lizzymae17
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Last Pokemon Controversy Entry
3 min read
So my stance on the controversy of #BringBacknationaldex for the Pokemon Sword and Shield games changed drastically, and now I've come to a final perspective.
For those who are coming to this journal first and don't feel like reading my previous two, I will sum them up:
1. In my first entry, I defended Game Freak and their decision, emphasizing the importance of experiencing SWSH game alone rather than holding onto past specific Pokemon for dear life (like a specific Luxray or Gallade). I still explained first and foremost that I was initially furious at Game Freak for cutting the National Dex.
2. In my second entry, I linked videos by YouTuber DistantKingdom, and said that I realized Game Freak didn't even improve their animations, and are rather re-using old models from Sun and Moon. I kinda jumped to the other side of the battle.
So what is my opinion now? Well, thanks to a relatively known voice in the PokeTuber community (a.k.a Lockstin & Gnoggin), I have learned new things that have helped to ground me. I noticed things I overlooked on both sides of the argument, and I am relatively neutral now.
Those who are angry at Game Freak have a right to be angry, but they should by no means hate on Game Freak or worse, boycott SWSH. If we want future games in the main series to be better, we want to make sure that there IS a future game, which means we (hopefully) buy copies of SWSH anyways to support Game Freak, who surprisingly doesn't put much of a budget forth to make the main series Pokemon games.
Likewise, a lot of Game Freak defenders are REALLY missing the reasonable points that SWSH criticisms are making, like the argument on making more expressive battle animations. And Game Freak defenders are just in general blind to the fact that Game Freak indeed did some things wrong when budgeting and developing SWSH!
All in all, I'm disappointed with Game Freak, and I'm disappointed with the Game Freak haters.
I guess it's impossible to make a fandom as large as Pokemon non-toxic, but guys come on, be more understandable of each other. If we express concern and support-lined constructive criticism, perhaps Game Freak will be able to make the necessary improvements to save the Pokemon main series before it falls apart.
Here is the link to Lockstin's video that helped me open my eyes more! I HIGHLY recommend you watch it to completion for the sake of gaining a healthier perspective on the issue:
(And I apologize for the lack of the fakemon art. My motivation for pretty much anything has been decreasing along with my practically non-existant self-esteem. It's really not an excuse for missing a deadline, that yes, wasn't specified anyway, I only said within a week. I tend to struggle with prioritization, so now I have several personal projects in front of me including the Fakemon that are screaming at me to make progress on at least one of them, and I haven't budged because I can't make up my mind.)
(I have some concept sketches I did make that I posted to Twitter, so tomorrow and Saturday I WILL post those to this account as well. Of course, if you're impatient, here's a link to my Twitter so you can see them early: twitter.com/Eli_Mantis )
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A Follow-Up to My Last Entry
2 min read
What was my last entry about? Why, it was about Pokémon Sword and Shield; my argument defends Gamefreak and their decision to take out half of the National Dex.
Do I still agree with that decision? Yes and no.
While I still don’t care that they took out a portion of the National Dex, I have just realized that I overlooked an extremely important issue. As a result, I have done a double-take and am wondering why Gamefreak made the decision in the first place.
Let me explain.
One of the reasons that Gamefreak listed as a reason they’re taking out the National Dex is that they want to improve things like battle animations without having to do every single Pokémon.
Well, okay, that makes sense, BUT WHERE ARE THE IMPROVED ANIMATIONS?? From what I’ve learned, all they’re doing is RE-USING the SAME EXACT animations from the Sun and Moon titles. They’re not changing the movement and making it more expressive, they’re just refining the textures.
(And by the way, if you look closer at the Wild Area, the textures there are terrible).
Believe you me, I’ve never really cared much about the quality of the battle animations, but that’s just because I never really thought about it before and was kinda ignorant.
