Lil Popo

"While a picture is worth a thousand words, to me, worldbuilding paints a thousand pictures"
- Rick Hertel

[Synth Potato🥔 @SynthPotato]

Hideo Kojima re-wrote the story of Death Stranding 2 because too many people liked it.

"I’m going to be very honest, we have been testing the game with players and the results are too good. They like it too much. That means something is wrong; we have to change something." Kojima told Woodkid half-way through production

Kojima then "changed stuff in the script and the way some crucial stuff happens in the game", because he was afraid it wasn't "polarising enough and not triggering enough emotions".

"If everyone likes it, it means it’s mainstream. It means it’s conventional. It means it’s already pre-digested for people to like it. And I don’t want that. I want people to end up liking things they didn’t like when they first encountered it, because that’s where you really end up loving something."

Honestly I fully respect Kojima for having the courage to do something like this, we need more artists in this industry who take more risks and don't make brand-safe products meant target everyone.

A game for everyone is a game for no one.

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

I'm taking a break from this month's #octoberworldbuilders because I won't be able to answer most prompts with my current WIP. Instead, I'll use this time to try my hand at writing a book! Good luck to everyone who's participating and thanks @Kiraofthewind1 for hosting!

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 30
I like to see grey morality, both redeemable and unredeemable villains, hero journey, how historical events affected today's world, lost civilizations and new cultures.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

@Kiraofthewind1 It does! And the anime is faithful to the books. I remember watching it and wanting more so I bought all of the books to date ahah

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 29: What fantasy media have you been reading/playing/watching lately?
I've been reading Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash—I still have a few volumes to finish—and playing FFVII Rebirth, which has been amazing so far.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 28: Magic associated with light or darkness
Because magic is intrinsic and unique to each creature, light and darkness can be either complementary or crucial elements of their magic. For example, plants like creatures thrive when there's more light.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 27: Legend about darkness
Scholars believe in a legend surrounding the saying, "The darkness hides the purest of truths". They think that in the deepest parts of Astral Arborea lies knowledge that predates the known world and the root of its origin
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 26: Dark places (caves/forests/depths)
The Penumbra Thicket is one of the darkest forests on the surface due to the thick canopy, but the darkest place in Astral Arborea is the underground, also known as the Underground Grottos.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 25: Sources of light
One of the most predominant sources of light is bioluminescence. A variety of plants and insects are capable of producing it and are used as an alternative to fire, especially underground.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 24: Symbolism of darkness
Oddly enough, those who live on the surface see darkness as the representation of solace and companionship thanks to the night sky.
Those who live underground, however, associate darkness with misfortune and loss.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 23: Symbolism of light
In Astral Arborea, light is tied to growth, life, and prosperity. Astrologers also believe that light represents knowledge and wisdom thanks to the insight they get from the stars.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 22: SNIPPET: light/darkness
Lately I've been having fun thinking of some short scenes about characters and creatures that inhabit Astral Arborea and what their everyday life would be like. Here's a snippet of a man trying to outrun an anglerfox
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 21: Sailors, fishermen, divers
The fishermen of Sparkle stick to traditional fishing techniques like spears, nets, and traps, but they are only allowed to fish outside of the village.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 20: Has your MC ever been to an ocean?
Owen has never been to the ocean. In fact, like most astrologers, he doesn't even know what an ocean is.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 19: Fact about your world's ocean
Most cloud fish found in Astral Arborea are descendants of fish that once lived in the ocean and managed to survive and adapt to their new environment
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 18: Myth/legend about the ocean
The ocean's disappearance is rumored to be tied to Astra's Gifts. Just as she stole the sun for Her Children, legends say that she hid away the ocean so Her Garden would always have water.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 17: Oceanic animal you created
The craggy sturgeon lives in the clouds beneath Naedar. It gathers loose sediment from the floating islands around its head to form a sturdy helmet for protection, and for ramming into anything that peaks its curiosity.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 16
Legends tell of Mael'sordr, a fearsome serpent that dwelled in the unlivable depths of the ocean. Its length spanned mountain ranges, and it was the bringer of catastrophes.
This was when the Forefathers were alive, and when there was still an ocean
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 15: SNIPPET: ocean/sea
Everyone has a different view of what the ocean truly is in Astral Arborea
#SeptemberWorldbuilders

[Lil Popo @joaoMFandre]

Day 14
Moonlit Stew is a ritualistic dish cooked during full moons or at the Vernal festival. It follows the same recipe as a traditional stew, but the stock is replaced with water from the river that crosses Sparkle, and it is cooked over an open fire.
#SeptemberWorldbuilders