Incredible dreams, where do you hide? by Brendan Quinlan
Incredible dreams, where do you hide?
In the depths of our minds, where our thoughts abide?
Or in the corners of our hearts, with a gentle touch?
A place to explore, and never rush?
Do they linger in the night, while we slumber in peace?
In the morning, a glimmer of hope to never cease?
Maybe they're found in the stars, or in the clouds so white?
Where our imaginations take us, on a journey so bright?
Perhaps they are in the breeze, that whispers in our ear
The secrets of our dreams, that we all hold so dear?
Incredible dreams, they are all around
Waiting to be found, if we just look around.
That poem was one I had written. Did you know I was a bit of a poet? "Incredible dreams and where to find them" is what it is called. Before you ask, yes, it is a nod to Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them.
What does it mean?
It’s very self-explanatory, unlike what most English teachers would think. It’s about dreams and chasing them. This poem encourages us to take the time to explore our surroundings to find incredible dreams. Dreams can be found in the depths of our minds, the corners of our hearts, the night while we sleep, the stars or clouds, and even in the gentle breeze. Simply put, these dreams can be found in many places if we take the time to look.
What is the point of this?
I wrote this poem to explore the idea of incredible dreams and where they can be found. I wanted to evoke a sense of mystery and wonder while also expressing the idea that dreams are something to treasure and seek. By using imagery of the night sky, the clouds, and the breeze, I hoped to convey the idea that our dreams are all around us if we just take the time to look.
The deep inspiration here is that I have dreams, like many people. I am trying to find them and get to my dreams.
What are my dreams, and where did they come from?
Well, this is the reason I am writing this blog post. To tell people what these dreams are.
In the depths of our minds, where our thoughts abide?
Let me take you back into a memory, back to a time of my childhood and growing up. When I was a kid, I was the youngest of five kids. My brothers owned a console known as "The Sega". Later, I would discover this was the Sega Master System II. This is where I played my first video game.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World is a side-scrolling platformer video game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Master System in 1986.
Fact: Alex Kidd in Miracle World originally began development in 1984 as a licenced tie-in game based on the Dragon Ball manga series.
I remember not being fantastic at it. In fact, I was mocked for sucking by my brothers, who were much older. I was only a little kid. I was having fun. I used to always get excited when I won scissors, paper, or rocks at the end of a level.
My brothers also owned a PlayStation 1. I was not really allowed to play it much. I would’ve liked to. I think I would’ve genuinely enjoyed it. To be honest, I don’t think my brothers owned many games for the console other than racing games like Rally Car or games that resemble Daytona USA. You can tell what my brothers were fans of. I would come to find they had a fair amount of demo discs. That contained a bunch of incredible games, like Disney’s Hercules tie-in game, the original Rayman, and WipEout.
There was one game they did have; it was a game that I would later find to be a masterpiece in challenging gameplay and storytelling. It was very ahead of its time. I never forgot about it for my entire childhood. The game was Oddworld: Abe’s Odyssey. To be very blunt, it scared the absolute shite out of me. The character of Abe in terms of design was supposed to resemble a little alien, and his lips were stitched together because he is a slave to the corporation. He is also inspired by the imagery of the native or indigenous culture of a land. In this context, he is a Mudokon, a highly spiritual race that is native to the continent of Mudos. They were once considered the supreme race on Oddworld before being enslaved by the Glukkons.
Why was I scared of the game?
I was a kid, and I was terrified of the character of Abe. It was the yellow eyes and the sound he emitted when he "chanted". In all honesty, I had no idea what actually happened in the game at the time. I knew it was about Abe, and there were people trying to take him down. He would go in and out of doors and get shot, and the guys would laugh.
Abe, for my entire childhood, would become my deepest fear. I didn’t want to speak about him in fear of provoking him, like a poltergeist or demon. Thanks to my asshole brothers, Abe had become my own personal boogeyman. They would make the noises of the chants, thinking that it was funny to see me get deeply terrified.
I would be looking in a PlayStation magazine or even down the street. If I saw an image of Abe, it was about future games like Oddworld: Munch’s Odyssey.
I was a very timid young child who easily got scared of a lot of things for this and other reasons.
It would take until I was 12 before I would finally be able to confront the fear. I would come to find that he was not scary at all. He was funny and an interesting character. I would also finally be able to play this game.
Going into my teen years, I would find that Abe was not so much a boogeyman as a silly little alien trying to fight for his freedom. He himself is afraid of what he would’ve considered his own personal boogeyman.
Why do we teach children to be afraid?
There are various reasons for parents to fear their children. Parents may resort to fright to get their children to do anything from eat their vegetables to do their homework to turn in early to bed or face public reprimand.
Psychologists have found that fostering excessive fear in youngsters can lead to conditions such as PTSD, panic attacks, and anxiety disorders in later life.
One of the most frequent phobias in children and young people is fear of the dark, known as nyctophobia or achluophobia, according to researchers Drs. Bess de Guia and Nina Halili-Jao.
A deep, negative imprint in the child's subconscious or unconscious mind, the two psychiatrists say, can have enduring effects on the child's mental health all the way into adulthood, because it can conjure pictures of dangerous animals lurking in the dark.
Want to learn more, you can read more here: https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/269082/scaring-kids-ghosts-monsters-can-psychological-effects/#ixzz81w0ibwkz
Why do I use the term "boogeyman" associated with Abe?
Well, to put it in short, everyone had a fear of this mythic creature used by adults to frighten children into good behaviour. Bogeymen have no specific appearance, and conceptions vary drastically by household and culture, but they are most often depicted as masculine or androgynous monsters that punish children for misbehaviour. Abe was to me the Boogeyman, and I would refer to him as that. He was mine.
Que viene el Coco' (The Boogeyman is Coming), c. 1797 by Spanish romantic painter and printmaker, Francisco Goya.
Why is this relevant to my blog post about dreams?
If you experienced fear during childhood, it could be useful to use this as an example of the power of dreams and how they can help people conquer their fears. For instance, if you had a fear of the dark as a child, you could explain how having a dream to pursue a certain career or hobby helped you overcome this fear by pushing you to take action to confront it. This could be a great way to demonstrate the significance of following dreams and how they can help people overcome difficult obstacles.
