SingSong

So, at TGL, we want to encourage creativity, and I was thinking this would be a good start for those that like to write or want to try doing something for fun. Think about the last thing you searched on Google (or another search engine), and try to remember exactly how it was worded. Initially, I was thinking that people would write about their last search, but I think it will be more interesting if we write about the last search of the person that posts before us (that way we can really think outside of the box and be introduced to new topics). I was doing some art, so I looked up a reference: "Bottom of a Lion's Foot." This will be the title of the "book." The next person will write a short summary about what the book is about and write a short excerpt of the book involving one of the most exciting scenes from it. Make this as long or short as you want. Then include your book title (last search) for the next person. Try to be creative and think differently about these topics. If someone gives you the topic "How often to apply sunscreen", you don't have to write an informative book. You can put a twist on it, making it about a monster that blows fire or a teen's dramatic life and dealing with the "burn" of a ruined friendship. I hope you choose to partake in this with me. It's meant to be fun and lighthearted. You don't need to feel confident in your writing ability to post. These are not meant to be judged. I will try to participate as much as I can. Here is the first topic again: "Bottom of a Lion's Foot"

Thank you @Hare, and thanks for the introduction, Digital. I've had some recent computer troubles but just bought a new laptop today, so I'll be able to be more involved in the forums again. What you can expect from me as a community leader: -Art tutorials and challenges created to help you improve your skill. -Discussions about art, writing, and game design. -Adoptables added to the forum. -Ideas to liven up the forum, encourage posting and game development, and improve upon existing features we have at TGL. -A collaborative adoptable game made by me and Digital to show a step by step view of the design process. (Now that I have a working laptop, it's full steam ahead.) I hope to get to know each and every one of you better, and I hope this forum will help you create your dream game. I am always open for discussions, and I love criticism and critiques, so be assured that you can always be honest with me if you dislike something. Thanks!

Well, it looks like I can't remember the password to my old account or the email attached to it, so I can't log in or make a new one (due to their restrictions). I, like @Callum, don't quite understand why they limit registrations. It is because the site can't handle more users? If so, why don't they fix that? Is it to create the illusion of a having a site that's more interesting than it is? "Only a few limited people will be able to join this month. You may be one of the lucky ones." Personally, the limited registration just puts me off. And I have no intention of stalking their social media accounts to wait and see when I may make a new account, so I won't be back. I'll review this site based on what I remember and what I can see as an outsider. The dragon art is well done, and I love that they continue to come up with new genes for the dragons and even new species. The Bogsneak is new to me. I think the success of the dragon illustrations comes from the lead artist and her interest in dragons for a long time before the site came out. When people are passionate about their games and the "product", you can really see it shine through. I remember seeing some apparel art in the past that was done in a lower quality and didn't seem to fit with the rest of the site. I can't remember the name though, so I can't say whether it has been redrawn or what. But in looking through some dragon lairs, everything looks rather cohesive and consistent as far as art goes in general. They added an Invisibility Cloak to remove the dragon image, and I think that allows some interesting designs. And I think it suits the sense of humor of their main audience. Here is a dragon that is using the cloak: http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=90489&tab=dragon&did=31651051 @Sparren pretty much said it all for how I remember the gameplay being: I got tired of breeding my dragons, because the cool down and hatching period lasted so long. I also felt like I had seen all the combinations that would interest me from dragons bred by other users, so there was nothing unique to stumble upon when breeding. Maybe it would be different with the new genes they added since I last played, but I feel like in time, it would end the same to me. New breeds or genes just add a bit of excitement for a little bit of time, and then that fades away when they become more common. I would have appreciated if they had some type of random occurrences in breeding, so it wasn't so formulaic. These are the current mini games in the fairgrounds (as quoted from Wiki): I found the games to be pretty dull. I think that comes from 3 things. 1. Some of these games wouldn't be considered fun by most people (Memory and Higher or Lower), so just having those games to "play" for site currency makes it a job. 2. The better games like Tidal Trouble and Shock Switch are variants of games that have been seen so many times, it's no longer exciting or fun to play them. How many times can you play games like "Bubble Witch" or "Bejeweled", for example, and truly find something new when you play. It just becomes repetitive. I think if games rehash these kinds of mini games, they should try to do something unique with them. For example, Meerca Chase on Neopets is a variant of "Snake", but if you play it using the code superextrahypergravitymode, it's unique enough to feel like a new game, one you can only access by playing on Neopets. That extends the game's life. 3. I think any site that keeps the same few games up every day for users to play for currency runs the risk of having players grind until they have overplayed the games so much it is nothing more than a chore. As a game designer, you can say that people will still play for the rewards, so the set up works as planned. But I think game makers should desire to create a system that is actually fun and offers new things, not the same things every day. In conclusion, I lost interest in Flight Rising previously, because breeding (one of the main draws of the game) became too predictable, and I also didn't like how the battle system was set up. Sparren explained nicely why the battle system comes across as nothing more than a time sink; it's not stimulating to the player. I think beyond those two features, Flight Rising becomes a dress up game with a collectible feature (the familiars) and some reused "events" (item releases). Because I'm not into the dress up aspect or collection feature, I see no point in returning.

