deviantART: by:Okura

deviantART: by:Okura http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Okura&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Okura en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:06:53 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png Devious Journal Entry http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/27759703/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/27759703/ Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:41:30 PDT Okura's Journal

I'm taking a break from the internet mostly, in order to get things in my life in order.

I currently hate myself and a lot of people seem to hate me in return, so I'm taking a bit of a breather in order to get stuff in my life in order.

So until then, take care all.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Back Into It... Hopefully http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/27330393/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/27330393/ Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:57:48 PDT Okura's Journal

Okay, so I've finally finished page 10 as you've seen on my gallery.
I've sketched up page 11 and 12 and I am starting on 13. Starting from Page 11, I will be lining the comics on PC, so hopefully this will make them look cleaner... in theory.

I'm planning to build a level of 5 pages again, so it will be a while before 11, but hopefully a level will help me keep going. It's worked in the past before!

I am also hoping to get to my first cliffhanger in the story, at page 25, before the Christmas break. So here's hoping I can keep this motivation flowing, as I've been very unmotivated as of late.

To Do List: (besides comic)

* Contest prize for ~thunderess
* Art Trade
* Gift art for =SkyebobPiepants
* Art trade with ~angelorca53

Peace for now.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Depression Bites (Rant Journal) http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/26788064/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/26788064/ Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:01:26 PDT Okura's Journal

So yeah... probably noticed lately that there has not been a lot of activity from me on dA lately...
I have pictures to comment on and stuff to do and post. Hell, I've been trying to type up this journal for the past 2 weeks with no luck.

No, I haven't died.
No, I haven't given up on the comic.
And no, I haven't lost touch of the real world and dedicated my life to WoW. (Though I have been playing it a lot, so I'll address that later)

Basically, lately, I've been combating a long bout of depression from a number of things, and it's been going on for a while, and that's been impacting on any want to do anything artwise or such.

I have page 10 in mid-colour and page 11 ruled up. I have a trade block coloured and still playing with concepts for the contest prize pic. But I find myself lacking the will and desire to continue drawing. It's not that I don't want to... I have all these ideas in my head and want to do more, but I find myself finding it harder to be able to sit down and enjoy it.

Basically, in the past few weeks, I've been playing World of Warcraft a lot, and I know this as a sign. I play video games a lot more than usual when I feel I just want to get away from life and escape to somewhere else where real life doesn't apply. And since WoW is lately the game I've been playing, it makes sense really. So yeah, despite me playing WoW, I'm not abandoning my gallery or stories... It's just me trying to escape for whatever reason.

I'm not sure where to begin with this depression to be honest. I kinda think its come from a number of things that have happened lately...
* My job. Last year I could do my job and also work on the comic between calls. Lately, things have gotten so chaotic I can't even breathe at work. I go to work exhausted and come home exhausted, and by the time it's the weekend, I just want to veg out. So, art just seems to get no time anymore...
* Friends. I used to see friends of mine all the time online and we'd talk and hang out in the evenings/weekends... Now, I see pretty much no-one. There's a select few I do see on a regular basis, but almost everyone else is... well, vanished off the face of the Earth. And it's not just IMs either... I don't hear from them on dA, Facebook or anything anymore. And some of my friends lately are constantly upset, and that upsets me as well...
* Money issues. I think we all have these lately... I almost had my credit card paid off, then I needed to get my bike serviced, cat to the vet, bike insurance and more... Now I'm owing money again... *sigh*
* Feeling (more or less) Worthless. Friends are upset and in trouble and I can't help. I look at what I want to do, but can't bring myself to do it. Fighting with people I know. Making people feel miserable... It makes me feel all the more worse at my end as well. I've been feeling a lot lately that, well... No matter what I do, I turn people against me and hurt them more than anything else.
* Being Sick. Winter sucks. The flu sucks. End of story...

Looking at my gallery, I see my pages to Shattered Shadows and how few I've done... this makes me feel upset, because I have these ideas and want to share them. I want to do more, but in these months, I've only managed a total of 9 pages, and I find that very, very weak. It frustrates me to no end and demotivates me further...

Ehh, I really just do not know what to do. :/
I feel miserable and very little I try to do helps. This journal is more of a rant to get it out, and maybe if anyone's got advice on how to break out of this rut I'm in, to of ask it...

Either way, thanks if you took the time to read this.
Means a lot. <3

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Encounter in the Gulf http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/26182658/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/26182658/ Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:24:27 PDT Okura's Journal

So, as some of you may recall my original whale watching for my birthday didn't go so well.

So today, I finally got about to actually doing the thing again, and heading out.
At arriving, I was told they thought it would be a good day, because just the day before they had encountered a pod of Common dolphins, some orcas and a Blue Whale (which was a jaw dropper for them, as Blue Whales have never comme into the gulf the 12 years they've worked there).

At any rate we were all off into the Hauraki Gulf to go searching. I joked to the captain (as she is friendly and talks to everyone) that I was personally hoping for orcas, whilst I knew many of the other leaders of the safari were wanting the Blue Whale.

It didn't take us too long to discover our first find. There was a huge lot of Common Dolphins up ahead of us. Moving the boat closer, the dolphins suddenly scattered and took off at lightning speed!

We were all like

They took off into the distance quickly. At first, we weren't sure why, but a few seconds later, the threat appeared, metres from the boat...

Hereee's Rocky! (I think)

The orca bull (I believe it's Rocky, so I'll call him that) hung around us for a while, attempting to go after the dolphins and we realised that we had walked into an actual hunt! Rocky was attempting to catch the dolphins and eat them! Or at least chase them in a threatening manner, as he went after a couple of the dolphins...

However, it soon seemed our appearance distracted Rocky and soon he and it seems his partner in crime (an orca cow, who I can't ID) surface alongside him.

Rocky and Friends

For a good 10-15 minutes they swam about the boat and we tailed them, but we began to move on, seeking out the Blue Whale, hopefully in the same area that they found it the day before. We spent about close to two hours looking (we now were about 3 hours into the 4.5 hour cruise after that), before we started to head back.
We attempted to find the orcas again, but they, and the dolphins, had both vamoosed to elsewhere...

So yeah... I tell you.

Places like SeaWorld and such are alright. But nothing... and I mean nothing... Comes close to experiencing these guys in the wild, and watching them hunt!

Edit 2: Got the photos working now!

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura So I'm back again... http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/25910341/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/25910341/ Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:39:49 PDT Okura's Journal

Back from my holiday in Australia.

Was a lot of fun and met up with none other than

here at dA!

We did a lot of cool stuff like;

Warner Bros. Movieworld
Sea World
Dream World
Infinity
Hard Rock Cafe
Sky Diving (I did at least)
and the movies.