Abe was the one, as stated, I would conquer, and now it is one of my favourite games, in the top 10 games of all time. In fact, the creator, Lorne Lanning, is a big inspiration to me now. Oddworld is a story that makes comments about the world we live in based on things Lorne saw while growing up and when he was working in the bronks of New York City while studying at the School of Visual Arts.
After being terrified of his creation for my entire childhood, Lorne Lanning is a person I would love to one day meet, and a dream come true would be for him to mentor me!
Through this reflection, I have come to understand the power of dreams and how they can serve as a tool to help us overcome difficult situations and fears. It has also highlighted that by facing our fears, we can experience moments of self-discovery and growth. The story of Abe provides insight into how taking the time to get to know something can help us appreciate it, even if it scares us at first. This story also highlights the importance of role models and mentors and how having someone to look up to can motivate us to pursue our dreams.
He did a fantastic interview with Ars Technica, which I’ll provide. There is a short one and a long one, which I’ll provide below for your convenience.
Meanwhile, when I was growing up, my own personal video game console was the Gameboy, packaged with Pokémon Yellow. I was and still am a Pokémon maniac. I can say I was probably a bit too young to understand the complexity of Pokémon Yellow. I was given this as a gift from my parents to keep me from getting bored at a Penrith Panthers footy final. I loved how Pikachu would follow the player sprite around, and you could even check his mood. I remember getting frustrated by random encounters in the tall grass.
I can say I loved the Pokémon games, even to this day. It was a game that allowed me to be a Pokémon trainer, even if I didn’t get very far past the first few gyms. After some time with my first console. I didn’t own many games for the Gameboy. I did have three of those 108 games in one for the console, though. My parents often got them when they went to Thailand or even America. I remember that some of the games didn’t all work, but there was a lot that actually did. They weren’t all great, and for some, I couldn’t tell you what they were. Games that I remember very fondly were that they had every version of Pokémon, Tetris, Castlevania: The Adventure, Return of the Ninja, Super Mario Land, Ninja Turtles, Spiderman, and the Powerpuff Girls games, just to name a few. As said, there are so many games that I remember that I still don’t know the names of. One of them was a game where you played as girls pushing blocks on enemies, even with a rewind mechanic. The gameplay was very puzzle-like. Another was a mediaeval fantasy game, very much like Zelda, and would have a catchy theme song that accompanied the gameplay. It matched the movement of the little legs of the isometric perspective. I can still hear it in this moment of writing. If only I knew what it was. That game was also hard as hell.
I would go on to eventually get a Gameboy Advance and even inherit my brother’s black and white Gameboy. In which I loved them all equally. Even to this day, I treasure my Gameboys, even the SP. I can say I still loved Pokémon and Pokémon Emerald when the series truly clicked for me, and I actually finally understood the series. It’s when I truly loved the games. The Gameboy was special as it introduced so many different games.
If it wasn’t for the Gameboy, I probably wouldn’t have realised I loved The Legend of Zelda with games like Minish Cap.
Even if my love of these games was based on the Gameboy, where did the passion to want to make games come from?
Or in the corners of our hearts, with a gentle touch?
I remember having some family friends who had a Nintendo 64. They had games like Mario Party, Toy Story 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Even if I didn’t know it was Zelda, I thought it was about a kid getting pushed over by another if they wanted to go through a log, and they went around finding hearts.
I remember asking for one for Christmas that year, but I didn’t get one from Santa that year. Was it because I kept it a secret, or was it because I said I wanted a "game machine," as I didn’t know the word "game console just yet?
I would, however, end up getting a console that still holds a very special place in my heart. The PlayStation 2 It was a special birthday present. It came in a big yellow box, and I remember that I kind of knew I would get it in some way, even if I didn’t know at the time. Mum would tell me to pick two games. I remember taking the game with the dragon on it, "Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly," and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I also remember wanting to get Pikman as well. Then finding out it couldn’t be played on the PS2.
I also got some games in a pack, which included Crazy Taxi (I love the music in the game), Legends of Wrestling, and a Qatar racing game (I remember the music creeping me out).
The most memorable game of the pack was Crazy Taxi, featuring the song All I Want by The Offspring.
To be honest, these games were all fantastic, even if people would beg to differ about Enter the Dragonfly.
It wouldn’t be until my dad’s secretary picked me up from school and introduced me to games like Kingdom Hearts and Crash Bandicoot. This would show me that games could be more than what they were seen as before fun! With cute dragons or tie-in toys for my favourite movies.
Once Jak and Daxter played Ratchet and Clank, this theory was proven, and I was obsessed with the worlds and fantasies games could convey.
These games would always hold a place in my heart, and I would want to design my own games at this point. I even said that when I grew up, I wanted to be a game designer.
My sister-in-law was always a huge support in my life. She would often babysit me and encourage me to express my creativity. She'd always buy me big scrapbook drawing books with all sorts of fun art supplies, and she'd always let me play The Sims on their laptop. She'd always encourage me to create, and we'd spend hours together doing art projects or playing The Sims. I'm so thankful for her and all of the wonderful memories we created together.
I always loved to draw, and I would often draw my own characters and even imagine sequels to games I loved. I can even say I turned some into DND-style imagination games that some of my friends absolutely loved. I didn’t know about Dungeons and Dragons at the time, but looking back, I can see similarities. The game I designed was a pen-and-paper RPG called The Magic Thorn. Which was a fantasy adventure featuring a hero named Leaf, who was inspired by Deltora Quest Books by Emily Rodda and Link from The Legend of Zelda. He had found a magical weapon called the Magic Thorn, and now he had to go on a quest to seal the evil of the world. This game was played with a big A3 piece of paper, and I would draw the background like it was isometric, and you would have a coloured counter as the character. There would be random interactions in the world that used a D6 from a Monopoly board game to determine whether things happened.
