Category: Media

A category for all posts linked with a video source!

Media

Here are the resources that helped me to make my own V-tuber

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Here are the resources that helped me to make my own V-tuber

Hi! Long time, no see.

Today’s post is going to be a little different. I’ve mentioned previously that I started streaming to improve my public speaking while I continue to look for a new full-time job. (still searching haha help me) I’ve shown my PNG models that I use in lieu of a face cam and one of the biggest streaming goals I’ve made for myself was to make my own vtube model.

What is V-tube/V-tuber?
A VTuber, or virtual YouTuber, is an online entertainer who uses a virtual avatar generated using computer graphics. Popular V-tubers include IronMouse, Shxtou and Shylily. Many of these big names are often backed up agencies such as hololive or VShojo and have massed fans into the million brackets. However, anyone can be a vtuber with just downloading a program like V-tube Studio and using a pre-made model.

Wikipedia

I hope that summary was enough for anyone who isn’t familiar with the concept. I know my family wasn’t when they saw me making my own model. So, you’re probably thinking, Zaheerah, why didn’t you just use one of the hundreds of pre-made models available on the internet?

Well, yes, I could’ve definitely found one online, but I found the idea of designing my own model and rigging the model using Live2D a fun challenge to myself artistically. I picked up digital art after years away during the lockdown and never really branched nor challenged myself to improve, so the idea of making my own vtube model was a fun hobby to give me a break from the gloomy job-searching process.

Just a heads up, this isn’t a tutorial post. If I had to teach anyone the stuff I’ve learnt, I would’ve failed miserably. But instead, I wanted to share the resources that helped me make my first v-tube model. There are SO many tutorials out there, and it can get overwhelming to find which one can be beneficial to learn from. I’ve watched so many, and while they all do teach the same things, I found that certain videos were just made more beginner-friendly than others. Since I drew my model myself, these tutorials won’t include any of how to make a model stuff. (sorry!) However, I am in the process of making version two of my V-tube model now that I understand the basics properly. (You can follow me on Twitch, where I’ll be basically starting from scratch on stream, so feel free to come watch me struggle again, lol – if you’re reading this the day I post, hey! I’m probably live playing Baldur’s Gate 3)

               What is Live2D

According to Wikipedia, Live2D is an animation software that can be used to generate real-time 2D animations—usually anime-style characters—using layered, continuous parts based on an illustration, without the need of frame-by-frame animation or a 3D model.

Wikipedia
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Media

#Maysia Final Wrap-Up!

by Zaheerah1 Comment on #Maysia Final Wrap-Up!
#Maysia Final Wrap-Up!

Hello! I know I disappeared for quite some time, with lockdown restrictions lifting here in the UK, it meant that I had to return to work which means life is basically one big mess at the moment. While I enjoy waitressing at my current place, I’m trying to look for post-graduation jobs. I’ve been looking for full-time work since last summer and this whole year of job searching has taken a toll on me mentally. But I think I’m starting to feel a lot better and it completely slipped my mind to update my #Maysia progress on here! If you need a refresher on #Maysia, I’ve included the original Twitter thread below!

Start from the beginning! If you haven’t seen Day 1 – 21 yet, you can check out the beginning of the twitter thread here! or see their blogs posts, week 1, week 2 and week 3!

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#Maysia Week Three Wrap-Up!

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on #Maysia Week Three Wrap-Up!
#Maysia Week Three Wrap-Up!

Hello! I am back with another #Maysia update! Today I’m sharing with you all the drawings I posted for Day 15 – 21! I tried to use this week to really branch out with the art I wanted to draw. I’m still new to using Procreate and trying to figure out what style I prefer!

Start from the beginning! If you haven’t seen Day 1 – 7 yet, you can check out the beginning of the twitter thread here!

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Media

#Maysia Week Two Wrap-Up!

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on #Maysia Week Two Wrap-Up!
#Maysia Week Two Wrap-Up!

Hello! I am back with another #Maysia update! Today I’m sharing with you all the drawings I posted for Day 8 – 14! I tried to use this week to really branch out with the art I wanted to draw. I’m still new to using Procreate and trying to figure out what style I prefer!

Start from the beginning! If you haven’t seen Day 1 – 7 yet, you can check out the beginning of the twitter thread here!

Continue reading “#Maysia Week Two Wrap-Up!” →
Media

#Maysia Week One Wrap-Up!

by Zaheerah5 Comments on #Maysia Week One Wrap-Up!
#Maysia Week One Wrap-Up!

May seems to be a very creative month I see. On Twitter, I see loads of different drawing challenges. I was even contemplating partaking in #Mermay but I can barely draw humans so mythical creatures might be a step too far. However, my sister informed me of #Maysia! Maysia is a month long event aimed at Asian creatives to create anything with their chosen medium. I’ll embed one of the organiser’s tweet so you can find more information!