Gamefreak said they’d improve the animations, and they have the ability to do just that, I mean, the games are on the freaking SWITCH now! So when I see them promise better animations, and they fail to deliver, I have to wonder if there was a point to taking out the National Dex.
As disappointed as I am right now, I’m still getting Shield, because I want to experience the region and catch myself a Yamper.
Here’s the videos I watched that shed light on this issue:
“Response to GAME FREAK IS LAZY”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=28RXaXC9…
“Apologists Get Destroyed”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=mbDOrjE4…
“Apologists Get Destroyed AGAIN”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=m9LvBb5p…
Do I still agree with that decision? Yes and no.
While I still don’t care that they took out a portion of the National Dex, I have just realized that I overlooked an extremely important issue. As a result, I have done a double-take and am wondering why Gamefreak made the decision in the first place.
Let me explain.
One of the reasons that Gamefreak listed as a reason they’re taking out the National Dex is that they want to improve things like battle animations without having to do every single Pokémon.
Well, okay, that makes sense, BUT WHERE ARE THE IMPROVED ANIMATIONS?? From what I’ve learned, all they’re doing is RE-USING the SAME EXACT animations from the Sun and Moon titles. They’re not changing the movement and making it more expressive, they’re just refining the textures.
(And by the way, if you look closer at the Wild Area, the textures there are terrible).
Believe you me, I’ve never really cared much about the quality of the battle animations, but that’s just because I never really thought about it before and was kinda ignorant.
Gamefreak said they’d improve the animations, and they have the ability to do just that, I mean, the games are on the freaking SWITCH now! So when I see them promise better animations, and they fail to deliver, I have to wonder if there was a point to taking out the National Dex.
As disappointed as I am right now, I’m still getting Shield, because I want to experience the region and catch myself a Yamper.
Here’s the videos I watched that shed light on this issue:
“Response to GAME FREAK IS LAZY”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=28RXaXC9…
“Apologists Get Destroyed”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=mbDOrjE4…
“Apologists Get Destroyed AGAIN”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=m9LvBb5p…
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Before I get into it, I am WICKED PISSED because Deviantart just deleted everything I wrote just because I forgot that I couldn't include fucking symbols in my title. So now I have to copy and paste everything again as well as write the extensions as best as I can remember them. GREEEEAAAAT.
Here's the link the the original rant on my Twitter: twitter.com/Eli_Mantis
So... as a fan of Pokemon, I'd like to address what's going on with the recent announcement from Junichi Masuda. When I first heard you couldn't bring Pokemon into Galar if they're not in its Pokedex, I was outraged. Then I thought about it, and it made sense.
With so many Pokemon already, and far more slated to come out in Sword/Shield and future games, it would become really hard to keep track of the National Pokedex as well as battle balances between certain legendaries, mythicals, and any of their forms, even including regular mons.
I'm no professional at programming, but I know for a fact that I already have begun to forget about some Pokemon the larger the national Pokedex becomes. I think this is what Game Freak meant by giving each Pokemon a chance to shine.
They're probably planning on giving each Pokemon (new and old) Pokedex entries that are more notable and less forgettable, as many unpopular Pokemon are just increasingly underrated and forgotten. (And let's be honest, everybody has an unpopular favorite).
As for the battling system, it's more self explanatory. The fewer the variables and factors, the better balanced it can be. I can't possibly be the only one who hated battling real people because they'd always use hacked OP shiny legends with a Mega Stone.
People tend to default to stuff when the roster becomes too large. I'm getting this issue a bit in League because I'm just not willing to test out each Champion to see which one fits me the best. (And don't even get me started on how terribly balanced League is).
Game Freak is just being proactive to avoid this issue. Granted, in my opinion, the battling system has always been a little lackluster in terms of strategy, so I'm looking forward to the new spin that Dynamaxing takes.
I want to have to think a little more when battling, because it'll make winning all that greater the reward. People are saying that limiting what you can bring to Galar felt like a last minute decision. I don't think this is the case. Game Freak knew what they were doing.