I look back on the time I spent creating a game like this fondly. It was a creative outlet for me that allowed me to express my imagination and let my friends join in on the fun. It was a great way to bring people together and explore our ideas and creativity. I would not have been able to do it without the inspiration of the Deltora Quest books and the Legend of Zelda. It gave me the idea to create something unique and entertaining. I'm proud of the game I created and even more proud of the impact it had on my friends. It's moments like this that drive me to continue to be creative and to find new ways to express my ideas. I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to create this game and the experience of playing it with my friends.
The Magic Thorn would have two sequels: The Magic Thorn 2: A New Order and The Magic Thorn 3: Quest for the Silver Serpent. These games would introduce the lore that more than one magic weapon existed under the name "thorns". The characters who were chosen by the Thorns were all related, whether it was through spirit or blood.
The Magic Thorn would be a game that continued to be popular until it wasn’t. People thought it got boring and needed something new. Like many game markets. I used to draw a little drawing book, and which would be filled with not only drawings but also designs for games. I would create RPGS and allow people to choose what they wanted to be. This was obviously inspired by RuneScape and World of Warcraft. These would range from mythological demigods from Greek and Egyptian mythology to fairies, dragon riders, aliens inspired by Doctor Who, and even zombie hunters.
I remember I would even try to make game documents of some of these and would try to flesh out the game controls, the story, and the mechanics. I would even try to redraw sprites in MS Paint.
I was a little aspiring game designer at heart.
I would learn how to make a basic game in RPG Maker, and that was incredible.
I was only just coming to terms with the existence of coding, and it frustrated me because I didn’t understand it. Math was a weakness for me, and it required a lot of it.
It wouldn’t be till later in high school. When code and this would be used towards something possible.
A place to explore, and never rush?
A high school is a place of weirdness and difference. It’s a place where the walls are painted in a kaleidoscope of colours and the courtyards are filled with students of all backgrounds and beliefs having to pretend to be Christians due to a very religious private school. While some students are driven to become valedictorians, others are content to take their time, revealing the chaos of the social scene. Everyone is different and unique in their own way, whether it's the sporty ones, the nerds, the smart ones, the drama kids, the floaters, or the outcasts. Even the teachers are different, bringing their own set of personalities and quirks to the classroom. It’s a place where ideas, opinions, and perspectives can clash and where conversations can be had. It’s a place of weirdness and difference, where the unexpected can happen and everyone is welcome. At least that is what I felt like it was in the beginning.
I came from being a nerdy, creative kid who was always bullied and suddenly became a popular kid in years 7 and 8. Being a popular kid in years 7 and 8 was both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, I enjoyed being surrounded by people who liked me, and I felt like I had a lot of friends. On the other hand, I felt a certain pressure to uphold a certain image, and it felt like I had to constantly be on my best behaviour to keep up with that image.
I also found it difficult to maintain genuine relationships with people because I felt like I was always putting up a facade to please those around me. It was hard to know who my true friends were and who was just pretending to be my friend. Overall, I think being a popular kid in years 7 and 8 was a great experience that taught me a lot. It taught me the importance of being genuine with people, and it taught me how to handle being in the spotlight. Although it could be challenging at times, it was also fun, and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.
The issue was that I wasn’t fake and was always genuine. I managed to get a girlfriend at that time in 7th grade because I stood up for them when they were being bullied. It was nice for a time, but like the rest, it seemed not very genuine, even if it probably came from a place of genuine thankfulness. We are still kids, only starting puberty. This was when I got my Xbox 360 for my 13th birthday. This would be the year I fell in love with Assassin’s Creed and became increasingly excited for Assassin’s Creed 2. Games like Fallout 3, Halo Wars, Gears of War 2, and Fable 2 would be my type of game to escape the horrors of school life.
At this stage, I didn’t design any of my games and would often be more about playing. Assassin’s Creed was the game that hooked me because of how it meshed my love of history and mystery.
Assassin’s Creed was an open-world game, and before that, I hadn’t played many of these games outside of games like Jak 2/3 and Grand Theft Auto 3.
I felt betrayed and hurt when I left the popular group in eighth grade. I had been backstabbed by people I thought were genuine friends, and it had been about my beliefs, which were more spiritual in nature. I was determined not to be put down because of my beliefs, so I decided to start my own group with a few of my nerdy gamer friends. We had a lot of fun, and I felt supported and accepted in my new group. It was a great way to escape the negativity of my old group. My new friends proved to be true friends, and it was a great blessing to have them by my side. At least for this point in high school.
When it came to getting around 9 and 10, I remember that at this time, my passion for video games was high. Assassin’s Creed was the fandom of my choice, which I obsessed over. I would write fan fiction and design characters for the setting. Even making my own stories. I found a passion for writing stories because of a lovely English teacher who inspired me.
We had to choose our electives this year for the first time. We only had two lines. All the good classes were on the first, and the second had a lot of classes that were considered not as many, and the choice was very limited. I was mortified that I had to choose between learning about technology, history, and the visual arts. I ended up choosing a class called IST, which stands for Information Software Technology, and photography as my second line of study to make up for missing out on art. I believe these were the same.
I would come to really love IST as we learned about the history of computers, graphic design, web design, coding in basic, HTML, and visual basic, and even some games. Skills that I wouldn’t believe would be so relevant today I especially remember when we learned to use Basic. BASIC stood for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. I at first hated coding, but once it clicked, it wasn’t too much to grasp, and I would find myself like the other guys in the class, finding ways to make funny things out of it. I liked to find a way to make a game with it, using tutorials. I made a game like a randomizer to play scissors, paper, rock, blackjack, and even a fortune-telling game I called the 8ball.
I remember there was a kid who worked out how to make the code in Basic Move like it does in the movie The Matrix, making it flash different colours and has an annoying ascending sound. He pranked a librarian one time by putting his programme on each computer and quickly running around and triggering it at the same time. The librarian was freaking out and thought the world was ending. I don’t remember if he got in trouble for it, to be honest. However, it was very funny. We would then learn Visual Basic and HTML.
