So, after my trip off of the face of the earth, I'm back! Sadly, things went a little south for Retro Rampage, so I've rebranded and am currently flying solo with Cartridge Carnage. While there's no content up there just yet, I'm in the process of getting things together to get the show started off right - I'm preparing an opening, trailer, all of the related media for the page graphics, and so on and so forth.
The twitter account remains the same - I've simply changed my username + display name, but in case you're still confused, you can go here and see if you're still a follower, and if not please follow and I'll be happy to reciprocate! https://twitter.com/cartridgecarnag
I've also set up a Tumblr for the sake of posting some fun articles and such from both myself and around the web. It's brand spankin' new so again, there isn't much content there as of yet, but there's plenty inbound! http://cartridge-carnage.tumblr.com/
I've had an instagram for a minute now, but I didn't really promote it too much, but feel free to follow me there as well - I have a good chunk of my twitter friends on there already, so why not get connected! @cartridgecarnage
Now that all of the preliminary ricketa-racketa is all taken care of, we can move onto what exactly in the sweet fuck I've been up to that has kept me away for so long. First and foremost, my father passed away in March, and it really hit me hard - he was only 54, and I had seen him not 2 days before, and then it happened. I haven't been actively collecting games since then as I haven't had the desire to, as he was the one that got me into video games, and I feel I just need some time before I can get back into it. I still play them plenty, as it's a bittersweet reminder of good times and memories, but it'll probably take some more time to get back into actively pursuing my favorite titles.
Outside of that, I've also been pretty much restructuring my entire life. I'm giving up on being apathetic and unmotivated - I'm taking an entirely new approach to how I handle things, and from this newfound motivation, I've begun making a new Android game (which you'll hear more about soon as it gets closer to completion!), I'm developing some software paired with a mobile app for use in the transportation industry, and I'm helping a friend (who also happens to be this most wonderful woman on the planet that I'm batshit in love with) design a website. So there are some great things in progress, and I'm taking this momentum and letting it snowball.
With that said, I've also been doing a little bit of soul searching and introspection, and I've come to the conclusion that I, as well as probably many other people, need to be just a bit more selfish in terms of doing things for themselves. There's nothing wrong with being giving and helping others, but I think we all have to remember to set aside time for ourselves - do something to make yourself happy, I've been doing it and I myself am happy, and I'm able to make others happy because I'm not stretching myself out to the point of breaking.
I'm going to be writing some more music as well, and continuing to expand my horizons in terms of multimedia production and promotion, so I'm not going to be stopping any time soon - the throttle is all the way up, and the tank is full. LET'S ATTACK AGGRESSIVELY.
Sorry to hear about your dad, I can't even begin to imagine what you have been going through so I won't try.
I am glad to hear from you though. I am now following you on Twitter. I'm @AthertonP123 if you're confused by the name and the picture of the old guy. :)
Thanks a lot - I'm glad to be back on PixlBit and herping and derping around the community, and thanks for the follow! I would have been completely confused had you not explained haha.
I'm sorry for your loss, Ryan. That must be really rough. My dad and I are pretty close.
Looking forward to your projects!
My dad and I were extremely close, which is why it hit me so hard, but I look back with fondness on all of the memories we've shared, and he's still teaching me new things every day. I'll have some information up here on my new Android game soon - I kicked ASS on it last night and got a ton done, so it might damn near be time for a teaser trailer :)
I know what that shit feels like...seeing your dad and then losing him not a couple days later. My heart goes out to you dude.
Thanks so much, it means a lot to me. I wouldn't wish this kind of thing on my worst enemy :(
As someone whose parents are in their early to mid-60s while I'm only approaching my mid-20s, what happened with your dad scares the ever-loving crap out of me, and I'm sorry for your loss.
The good news is your newfound motivation. I've been experiencing peaks and valleys of that myself, and it's good to see you're on a peak.
Yeah it can be terrifying, especially when it's something so sudden, but I knew he had heart problems, just no idea they had gotten so severe, especially when he had just had it checked out not weeks before. Life is always a ride on peaks and valleys, and I'm trying to ride this peak for a long time!
Good to hear from you again. I'm really sorry about your dad. I can't even imagine what that is like. Like Joe, I'm pretty scared about that happening too.
I'm excited about all of your projects too. I've noticed you GameMaking on steam (just from pop-ups, I'm not stalking you (often)) and that is really cool. I hope that goes well and you get some good results. All of your motivation is very... motivating!
Welcome back!
Thanks a ton I really appreciate it. Yeah I've been pretty busy on GM:S haha, and feel free to stalk away :P With Steam's Summer Sale today though, I may get distracted if only for a little bit!
Sorry to hear about your dad, Ryan. Mine dropped dead of a heart attack six years ago this past Valentine's Day at the age of 62. I still really miss him, and he's been on my mind a lot lately.