I care about my experiences in my other games, but that's where they were, IN those other games. And I also care about my future experience in Galar. Game Freak wants to focus on your experience in Galar so it can be the best in can be, rather than focusing on bringing back everybody's past partners.
All of this just feels like we're not being willing to move on from our old adventures. Don't get me wrong I get nostalgic and visit my Diamond and Black copies from time to time, but I don't want the same exact Pokemon to be with me in newer adventures. (Note that I said exact, meaning I'd still love to see Shinxes and Starlies galore, but I don't need the SPECIFIC Luxray and Starapter that I strolled around Sinnoh with).
You have to say goodbye at some point. The whole point of Pokemon is to meet new Pokemon and get attached to new partners. This is what I always get excited for when I get a new Pokemon game, restart an old one, or download a fan game: making new connections with new Pokemon.
The core of Sword and Shield is not supposed to be all of the other regions. The core is Galar, and the Galar starters, and Zacian and Zamazenta, and Dynamaxing. And if you include everything from everything else, it distracts from the core of the game and takes away from its unique experience.
As sad as I am that I won't be able to mega evolve a Lucario or Tyranitar in Galar, mega evolution would probably work weird alongside a mechanic like Dynamaxing. Mega evolution was Kalos' shtick, and personally I like the idea that Galar came up with Dynamaxing to counter it. (A fun little nod to England and France's past rivalry)
Unlike all of the butthurt-genwunner-wannabe's, I'm still looking forward to Sword and Shield and will be pre-ordering Shield as soon as I can.
I know I'm not a very loud voice, but hopefully somebody at some point sees this and agrees with me.
So that's my rant. Please respect my opinion and I'll respect yours.
Here's the link the the original rant on my Twitter: twitter.com/Eli_Mantis
So... as a fan of Pokemon, I'd like to address what's going on with the recent announcement from Junichi Masuda. When I first heard you couldn't bring Pokemon into Galar if they're not in its Pokedex, I was outraged. Then I thought about it, and it made sense.
With so many Pokemon already, and far more slated to come out in Sword/Shield and future games, it would become really hard to keep track of the National Pokedex as well as battle balances between certain legendaries, mythicals, and any of their forms, even including regular mons.
I'm no professional at programming, but I know for a fact that I already have begun to forget about some Pokemon the larger the national Pokedex becomes. I think this is what Game Freak meant by giving each Pokemon a chance to shine.
They're probably planning on giving each Pokemon (new and old) Pokedex entries that are more notable and less forgettable, as many unpopular Pokemon are just increasingly underrated and forgotten. (And let's be honest, everybody has an unpopular favorite).
As for the battling system, it's more self explanatory. The fewer the variables and factors, the better balanced it can be. I can't possibly be the only one who hated battling real people because they'd always use hacked OP shiny legends with a Mega Stone.
People tend to default to stuff when the roster becomes too large. I'm getting this issue a bit in League because I'm just not willing to test out each Champion to see which one fits me the best. (And don't even get me started on how terribly balanced League is).
Game Freak is just being proactive to avoid this issue. Granted, in my opinion, the battling system has always been a little lackluster in terms of strategy, so I'm looking forward to the new spin that Dynamaxing takes.
I want to have to think a little more when battling, because it'll make winning all that greater the reward. People are saying that limiting what you can bring to Galar felt like a last minute decision. I don't think this is the case. Game Freak knew what they were doing.
I care about my experiences in my other games, but that's where they were, IN those other games. And I also care about my future experience in Galar. Game Freak wants to focus on your experience in Galar so it can be the best in can be, rather than focusing on bringing back everybody's past partners.
All of this just feels like we're not being willing to move on from our old adventures. Don't get me wrong I get nostalgic and visit my Diamond and Black copies from time to time, but I don't want the same exact Pokemon to be with me in newer adventures. (Note that I said exact, meaning I'd still love to see Shinxes and Starlies galore, but I don't need the SPECIFIC Luxray and Starapter that I strolled around Sinnoh with).