I created a fictional game studio called "Sacred Square," inspired by Square-Enix. It started in the 1980s as a small game shop selling various games and card games. I built a website around it, creating a story about its history and featuring a classic game called The Magic Thorn. I also drew a cover of a Link-inspired hero and designed a logo for it, using screenshots of the game Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness by Origin Systems. To parody the popular Assassin's Creed series, I created my own called Assassin's Academy. This series mirrored Saints Row instead of Grand Theft Auto, focusing more on insane acrobatics and interesting techniques than historical accuracy. To show the progression of the series, I used screenshots of Hitman and Thief: Deadly Shadows.
I wouldn’t have been able to do this if I hadn’t learned how to use Photoshop in my photography class, which made a lot of this possible.
It was all fun and games, which it was. It was an assignment to create a website, and I enjoyed creating the funny little details. The teacher started to notice how I liked to put my heart into things and often liked to tell a story with projects.
The story of Sacred Square continued into Year 11 when I continued the class into SDD (Software Design Development). Where we would make things technical in code. I still struggled with code. We would create basic database software. I always put "Sacred Square" at the bottom of a boot screen. We then had to make an educational quiz to help us study our class, like flash cards. I did mine based on my ancient history class, to remember Spartan history, the Iliad, and Rome. I also started to love hiding Easter eggs in this. One I remember was that if you clicked in the right spot of the boot screen, it would take you to a roaring dinosaur with a remark about someone saying, "Please don’t tell my boss this is here!" I remember the teacher remarking that this was a funny jump scare!
The last project was the best one of all. We were able to make groups and make a game. We had to base it on a topic we worked on. However, we were given railway diagrams. Now I couldn’t tell you the first thing about them! We made a game around it, though. It was fun to see everyone talking about what we were going to develop. I was hyped up to do art, be a director, and discuss game design. We had a coder and a kid who didn’t do much, but he meant well!
At a brainstorming session, we discussed ideas for a game made in Visual Basic. After considering options such as Zeppelins, we eventually settled on an idea for a game inspired by Temple Run but based around a train track with obstacles. We named this game Rail Rider, aptly named for its wild and unpredictable nature.
The idea behind Rail Rider was to create a game where the player is a train conductor who must go through various levels and obstacles to reach the end of the track. The game would include power-ups, special items, and a variety of enemies to prevent the player from progressing.
We discussed the overall layout of the game, the obstacles and power-ups, and how they would interact with each other. We also discussed how the user would navigate the game and how the levels would be structured, as endless rails that would replace each other as it moved, so they were the same ones every time.
We brainstormed a few levels and obstacles that could be implemented in the game. Some of the obstacles included rocks and sheep. The power-ups could be used to boost the player’s speed and help them get past obstacles more easily.
We also discussed the overall difficulty of the game and how it would increase as the levels progressed. We wanted to make sure that the game was challenging but not too difficult for players.
Overall, it was a fun exercise to brainstorm ideas for a game. We all had a great time coming up with ideas and discussing how to make Rail Rider an enjoyable game.
I really wish I still had the visuals to show it off, as I was quite proud and it was the most original. The game had its difficulties and wasn’t at all perfect. We didn’t get time to implement the powerups, for example. We had to slide in an education quiz on railway diagrams to make it relevant as a game over punishment. We managed to make a death game overscreen that was comedically based on a crude Thomas the Tank Engine meme. Let’s just say it was the one with a picture of Thomas with red eyes flying off the train track and saying, "I’m off the rails, c**t!" The game over screen was a black screen with a train tipped over and on fire, with GAME OVER and a final score, with an option to try again.
The game was fun. It was stupid fun how we made the train change tracks, avoiding rocks and sheep. We had to present it, and I made it look like an E3 presentation. I included random quotes from Todd Howard, like "Don't define the game by the list of features. Define it by the experience you want to have." That was used to explain the reason for the game. We had a mechanic make the train jump by just making it bigger, and we used the quote "It just works!".
We even included a fake quote from Todd Howard about the success of rail riders.
"It's time to take Rail Rider: IT'S OFF THE RAILS! for a ride. I'm sure it will be a wild and wacky ride—just the way I like it!" Todd Howard
You can tell who we looked up to at the time!
I could imagine that if we had videos like this back then, we would be referencing them all the time!
All jokes aside, we were really inspired by people in the industry. It really felt like, at this time, the industry was so far away.
I know that at this point I had no idea where I wanted to go with this, as school often confused us a lot and my parents said that what I wanted to do wasn’t a real job. I was told to choose something better at university or go into a trade, and I was pushed more in the direction of trade. That’s when I had no idea. Even a terrible career adviser wouldn’t help.
I didn’t know whether to go down the path of a nurse, midwife, criminologist, or art therapist.
There was no rush; it was filled with bullying for my love of Assassin’s Creed, crushes on girls, and writing. Everything a teenage boy deals with.
Do they linger in the night, while we slumber in peace?
Some of my best ideas have come to me in dreams. Dreams provide an opportunity to explore our creative subconscious, and the results can be quite remarkable. I have had ideas for projects, solutions to problems, and even breakthroughs in personal growth come to me through my dreams. The surreal nature of dreams can be the perfect environment for creative problem-solving, as it allows us to look at our ideas from a completely different perspective. Dreams can provide a unique platform for creativity, and I would not be where I am today without these nocturnal brainstorms.
Dreams have served as a source of inspiration for some of the greatest creators of all time. Paul McCartney allegedly wrote the Beatles' iconic hit song "Yesterday" in a dream. His own vision of a society where people could share their thoughts and dreams served as the inspiration for Christopher Nolan's movie Inception. Stephen King's novel "Dreamcatcher" was based on a dream he had about a man in a wheelchair who could fly. Edgar Allan Poe's poetry often explored the depths of his own subconscious mind and the dreams he experienced. These works have all been incredibly influential and have stood the test of time, proving that great ideas can indeed come from dreams.
I would love to make a game one day based on the dream I had as a child about an ethereal creature with light greyish-white fur set in a world of different dimensions and hellish-looking angel beasts. With levels based around puzzle solving, this would be an amazing and unique game.
In high school, a dream sparked an idea for a game about a zombie apocalypse that was inspired by my slight addiction to Fallout 3 and the English topic of "survival." The game follows a lone wanderer who discovers an old house that was once owned by a witch in the 1930s. No zombies or other evil creatures could cross the fence line without burning up. The wanderer rescues a pregnant woman who is close to death, and the two end up falling in love and raising the child together. Along the way, the protagonist's past in the military comes to light, and a cult attempts to steal the baby.
