be hypocritical with her actions when calling out on others, though that makes it easier for her to identify other people's true intentions a lot more faster if she ever notices.

Although she's not your typical "good girl" she's not inherently a "bad kid" either. She's more much a wild card and has her handful of fair share of naughty moments, hence getting into a lot of trouble. She often likes to tease her brothers a lot, especially Connor as he is not outspoken as Sean, though if she goes too far with her actions she would feel very bad and terrible about it. She might not be the best sister but tries to be a good one at least.

Shayla often wishes she have a sister as she felt left out, being the only girl in the group her interests are sometimes far different from her and her brothers leaving her very few to talk about with them. She sometimes wishes that her brothers are either girls or that she is a boy herself so she wouldn't feel so drifted from them. Funny enough its the only thing about herself she never revealed as she wishes to keep at least one insecurity to herself for once. OTHER INFO

Has a pearl that can see all that's happening in the current time (within the vicinity of the city). It is used as their version of the "Hotline" and not a phone like the PPG, the pearl also glows upon a bad event that has happened within the city. It has an active ability as well that shows 5-10 seconds in the future, but only triggered when a life threatening situation occurs. (Meaning Shayla cannot trigger that ability herself, it has to happen on its own)

Loves a lot of Seafood, mostly fish meat related though or squid but she can eat other foods.

Surprisingly she's not a picky eater and will eat anything on the table unlike Sean. The food will have to be so bad for her to dislike it.

Is pan when she's older.

Has a good relationship with their parent, decent with Connor, but bickers head to toe with Sean. But she still loves Sean regardless, and sometimes even enjoy his company if they aren't fighting.

Secretly jealous of Sean's and Connor's brotherly bond, hopefully have something similar if she had a sister, or maybe with them as well.

Her signature color is Sandy Yellow, her main ingredient being Shampoo.

Since Sean doesn't hang out with her as much, usually she hangs out with Connor.

Is a decent swimmer, however is a really good listener from far away due to the lack of fluff in her ears.

Despite her and her brothers are all spoiled and loved, she has more toys and trinkets in her room than her brothers, though no worries its not out of favoritism, she just asks for much though understands if she cannot get said item (even if she is upset about it).

Her hobbies consist of reading (mostly comics), playing with toys, stuffed animals, doing outdoor activities (mostly be reckless), arts and crafts, watch TV and play video games. (She doesn't really play board games as it boring to her as it has no action to it) Connor: INFO Connor, a meek and soft spoken child, he is a shy and nervous little boy, often times spoke in a quiet and polite manner. Very sweet to others, though is very unconfident about his leadership skills, and himself as a person. Despite his 2 other outspoken, rowdy siblings of his, somehow he's is the self proclaimed leader of the group. Reason of that being his persona changes 180 when being under pressure, being able to successfully lead and get him and his siblings into formation and work through with his plans and save civilians and innocent bystanders successfully. Though kind, Connor is very smart and is not naïve towards people's bad intentions. An attempt in the past was made by him to switch his leader position to Sean and Shayla when his anxiety filled thoughts of responsibility as a leader peaked through the roof. It was proven both was unable to keep calm under pressure when put in a stressful and potentially life threatening situation, and then the group eventually realized Connor is the better option as a leader. Some believe that this sudden persona change from Connor is due to his survival responses kicking in, being in flight or fight mode. Due to his nature of being pretty much full of worry and anxiety filled. OTHER INFO

Obtains a trident that can summon lightning, water beams at will, can also give a fly boost during in a water setting or rain.

Enjoys Sea Plants as food, though does eat Seafood (Fish and Crabs and etc) and many other things.

Is bi when older but more straight leaning.

Has a good relationship with his parent and both siblings, and gets along with them pretty well.

His signature color is Seaweed Green and main ingredient being Conditioner.

Is a very good swimmer, due to his tail being sharp and slick.