=SkyebobPiepants was awesome to hang about with. We had a lot of fun together, as well as with my uncle who showed up for a few days.

Movieworld highlights included a log flume that drops you twice. The main one to the front like usual, but also a drop backwards at the start! There was the Superman: The Escape rollercoaster and the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster also good fun!
There was also a fun street brawl in the middle of the day in the main street as the Scarecrow attempted to take over the park and Batman raced into put a stop to the Scrarecrow and his minions plan.
Though the show stealer was seriously the Stunt Drivers show. Stunt Drivers really know how to work their cars well... So many chances at accidents there in the show, yet never once hitting each other. A fantastic show to see!

Sea World had some fun things as well. Imagine is a fun dolphin show, and (in my opinion) what Believe should have been. Educational, interactive and fun to watch... I have a video of it on my YouTube page... [link] The two parts can be viewed there.
There was a guessing game as well, where the guess your age and weight. Both Skye and I did this, and while they were close for me (But I still won), they actually asked Skye what prize she wanted, as they had no idea. Their guess was miles off in the end.
The park was a lot of fun, with much more realistic looking environments and exhibits than most marine parks I've been to. It was well worth the visit! (That's also why we went back!)
Also, I proposed to Skye at Sea World...
At least that's what my uncle and Skye said that my (jokingly) comment about how wives were supposed to act. So now I'm engaged and didn't even know it... o.o

Dreamworld is a thrill seekers paradise. The Big Six Thrill Rides there are the Claw, the Cyclone, the Wipeout, the Tower of Terror, The Moto-Coaster and the Giant Drop. The Giant Drop is actually the world's largest free fall ride I believe!
There were some nasty parts, like a lot of the rides we were going on breaking downa nd having to wait a long time in the queues. And then someone spewing on the Wipeout before we got on it.
And Tiger Isaland... love those tigers there! Expect some photos sometime soon.

Infinity is so hard to describe. Best way to describe it is the legal way to get high. Laser tricky, mirrors, traps and fear enducing black corridors all rolled into a maze is the only way I can describe it.

Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe was only worth a mention because of a funny event when Skye texted her mother to let her know what was going on.
Skye: I'm ina bikey bar with lots of nice people drinking hard liqour
Mum: You had better be lying
We were all in stiches.

And yes, it's true. Skye talked me into sky diving. She surprised me with it, and yes, I protested a lot about it. But I got up there and did it. And it was a total ball! I hope to go skydiving again in the future, as it was such a thrill!

As for movies, we saw two of them.
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaur was awesome and I highly recommend it. FAR better than the second movie which found totally lackluster. Had some really good moments and jokes that worked well.
And then we saw Alien Robot Wars: guest starring Several Tans-- I mean, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. Popcorn movie at best. It feels like Bay added explosion here, explosion there, sex appeal here, explosion over there and -- Hey! You know what would make this great? Let's add a PLOT! Seriously, the movie is bad.
Transformers that transform into humans (this scene reminds me so much of the movie Species its nuts) and stupid dopey comic relief characters...
Avoid it. I beg you.

Overall, it was a great holiday and I enjoyed it. Though there was one sad thing at the end... when my plane landed in NZ, we were delayed at landing. Paramedics had to get on the flight to he... ]]> *Okura Outta Here http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/25639762/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/25639762/ Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:50:17 PDT Okura's Journal

For the next ten days, I'm heading over to Australia... And going to meet up with a certain someone...

Going on a holiday and I will be gone, probably with no net access during this time.

When I get back, I have the following I will start on, before I continue the comic...

Contest Prizes:

Okura and Venus for ~thunderess
Athena for *Chaotica-I
Strylek for =atolm
Diamond/Tone for ~MichiruKaminari

(Other winners have yet to contact me)

Art Trades:

Creideiki
WoW Art Trade

Gift Arts:

OrcaFriend + Inuali

If there's anyone I forgot, message me here and I'll add you up.

Otherwise, I'll see you all in two weeks time!

~ Okura

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Bee Arr Bee http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/25507384/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/25507384/ Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:08:11 PDT Okura's Journal

Yeah, I took down Page 8 temporarily.

I got complaints about the dialogue, so until I correct it to my satisfaction, I've taken it down.

I'll restore it later.

Also, I owe a lot of comments and faves and stuff to people (other peoples art, giftarts, trades, etc...). Got you saved and will get there... just been rather off recently with stuff.

So yeah, BRB for the moment.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Art Block http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/25100457/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/25100457/ Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:07:28 PDT Okura's Journal

Been having a massive case of art block and somewhat depression lately...

Hence the slow uploads.

Only completed one pencil picture lately for a trade.

I haven't forgotten the competition prizes, just having motivation issues drawing.

I'm hoping the vacation in a few weeks, and a break from the monotomy my life has become will help refuel myself.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Contest Results http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/24594337/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/24594337/ Tue, 05 May 2009 00:35:34 PDT Okura's Journal

Righto, finally got round to finishing the judging last night... It was just so late, that I didn't have the time to finish the journal...

All the entries were well done and I could see the hard work that went into each and every one. I wish I could give prizes to everyone who entered, but I kinda just don't have the ability or money to do so.

But I would like to take this moment to congratulate everyone who entered. The pictures were all excellent to each artist's ability and I'd like to extend my thank yous for you all entering.

Now, without any more adeiu, allow me to announce the winners...

Runner's Up

=Gordorca, ~DelphineTalabardUni and ~jiangzu; All three of you had some great and wonderful entries to the contest.
=Gordorca, the detail to the cavern walls, shadows... everything. It made this picture stand out strongly. It was wonderfully detailed, right down to Tiare's reflection.
~DelphineTalabardUni, your use of strong colours made your entry stand out among all the others. And the use of perspective... Very well done!
~jiangzu, your use of a traditional medium made this picture very unqiue and different. And your use of a rather funny and obscure scene made me smile.

Third Equal

It was truly impossible to decide between these two. Both the judges were divided between them and myself as well, and though I even started asking others for their opinions, I just couldn't make a decision between the two of them.
=atolm, your attention to the detail with the shattered ship and the interesting angle of the picture gives it a grand and majestic feeling. You can really sense the power and the authority Levi asserts. The style blends so nicely with your colouring and dominates with your use of colour.
*Chaotica-I, this picture is wonderfully composed and certainly shows some impressive water work with the splashing water and the Megalodon's head rising from the depths after them. Your colouring is vibrant and sharp which suit the picture very well.

Second Place

Beautifully composed and tranq... ]]> *Okura Contest Results Coming http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/24490395/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/24490395/ Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:54:54 PDT Okura's Journal

So sorry I haven't yet judged this myself... My two judges have finished, but I am struggling to find the time to sit down myself with work running me off my feet badly and then getting home in a very 'blah' mood doesn't help.