In my dream, I had an idea for an open-world survival horror game set in a world that combined elements of Los Angeles and Sydney. After his followers abandoned him, an enraged old god cast this world into an endless night as a form of retaliation. Players take on the role of survivors in a military-like squad, tasked with finding other survivors in this post-apocalyptic setting. As they explore, they must use light as a weapon, like the mechanic in Alan Wake, and use silver and iron to repel monsters of the night. I have always loved this idea!
This next idea from a dream isn’t about a game design but more a story I’d love to write one day about After struggling with depression and anxiety, a young man striving to become a game designer meets a kind-hearted vampire who takes pity on him. He discovers that vampires could take away pain, not just blood, and she helps him cope with his mental health issues. Inspired by the BBC's Dracula, this story is a testament to the power of friendship and the hope of overcoming darkness. It’s a love story.
When talking about amazing ideas from dreams, I need to talk about an idea for a Disney’s Atlantis sequel. Before you say it, there was a sequel. Disney's Atlantis 2: The Kraken is a thrilling two-part sequel to the beloved Disney classic. The story takes place in a post-WWI world where Milo and Kida have returned to the surface with their friends from the original movie. Joining them is an Atlantisologist, Dr. Lovecraft, inspired by the famous author HP Lovecraft. The movie follows the group as they encounter a powerful Atlantean weapon, the Kraken, which Dr. Lovecraft is driven mad by. As the story progresses, the audience will experience an adventure full of horror and suspense, all set to an amazing soundtrack featuring the song "The Land of the Living" by Jonathan Young. The movie culminates with Milo stuck in the sub with Lovecraft as he raves about the Kraken coming. It is an action-packed and thrilling journey that will have viewers on the edge of their seats. The song kind of shows themes in the story of the film.
Yes, I dreamed about all of that! How nuts is that?
Maybe these dreams were just dreams from my subconscious about things in my waking life.
This dream may suggest a struggle between good and evil, with the otherworldly being representing a sacred or heavenly power and the sinister angel beasts representing darker forces. The different realms within the dream could illustrate a transformation from one state to the next or an exploration of multiple realities. It could also imply a voyage of self-discovery and the need to find equilibrium in life.
Dreaming of a zombie apocalypse could symbolise a desire for safety and steadiness in your life. It may allude to a need to find a place to call home and to build a fulfilled life. This dream could also signify a wish for a strong bond with someone and a family of your own. It could also be a representation of your strong will to confront and overcome any past traumas to progress in life. Lastly, the dream could show your commitment to protecting and looking out for the people you love.
This dream could be a representation of my innermost thoughts and desires—my need to create something meaningful and worthwhile, as well as to possess courage in the face of difficulty and the unknown. The incorporation of light and silver as weapons in the dream may symbolise my wish to protect myself and those around me from the dangers and chaos of the universe. The menacing old god may embody a powerful presence that I feel is too strong for me to control and could lead to destruction and devastation. In conclusion, this dream may be highlighting my need to find a way to survive and persist during difficult times.
The dream may be a sign of the importance of assistance and compassion to overcome hard times in life. It expresses that, even in the gloomiest of times, there can be expectation, kinship, and relief. The vampire in the dream may be an indication of a source of strength and solace, reminding us that there are those who can assist in times of trouble. The story further implies that by joining with other people and forming deep connections, we can gain the strength to triumph over our difficulties and have confidence in the future.
The dream that I experienced about the Atlantis sequel may symbolise my creativity and urge to explore new stories and ideas. This dream could be hinting that you should find ways to unleash your creativity and come up with something special and captivating. The song featured in your dream might be an indication that you should search for ways to express your creative side and develop something unique. This dream could also imply that you are feeling overwhelmed by a certain situation, person, or emotion in your life, and the post-WWI environment may suggest a feeling of being stuck in the past and unable to move ahead. The formidable Atlantean weapon, the Kraken, could represent a powerful force that is out of your control, pushing you to the edge of insanity. The song "The Land of the Living" could suggest a longing for a better life and a hope that things will improve. This dream may be a warning of the dangers of feeling powerless or overwhelmed, as well as a reminder that if you act and use your own strength, things can get better.
The song itself is about feeling like an outsider in the world, struggling to find a sense of belonging, and feeling like you are worth something. The singer is expressing frustration and despair at the idea of living in the "land of the living," as they feel like they are already dead. The song suggests that they find more comfort in the idea of going to Hell than living in the world, as it would provide some kind of rest and peace. Ultimately, the song reflects a feeling of hopelessness and a desire to escape the world and all its expectations.
Dreams are a powerful force that can bring light to even the darkest of nights. They can provide comfort and hope in times of distress and turmoil. Dreams can be a source of inspiration and creativity, allowing us to explore ideas and possibilities that we may never have considered before. Dreams can also be a source of comfort and solace, providing a place to escape and find peace in the midst of chaos. Dreams can be a vehicle for transformation, allowing us to tap into our innermost desires and deepest longings. Dreams can linger in the night, lingering long after we have awoken, inspiring us to take action and create a better future. We can have an infinite number of dreams that linger in the night, providing us with the courage and strength to carry on and keep our hope alive.
In the morning, a glimmer of hope to never cease?
When I finally found where I wanted to be with my path being revealed in a Bachelor's Degree in Design (Visual Communication), it gave me a spark of hope after the dryness of studying criminology in that era I called "Milperra." I was determined to find a way out of the mundane and be creative, not just be stuck in a dead-end job or a career that wasn't fulfilling. Visual communication was the answer. It allowed me to explore my creative side and use my talents to create unique designs. It gave me an opportunity to express myself in ways I hadn't been able to before. I was able to explore different design techniques and learn about colour theory, photography, typography, and even animation. I was able to create designs that were visually appealing and communicated a message.
My experience in visual communication gave me a sense of purpose and direction. I was able to develop my skills in design and use them to create beautiful works of art. I was also able to learn how to effectively communicate a message through visuals and how to create a brand identity. I was also able to understand the importance of research and how it can be used to create compelling visuals.