His hobby consists of reading (mostly comics and novels), playing toys and hugging stuffed animals, knitting, watching TV and play board games or video games. Sean: INFO Sean, a very laidback and chill guy often enjoys things that are within the moment with no rushes or anything. Although is nice, often gets annoyed pretty easily and has a very short temper due to unable to convey of show emotions well or correctly. And even goes as far as to hide their emotions to not cause any disturbance, but only within his convivence as he doesn't have to deal with more things. Because of that he often butt heads with his sister, who they pretty much disagree on a lot of things with each other. Though despite that, Sean is very overprotective of his siblings and would do anything to protect them, whilst being the "oldest" he often has rational thinking and a clear head to make very important decisions, even have a good planning systems as well and take his time on thinking about it. However the drawback comes with being unable to think under pure pressure, when Connor attempts to give away his leadership title to him at the first time when he felt inadequate at being a leader. This ended up being a disaster when Sean had a panic attack trying to think his plan at a fast and quick pace which he wasn't used to. Sean often times can be seen as "cold hearted" or "emotionless" by strangers when in reality he doesn't know what to feel around them, hence a lot of other kids tend to be slightly afraid of them. Sean often feels insecure about his tail, as it was born defective, making him unable to swim properly, despite him and his siblings are born to swim, making him swim way more slower than the others. As well as how his tail looks. Often or not in dire situations, him swimming pretty slow had almost got him killed hence needing assistance from Connor to use his ability to cling onto him and swim away faster. He wishes he can swim like the others normally. OTHER INFO

Has a Conch Shell that can play music, summon a help call to alert his siblings, as well as summoning sea creatures to aid him and bubble rings to float but with a limit of 5 mins. It can also blow normal bubbles as well.

Enjoys Seafood, but specifically crustaceans such as shrimp, crab lobster and etc. Can eat other variants of seafood and other food items, he just prefers those mostly.

Is a very picker eater, but that's due to taste and sometimes sensory issues. (EX Pineapple stings their tongue and injures them)

Despite loving both siblings, he enjoys Connor's company more. Sometimes secretly wishes Shayla not being there when they are talking something they all like, and only wants Connor's company. Honestly, he even feels bad for even thinking that and never reveals that truth to any of his siblings.

Is gay when he's older, he at first thought it was because his experience with Connor and Shayla made it like this, but in reality he genuinely likes guys.

Has a good relationship with parent and Connor except Shayla. While Shayla sometimes enjoy his company, Sean really doesn't with her. Making the company with the both of them one sided. However masks the truth of it as he at least loves her enough to see her happy. He loves both of his siblings, but has heavy favoritism with Connor.

His signature color is Ocean Blue, his main ingredient being Soap. Funny enough the soap was heavily chipped off, maybe that was the result of the tail being chipped as well.

Is a bad swimmer, and although can hear far, doesn't has as sensitive ears as the others.

His hobby consists of sketching, reading (novel and manga but comics if Connor ever shows them) and puzzles. Especially the 3D puzzles. Sometimes plays board games with Connor or normal video games and even watch TV with him.

[ydrhxx-gamedev]

Week 10 Assignment 3 Development Progress

DESIGN

Over the past few days, our team discussed how to shape the moment-to-moment gameplay of Storm The Core. We agreed early on that the game needed to feel responsive and satisfying in both movement and combat, while still being readable and not visually overwhelming. I focused on a few key systems to keep interactions fun but not too complicated for the player:

Simple UI, Clear Feedback One of my biggest goals was building a clean interface that shows health, XP, energy, and ability status without cluttering the screen. I implemented a pause menu that uses a layered overlay and variable tracking to animate the UI elements. Players can use arrows to navigate and Return to select, and I made sure it feels snappy to match the game’s fast pacing.

Modular Player/Enemy Logic To make our game systems more manageable, I separated out all player and enemy logic into different event sheets using GDevelop’s event linking. This lets us keep things readable while still giving flexibility to update combat, movement, and AI wave spawning. We want each wave to feel distinct, and the later waves will ramp up with stronger or faster enemy types.

Player Movement & Combat Core The movement is drift-based, with friction so the player can still stop and control easily. Shooting is done via mouse aim, and we’ve designed the controls so players can boost, aim, and fire at the same time without awkward key binds. We’re aiming for a combat system that rewards mobility and smart positioning instead of just spamming fire.

DEVELOPMENT

So far, I’ve completed the pause menu system and UI logic. This includes the overlay visuals, input handling, animation switching, and variable-based state control. It took some iteration to get the menu navigation working smoothly, especially the part where pressing escape pauses the game and brings up a clean UI that can be interacted with.