Even finding joy in games or art is getting harder...

I will do my best to get them all done this weekend and I apologise to all who entered this is taking so long.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Announcing: Shattered Shadows http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/24267056/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/24267056/ Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:21:22 PDT Okura's Journal

Shattered Shadows

A Siren's Song... The Demon's Eye... A World of Shadows...

A year has passed since the events of Rings of Time. Okura, Venus and Tiare are still drifting about the seas in their close knit group, when the three of them are seperated and thrust into a dark world of perpetual shadows...
To return home, the mystery of this world must be unraveled...

But within these shadows, people can change...

The sequel to Rings of Time is finally here...

A new plot, new characters, Shattered Shadows will feature a feast of new things, including the foremost; colour. This comic will be in full colour unlike Rings of Time.
At first I am starting with lineart in pencil and colour on PC, but I hope to practice enough with my tablet to eventually move to full digital.

Now I am still learning, so please feel free to crit and provide suggestions to the art, so I can attempt to improve more, as that is my eventual goal.

Also, on a side note, these pages take me about roughly 3 times the amount of time the ones in Rings of Time did, so please be aware there will be some delays. I will be doing this ala *Kameira and Zenith... whenever I manage to complete a page, the next will go up.
(Partly also cause work has gotten so hard, I dodn't get the free time like I used to last year).

Otherwise, I hope you all enjoy!

(P.S. Favebombers! Would it really kill you once in a while to actually be polite to leave a comment every once in a while? I don't expect every page, but faving 135 pages without a single reason why is a bit extreme...) /rant.

As for the contest, still working out the last judging on the pictures. I should have the results out within the next fortnight. Thanks for your paitence!

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura That's a Wrap http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/24051027/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/24051027/ Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:36:15 PDT Okura's Journal

So the contest has closed.

Seems the most popular scene was the future, but there were a nice selection of pictures to the contest.

Here are the entries (In no particular order... Seriously, I did this on random) as follows...

by ~thunderess

by =ShinigamiSquirrel

by =Gordorca

by ~MichiruKaminari

by ~SpookyAga

by =atolm

by *Chaotica-I

by ~DelphineTalabardUni

by ~AquaOrca

by ~jiangzu

by ~Crystal94

Some really awesome pictures there. It will be rather hard for me to choose...

I'm gonna take some time to decide on a winner, so I'm gonna take this up with the other two judges and of course myself to decide the winners.

So yeah, expect a... ]]> *Okura Craaaap!: Updated http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23982787/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23982787/ Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:37:11 PDT Okura's Journal

Edit: Yeah, in case you didn't realise, this was an April Fools prank... (I tell you at the bottom of the journal...

)

Being on the other side of the date line means I am one day ahead of you all...

Ugh... >.<

I just learnt yesterday work is about to fire me.
Not sure if it's to do with staff layoffs with the recession, or if I've done something seriously bad, but I think today may be my last day on the job... =/

Not looking forward to being unemployed...

Particularly on April fools...

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Last and Final Call http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23961143/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23961143/ Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:15:55 PDT Okura's Journal

Competition closes on Friday. So please if you are planning to enter, try to have it ready by then.

Please remember that any entries submited after this Friday, April 3rd, are not entered into the contest.
Sorry if that's the case, but there has been close to four months for the contest.

As soon as the contest closes, I will gather the entries and begin to judge; the winners will be anounced a week or two afterwards.

In other news, I'm still doing my best at getting some art done. It's a bit of a tough struglle I won't deny, mostly from a number of factors ranging from personal problems to lack of motivation.
I had planned something special soon, but it may take a little longer than I first expected.

Thanks for being so paitent.

Art Contest

The competition is simple and open to anyone who wants to enter.
All you need to do, is select a scene, any scene of your choice, from my comic, Rings of Time, and create a picture based on that scene yourself. It can be any scene that occurs during the course of the comic, as long as the scene does happen.
You can use any media you want; digital, hand-drawn, whatever.

Prizes

First Place

Up to $50US for whatever winner would like

A Colour Request of up to Three Characters with background

Second Place

Up to $30US for whatever winner would like

A Colour Request of a Character with background

Third Place

Up to $25US for whatever winner would like

A Black and White Request of a Character with background

Three Runner Up Prizes

Single Character sketches

Rules

Your own original work please. No using other people's art or taking panels from the comic.

Backgrounds are optional, but remember that you are trying to capture that scene in the comic. A good use for a picture of just characters and no background would be something that's heavily based on the characters (IE: Fleeing the Meg could work without a BG).

Must be a scene from the comic please. You can design the scene anyway you like, but nothing like Tiare sinking the Titanic or such please.

If you wish to use a character that is not one of my own (Black Leviathan, Cariu, Puck, Kameira, etc...), please contact the artist whom owns the character for permission. Links to their dA pages are on the pages the characters appear on. It's only fair, as you are going to draw their characters.

The Character Reference List is below and will be updated as I get more done.

http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23788514/ Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:33:17 PDT Okura's Journal

Times Almost Up!

Well, you've got less than two weeks left for contest entries people. We have a few entries in so far, but to everyone else who had plans to enter the contest, April 2nd is the final day to submit the entries.
No other entries will be accepted after...

So if you plan to enter, better get cracking!

And in other news...

I have a small preview of something coming up for everyone...

Bye for now...

Art Contest

Prizes

First Place

Up to $50US for whatever winner would like

A Colour Request of up to Three Characters with background

Second Place

Up to $30US for whatever winner would like

A Colour Request of a Character with background

Third Place

Up to $25US for whatever winner would like

A Black and White Request of a Character with background

Three Runner Up Prizes

Single Character sketches

Rules

Your own original work please. No using other people's art or taking panels from the comic.

Must be a scene from the comic please. You can design the scene anyway you like, but nothing like Tiare sinking the Titanic or such please.

*Okura Screw You Warner Brothers! http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23721188/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23721188/ Sun, 15 Mar 2009 22:19:05 PDT

Couldn't just let the series be a tribute to the one who starred in it, could you?

Had to make a cashcow out of it, didn't you?

Had to to use fucking Bindi Irwin for it didn't you?!?!?

-.- My childhood is over....

Free Willy: South Africa

Bindi Irwin and Beau Bridges will star in the fourth "Free Willy" movie.

Warner Premiere has announced the start of production on "Free Willy : South Africa", with filming that commenced on February 23 for five weeks in Cape Town, South Africa. The announcement was made by Diane Nelson, President, Warner Premiere.

