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Description

A journal cover that goes over three questions that have been on my mind to answer for a long time from people in various areas. These three answers go in depth and are quite blunt at times; they aren't vague or short. By the end of this, I do hope that we can come to a greater understanding! There's so much more work on the way from many different series...do be prepared!

Journal Entry:

Questions And Answers 1IntroductionYo, everyone! Today, I've come with a journal that answers some questions folks have had over the course of the year. As many of you (probably) know, there's a reason or several reasons as to why I do what I do and if you've been around long enough, you should know what my mission is and what I'm about. Some answers may be ones that people didn't expect or wanted, but it's the solid truth. Those who have asked the questions will remain anonymous. That said...let's get into this, shall we?Why am I one of (if not the only) people out there actively making fun and creative things for Wonder Boy?This question is one that's been on my mind for a while, but I was shocked to hear this not only once, but many times across this journey so far. The franchise has done so much over the course of its revival. It is well-loved and far from forgotten. If it wasn't, we wouldn't have what's going on right now and more games are confirmed to be on the way! But as far as the answers to this goes it is simple, but also varies. One big reason is that as much as I love this franchise and all, its fandom has severe issues when it comes to working as a team to get stuff done, save a select handful of individuals. There's so much untapped potential and concepts that can be done fan art wise and if people truly have played a lot of games from different franchises and can connect the dots, coming up with ideas should be a piece of cake.There's literally hundreds of ideas even I have either saved up or brewing in my head, but even when I provide that pool of ideas for people to pull from since I can't handle/do them all, they never get taken or attempted. In short, a majority don't get active or very creative even if you hand them ideas on a shiny, silver, glowing platter and it's that fact alone that made me had an epiphany that maybe I'm probably wasting my breath and had too much faith in them and things taking off as a group may just be wishful thinking; a dream.I love how other fandoms are so super quick to do something for a new game release or announcement, but this one, no matter how significant it is (such as a big collection for instance), the same guy has to repeatedly take charge and do stuff. A lot of people are buying the Wonder Boy games and it's popular enough to keep going, which is really all that matters at the end of the day.But, I've never seen a group so consistent in terms of passing up opportunities and that honestly irks me to no end. It gets sorta depressing, tiresome and lonesome even when I think about this fact, but for some reason, I still chug along even if it seems like no one actually cares. But, if I have to fill in the gaps myself...then so be it. After all, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself, yeah?Why don't I try to tag companies when I do fan art (i.e. tagging Wayforward for Shantae) more?The answer to this is kind of complicated. Long story short, A lot of artists on platforms like twitter for instance take way too much advantage of this act and try to use it to gain a free audience; it feels pretty cheap and it makes them believe they are celebrities all of a sudden. That and I don't want to draw in people who watch/follow you because you drew something for the franchise and claim to "like your style and work", but all your other work is practically invisible to them and get disappointed or leave because you don't draw them all the time/worship the character or franchise like a lot of really biased fanboys tend to do.I like this franchise a lot, don't get me wrong. But, I'm not seeking that kind of attention nor do I wish to disappoint or mingle with those who are just looking for that only and pretend to or conditionally "like" me or my work. This is partially why I don't draw for it as much (regardless of two art projects being planned for it), because I feel it is pretty over-saturated/abundant as is and I'd like to focus on and bring fresh, new ideas to something that has never done something before and stick out. Name one individual other than myself who regularly does mostly Wonder Boy stuff in the modern day with or without being paid to do it, I'll wait...At the same time however, I love that the company is so interactive with their fans. I wish that others would do the same and stop being so afraid to embrace them.Why is there such a strong focus on Wonder Boy?Seriously, if you have been around me long enough and know the franchise's history and how much it struggled to get where it is now, you'd know exactly why there is such a strong focus; because it's in a revival/renaissance! DUH! It is a series that had a short, 8-year run (1986-1994) before finishing its story (at the time) and falling into obscurity for over 20 years.It had one of the longest hiatus periods in the history of gaming, so to see it come back and deliver like seven games in less than a decade and covering so many areas (new entries, remakes, a collection, 2.5D, etc.) is absolutely MIND-BLOWING to me and I'm sick to my stomach of hearing people who are both in and out of the loop talk down on it no matter what it accomplishes. Not only does that suck, but infuriates me, too. You're part of the problem and why things can't grow in certain areas because instead of lifting things up and being happy for something or someone, you try to downplay its success and make negative remarks at any chance you get to rain on the parade. This HAS to change and going forward, I will not tolerate it. The key to a franchise growing is people SUPPORTING it. Be positive, have fun, make friends, connect and DO STUFF. Why is that so difficult to understand? It makes me incredibly happy to see that folks are buying and supporting the games with their wallets and even bought various entries because of me in particular which is very heartwarming. You have no clue how much it helps others to discover the franchise by making content for it or even by having a simple discussion with friends, family and even strangers on/offline.Doing nothing in between releases doesn't help, you know? I'll continue to support it for as long as possible, but if this continues to be a thing down the road for future entries...It is possible I may just wrap things up and take my leave (and believe me, I've wanted to several times in the past, but I'm still here). The one fear I have is that if I do decide to head out, things will arguably do back to the way things were; quiet, dry and bland. There is a such thing I believe as overdoing it, but this is really all I can do until some genuine and more consistent help is gained.ConclusionThat's pretty much all I have to say regarding the questions that have been asked and I didn't want to give a simplistic, vague answer. They had to be thorough so that folks see things from my point of view, obtain the truth, and get on the same page as me opposed to the version of me they've created in their minds that doesn't actually exist.As usual, I love and appreciate you all very much and by the time you're done reading this (if you made it this far), I hope we can come to a complete understanding and do better. Thank you for your time and stay blessed! :D

Description

A journal cover that goes over three questions that have been on my mind to answer for a long time from people in various areas. These three answers go in depth and are quite blunt at times; they aren't vague or short. By the end of this, I do hope that we can come to a greater understanding! There's so much more work on the way from many different series...do be prepared!

