Life update
Wow, so much and yet not much happened at the same time during 2021. Probably the biggest thing that happened back in late 2021, was that I had decided to leave my old job and start a new one. It was probably one of the better decisions I’ve made in recent memory. I never realized how bogged down and how bad my mental state was until I left. It was this huge lift in my personal well-being that, it almost felt as if I was able to breath again.
Since starting my new job, I’ve felt like all the professional skills that never progressed is finally back on track. And in the almost 6 months that I’ve been at my new position, everyday I’m learning something new and it’s refreshed my soul in a way. I’m still fighting with myself in terms of mental health and so many personal issues that I continue to wrestle with, I’m just glad that my old job that was metaphorically tying me down is no longer a factor.
PC Update
I’m sad to say that my desktop PC rig can no longer handle anything Photoshop related and now it seems like playing any Steam games is a struggle for this old rig. Sometimes there’s a bit of lag when I try to play Stardew Valley and that’s one of the less resource heavy games in my library. I think with some updated parts, it could handle it again but I think at this point, if I wanted a new PC Desktop…I’d have to build one or buy one out of the box. With how hard and pricy graphics cards are nowadays, I don’t think I’m patient enough. That’s when I decided to invest in a laptop that is eons better than my poor PC.
Final Fantasy VII Map Update
I did manage to work on my map a little bit during 2021 and very early 2022. I need to just make a list and a plan on things I want to accomplish on this map. Who knows I might actually cross the ocean over to Costa Del Sol or do the Northern Crater.
I’m looking back at the progress I’ve made and I’ll just list out the areas I’ve finished and what I’m currently working on.
Map Updates List:
- Mideel Island
- Mideel Village
- I had made a post about developing the asset for Mideel Village. I’m pretty happy with how this turned out as I’m adding things on the map that you don’t normally see in the game.
- Hawk Island
- This is the island just above Mideel. I named it Hawk Island due to the Western Side of the island looking like the shape of a bird and also to just give it a name for file naming purposes as well.
- Kalm
- This is still a work in progress. I’m liking how it’s looking but I want to add something extra. Like the structure that’s in the middle of the town or the wall that’s surrounding the town. Maybe do a more detailed version of the Inn that the party goes to for Cloud’s Flashback. Still deciding.
- I need to work on the lighting of the town. It seems a little too dark. I was referencing the in-game graphics but I should just make it lighter overall.
- The little islands Northeast of the Midgar Area
- They’re not much but they are still part of the map. I figure those islands would be easy enough to finish with no problems.
- Darkened the area around the city of Midgar
- I had unfortunately lost the original file where I started with the Midgar area. So, what is on the map right now is a flat piece that I’m just drawing over. I think I’m a bit intimidated about how the hell am I going to draw out the city of Midgar itself. I started with setting up the base of the land and I’ll figure out or maybe sketch out how I want to layout Midgar. I might see if I can use Illustrator for that part.
Map goals for 2022:
- There’s one more long island that is just North of Hawk Island.
- The little islands that kind of connect to the long islands to the starting continent
- Add the cliffs and ground texture around the Fort Condor/Junon area
- Redo Chocobo Farm
- As one of the first assets I made for the map, it’s lacking a bit of texture and detail. I like how bright it is on the map. Maybe I’ll just add roof lines for texture.
- City of Junon
- I had attempted this on my map previously but ultimately scrapped it since I didn’t like how it was looking at the time. I’m going to try and sketch out Junon first by hand then transfer it to Photoshop
- Costa Del Sol
- Draw a basic plan of the other continent with Costa Del Sol, North Corel/Corel area, Nibelheim, etc.
- I’ve been watching a friend stream and play FFVII for the first time ever. She got to Cloud’s flashback an the scene where it zooms around the reactor of Nibelheim, I had an idea that I wanted to draw the reactor somehow in the small space that I have. It’s such an important part of the story, it only makes sense to add that in. And also, I’m excited to draw the crazy shapes of Mt. Nibel.
- Gold Saucer (I only typed the name of it and that theme is now playing in my head 🎵)
- Start on the Northern Continent
- In one of my older attempts at the FFVII map, I had drawn out the Northern Crater and it was a lot of fun. I’d liked to get back to that, now that I have a more refined style that I’m going with.
- MAP IDEAS:
- It would be cool to somehow get the Junon Underwater Reactor on the map. I’ll have to experiment with this one. I guess I’d have to draw it out first to see and scale it down into the ocean. First, I’ll have to play the game to get reference pictures. Shucks.
- Draw in or do a pop out insert of the Crashed Gelnika in the ocean
- Adding the tram line from Gold Saucer to North Corel
- Rocket Town
- Adding not just the rocket but a more detailed version of Cid’s house in the town
Closing
I feel pretty good about this list and the ideas I put down in writing. I’ll have to check back and cross things out as they get done or IF they get done. But I feel pretty good about this and I’m excited about it. I think my motivation came back due to my friend streaming and experiencing Final Fantasy VII for the very first time. I’ll have to let her know about that 🙂