The new film is set for a release exclusively on DVD in 2010 and tells the charming tale of Kirra, a young Australian girl who is sent reluctantly to stay with her grandfather, Gus, in Cape Town. When a young orca whale, Willy, is trapped by a storm in GusÂs run down water theme park, Kirra slowly but surely finds herself adapting to the new surroundings and an ever-growing friend. But, when GusÂs latest attraction starts eating too much, he is tempted to sell Willy to an unscrupulous competitor. The race is on for Kirra and her friends to find WillyÂs family and return him to the oceanÂ

ÂThe FREE WILLLY films are known worldwide for being inspirational, family-oriented, quality entertainment and weÂre very excited to be continuing this tradition with ÂFree Willy: South Africa,ÂÂ said Nelson. ÂWith a heart-warming, compelling story line and a terrific cast, weÂre sure this film will be a hit with new audiences of all ages as well as fans of the earlier releases.Â

The pic stars 10-year-old actress, singer, wildlife crusader and dancer Bindi Irwin as Kirra. Already a household name and Emmy Award winner through her wildlife documentary series, fitness DVDs and music albums, Bindi is the daughter of the late Steve Irwin, the world-renowned Australian wildlife expert and conservationist, whose work she is carrying forward. Beau Bridges plays Gus, KirraÂs curmudgeonly grandfather. A Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor with a career spanning five decades, Bridges has most recently appeared in the hit television shows ÂStargate SG-1Â and ÂThe Agency

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Update on Things http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23496834/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23496834/ Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:18:03 PST Okura's Journal

I used to update this thing like once a week; now it's like once a month...

Anyways, I decided it was time for an update...

You may have noticed I haven't been updating my gallery a lot lately. Two reasons for that...
1: I've been roped into playing World of Warcraft by =atolm. Very fun game!
2: I... working on something *cough*special*cough*...

So yeah... more art eventually coming. Soon. Maybe...

*cough*I need a new dA avatar...*cough*

I'm Going on Holiday!

Yep, going to Australia, to the Gold Coast in July! Looking forward to it, as I haven't really had a holiday since my 2007 Trip to the Us... Good times...

I'm still planning my world holiday for 2010, for US, Canada, UK and Europe... So don't worry... I just hope the exchange rates pick up soon...

Also, I may meet some friends there...

Wipe Out!

Finally crashed my bike completely and wiped out in the middle of the road.
In the rain.
At 6am in the morning.

Was riding about a corner when the bike slid out from underneath me and threw me onto the road. Landed on my kneecaps, which have been (and still are) most painful!
As I lay facedown on the road, trying to get to my feet, a carload of teenage punks felt it worth to point and laugh, calling me names and such, whilst a nice lady actually pulled her car over to help me up.

Just goes to show there are jerks and good people in life.

Anyways, so I ride the rest of the way to work, before the nightteam see me hobbling in. They bandage me up and the managers send me home, offering a ride, since I need to rest up.

I'm mostly fine now, other than tense muscles and a few aches... But my bike needs some repairs...

The Last Words

Well, besides that, there's not a lot more for me to say...

The competition is closing in a month's time, so those of you yet to enter, better get moving.
April 2nd is the cut off time for the contest, so please try to have your entries ready by then if you are entering.

Chow for now!

Art Contest

Prizes

First Place

Up to $50US for whatever winner would like

A Colour Request of up to Three Characters with background

Second Place

Up to $30US for whatever winner would like

A Colour Request of a Character with background

Third Place

Up to $25US for whatever winner would like

A Black and White Request of a Character with background

Three Runner Up Prizes

Single Character sketches

Rules

http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23261500/ Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:30:19 PST Okura's Journal

Contest Deadline Update

Okay, since quite a few people wanted an extension, I am extenting the contest one time, and one time only, so make sure you work on the entries please...

The new deadline is April 2nd.
Why not April 1st? You figure it out...

Original Character Tag

Stolen from ~JenL (Btw, check out her gallery! It rocks!), this tag is about selecting your original character and writing 10 facts about that character.
As a shock, I'm selecting Okura.

1: Okura and Tiare were born off the Western US coast. After being exiled, he began traveling through the Pacific.
2: Transient pods in my universe names their children after words in the 'Ancient Song'. Okura's name literally translates as 'blessing'.
3: The bull has developed a taste for seal, squid and salmon as his three favourite foods to hunt. He won't say no to other foods however.
4: Okura and his cousin Utonu were good, close friends when they were younger.
5: Though Okura didn't remain with the pod long enough for he to reach his full size, he was believed to be becoming one of the largest bulls the pod had. This is partly because his mother Keeki was one of the more stocky females and his father was a larger bull as well.
6: Keeki spoilt her son a lot when he was younger. This is part of the reason Okura remained so attached to her during their time together.
7: Okura dislikes humans with a passion, however he has been shown briefly that they can be decent creatures. He just has issues with trusting them.
8: The biggest problem Okura has is his temper. When he loses it or is annoyed, he will not think clearly and lash out at anyone. This is a stark contrast to his mother, who was meek and humble.
9: Okura is a pretty skilled and effective hunter. He was aiming to become a Huntmaster in his pod before he was exiled. However, he did have one major flaw in that in hunting he often went straight for the kill, rather than thinking out his attacks.
10. For the record, Venus was not Okura's first female... So chances are, he may have some offspring out there, but we're never gonna meet them even if there are.

And I tag the following:

Art Contest

Prizes

First Place

Up to $50US for whatever winner would like

A Colour Request of up to Three Characters with background

Second Place

Up to $30US for whatever winner would like

A Colour Request of a Character with background

Third Place *Okura Contest Extension? http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23085711/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/23085711/ Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:28:51 PST

I've been requested by a few people (about 3-4) wanting to enter the contest, that have had some difficulty getting a chance to complete something (IE: Computer/Tablet issues, Moving house, School exams) that have requested a month's extension on the deadline for the contest, until the start of April.

I understand their problems and such, but to the artists who have already worked to complete a picture, I wanted to ask if this was all fine by you?
I don't fully want to make you wait too long, but I also don't want to force these people to miss out for reasons beyond their control.

So, I'm just asking, was there anyone else who feels they could benefit from a small extension, and to those that have entered, do you mind much if there is a bit of an extension?

Art Contest

The competition is simple and open to anyone who wants to enter.
All you need to do, is select a scene, any scene of your choice, from my comic, Rings of Time, and create a picture based on that scene yourself. It can be any scene that occurs during the course of the comic, as long as the scene does happen.
You can use any media you want; digital, hand-drawn, whatever.