Although I haven’t built the combat or wave mechanics myself, I contributed by helping set up the structure for both the player and enemy systems alongside my team. We’ve laid the foundation so the next steps like wave escalation, ability upgrades, or enemy pathing can be built without cluttering the core logic.

Next, I’ll focus on linking more UI feedback to in-game variables, like displaying health, XP, and energy. I’ll also start preparing for how the shop menu might work during checkpoint sectors.

Right now, we’re on track with our planned features. The game loop is shaping up, and the structure we’ve built so far is solid for layering more complexity over time.

[jcmarchi]

Free Collections of Minimally Designed Logo Templates (100+ Templates)

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Free Collections of Minimally Designed Logo Templates (100+ Templates)

Minimalist design has become the go-to choice for brand designers in recent years. While it looks simple, getting the balance right can be harder than it seems. That’s why starting with a solid template can save time and help things move along faster.

This collection includes some of the best minimalist logo templates that are free for personal and commercial projects. They can be used as inspiration or as a base for your next logo design.

A clean, minimal logo is easier to remember and works well in different settings — whether online, on packaging, or in print. Scroll through the templates and download anything that fits your next brand project.

You might also like our collection of free feminine logo templates.

What Defines a Minimal Logo?

Minimal logos are designed to be clear, direct, and easy to recognize. Instead of trying to say everything at once, they focus on just one idea—and make that idea as strong as possible.

Few elements: Every shape, line, or letter has a reason to be there. Nothing extra is added just to fill space.

Clean lines and simple shapes: The design stays basic so it’s easier to read, scale, and remember.

No decoration: Shadows, gradients, and textures are usually left out. The design speaks for itself.

Works in black and white: A minimal logo holds up without color, making it more flexible across different uses.

Scales without losing detail: Whether on a billboard or a business card, the logo stays sharp and readable.

Focuses on one idea: It’s built around a single concept, like a letterform, shape, or symbol that ties to the brand.

Simple typefaces: Fonts are usually plain, bold, or custom, but never overdesigned or hard to read.

Limited colors: If color is used, it’s often one or two flat tones that work well together.

Balanced layout: Shapes and spacing are carefully arranged so nothing feels off-center or heavy on one side.

Open space: The design doesn’t try to fill every corner. Empty space is part of the design and gives it room to breathe.

In PSD, EPS & AI Formats

Check out this collection of 100 minimal logo templates if you’re looking for multiple and varied options. The templates come in Photoshop and Illustrator formats.

In Free, PSD Formats

This collection includes 15 different logo design templates for Adobe Photoshop. You can easily customize the typography as well as the colors.

In PSD & AI Formats

The logos in this collection are perfect if you need to work on a monogram or logo for a brand with a very short name. The templates are in Photoshop and Illustrator formats and have well-organized layers for easy editing.

In Free, AI, EPS, PSD & PNG Formats

The Camelia collection of logos is a perfect choice for projects that revolve around natural and organic brands. The logo templates feature delicate floral elements, and you can easily modify the fonts thanks to the layered files.

In PSD & AI Formats

This impressive collection of 100 minimal logo templates is a great choice no matter what type of project you’re working on. You will find fully editable, layered files as well as a help file that lists all the fonts used in the templates.

In Free, PSD Formats

If you’re working on a logo design for a photography business, this collection of 3 minimal photography logos will come in handy. The logos can be edited with Photoshop and use free fonts.

In PSD & AI Formats

When you subscribe, you will be able to download this collection of 20 minimalist logo templates. The logo designs come in Photoshop and Illustrator formats and are fully editable.

In Free, PSD & AI Formats

This pack contains a grand total of 25 unique minimalist logo designs that can be used as a starting point for your next brand design or as an inspiration. The logo files can be edited using Photoshop and Illustrator.

In PSD & AI Formats

Consider this collection of 50 minimal logos if you’re looking for variety in your logo designs. You’ll find monogram logos as well as wordmarks. The logos can be edited using either Photoshop or Illustrator.

In Free, PSD, AI & EPS Formats

This free collection offers fifteen minimal logo templates, all using a stylish typographical style. Each logo works well on both light and dark backgrounds. The templates are available in Illustrator AI and EPS, and Photoshop PSD format.

