Posted June 01, 2023 by melancholicmarionette@gmail.com
Okay, so I should probably start out by apologising for the fact that this isn't an update about the game itself >.< Depending on how closely you follow my posts and/or other projects, you may or may not be aware of the fact that I've been out of action quite a lot recently due to a few unfortunate circumstances (bad seasonal lurgy at the end of last year + broken arm at the beginning of this one, haha.) But I won't ramble on about that cos you can go read the posts about my arm incident over on Bitter/Sweet's game page if you want to.
The point is that development of pretty much all of my projects has been on hold for quite a while. Frustratingly, I haven't really been able to work on DD much at all since I released the demo update late last year! I just about managed to take part in Yandere Jam back in February this year, and then my arm got broken, which took a couple of months to heal, and I've just been playing catch up on stuff that I've missed ever since >.< The good news is that I've been able to commission the amazing LazyPolarBear, who is now working on some gorgeous CGs for DD :3
And now it's somehow June again already o.O which means that 30 Days Wild is starting again!
As much as I want to get right back to working on my project stuff again now that my arm is usable, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't at least try to raise a bit of money for my local Wildlife Trusts again this year while taking part in the 30 Days Wild challenge.
Last year, I created the fundraiser through JustGiving, which you can find here if you want to read any of the old posts and stuff. But when I tried to create a page this time around, it was throwing up all sorts of errors, so I'm gonna give up on that and just run it through my Ko-Fi page instead!
My aim is to raise a total of £150 (to split evenly between the 3 wildlife-related charities that I support BBOWT, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, and the RSPB.)
The total goal will be trackable on Ko-Fi, but if you want to send any donations there that you specifically want to go towards my game projects rather than the fundraiser, just let me know in a comment or dm on there so that I can keep track of what's going where :3 Same goes for if you'd prefer to choose a different nature-related charity for me to send the money to. The main thing is just to try and raise something to help these amazing charities protect and restore nature ^-^
At the end of the fundraiser (which runs 1st June 2023 - 30th June 2023), whether the goal is met or not, I'll still split whatever is raised as equally as I can, and make sure to post screenshots of the money being passed on to the above charities.
On top of that, this year, I'm going to attempt to create a few original music tracks which you will be able to download and listen to or use royalty-free in your own game or video projects (full terms of use will come later with the release, but it will probably just be something like crediting the tracks to me and maybe linking to my itch page or something!)
Both the wallpaper and the music tracks will remain exclusive to the 30 Days Wild challenge.
To claim the wallpaper and soundtrack when available (wallpaper immediately - soundtrack sometime in July/August with any luck), just donate any amount to the fundraiser via Ko-Fi :3 I will create a key-locked page here on itch where you'll be able to access the items for download once I send you a key for the page. I can send the key via DMs on Ko-Fi, or if you'd prefer me to email the key or Downloads instead, please just let me know where is the best place to send it to.
Anyone who knows me will know that I have always struggled with my mental health. While I doubt my depression will ever be fully cured, sometimes all it takes to lift my mood a little is to get outside and be surrounded by nature.
Nature has helped me through some of the toughest times in my life, but the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Charities like the Wildlife Trusts are working to protect and restore nature across the UK, but they need our help to keep on doing the incredible work that they do.
I may not be able to volunteer due to my anxiety and lack of access to transport, but I'm taking part in 30 Days Wild again this year in order to at least try and raise a little money for them :3
Our wildlife is so, so, precious, and I don't want to live in a world where we lose what little we have left. If we want to ensure that everyone has equal access to nature and spaces where wildlife can thrive, then charities like this are in desperate need of our help.
I've already experienced first-hand how devastating it can be to lose wild spaces nearby, as the route for the government's HS2 scheme has resulted in the destruction of much-loved greenspace near where I live, obliterating a patch of woodland that I used to regularly walk through.
Thanks for your support of my projects in general + for helping me protect the nature that I love so much <3
Have a joyous June ^-^