You have to say goodbye at some point. The whole point of Pokemon is to meet new Pokemon and get attached to new partners. This is what I always get excited for when I get a new Pokemon game, restart an old one, or download a fan game: making new connections with new Pokemon.
The core of Sword and Shield is not supposed to be all of the other regions. The core is Galar, and the Galar starters, and Zacian and Zamazenta, and Dynamaxing. And if you include everything from everything else, it distracts from the core of the game and takes away from its unique experience.
As sad as I am that I won't be able to mega evolve a Lucario or Tyranitar in Galar, mega evolution would probably work weird alongside a mechanic like Dynamaxing. Mega evolution was Kalos' shtick, and personally I like the idea that Galar came up with Dynamaxing to counter it. (A fun little nod to England and France's past rivalry)
Unlike all of the butthurt-genwunner-wannabe's, I'm still looking forward to Sword and Shield and will be pre-ordering Shield as soon as I can.
I know I'm not a very loud voice, but hopefully somebody at some point sees this and agrees with me.
So that's my rant. Please respect my opinion and I'll respect yours.
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Trying to Get Back Into Posting Again
2 min read
Hello watchers! So as of recently I've missed posting artwork. I know not too long ago- some several weeks ago - I did post some colored digital sketches every few days, but I never put up anything that looked finished, or just - good overall. I'm hoping that I can get into the habit of posting more often; maybe not regularly, but you'd get something from me at least every other week if not more frequent.
After a long hiatus of Vale of Dragons (you might notice that I deleted that fanfic), I've decided to scrap it. Looking back at that cringefest, I realize it was a poor way to introduce Emrick, Lavinia, and the Lennox family. These characters are part of their own original project I've titled Code Name: Reality. It's a bit of a spy mystery, thriller and romance, wet up to be like a feature length film. Thus, much of the plot of this story has yet to be developed and probably won't for a long time. Chances are the parts of this project that you'll see are just refs of the characters and fully rendered illustrations of an idea for a scene.
This doesn't mean I've abandoned Vale of Dragons though. If there was one already-existing franchise I've loved to place Emrick into, it's a crossover between Dragonvale and Harry Potter. Already I've written a bunch of scripts of this rehash of the AU that I'm titling "Magi-Dragons". A little more creative, but could still be better. I may or may not begin posting and updating this story, as I've reformed the plot to make it not look so amateur and I actually kind of like it now. I'll put up another update on that.
As for other stuff, I have plans to make more Pokemon portraits, since I love how my Glaceon came out.
And until I can muster up the motivation and creativity to finish my Mage Contractors sketches, that little project is going to continue to be put on hold. Expect more stuff Pokemon, original OCs, and maaaaybe Magi-Dragons in the near future.
After a long hiatus of Vale of Dragons (you might notice that I deleted that fanfic), I've decided to scrap it. Looking back at that cringefest, I realize it was a poor way to introduce Emrick, Lavinia, and the Lennox family. These characters are part of their own original project I've titled Code Name: Reality. It's a bit of a spy mystery, thriller and romance, wet up to be like a feature length film. Thus, much of the plot of this story has yet to be developed and probably won't for a long time. Chances are the parts of this project that you'll see are just refs of the characters and fully rendered illustrations of an idea for a scene.
This doesn't mean I've abandoned Vale of Dragons though. If there was one already-existing franchise I've loved to place Emrick into, it's a crossover between Dragonvale and Harry Potter. Already I've written a bunch of scripts of this rehash of the AU that I'm titling "Magi-Dragons". A little more creative, but could still be better. I may or may not begin posting and updating this story, as I've reformed the plot to make it not look so amateur and I actually kind of like it now. I'll put up another update on that.
As for other stuff, I have plans to make more Pokemon portraits, since I love how my Glaceon came out.