Prizes

First Place
Up to $50US for whatever winner would like
A Colour Request of up to Three Characters with background

Second Place
Up to $30US for whatever winner would like
A Colour Request of a Character with background

Third Place
Up to $25US for whatever winner would like
A Black and White Request of a Character with background

Three Runner Up Prizes
Single Character sketches

Rules

Your own original work please. No using other people's art or taking panels from the comic.
Backgrounds are optional, but remember that you are trying to capture that scene in the comic. A good use for a picture of just characters and no background would be something that's heavily based on the characters (IE: Fleeing the Meg could work without a BG).
Must be a scene from the comic please. You can design the scene anyway you like, but nothing like Tiare sinking the Titanic or such please.
If you wish to use a character that is not one of my own (Black Leviathan, Cariu, Puck, Kameira, etc...), please contact the artist whom owns the character for permission. Links to their dA pages are on the pages the characters appear on. It's only fair, as you are going to draw their characters.

The Character Reference List is below and will be updated as I get more done.

http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/22854703/ Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:41:53 PST

Right, time to get things moving along...

* Still haven't gone whale watching. Was cancelled once again. Will attempt again this weekend.
* Sister got sorta arrested last week. Was given a trepass order by the mother of her boyfriend handed to her by the police, so she knows how serious it now is.
* Friend and I got into a feud last week. All sorted now, but it was a hellish couple of days.
* In a real art slump.

So anyways, moving right along.
This week hasn't been so bad. I'm actually rather optimistic about it, so here's hoping...
I'm putting the remaining trades/requests I have on stand-by on hold briefly and doing some art for myself. Not sure exactly what I'm wanting to draw, but we'll see.
I will do them. Make no mistake.

I just need a break from doing art for other people and not myself you know?

Next up; I just want to remind people of the contest I'm currently running, since it's almost Feburary, and March 1st is the cut off.
If enough people feel they really need an extension, I will push it to the end of March, but that will be the latest I can push it back I'm afraid. So if you feel you really need the extension, please let me know, okay?
And here's a refresher and update for those that are new or want to recap everything.

Art Contest

The competition is simple and open to anyone who wants to enter.
All you need to do, is select a scene, any scene of your choice, from my comic, Rings of Time, and create a picture based on that scene yourself. It can be any scene that occurs during the course of the comic, as long as the scene does happen.
You can use any media you want; digital, hand-drawn, whatever.

Prizes

First Place
Up to $50US for whatever winner would like
A Colour Request of up to Three Characters with background

Second Place
Up to $30US for whatever winner would like
A Colour Request of a Character with background

Third Place
Up to $25US for whatever winner would like
A Black and White Request of a Character with background

Three Runner Up Prizes
Single Character sketches

Rules

Your own original work please. No using other people's art or taking panels from the comic.
Backgrounds are optional, but remember that you are trying to capture that scene in the comic. A good use for a picture of just characters and no background would be something that's heavily based on the characters (IE: Fleeing the Meg could work without a BG).
Must be a scene from the comic please. You can design the scene anyway you like, but nothing like Tiare sinking the Titanic or such please.
If you wish to use a character that is not one of my own (Black Leviathan, Cariu, Puck, Kameira, etc...), please contact the artist whom owns the character for permission. Links to their dA pages are on the pages the characters appear on. It's only fair, as you are going to draw their characters.

The Character Reference List is below and will be updated as I get more done.

http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/22658628/ Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:00:14 PST

Just in regards to the journal I replaced this with...

I exploded after all the constant disppointments recently. It's been one after the other for the past few months, and this one just hit me harder, because I've been through a lot of crap the past few weeks, only to have what I was waiting for, torn from me.

I'm not suicidal and I am still pretty much upset... Just not as much as before.

I have hidden my gallery and will be taking a small breather from art and possibily dA briefly, just until I can manage to get back into an art kick and feel positive about stuff again.

And thank you to everyone who commented or IMed me... You all did help a lot .

(Also, when I said 'gods' I was more using the term from my comic... I choose not to talk much about religion in public )

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Devious Journal Entry http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/22519645/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/22519645/ Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:07:27 PST

It's 3:30am.

My sister has thrown a fit at my mother because she told a 'friend' of Jacinta's who called on the phone at 3 off.

Now, she's kicked my mother in the stomach, jumped out her window, come home, woken the entire family and run off again.

We've tried to get the cops involved, but they won't until at least 24 hours, and frankly, with her attitude,we don't want her back...

But she is stupidly wandering the streets, a 15 year old girl, alone, at 4am in the morning...

I just don't see this will end well...

Edit: It's not just tonight. She's been like this for weeks and months...

And yeah, in case you are wondering, she did her damnest towards making Christmas and New Years unbearable for the family and ruining my birthday with her antics...

She's completely and totally out of control.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Life Themes Thing http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/22396404/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/22396404/ Sun, 04 Jan 2009 14:38:46 PST

Stolen from =incrediblethings...

I love these music things... They are so random.

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?
Shuffle your ipod, mp3, etc for each bit.

Opening Credits:
His World - Crush 40 - Sonic the Hedgehog
(Oh, fuck YES! )

Waking Up:
Dialga and Palkia - Super Smash Bros. Brawl
(Err... okay then?)

First Day At School:
Let's Make It! - Sonic Adventure 2

Falling In Love:
Wolly Bully - Joan Jett
(o.o)

During a sex scene, you scream:
This Machine - Julien K
(O.O)

Fight Song:
Final Haunt - Shadow the Hedgehog

Breaking Up:
He Lives in You - Lebo M
(0.0 WTF...?)

After getting drunk you say:
Do the Bartman - Bart Simpson
()

Prom:
I Am... All of Me - Crush 40

At your speech after you become prom queen/king you say:
Nemo - Nightwish

Life's OK:
Given Up - Linkin Park

Mental Breakdown:
Won't Stop, Just GO! - Sonic Adventure 2

Driving:
A Whole New World - Disney DDR Mix

Flashback:
Witch Doctor - The Cartoons
(Whoohoo!)

Getting Back Together:
Road to Ruin - Crash Bandicoot 2
(Ahaha... like all relationships...)

Wedding:
We Are One - AgÃ©lique Kidjo

Birth of Child:
Coconut - Smile
(Err... o.o)

Paying the Dues:
Live and Learn - Johnny Gioleli

Your deepest secret:
Tarzan Boy - Baltimora

Night Before War:
When World's Collide - Powerman 5000

Final Battle:
It Doesn't Matter - Tony Harnell

Moment of Triumph:
We Are the Champions - Crazy Frog
(Ehehehe....)

Death Scene:
Unawakening Float - Kenichi Tokoi

Funeral Song:
What I'm Made of... - Crush 40
(Pretty upbeat for a funeral)

End Credits:
Shadow of the day - Linkin Park

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Welcome to 2009 (Updated) http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/22293222/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/22293222/ Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:57:48 PST

Well, here we all are in 2009 now.

I meant to update this yesterday, but I never got round to it, so I thought I'll update it now that I'm fully awake and not busy...