In Free, AI, EPS & SVG Formats

This set includes nine minimal logo templates with geometric designs and a simple, flat color scheme. The logo set is available in Illustrator AI, EPS, and SVG formats.

In Free, EPS & SVG Formats

This free package offers ten minimal logo templates with styles ranging from vintage crests to geometric badges. They are available in Illustrator EPS and SVG formats.

In Free, AI & PSD Formats

This collection features twenty free minimalist vector logo templates, including abstract and geometric designs. These are easy to edit and available in Photoshop PSD format.

In Free, AI & EPS Formats

This set includes ten simple, minimally designed logo templates, available in Illustrator AI and EPS formats. They are free for both personal and commercial use.

In Free, PSD Formats

This collection includes five simple logo designs for photographers. They feature various camera and shutter designs and are available in Photoshop PSD format. They’re free for both personal and commercial use.

Conclusion

A minimal logo keeps things simple without losing meaning. It’s not just about taking things away — it’s about making sure what stays actually matters. When done well, it communicates clearly and leaves a lasting impression.

Whether you’re starting fresh or updating an old design, minimalism can help focus attention on the core of the brand. No extra noise. Just what needs to be there, and nothing more.

More Logo Templates

Our logo template collections have been created to help simplify the logo design process. All templates are highly flexible, so no matter your design skill level, you can create a unique and professional logo that your clients will love.

More Logo Templates

Related Topics

Written by Paul Andrew

Paul is the founder and editor of Speckyboy Design Magazine. He has a passion for UI design, print design, motion design, and graphic design, and loves discovering and sharing new resources and templates.

Read more articles by Paul Andrew

[dzinesoniya]

Exploring the Relationship Between SEO and UX (User Experience)

When most people hear the term SEO, they think of keywords, rankings, and Google’s ever-changing algorithm. On the other hand, UX, or user experience, often brings to mind website layout, design, and ease of use. But here’s the thing—these two are not separate islands. In fact, SEO and UX are deeply linked, and when combined well, they can make your website more visible and valuable to your visitors.

Let’s break this down in a simple and friendly way.

Why UX Matters for SEO

Search engines like Google want to show users the best possible results for their queries. That doesn’t just mean the most relevant content. It also includes how easily a user can read, navigate, and interact with your website. If your site takes forever to load, has confusing navigation, or isn’t mobile-friendly, users won’t stick around. And when users bounce off your site quickly, Google notices—and may push your site lower in the search results.

So even if your content is top-notch, poor UX can ruin your chances of ranking well.

Speed and Mobile-Friendliness

One of the key aspects of good UX is site speed. No one likes waiting more than a few seconds for a page to load. Google understands this, which is why speed is one of its ranking factors. Compressing images, using fewer plugins, and choosing a reliable hosting service can all help make your site faster.

Then there’s mobile usability. A large portion of users now browse the web on their phones. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile devices, users are more likely to leave. That’s bad for UX and bad for SEO. Make sure your text is easy to read on small screens, buttons are easy to tap, and the layout adjusts smoothly.

Structure and Navigation

Think about how you find something in a supermarket. If items are scattered randomly, it’s frustrating. But when things are arranged by category, it’s much easier to shop. The same goes for websites.

A clean, organized structure makes it easier for both users and search engines to find your content. Use clear menus, keep important pages a few clicks away from the homepage, and include internal links that guide readers to related topics. This helps users explore more of your site and tells search engines which pages are important.

Content and Readability

Content is still king, but it needs to be user-friendly. Avoid long blocks of text. Use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs. Make your content easy to scan, especially for users who are in a hurry.

The tone should also feel natural. Speak to your audience like you’re having a one-on-one chat. That’s exactly what search engines favor—content that connects with people in a clear and helpful way.

Real-World Example

Let’s say you’re running a local business and you’ve typed “digital marketing company near me” into Google. The top results aren’t just there because they stuffed in a bunch of keywords. They likely have fast-loading websites, clean design, helpful content, and good reviews.

A business that invests in both SEO and UX doesn’t just get higher rankings—they also build trust. That’s what keeps users coming back or converting into customers.

Metrics That Show the Link

If you're still wondering how SEO and UX connect, just look at the numbers. Bounce rate, time spent on page, pages per session, and conversion rate are all tied to user experience. These metrics also influence how search engines view your site.