The best part about visual communication is that it gave me the chance to be creative and express myself. It allowed me to create something that was unique and stood out from the rest. It gave me an opportunity to explore my imagination and be creative in ways that I never thought possible. It has been an incredible journey, and I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given.
The news that my degree in design (visual communications) had a door that hinted at video games was a surprise to me. I had gone to university to hone my creative skills and never expected to find a connection to my childhood dreams. Little did I know that Julian Wilton of Massive Monster (developer of Adventure Pals and Cult of the Lamb) had graduated from the same course and university only a year after I started. My heart skipped a beat when I made this realisation.
It seemed like the universe had found a way to bring me back to the dream I had as a child. This knowledge gave me renewed enthusiasm for my studies, and I was determined to make the most of the opportunity. I used the knowledge of Julian Wilton’s success as inspiration and began to explore the possibilities of video game design. I studied the work of other game designers and began to create my own concepts for potential games.
My third year of university was an exciting one. We had to design a portfolio piece for the dream company we wanted to work for. I chose Ubisoft, as I had been a huge fan of their games for a long time. With the guidance of my tutor, Dan, I was able to develop an idea for a game that I was passionate about.
My concept was for a game called Assassin's Creed: Stand and Deliver, set in Gold Rush Australia. It would feature a cast of characters and a rich history, as well as immersive gameplay elements that would bring the era to life. The idea was well received by Dan, and he encouraged me to explore it further.
The experience of creating this portfolio piece was incredibly rewarding, and it gave me an insight into the creative process of game development and concept art. It also made me realise that I had the potential to work at the company I had been such a fan of for so long.
I am very grateful for the guidance and encouragement of Dan during this process, as it gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of working in the gaming industry. It was an incredible experience that I will always remember, and I am grateful for the opportunity it presented.
In 2019, near the end of my fourth and final year of university, I attended the Ubisoft Experience event in Sydney as a break from my major project. At the time, I didn't realise how big an impact this experience would have on my life. Reflecting on it now, it was almost as if the experience was foreshadowing my future.
The event made me realise the potential of a career in the game industry and connected me with amazing people with whom I'm still in contact. It was an opportunity to gain valuable insight into the industry and to learn from the professionals. The highlight of the event for me was the "How to Work in the Games Industry" panel. It gave me a deeper understanding of the industry and its possibilities and had a profound impact on me.
Little did I know that the following year, around the same time, I would be a member of the Mentors Guild. I also became a Star Player and was giving out awesome goodies, being invited to events, and being a kind of representative of Ubisoft in the form of an ambassador in a way.
It's amazing how one experience can lead to such an incredible journey. The Ubisoft Experience event in Sydney was the perfect way for me to take a break from my studies and learn more about the industry. It was the spark that inspired me to pursue a career in the games industry, and the universe still has more to reveal.
Maybe they're found in the stars, or in the clouds so white?
Don’t worry, I won’t try to shoehorn the entire poem into this long-form explanation. I’ll use this last section to talk about something spiritual that would probably scare some people off, as it's going to get WOO WOO!
They're found in the stars, or in the clouds so white? Where our imaginations take us on a journey so bright
My natal chart!
What is a natal chart?
A natal chart is a chart of the sky at the time of your birth. It is a snapshot of the planets’ positions in the signs of the zodiac relative to the location of your birth. It is used for analysis and prediction in astrology.
Yes, this is the part where you will see my natal chart being analysed! How exciting. Maybe you'll learn something.
Brendan Quinlan
Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
Feb. 18, 1996, 12:57 p.m.
Your Ascendant in Taurus suggests that you are a patient and reliable person who is constantly striving for stability and security. You have a strong need for comfort and pleasure, and you prefer to take a practical approach to life. You have a strong sense of loyalty and a strong connection to nature and the physical world. You are persistent and determined, and you don’t give up easily. You have a good eye for detail, and you like to take your time to make sure that everything is done correctly.
the Sun at 28° 41' Aquarius indicates that you have a strong sense of inner confidence and independence. You have a need to stand out from the crowd and make your own decisions. You are likely to be open-minded and innovative, with a strong need for freedom and autonomy. Additionally, you may be quite socially conscious and have a deep understanding of the importance of relationships.
the Moon in 16° 12' Aquarius means that the Moon was in the 16th degree of the zodiac sign Aquarius when you were born. This placement of the Moon can indicate a person who is independent, progressive, thoughtful, and original in their approach to life. You may have an affinity for technology or the sciences, and you may be drawn to unusual or unconventional ideas. This placement may also suggest a strong sense of intuition.
Mercury at 3° 31' Aquarius indicates that you have an inquisitive and analytical mind. You are quick to pick up on new ideas, and you are able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems. You are a natural problem solver and you have a strong sense of logic. You may also be quite persuasive and able to influence others with your words.
Venus in 10° 33' Aries indicates that you have a strong desire for passion, excitement, and adventure in your relationships. You also crave a strong emotional connection. You have a natural ability to charm and inspire people, and your personality is naturally magnetic. You may have a tendency to be overly independent and to act impulsively without thinking about the consequences.
Your Mars placement in your natal chart indicates that you have a strong instinct for taking initiative and driving yourself forward. You are determined and take decisive action when necessary. You also have a natural ability to motivate and inspire those around you. Your Mars in Pisces suggests that you are passionate and creative, and you use these qualities to make progress in whatever you take on. You are unafraid of taking risks and are willing to go the extra mile to achieve your goals.
Jupiter in 9° 37' Capricorn in your natal chart indicates that you have a strong focus on ambition and achievement. You are driven to reach your goals and you have a natural ability to succeed. You may have an affinity for structure and order, and you may be quite traditional in your approach. You may be determined and disciplined, and you have the potential to be a great leader.
Saturn in 23° 59' Pisces suggests that you have a strong sense of responsibility and a need to be respected. This placement often indicates a person who has experienced hardships and challenges in life but is able to use them to their advantage and learn from them. You may have a tendency to be serious and cautious but also have a great deal of patience and a willingness to work hard to achieve your goals.