I mentioned before that I got an iPad for my birthday in March so I’ve been slowly practising and figuring out my own personal style. Maysia is a lot of fun because I’m trying really hard to branch out and try different styles as I go down the prompts. I’m sharing my art on Twitter, but I would it would be fun to also share it here on the blog as well! I’ll be posting my art in weekly updates! I draw using my iPad and the app Procreate!

Day One: Self-portrait

My sister told me about the event May 2nd so I had to rush my first two posts so I don’t fall behind! I seem to fall back on this pose a lot in my drawings especially if I’m working without a reference. Check out the embed below to see the entire Twitter thread!

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Media

Game Review: Hades (2020)

by Zaheerah1 Comment on Game Review: Hades (2020)
Game Review: Hades (2020)

Defy Hades, the god of the Underworld, as you hack and slash your way out of his domain in order to reach the surface. Aided by the Gods on Olympus and other denizens of the underworld, Zagreus is hellbent on making it out of his father’s domain. 

Listen carefully, says the narrator, as the player, young Zagreus, gracefully lands outside the House of Hades, sending his last goodbye to his father. With only a sword, you venture into the depth of Tartarus, the first biome. There you must defeat a variety of enemies: wretched thugs swing their clubs, the witches cast a damaging projectile and brimstone’s energy beam can stack up damage fast. Each completion of a chamber rewards you a variety of goods and, more importantly, access to the aid of multiple Greek gods, Zagreus’s uncles and cousins. They root for you as make your escape. Each failed attempt sends you straight back home via the Styx.

Oh, how a random fanart that ended up on my timeline led to me discovering one of my favourite games ever. Here I was thinking nothing could top the sheer joy I felt playing Breath of the Wild, but Hades comes quite close. Hades is one of the best games I’ve ever had the pleasure to play. From music to gameplay, Hades is a visual and audio treat. 

“Beyond the present chamber lies the outermost perimeter of Tartarus, promising terrifying dangers far beyond the Underworld Prince’s reckoning.”

The Narrator

As Zagreus, I play it simple, my trusty Stygius is my weapon of choice for the first ten or so runs. That is until I received enough keys to unlock the rest of Zagreus’s armoury, which range from a bow, shield, spear and my favourite, the Twin Fist of Malphon, a pair of armoured gloves that have carried me through over ten successfully attempts in the underworld. Hades is made with replay value in mind. Each run is almost unique and dependent on the player’s choice. Completing a run was never really on my mind as the journey making it there brings just as much joy. Unique chambers on each biome reveal a shade to befriend and a cause to help, further along, you receive the aid of an old friend who isn’t all too happy to see you leave. (Thanatos, I would die for you.)

There are no difficulty settings in Hades, which had me, an easy mode player, sweating a bit. But God mode was extremely helpful to combatting any problems I had. You are not invulnerable, but it does reduce the damage you take from enemies, each death will increase your resistance by 2%. The music of Hades is amazing. I found myself way too focused on my runs to really appreciate it until I made it to Asphodel, the second biome of the Underworld, where you have the chance to meet Eurydice who gifts you treats that can boost the Boons you have acquired. When you enter the chamber, it is silent and then comes the gorgeous voice of Ashley Barrett. A song dedicated to her carefree life in the afterlife, now unbothered by her worries of mortal life. There I was compelled to listen to the soundtrack on its own and genuinely felt its effect. 

The art style truly had me scrolling through Twitter to find any and all fan art I could find. I had initially seen pictures from the game in development where most of the major characters were given placeholder images. In its official release, you see the gods, Chthonic and Olympian, in all their glory. Hades towers over you in his seat as he scoffs at your return. Nyx, the personification of Night, is your adopted mother who guides you in your journey, offering wisdom and advice. One of her sons, Hypnos, watches over you and greets you in your return. His hilarious quips and unhelpful advice (“Maybe try killing [the enemies] beforehand, I don’t know!”) makes each failure almost worth it. You also meet Zagreus’s mentor, famed Achilles, who taught him everything he knows, who stands strong within the halls of the house of Hades, far away from the man he once knew.

Image: Supergiant Games. From left to right: Zagreus, Meg, Hypnos (in red), Thanatos, Achilles and Zeus

Hades is ridiculously addicting. A completed run would take me around thirty minutes at most, I’ve slowly shaved off time in each run, but it appears to be my average time. Loss is nothing in this game because each failure brings a new path. The heart of the game resides in Zagerus and his interaction with the various mythic figures. Each reinterpretation stole my heart and broke it at the same time. By the time the final credits roll, the game is not done, new storylines and challenges appear that will have you returning to the House of Hades in no time. As the game eerily proclaims with each death, there is no escape.

DEVELOPER | BUY ON: STEAM | SWITCH

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