When users enjoy your site, they stay longer, explore more pages, and take action—whether it's signing up, buying a product, or contacting you. This sends positive signals to search engines, which can improve your rankings.

How a Professional Team Can Help

Balancing SEO and UX can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re handling everything on your own. That’s where working with a skilled digital marketing company near Bhubaneswar can make a big difference. They can help design a website that not only ranks well but also keeps visitors engaged and converts them into loyal customers.

From optimizing page speed to crafting clear content and ensuring a smooth mobile experience, the right team can turn your website into a powerful asset for your business.

Conclusion

In the end, SEO and UX are like two sides of the same coin. You can’t focus on one and ignore the other. A fast, clean, and easy-to-use website with relevant content is what users want—and what search engines reward.

If you’re aiming to grow your online presence, start by asking yourself: “Is my website just ranking, or is it also working for my visitors?” When both SEO and UX work hand in hand, success becomes a lot more achievable.

[techexplica]

Top Reasons to Choose Python for Your Coding Journey

In the ever-evolving world of programming, Python has emerged as one of the most popular and versatile languages. Whether you are a beginner stepping into the coding world or a professional looking to enhance your skills, Python offers a simple yet powerful way to achieve your goals. At Techexplica, the leading Python training institute in Delhi, we believe that learning Python is the best decision you can make for your programming career.

In this blog, we will explore the top reasons why Python is the best choice for your coding journey and how it can benefit you in various domains.

1. Easy to Learn and Use

Python is known for its clean and readable syntax, which makes it an ideal programming language for beginners. Unlike other complex programming languages like Java or C++, Python has a simple syntax that resembles English. This ease of learning allows students and professionals to quickly grasp the fundamentals and start coding efficiently.

At Techexplica, our Python course is designed to ensure that even absolute beginners can learn the language without any difficulty.

2. Highly Versatile and Multi-Purpose

Python is a general-purpose language, meaning it can be used for various applications, including:

Web development

Data science and machine learning

Automation and scripting

Game development

Cybersecurity and ethical hacking

Internet of Things (IoT)

This versatility makes Python a valuable skill, as it opens doors to multiple career opportunities.

3. Wide Community Support

One of Python’s greatest strengths is its vast community of developers and enthusiasts who contribute to its growth. If you ever get stuck while coding, you can easily find solutions through forums like Stack Overflow, GitHub, and Python’s official documentation. With such a strong community, beginners can learn and progress much faster.

At Techexplica, our instructors provide hands-on training and mentorship to ensure our students get the best learning experience.

4. Extensive Libraries and Frameworks

Python offers a vast collection of libraries and frameworks that simplify coding and development. Some of the most commonly used ones include:

NumPy and Pandas – for data analysis

Matplotlib and Seaborn – for data visualization

Scikit-learn and TensorFlow – for machine learning

Flask and Django – for web development

Selenium – for automation and testing

These libraries make Python highly efficient and save developers significant time while working on projects.

5. High Demand in the Job Market

Python developers are in high demand across various industries, including IT, finance, healthcare, and more. Companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Netflix use Python extensively in their tech stacks. Learning Python increases your employability and helps you land lucrative job opportunities.

At Techexplica, we provide industry-relevant training and placement assistance to help students secure jobs in top companies.

6. Perfect for Web Development

Python, with frameworks like Django and Flask, makes web development easier and more efficient. These frameworks provide robust security features and scalability, making Python an excellent choice for developing dynamic websites and applications.

7. Best for Data Science and Machine Learning

Python has become the go-to language for data science and artificial intelligence (AI). It offers powerful tools for data manipulation, statistical analysis, and machine learning, making it the preferred choice for data scientists and AI professionals.

At Techexplica, we offer specialized Python courses focused on data science and AI to help students build expertise in this growing field.

8. Ideal for Automation and Scripting

Python is widely used for automation and scripting tasks, such as:

Web scraping

Automated testing

Task automation (e.g., renaming files, sending emails, etc.)

Network automation

This feature makes Python a valuable skill for IT professionals and system administrators.

9. Strong Community and Corporate Support

Many tech giants, including Google, IBM, and NASA, support Python’s development and use it for critical projects. This corporate backing ensures Python’s continuous growth and evolution, making it a stable and future-proof choice.