Art Status

Christmas was a very emotional draining, not to mention a really crappy time this year and artwise, I've had very little in the way of motivation and will to draw because of the shit last few weeks (in fact I'm surprised I managed to draw the latest picture in my gallery to be honest), so art may be a little bit coming, whilst I try to get myself outta this funk I'm in. I don't plan on stopping, but for the moment, I'm gonna be taking it slow...

I do have a picture I'll be posting up in just over a week or so that I prepared before Christmas for =SkyebobPiepants's birthday, but other than that, I can't promise many other pictures just yet.

Speaking of Birthdays...

I turn 23 on Janurary 10th... Weehee? I feel so much older than I act, and the thought of almost being a quarter century in a few years is a bit... well shocking... >.>

I have no idea what the family is planning, if anything, as they will all be out camping until a few days before my birthday. Yes, I've been home alone here for over a week. No, I have not burned the place down... (At least not yet )

Art Contest

Well, the new year has officially begun and the contest is hopefully going nicely... The cutoff date for entries is the 1st March this year, so remember to keep at them.

I have recieved the first entry to the contest from ~thunderess (Thank you so much there) and have put it into my folder to collect the contest entries.
A little closer to the time, I will place up the entries to the shoutbox in the top left of the page here on display, but for now, if you wish to see the current entries;

Click here to view the Collection Gallery

Best of luck to everyone who is entering.

And Now, for Something Completely Different...

Several random trivia points I decided to share about Rings of Time...

In total, counting panels of silhouettes and partical body parts, I drew a total of 1090 orcas in the comic!

Dionus, other than his first appearances, is largely left handed.

Notice that when I started being consistant with my style, that adult orcas like Okura, Keeki and such typically have six teeth on each side of their jaws.

Likewise, the calves, Tiare and Kashe, only have five teeth.

Kroniros' eyes on Page 7 are only two, despite him having three. This was because at the time the forehead eye was just going to be a tattoo/marking.

The alien crabs of Page 31 were going to be a reoccuring joke, before I decided against the concept and kept it to the first two arcs.

Dionus' chant on Page 44 reads when translated: "If you can read this, you are awesome, but have no life."

Page 61 was the page were using the teeth and fold of flesh at the jaw joint became normal.

Sage and Ranos on Page 60 are based off two of my oldest fanfic characters; Sage and Sonar (Ranos is Sonar backwards).

The theme park arc was mostly a parody of 'Believe' and there are several references to the (IMO) cheesy show thoughout it.

The sign behind the kid on Page 70 reads "Do not feed the orcas."

Still on Page 70, the scene with the kid almost didn't make it. I considered cutting it, but friends talked me into it for a laugh, and it became one of the most popular scenes in the comic. o.o

Trisaws is meant to be a very, ve... ]]> *Okura Merry Christmas to All http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/22154170/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/22154170/ Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:03:41 PST

Well, it's Christmas eve here in New Zealand.

Tomorrow is Christmas day and I'll be working at my job (Yeah, I work Christmas day... sucks eh?), so I won't be here to wish you all a merry christmas from the start, so I'm gonna wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a great Christmas Eve, since most of you slow coaches are a day behind me...

I just hope it isn't like last year, when all our systems failed and we were bombarded with calls ALL. DAY. LONG.
I want a restful Christmas shift please, thank you.

As I've said, there is no Christmas picture/comic/thing from me this year (due to lack of time and willpower to draw) unless I manage to do something between calls in my shift tomorrow and upload it then...
Just please don't hold your breath though.

So otherwise, I've linked again to previous Christmas years works.

Christmas Stuffs

2005 - The Twelve Ecco Days of Christmas

First ever Christmas 'gift'. Man you can see my comics and such have really come a long way...
This was also at the time I didn't have a scanner and was forced to photograph my art.

2006 - The Twelve Days of Christmas

Again, with the twelve days, I did this based on close online friends, and my own characters.
The final day had links to a gift I did for everyone on YouTube.

2007 - Tide of Yuletide *Okura Contest Update and More Stuffs http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/21808352/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/21808352/ Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:43:38 PST

Geez, I really update this thing these days, don't I?

Anyways, I supoose I should move things along a bit, and make a few notices about the contest, comic and other stuff going on in my life.

Contest News

Okay, so the contest is underway. I haven't asked for sign ups to it, but if you'd like to give me a shout on whose in, either here on the journal or via a note (if you wish to remain secret until posting), that will help quite a bit, so I know whose entering and such and can contact you about anything if I need to.

Contest still closes at March 1st 2009, to give you plenty of time to get through the silly season of Christmas and New Year. This doesn't mean you have to wait until March to complete it by any means. If you complete it before the end of December or whatnot, feel free to post the picture and link me to it, and I'll paste it up to the list of entries as soon as I can (which shall be in my shoutbox soon when some get completed).

As before, the competition is rather simple. Select any scene from the comic, your favourite one, and draw it. The picture does have to be your own world, but you may use any medium you wish (Traditional, digital, etc...)

I have decided at the suggestions of a couple of people to adjust the prizes slightly and add in a few runner up offers, so here's the updated list:

First Place
Up to $50US for whatever winner would like
A Colour Request of up to Three Characters with background

Second Place
Up to $30US for whatever winner would like
A Colour Request of a Character with background

Third Place
Up to $25US for whatever winner would like
A Black and White Request of a Character with background

Three Runner Up Prizes
Single Character sketches

Hopefully these prizes are reasonable...

And finally, I do still have the character references (finally completed!) to provide you with a bit of help I hope...

http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/21558977/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:51:53 PST

Okay, this journal has two parts, and again, like the next few, will relate mostly to the comic.

Comic Impressions

Alright, I want here, people to tell me what they think worked well in the comic and what didn't. At the moment, I'm focusing solely on the plot, and just want your impressions on how these things worked and what not...

I want these suggestions to help out with future projects I plan to make, so I know what I should keep doing and what I need to work upon with such stories. I want to improve and I know that the best way is through crit, so I'm asking for it from the comic as a whole.

I am aware that from some early parts, I started something a long a plot line, but never evolved it. There were a few different paths I wanted to take the comic and I didn't really start fully defining it completely until towards the middle. So yeah, if something like that feels out of place, that's probably why, but feel free to address it.

So in short here, I'm asking you guys to please explain what you personally enjoyed, and what you didn't enjoy.

Art Contest

I've seen other artists (IE: ~atolm) host such contests and I decided that I wanted to host one myself for a change... And what better opportunity since I've just completed the comic? It gives a chance at a lot of different options for the contest.

So, more or less, the contest is simple enough. Choose your favourite scene from the story of Rings of Time and draw it in any media that you choose. It can be traditional, digital, painted or whatever you choose. Choose any scene and draw it however you want to.