Thank you! And I had fun. Looking forward to competing with everyone in future contests. Congrats @Pepper-Head and the other winners, too.

I see what you're trying to do @Kami. Make me feel secure, and then you'll snatch up the win at the last second. I'm watching you.

Luckily, I haven't seen my competitors around today. I was worried, because I haven't had a chance to spruce up my tutorials and post them, but maybe I can still do this without the guide bonus.

Sea turtles, what a good choice. They are one-of-a-kind, for sure. Would you ever own a turtle?

Yes. The community and the feel of this forum are familiar, which is nice. And I believe the additions and features Digital is completing will make a big difference in community involvement. I like that suggestions are taken to heart here and that changes are made swiftly. I definitely understand projects being put on hold. It happens. And yes, professors tend to do that. On purpose, I'm sure. I like the sound of that. Yay, lore! Can you elaborate on what you mean by "investigate"? How does the gameplay for that feature work? As for me, I left a project (you know the one). I still haven't updated fans, but I was trying to lessen the blow with an art preview that I haven't finished, and now I have other art things to do, so that's getting pushed back. Sometimes I wish there was more time in each day. I have a new project planned, and if all goes well, you'll see a preview soon. Currently finishing adoptables for this site first.

That's awesome that you got someone you admired to be part of your project. And your adoptable is fitting, haha. Hope to see it all grown up soon.

I have always found the octopus to be an interesting creature. The Indonesian Octopus can even mimic other sea creatures. I also have a soft spot for snails. What animals do you like best? And what things do you admire most about different species? Intelligence? Beauty? Strength? How creatures act in their communities?

Hello! Thanks for joining and welcome!

Welcome to TGL. Your game has very nice art.

Hi! Hope you like it here and stick around.

Long time, no talk. Making any progress on your games? And welcome, welcome!

Welcome! Hope you like it here.

That book sounds interesting, Bravefoot. I'll have to give it a chance sometime. I was thinking that my life somewhat resembles The Giver. Growing up, life was all right. Nice, in fact. But there was always that feeling of going through the motions. Then, getting older, new wisdom is gained. And I start to feel like there is more to life than what I and other people accept from the world. Chasing dreams. Being happy. Not feeling trapped or tied down. So like Jonas in the end of the book, I yearn to run away from all that's set up in society. There's something wrong about it. But it never says if Jonas makes it out okay. And the question stands for me, too. Will I get to where I want to be? Will I find what I'm looking for if I don't know what it looks like?

I want to start a forum game of sorts here. Maybe it will help us all get to know each other a bit. How it works: I'll ask a question and then the next person will answer and ask a question of their own for the following person to answer. Easy, right? You can elaborate on your answer or not. How old were you when you got your driver's license?

I went to Denny's today with my brother to celebrate my mom's birthday. What about you?

This is cool. I'm looking forward to seeing more of these banners around. And that post requirement is more than reasonable.

This interview offers some good insight on game development. Thanks Digital and Regnant. I love reading these.

Yeah, I like how a bonus was offered for writing guides. It did make me want to put time into creating one (and I'm still thinking of doing one before the end of the contest). So far, I think everyone's been pretty good during this contest. I haven't seen spam, and everyone's been friendly, yet competitive.

Hello! Thank you for joining us. Welcome!

Thanks for writing this tutorial and what a talented artist Hare is!

Good tutorial. These came out nicely.

Nice simple and easy to follow tutorial. Thanks. Makes me want to draw some bread, haha.