This year was a big one for me. Not only that, but a very different, and very interesting year.

It was more of a struggle through the first half of the year, going on and off my game, Phobia: The Awakening, a game I wasn't even going to put out publicly. It was still going to be a series regardless, by the way.

I got the game done by June 28th, 2021. I felt like I had defeated an entire army trying to take over a teeny tiny piece of land, my land, and I stood in the center of it watching the sunset. In reality I was just sitting in bed wondering if I was going to take a break or get started on the next one. I took a break, but it was short lived due to my own excitement for my next game, the sequel. It was more just experimenting at the time, though.

I later got my first job and started working overnight shifts in late July. I also made my Reddit account around that time, too. For pretty much the first time in my life, I was a user who actually communicated to other people online. I showed one of my coworkers my game. She was older, but knew who The Wiggles were (and a little bit of FNaF from her kids). She thought the game was cool and encouraged me to ask if people would be interested in the game over on the FNaF subreddit I mentioned to her. Seeing people play my game on YouTube was surreal, but amazing. I'm surprised people actually really liked the game!

I took a big step doing all of this, and so far, I've always been so nervous and trying my best to stay kind and positive. I'm so grateful to have people interested in what I'm making, and I appreciate all of you so, so much. The fact that people are making theories, memes, discussions, and even artwork of my game is, exciting, but also kind of heartwarming to me. I always looked more down on myself when I was younger, saying my art wasn't good enough and that I couldn't do anything right, the typical young teen's brain in average overdrive type stuff. I know my work is far from perfect, but that's okay. I'll improve over time and learn new things.

"OKAY, *cough*, what's for 2022?"

Great question! I obviously want to get the sequel done next year. I'm hoping it won't take forever, but it's going little slow right now, but I'm kind of glad it is, because it's getting SO much better than what it could've been already! All I can really say is that it'll be done when it is.

I have other game projects in mind, too! I hope I can get around to working on them someday, because I'd love to share my other weird and hopefully fun ideas with you all! Phobia is my main focus though, because I know most people are interested in that right now.

I have plans to do something talking about Phobia and its existence. Either it'll be a post or a multiple part YouTube video, likely titled "What is Phobia? And why is it the way it is?" This would delve DEEP into the game's history, dating all the way back to 2015. Trust me, the reason why I chose The Wiggles puppets for a FNaF fangame put up on Gamejolt is a bit different than what you'd expect. It would take a long time to do, but it would totally be worth it.

There's still a planned update for The Awakening, too. It's going to address some issues (hopefully the save data issue) and make a few improvements to the game, such as an actual loading screen rather than a black screen. Nothing huge, but it should make the game a bit better.

I may also put up The Awakening's soundtrack on my YouTube channel as well, because I know many people really want to hear it in all of its glory!

That's it for now, and here's to the future!