And until I can muster up the motivation and creativity to finish my Mage Contractors sketches, that little project is going to continue to be put on hold. Expect more stuff Pokemon, original OCs, and maaaaybe Magi-Dragons in the near future.
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Some Cool Updates
3 min read
Hel-lo people who are my few loyal watchers. So I'm sure you've noticed I've been getting in quite a few pieces in the past few days, and this is partly because I'm sick of not posting stuff, and also partly because I'm dying to do a series of sketches of specific OCs of mine. HOWEVER, there is more to do in the coming weeks, and I have a bunch of stuff I want to get out to you guys, whether it's new or stuff I've done in the past. So I'll make a list of each task:
1. Contractor Mage series: I've already posted two of the six images I plan to post in this series. These are meant to be practice for drawing my most updated designs of these OCs, and I don't plan on polishing them up in the future. These will be done once every few days until the series is complete.
2. Art portfolio stuff: Recently, I applied to four awesome art colleges, two of which I've already been accepted to (yay!). And since my art portfolio has already been submitted and received by the colleges, I don't see why I shouldn't show you guys all the stuff I put into it! The pieces are mostly just graphite on paper, but one is charcoal and a few are paintings. One of these will be submitted every weekend until they're all posted.
3. A little Fander project: If you're a Fander, then I'm sure you've seen Thomas Sanders' most recent tweets about having somebody draw anime-style versions of his buddies. I started fangirling the second I read it, and decided to take on the challenge of drawing as many of them as I can. If you have no idea what the Hell I'm talking about, then just expect random anime-ish pictures of random people every once in a while. (I have not given myself a due date for this project, so you may not see the first of this series anytime soon, since I want the pictures to look at least decent). There will be at least four though.
All three of these things are goals for the next month or two, depending how long they take. After I've completed the first two, the third will become my priority, and I'll probably make another OC series, but for the main cast or something (still don't really have a name for my universe; the working title is Dream Rift).
To put simply, I'm finally getting into the groove of posting stuff up here. I'll probably still post other stuff along the way as I complete these three tasks, because I tend to doodle in class and sometimes put a lot of effort into one drawing that comes out surprisingly good.
I'll put up more updates if there are changes in my schedule or if I need to put one or more tasks on hold. But enjoy me finally posting semi-regularly!
1. Contractor Mage series: I've already posted two of the six images I plan to post in this series. These are meant to be practice for drawing my most updated designs of these OCs, and I don't plan on polishing them up in the future. These will be done once every few days until the series is complete.
2. Art portfolio stuff: Recently, I applied to four awesome art colleges, two of which I've already been accepted to (yay!). And since my art portfolio has already been submitted and received by the colleges, I don't see why I shouldn't show you guys all the stuff I put into it! The pieces are mostly just graphite on paper, but one is charcoal and a few are paintings. One of these will be submitted every weekend until they're all posted.
3. A little Fander project: If you're a Fander, then I'm sure you've seen Thomas Sanders' most recent tweets about having somebody draw anime-style versions of his buddies. I started fangirling the second I read it, and decided to take on the challenge of drawing as many of them as I can. If you have no idea what the Hell I'm talking about, then just expect random anime-ish pictures of random people every once in a while. (I have not given myself a due date for this project, so you may not see the first of this series anytime soon, since I want the pictures to look at least decent). There will be at least four though.
All three of these things are goals for the next month or two, depending how long they take. After I've completed the first two, the third will become my priority, and I'll probably make another OC series, but for the main cast or something (still don't really have a name for my universe; the working title is Dream Rift).
To put simply, I'm finally getting into the groove of posting stuff up here. I'll probably still post other stuff along the way as I complete these three tasks, because I tend to doodle in class and sometimes put a lot of effort into one drawing that comes out surprisingly good.
I'll put up more updates if there are changes in my schedule or if I need to put one or more tasks on hold. But enjoy me finally posting semi-regularly!
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