Uranus in 2° 7' Aquarius means that Uranus is positioned in the second degree of the sign Aquarius. This placement indicates that you are likely to be independent and rebellious and that you have a strong connection to your intuition. You may be particularly creative and innovative, and you may have a great sense for spotting trends and patterns. You are likely to be highly individualistic and may be an agent of change in your life and in the lives of those around you.
Neptune in 26° 26' Capricorn indicates that you are likely to be a highly sensitive and intuitive person. You have a deep understanding of the spiritual side of life and may be drawn to creative pursuits such as music, art, or writing. You also may be more compassionate and understanding of others than most people, and you may be especially attuned to the needs of those who are suffering.
Pluto in 3° 1' Sagittarius in your natal chart means that at the time of your birth, Pluto was located 3 degrees and 1 minute into the sign of Sagittarius. This placement can indicate a powerful and intense influence of Pluto in your life, especially in terms of transformation and rebirth. You may find yourself drawn to the mysterious and intense aspects of life, and you may be drawn to exploring deep and complex topics.
The North Node in your natal chart indicates the area of growth and development for you in this lifetime. 19° 53' Libra indicates that your North Node is in the sign of Libra, which suggests that you will be focusing on developing your skills in the areas of relationships, diplomacy, and compromise. You will be learning how to balance your own needs with the needs of the people around you.
In astrology, Chiron in Libra is associated with healing through relationships, finding balance, and learning to express yourself authentically. It suggests a strong need to be in harmony with others and a deep sensitivity to social situations. You may need to learn to take care of yourself first before seeking the approval of others. You may also have an increased awareness of the power of communication and the need for compromise in relationships.
Your MC, or Midheaven, in 24°59' Aquarius indicates that your life purpose involves exploring new ideas, being independent, and having a strong sense of intuition. You have an aptitude for taking creative risks and being open to unconventional thinking. You may also have a knack for connecting with others and seeing the world from different perspectives.
A stellium is when 3 or more planets are in the same sign. In this case, you have a stellium in Aquarius, with Mars in Pisces as an outlier. This suggests a strong emphasis on the traits associated with Aquarius in your chart, such as independence, original thinking, and an ability to connect with others. The Mars in Pisces also suggests sensitivity and a capacity for emotional openness. This combination may create a personality that is both independent and emotionally connected at the same time.
A T-Square is a difficult astrological aspect involving three planets, where two planets are in opposition (180-degree angle) and they are both square (90-degree angle) to a third planet. In this case, Venus in Aries is in opposition to Chiron in Libra and both are square to Jupiter in Capricorn. This can create a dynamic of tension and difficulty in the areas of life-related to the planets involved. Venus in Aries is associated with ambition, passion, and a desire to move forward quickly. When in opposition to Chiron in Libra, it can indicate difficulty in balancing relationships and personal needs, creating a feeling of stuckness or restlessness. At the same time, Jupiter in Capricorn suggests challenges in achieving goals and ambitions due to external obstacles or strict rules. This can lead to frustration and a feeling of being held back from success.
The 12 houses!
The 12 houses in the natal charts are symbols that represent the different areas of life that are important to our development and growth. Each house is associated with different areas of life, such as money, health, relationships, career, and more. The position of the planets in the houses reveals information about the areas of life that are most important to us and how those areas will be affected by the energies around us.
Gemini in the 1st house of a natal chart reveals a native who is highly adaptable and versatile, able to handle different situations with ease. People may say that you have a remarkable memory, but they may also find it hard to understand you. Having the two-faced twins in your First House implies that you're a complex individual who can show multiple sides to others. On the other hand, Taurus in the 1st house of a natal chart implies that the native will be very grounded and practical. They are known for their dependability and patience, and they are seen as strong and reliable by others. However, they may need to be more flexible when it comes to relationships as they like to be rational in their approach to life.
Having Gemini and Cancer in the 2nd House of your natal chart indicates that you have good intentions, but it can be hard to stick to them or to a budget. You have an adaptable and creative mindset, but can easily become distracted or tempted to alter your plans. Your financial security is of great importance to you, as you consider money and possessions to be a way of providing for those around you. Consequently, saving is of utmost importance to you, as you are strongly influenced by your emotions.
The 3rd house in the combination of Cancer and Leo represents the individual's communication tendencies. An individual with Cancer in the 3rd house will likely be sensitive and caring when conversing with others and may take issues to heart more readily. They may also be drawn to conversations about family, home, and comfort. An individual with Leo in the 3rd house will likely be eloquent and confident when speaking and will be interested in topics such as creativity, self-expression, and leadership.
The presence of Leo and Virgo in the 4th house suggests that the natives puts a lot of emphasis on their home life, family, and comfort. Leo stands for creativity and self-expression, and Virgo stands for practicality and hard work. This blend of energies implies that the native is likely to be both creative and practical in their home life and family life. They may have an eye for design and the ability to turn a house into a home. Additionally, they likely have a great sense of organization and focus on the details when it comes to matters of the home. They may also have a strong connection to their past and roots, and be highly emotionally invested in their family life.
If a Natal chart has Virgo and Libra influences in the 5th house, this individual is likely to be systematic and logical when expressing themselves artistically. They may have an eye for beauty and be able to appreciate the beauty and serenity of their own work and that of others. They may be able to come up with creative answers to problems and be able to balance the practical with the creative. This person may also be very social and enjoy spending time with friends and family. They may be able to keep healthy relationships with those around them and enjoy engaging in intellectual conversations.
The combination of Libra and Scorpio in the 6th house can demonstrate a broad range of attributes, from intellectual and communicative to fervent and intense. Libra in the 6th house may symbolize the necessity for equilibrium and concord even in tough circumstances, while Scorpio in the same house may allude to a profoundly passionate answer to life's troubles. This blend of signs may additionally suggest a powerful craving for relationships and an aspiration to attach profoundly to others. Furthermore, this pairing may signify a powerful focus on work, health, and service.