The contest will be open until March 1st 2009, so that hopefully should give you ample time to get through Christmas, New Year and such beforehand.

(I will do colour references of other characters like Kron and such as soon as I am well enough again to draw those, plus the kiribans/trades)

Prizes will include:
(Edited, to cater for those whom do not like dA)

First Place
A One Year DeviantArt Subscription
or
A Print from dA of their Choice
or
Item Requested of Equal Value
A Colour Request of up to Three Characters

Second Place
A Six Month DeviantArt SubScription
or
Item Requested of Equal Value
A Colour Request of a Character

Third Place
Three Month DeviantArt Subscription
or
Item Requested of Equal Value
A Black and White Request of a Character

Judging will be based on a score by three judges (One being myself, the other two being neutral to the online communities to avoid bias judging) on how well the picture depicts the scene it's trying to show.

Rules

Your own original work please. No using other people's art or taking panels from the comic.
*Okura Ring of Time - Complete http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/21538513/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/21538513/ Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:00:41 PST

So here we finally are... At the end of the comic at long last.

Almost two years I've been working on this comic and now today, I have just posted the final page, finishing off the story completely.

I must admit, it's a rather odd feeling to finally be finished after all this time. After working through it all, I've finally finished, and there's no... looking forward to the next page to draw and to complete to continue it.

It's strange to realize there's no 'next page' to draw...

At any rate, I am glad to have completed it and have shared it with everyone.

In the next few days, I'll be posting up some more journals and such about things on the comic (impressions, stuff that can be improved, etc...). I'm also considering a contest, if enough people are interested in one to enter.

At any rate, I hope you all have enjoyed the comic.

I plan another story in some time, but for now, I'm gonna let the orcas rest a bit.

I've got three kiriban to draw soon, and one art trade. After that, I think I may open up trades and commissions to a small degree.

Thanks everyone for enjoying the comic, and I hope to continue with more comics in the future.

~ Okura

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Too Much Fun... http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/20851308/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/20851308/ Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:38:11 PDT

Well, the new game coming out, Crash: Mind Over Mutant released some screenshots the other day... and well...

I've been having too much fun with this one...

See for yourself...

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura 50k Kiriban http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/20774237/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/20774237/ Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:03:19 PDT

Almost to 50,000 page views.

First to catch that, gets a kiriban picture of a character of their choice..

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Regret to Inform... http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/20566536/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/20566536/ Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:45:42 PDT

There will be a small delay with the next page...

I bought myself a new PC over the week, and it arrives today. I'll be busy breaking it in and installing and sorting my stuff out on it for a bit, so my next page will be delayed...

Other factors that will delay it include...

Brisingr comes out today! I'll be busy reading that...

And my sister's 21st is also due next weekend.

So, there will be some delays I'm afraid, but I will have at least one page next week...

Thanks for your paitence guys...

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Soooo, I finally... http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/20472474/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/20472474/ Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:15:28 PDT

Went and saw The Dark Knight last night.

Bloody ace movie. I loved all of it. The thought behind the messages and the efforts they put into the whole movie made it an instant favourite in my book. Batman was great, the Joker was better and Two-Face was as grotesque as anything (I loved it, after all the comical looks he's had before).

But the best part about seeing the movie, was the fact that we went to 'Gold Class' to see it.
This was a treat, as we had been planning to see it since the movie came out, but constantly had to keep putting it off because someone was busy, someone was coming or whatnot.

Gold Class movies are ace!
There's a private longue you can rest in before th emovie and order food and such for it. Plus you can request it whenever. When the movie starts, halfway through, etc...
The seats are big comfy armchairs with buttons to adjust a footrest and the back of the seat, so you can lie down and watch the movie.
There's a tray you can pull out and place food on, which is like proper class restraunt food you can order, with wine and dessert and more.
And then there's room service! Yes, you can press a button and summon someone to get you another drink, popcorn or whatever. You don't have to get up and miss any of the movie.
And the cinema is small as well. It seats no more than 30-40 people, so you aren't in a large group of laughing people or talkers or such. You have a much smaller and more select group.

So yeah. Great movie whilst in Gold Class.

Definately a great moving going experience!

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Perhaps too Soon... http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/19782403/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/19782403/ Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:37:42 PDT

Dunno if you all noticed, but I've been very slow with the pages for Rings of Time.

Very very slow.

Those of you who have talked to me on IM have heard my problems with it recently, and I think if I try to force myself to draw, like I have been, I'm not going to go anywhere really, but ending up dropping the project so close to the end.

So, at the suggestion of a friend, I am putting the comic back into hiatus for a little long I'm afraid. Partly because I think I came out of break in June too soon, without much of a break (After all the gift art and art trades I've worked on recently), so I feel like meh... with the drawing.

The main reason why, is that I'm severely lacking motivation to draw th enext page. I have having to force myself to draw the next page (and trust me, it's not enjoyable), and for some personal reasons about how I am feeling rather annoyed with some stuff artwise, as well as some others I'd rather keep to myself.

So, just for the sake of stil lhaving fun and sharing something I enjoy, until I find my muse and start having fun with the comic again, I'm putting it on hold.

So yeah, apologies in advance, but the conclusion will have to wait just a little longer I'm afraid.

PS: I hate how dA still hasn't fixed this goddamn mood issue. I'm far from content with anything at the moment.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Delays, Delays http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/19493561/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/19493561/ Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:27:56 PDT

You'll all have to forgive me for my delay with new pages of the comic.
After the funeral for my aunt, I came down with the flu, real bad.

I'm currently trying to get over it, but it seems to constantly be coming back. And though it seemed to be disappearing today, it's come back once again with a vengance.

I can't keep down any food and I constantly feel as if I'm to throw up.

So yeah. That's the reason why there has been little from me in the art front.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Small Notice http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/19392911/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/19392911/ Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:55:26 PDT

Don't know when any new art or whatnot will be up.

My Aunt died today, minutes after she was admitted to hospital.

That's all I feel like saying at this time.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura For the Love of...! http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/19120611/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/19120611/ Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:13:25 PDT

What the hell is up with dA these days?!?

Take a look at my front page. Just do. Count all the spam comments on the front page. Count them!!!

Goddamnit, I get like a comment per day on my gallery and it is fast becoming an eyesore to view all the spam on my front page!
It surpassed a joke a LONG time ago and now I'm just vastly ticked off that this bullshit is constantly happening.

And dA's answer to it is ban the offender.
Yeah, bright move.
All they do is make a new account and come back, yet my page looks like a mess!

Gah! It pisses me off one hell of a lot and I needed to vent my absolute distaste to this matter.