Journal Entry:

Questions And Answers 1IntroductionYo, everyone! Today, I've come with a journal that answers some questions folks have had over the course of the year. As many of you (probably) know, there's a reason or several reasons as to why I do what I do and if you've been around long enough, you should know what my mission is and what I'm about. Some answers may be ones that people didn't expect or wanted, but it's the solid truth. Those who have asked the questions will remain anonymous. That said...let's get into this, shall we?Why am I one of (if not the only) people out there actively making fun and creative things for Wonder Boy?This question is one that's been on my mind for a while, but I was shocked to hear this not only once, but many times across this journey so far. The franchise has done so much over the course of its revival. It is well-loved and far from forgotten. If it wasn't, we wouldn't have what's going on right now and more games are confirmed to be on the way! But as far as the answers to this goes it is simple, but also varies. One big reason is that as much as I love this franchise and all, its fandom has severe issues when it comes to working as a team to get stuff done, save a select handful of individuals. There's so much untapped potential and concepts that can be done fan art wise and if people truly have played a lot of games from different franchises and can connect the dots, coming up with ideas should be a piece of cake.There's literally hundreds of ideas even I have either saved up or brewing in my head, but even when I provide that pool of ideas for people to pull from since I can't handle/do them all, they never get taken or attempted. In short, a majority don't get active or very creative even if you hand them ideas on a shiny, silver, glowing platter and it's that fact alone that made me had an epiphany that maybe I'm probably wasting my breath and had too much faith in them and things taking off as a group may just be wishful thinking; a dream.I love how other fandoms are so super quick to do something for a new game release or announcement, but this one, no matter how significant it is (such as a big collection for instance), the same guy has to repeatedly take charge and do stuff. A lot of people are buying the Wonder Boy games and it's popular enough to keep going, which is really all that matters at the end of the day.But, I've never seen a group so consistent in terms of passing up opportunities and that honestly irks me to no end. It gets sorta depressing, tiresome and lonesome even when I think about this fact, but for some reason, I still chug along even if it seems like no one actually cares. But, if I have to fill in the gaps myself...then so be it. After all, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself, yeah?Why don't I try to tag companies when I do fan art (i.e. tagging Wayforward for Shantae) more?The answer to this is kind of complicated. Long story short, A lot of artists on platforms like twitter for instance take way too much advantage of this act and try to use it to gain a free audience; it feels pretty cheap and it makes them believe they are celebrities all of a sudden. That and I don't want to draw in people who watch/follow you because you drew something for the franchise and claim to "like your style and work", but all your other work is practically invisible to them and get disappointed or leave because you don't draw them all the time/worship the character or franchise like a lot of really biased fanboys tend to do.I like this franchise a lot, don't get me wrong. But, I'm not seeking that kind of attention nor do I wish to disappoint or mingle with those who are just looking for that only and pretend to or conditionally "like" me or my work. This is partially why I don't draw for it as much (regardless of two art projects being planned for it), because I feel it is pretty over-saturated/abundant as is and I'd like to focus on and bring fresh, new ideas to something that has never done something before and stick out. Name one individual other than myself who regularly does mostly Wonder Boy stuff in the modern day with or without being paid to do it, I'll wait...At the same time however, I love that the company is so interactive with their fans. I wish that others would do the same and stop being so afraid to embrace them.Why is there such a strong focus on Wonder Boy?Seriously, if you have been around me long enough and know the franchise's history and how much it struggled to get where it is now, you'd know exactly why there is such a strong focus; because it's in a revival/renaissance! DUH! It is a series that had a short, 8-year run (1986-1994) before finishing its story (at the time) and falling into obscurity for over 20 years.It had one of the longest hiatus periods in the history of gaming, so to see it come back and deliver like seven games in less than a decade and covering so many areas (new entries, remakes, a collection, 2.5D, etc.) is absolutely MIND-BLOWING to me and I'm sick to my stomach of hearing people who are both in and out of the loop talk down on it no matter what it accomplishes. Not only does that suck, but infuriates me, too. You're part of the problem and why things can't grow in certain areas because instead of lifting things up and being happy for something or someone, you try to downplay its success and make negative remarks at any chance you get to rain on the parade. This HAS to change and going forward, I will not tolerate it. The key to a franchise growing is people SUPPORTING it. Be positive, have fun, make friends, connect and DO STUFF. Why is that so difficult to understand? It makes me incredibly happy to see that folks are buying and supporting the games with their wallets and even bought various entries because of me in particular which is very heartwarming. You have no clue how much it helps others to discover the franchise by making content for it or even by having a simple discussion with friends, family and even strangers on/offline.Doing nothing in between releases doesn't help, you know? I'll continue to support it for as long as possible, but if this continues to be a thing down the road for future entries...It is possible I may just wrap things up and take my leave (and believe me, I've wanted to several times in the past, but I'm still here). The one fear I have is that if I do decide to head out, things will arguably do back to the way things were; quiet, dry and bland. There is a such thing I believe as overdoing it, but this is really all I can do until some genuine and more consistent help is gained.ConclusionThat's pretty much all I have to say regarding the questions that have been asked and I didn't want to give a simplistic, vague answer. They had to be thorough so that folks see things from my point of view, obtain the truth, and get on the same page as me opposed to the version of me they've created in their minds that doesn't actually exist.As usual, I love and appreciate you all very much and by the time you're done reading this (if you made it this far), I hope we can come to a complete understanding and do better. Thank you for your time and stay blessed! :D