The seventh house of a Natal chart with Scorpio and Sagittarius occupying it suggests that the individual will be incredibly motivated and outgoing. They will put a great deal of effort into making meaningful connections with others and will strive to achieve their goals through hard work and dedication. Furthermore, they will have a profound desire to learn and take risks in order to make progress and broaden their horizons. Additionally, they will be zealous when it comes to their principles and will be very self-reliant in their choices.
Sagittarius in the 8th house suggests that an individual has the desire to explore the unknown and to push themselves beyond their boundaries in order to gain a greater understanding of themselves. This could be expressed through seeking out new experiences, or by delving into spiritual or metaphysical practices. Capricorn in the 8th house adds structure and ambition to this need for exploration, motivating the individual to take a more organized and methodical approach to their personal growth. This could mean setting goals and striving to achieve them, or taking a more logical approach to uncovering the truth about one's own life and identity. The 8th house is associated with death, transformation, and the occult, and is seen as a place of profound personal development.
A person with Capricorn and Aquarius in the 9th house of their Natal chart might be known for their independent and analytical mindset. They could also be quite creative and progressive, yet still be searching for security and stability. Additionally, they may have a strong fascination with spirituality, philosophy, and higher education. Furthermore, they could be quite devoted to their beliefs and be willing to put in the effort to achieve their objectives. They could feel a strong sense of purpose and be willing to take risks in order to reach their desired outcomes.
The placement of Aquarius and Pisces in the 10th house of a Natal chart suggests that the native is likely to be highly changeable and adaptive, with a creative and independent thought process and a non-conventional mindset. This individual is also likely to be highly intuitive and sensitive to the feelings of those around them, possibly even having a spiritual inclination and deep understanding of the world. Such placement could point towards potential career paths in music, art, or teaching.
Pisces in the 11th house of a Natal chart is indicative of an individual who is highly social and has a lot of friends. They may be drawn to people who are creative, artistic and imaginative, and may be sensitive to the collective energies of their peers. This placement suggests someone who is fulfilled when surrounded by others and may have a strong sense of community. They may also be a natural mediator and negotiator, and be able to help others resolve conflicts. On the other hand, Aries in the 11th house of a Natal chart indicates an individual who is ambitious and goal-oriented. They may be driven to reach their goals and may be successful in areas related to business, finance and leadership. Additionally, they may be passionate about helping others reach their goals and be generous with their time and resources. This placement also suggests someone who is competitive and passionate about their beliefs and causes.
Aries in the 12th house suggests that the native has a powerful subconscious which can be a great source of creative inspiration, but it could also lead to emotional confusion or self-destructive behaviour. To stay on the right path, the native should be mindful of their inner thoughts and feelings. Taurus in the 12th house implies that the native is naturally inclined towards spiritual matters and can reap many benefits from exploring their inner depths. This placement can bring patience and determination, but it can also bring feelings of insecurity and anxiety. To reach their fullest potential, the native should maintain a balance between the spiritual and material realms.
Understanding and learning about our natal chart is important because it provides an individualized life map that allows us to better understand ourselves, our personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth. It reveals our purpose in life and provides detailed insight into our relationships. Knowing our natal chart can create a greater sense of self-awareness and connection to the universal energy of the cosmos, allowing us to move forward on our journey of personal evolution with more clarity and direction. The chart usually consists of a mix of traditional astrological symbols or glyphs and a range of numbers that describe the placements of the planets in the sky. The combination of symbols and numbers, along with the knowledge of how they interact within a Natal Chart, can provide us with insight into our unique qualities, motivations, and life goals. It can help us to better understand ourselves and our deeper desires in life, allowing us to gain better clarity about our path and purpose.
Where our imaginations take us, on a journey so bright?
Perhaps they are in the breeze, that whispers in our ear
The secrets of our dreams, that we all hold so dear?
Incredible dreams, they are all around
Waiting to be found, if we just look around.
This poem speaks of the power of the imagination. It speaks of how our dreams and aspirations can take us on a journey that is so bright. It speaks of how our dreams can whisper in our ears and give us the secrets that we hold dear. It is a reminder of how our incredible dreams are all around us, just waiting to be found if we just look around. This poem gives us the motivation to tap into the power of our imaginations and not be afraid of letting our dreams take us on a journey that is so bright and full of possibilities. It helps us to remember that our dreams are within our reach and that we should never give up until we have achieved them. This poem encourages me to take control and make use of my imagination to reach my dreams.
This poem is a reminder that incredible dreams can be found anywhere if we only look closely enough. It's an inspiring reminder that we should never give up hope or our dreams because they are within reach. Dreams are not just a figment of our imagination; they are a real part of our lives. Whether we find them in the depths of our minds, the corners of our hearts, in the night sky, or in the breeze, they are all around us. We just must take the time to find them.
After all of that, what are my dreams?
Creating and working in the games industry is a dream for many people because it is a unique and exciting way to combine creativity with technology. It also provides an opportunity to contribute to the development of a new form of entertainment that is becoming increasingly popular with people of all ages. Additionally, it can be a great way to express yourself and your ideas in a fun and innovative way.
The love of seeing a community come together and a genuine passion for the process of game development can be seen in this blog. It is a beautiful thing to witness when a group of people come together with a vision of creating something that will bring joy to those who play it. The passion that drives the development process is evident in the enthusiasm and dedication of the developers working hard to create something truly unique and amazing. The love of the craft is also seen in the attention to detail, and the care taken in crafting the game, making sure that it is enjoyable and immersive for everyone who plays it. It is a testament to the creativity and passion of the developers that their work inspires others and creates something special for all to enjoy.
Though I have many other aspirations, a career in the video game industry has always been a lifelong love and desire of mine. You know, I didn't even go into detail about how much I love to travel and how much I want to go to all the locations where my ancestors lived, including Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall, York, England, Scandinavia, Seville, Spain, and Israel. I'm interested in making a pilgrimage to Egypt. Once I have established myself professionally, one of my greatest goals is to create a home of my own. Maybe one day I'll start a family of my own, but I can't say for sure right now. My goal in life is to keep expanding my horizons and expanding my knowledge.
Thank you for making it to the end of this blog post - I apologize that it was so long, but I hope you enjoyed the journey it took you on, with all the twists and turns it brought!