10. Excellent for Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity

Python is widely used in ethical hacking and cybersecurity due to its ability to create powerful tools for penetration testing, network scanning, and malware analysis. Professionals in this field rely on Python to develop and execute security measures effectively.

11. Great for Beginners and Experienced Programmers

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, Python offers something for everyone. Beginners find it easy to start, while advanced programmers can explore its capabilities in AI, data science, and web development.

12. Opens Doors to Freelancing and Entrepreneurship

With Python skills, you can work as a freelancer, develop your own software solutions, or even launch a startup. The demand for Python developers in freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr is continuously growing, allowing you to earn a great income while working independently.

Conclusion

Python is the ultimate programming language for anyone looking to start or advance their coding journey. Its simplicity, versatility, strong community support, and high demand in the job market make it a must-learn language.

At Techexplica, we offer the best Python course in Delhi, covering everything from basics to advanced concepts. Our expert trainers, hands-on projects, and placement assistance ensure that our students become proficient Python developers ready to take on real-world challenges.

Enroll today at Techexplica and start your Python journey with the best training in Delhi!

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[tbfmpyear2]

Research: How does Sonic Frontiers make their collectables effective & consistent?

After testing, I found out that one of the problems some of my collectables had was their following speed if the player was going too fast. At the moment they just slowly chase the player. By looking into a fast paced game with a similar collectable to mine, like Sonic Frontiers and it's rings, I'm hoping to find out how they solved this problem.

At a general glance, the rings are just incredibly fast. This is likely done because average speed is also really fast, so they easily and naturally work. I can't just make my collectable faster though, this would break the physics based method and cause the homing and lerp methods to lose visual appeal.

At 8:30, you can see a really good example of the player going faster than the rings. It seems like that despite the rings not actually making it to the player, they are being collected (note the yellow particles around Sonic):

By using the , and . keys, I can step through individual frames of the video and analyse this further. I believe that to achieve this affect, at least one of two things has to be true:

The rings have a kind of "time to live" and if they've not caught up with the player by then, they are just automatically collected. I don't 100% think this is true, because it looks like some of the rings hang around longer than others, although this timer might be randomised. However, look at these two images, taken one frame after eachother:

Comparing it to the distance at which other rings are "collected", it's way further away, which gives merit to this idea.

Or alternatively:

The rings have some kind of "root anchor" that moves towards the player much faster, and is what the game is actually checking for collisions with. In this case the rings would just be a visual that's chasing this anchor, not the player. This would explain why the rings get collected before they seemingly don't reach the player. These two frames at ~10:05 might prove this point:

The rings are just sitting on top of the player, so while they should be collected, I'm assuming (perhaps wrongfully) that the anchor has some kind of delay so when it reaches the player the rings have time to catch up.

A easier way to visualize it might be in pseudocode, which is a detailed yet readable description of what a computer program or algorithm should do. The way I see it, the "anchor" does this: WHEN Tick AND Activated: GoToPlayer WHEN OverlapPlayer: Delay(3 seconds) DestroyMyself() And the actual ring does this: WHEN Tick AND Activated: GoToAnchor() This is some reasonable code that I think would produce a similar affect to what is seen in the video.

In conclusion, I think that both methods are practical but slightly unsatisfying, especially at slower speeds. I think it's important that player sees that they got the collectable, which this game does because the high speeds mask the kind of cheat going on here, but I think it would be ineffective in my slower paced project.

[eloiacs]

Top 5 Programming Languages You Should Learn in 2024

Learning the proper programming languages could make a big difference on your profession. With technology advancing unexpectedly, some programming languages stand out more than others in 2024. Whether you’re just beginning out in coding or looking to upgrade your talents, this listing will help you pick out the quality languages to learn.

Let’s take a look at the top 5 programming languages you should learn in 2024!

1. Python

Why Learn Python?

Python has been one of the maximum popular programming languages for several years—and it’s no longer going anywhere. It’s broadly used in net improvement, records analysis, synthetic intelligence (AI), system learning (ML), and even automation.

Key Advantages:

Easy to Learn: Python is thought for its easy, readable syntax, making it a wonderful choice for novices.

Versatile: Python is used in a extensive form of fields, from facts science to net apps, making it a language with infinite opportunities.

Huge Community: With a massive variety of libraries and frameworks (like Django and Flask), you may without problems locate equipment and help for almost any undertaking.

In 2024, Python will continue to be in high demand, Especially with the increasing focus on AI, statistics technological know-how, and automation.

2. JavaScript

Why Learn JavaScript?

JavaScript is the spine of net improvement. It powers interactivity on web sites, from simple animations to complicated web apps. If you’re looking to build interactive web sites or complete-fledged internet applications, JavaScript is a need to.

Key Advantages:

Universally Used: It’s the maximum widely-used language for internet development. Whether you’re working on the front stop (what users see) or the again give up (server-aspect common sense), JavaScript is vital.

Fast and Dynamic: JavaScript permits for actual-time updates with out fresh the web page, making web apps experience faster and more interactive.

Rich Ecosystem: Tools like React, Angular, and Node.Js make JavaScript even greater powerful, allowing you to construct the whole thing from easy web sites to complex, statistics-pushed applications.

JavaScript's versatility and consistent call for in internet improvement make it a pinnacle language to analyze in 2024.

3. Go (Golang)

Why Learn Go?

Go, additionally called Golang, is a programming language developed with the aid of Google. It's turning into more famous, specially for building fast, reliable, and scalable software program, particularly in cloud computing and microservices.

Key Advantages:

Speed and Performance: Go is known for its lightning-fast typical performance, which makes it incredible for constructing excessive-overall performance applications.

Concurrency Made Easy: Go’s built-in aid for concurrent programming (walking more than one method at the equal time) makes it a pinnacle preference for cloud-based totally programs and services.

Great for Micro services: With its easy syntax and simplicity of use, Go is exceptional for scalable micro services that run easily in cloud environments.

As more agencies adopt cloud computing and micro offerings architectures, Go’s call for is predicted to develop, making it a precious language to research in 2024.

4. Java

Why Learn Java?

Java is one of the most depended on and widely used programming languages, in particular in large-scale enterprise packages, Android app development, and agency structures. Although it's been round for many years, Java nevertheless holds a robust role in 2024.

Key Advantages:

Platform-Independent: Java is thought for its “write once, run everywhere” function. This approach you may run Java programs on any device, as long because it has a Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

Great for Android Development: Java is the official language for Android apps. If you want to become an Android developer, learning Java is a must.

Enterprise Use: Many massive corporations rely upon Java for their backend systems, making it a crucial language in organization software program improvement.

Java’s reliability, balance, and massive surroundings make sure that it remains a top language for corporations and builders alike.

5. Rust

Why Learn Rust?

Rust is a structures programming language designed for safety and overall performance. While it’s more recent than a number of the other languages in this listing, its reputation is rising rapid, especially in areas like game improvement, block chain, and systems programming.

Key Advantages:

Memory Safety: Rust is thought for its interest on memory protection, making sure that your code doesn’t have common bugs like reminiscence leaks or statistics races. This makes it pleasant for universal performance-crucial packages.

Performance: Rust is rather rapid, regularly outperforming different languages like C   in positive cases, especially in phrases of memory management.

Growing Demand: Although it’s a surprisingly younger language, Rust is gaining popularity in industries like gaming, cryptocurrency, and even operating systems improvement.

If you’re interested by low-stage programming or walking in industries that require immoderate performance (like block chain or recreation engines), Rust is a exquisite language to research in 2024.

Honorable Mentions

While these five languages are great choices for 2024, there are other languages worth considering depending on your interests:

C#: Great for sport improvement (with Unity) and corporation packages.

Swift: The pass-to language for iOS and macOS app development.

Kotlin: An opportunity to Java for Android improvement, with a greater modern syntax.

Conclusion

Learning a brand new programming language is an funding in your future, and selecting the right one can help you achieve your profession desires. In 2024, Python, JavaScript, Go, Java, and Rust are some of the maximum precious languages to analyze, every supplying unique blessings and opportunities in different tech fields.

Whether you’re inquisitive about internet development, cell apps, sport development, or structures programming, those languages will provide you with the skills you want to live in advance in the ever-evolving tech global. Visit Eloiacs to find more about software development.

So, which one will you learn next?