Anyways, in other news, I've started work on the comic. Expect a new page up very soon.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Looking for... http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/19048814/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/19048814/ Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:55:31 PDT

As strange a request as this may sound...

Does any one have an illusrations of the internal structure of an orca?
Or perhaps anything close to an orca?

I'm looking for the placement of the innards and the muscle structures.

So yeah? Anyone out there able to help me out please?

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Rings of Time Q+A http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/18842161/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/18842161/ Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:31:05 PDT

Since a few people I chat to over AIM/MSN lately have been asking a few questions based on the comic (And the fact I'm currently not working on the comic this month), I decided at their advice to offer a Q+A section here for any questions relating towards the comic.

The questions can be anything about the comic, ranging from questions about producing the pages to ideas to plot and character questions.
Any questions go and I will answer any that come my way here on the condition they aren't spoiler related. I will avoid anything spoiler related but will do my best to answer the query avoiding spoilers.

So if you have any questions about any aspect of the comic, please feel free to ask away here and I'll add it to a list here.

Questions

Q: About what time period would you say the comic begins at since in Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, it begins in the 30th Century. Is Okura and Tiare's time closer to ours or back or forward?

A: Well, the first point to address here, is the fact Rings of Time started as an Ecco fancomic (hence the glyph-like crystal), but soon after that page, the idea was abandoned and I decided to elimate any other reference to Ecco in the comic (the trilobite joke nonwithstanding).
The story of Rings of Time starts in the present. Okura and Tiare are approximately from our own timeframe so therefore, the present for them is the present for us effectively.

Q: If Tiare were real, would you want to slap her across the face?

A: Heh, not really. Tiare may annoy her brother to the point he explodes on her, but to a human, Tiare would probably come across as just a cute and playful orca.
And in reality, it's just her personality. Tiare looks up to and idolizes her brother, but her short attention span, young age and scatter-brained antics sometimes make her do things that a more mature person wouldn't.

Q: Are there any distinct remnants of Atlantis besides the tiny bits we've already heard about?

A: Bit of a tricky one to answer without going into spoilers. All I'll say is that it seems Kroniros' tale of Atlantis was obviously a lie, so there is a possibilty...

Q: When did you get the idea to do this comic?

A: Well, it sorta came on a whim. I watched a video of the final battle of Sonic and the Secret Rings and really liked the concept of the battle. From that, my own concept of a battle came from it. And from that, evolved a plot...
On a side note, the plot of Rings of Time is actually quite similar to Sonic and the Secret Rings. This was a total coincidence. I had scribbled down most of the plot outline of Rings of Time by the end of June 07. I didn't obtain a Wii and the game until later August 07.
Nonetheless, I started the comic while I was finishing a few bugs out of the plot about three weeks later. I had the climax most mapped out and several other important scenes, when I started up. The rest I continued to work on as I went along.

Q: What paper do you usually use when drawing your comics?

A: You may remember there was a small issue in regards to this late last year. I only use Jasart Visual Diary paper to draw stuff on.
I may sound picky, but I find it some of the smoothest and easier to shade paper than several other visual diary brands I have tried out.

Q: Type of pencils used?

A: I use five pencils of three different types, one for each phase of drawing the page.

Sketching: Full to half size Faber-Castell 2 1/2HB pencil.
Lining: Faber-Castell 2B.
Blocking: A blunt Staedtler 6B.
Finer Blocking: A sharpened Staedtler 6B.
Shading: The sharpened 6B and also the less than half Faber-Castell 2 1/2HB.

Q: Those alien crabs from the first part of the comic... any particular inspiration for them, or were they crabs so that Tiare could inadvertently cause the Cretaceous extinction?

A: Well, solely for the laughs really. I had decided for a laugh I wanted to have Tiare cause the extinction of the dinosaurs, but besides something that really wasn't that exciting (a virus or such), I couldn't think of anything interesting.
Then as a laugh, someone suggested aliens and I remembered a storyline in Animorphs with alien crab like creatures already on Earth. The inspiration came sorta from that, but only very loosely, in the idea for aliens causing the extinction.
The crab idea came from an RP where I had Tiare develop a fascination for the crustaceans. I just combined the two ideas together.

Q: Did you already have t... ]]> *Okura Sixteen Random Facts http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/18689792/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/18689792/ Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:54:14 PDT

Since ~SkyebobPiepants tagged me with her random fact journal, I decided I would outdo her and do double of what I was asked to do...

So, here are sixteen random facts about me...

1: I am a collector. I enjoy collecting stuff. When i start collecting something, I find it hard to stop until I have a full, or at least very large, set.

2: Sad truth, but as a kid, I used to cry when I couldn't win at video games. I think the game that made me cry the most was in actual fact Dick Tracey for the Master System.

3: I used to hate Nintendo with a passion. I was a Sega fanboy. Reason was, all Nintendo stuff I saw as a kid involved bloody comics of Mario running over Sonic with a lawnmower and such.

4: As a kid, I wanted to grow up and be Batman. No, really... I did.

5: I cannot stand gory films. Reason is, I used to watch my grandfather slit sheep's throats and gut them when I was five years old. Was not a very pleasant scene...

6: I once had a pet Clydesdale horse named Lady that I used to ride.

7: My first orca character, Moby Killer (created at age 7) had scars over both eyes. It came from when his parents were harpooned and the harpoons shooting past slashed his eyes. Moby's responce to all that? "Oww." That is all he said. "Oww."

8: I bought Shadow of the Colossus for PS2 about a year ago. I have yet to even open the case.

9: My first Playstation was won in a contest. My second one was again, won in a contest at an expo, where I nearly broke my wrist attempting extreme BMXing.

10: I have never been to a music concert in my life.

11: I enjoying making people laugh, even it is at my own expense.

12: Friends of mine typically get plenty of gifts and presents from me. I don't know why, but I love to give things to good friends. Though I have lost a few who thought I was trying to bribe them...

13: When I first got Crash Bandicoot 2, I spent 2 months trapped in the first warp room. Why? I was terrified of being eaten by the fly-traps in Hang Eight and being squashed by the boulder in Crash Dash. So I kept playing the other three levels over and over until I found some courage.

14: The same issue happened with Crash Bandicoot 3 when I encountered the sharks that eat Coco.

15: During my US trip, between the 22nd June and the 27th, I used a kiddies Shamu and Friends wallet. Reason? My current wallet fell apart on me while I was in SeaWorld Orlando and the store only really had that wallet that fit my needs at the time. At SeaWorld California, I replaced it with a better 'Believe' wallet that suited my purpose.

16: I still own the 'Shamu and Friends' wallet.

And that's that.

Anyone who wants to be tagged can be.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Yaaargh!!! http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/18671205/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/18671205/ Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:39:41 PDT

OK, now THIS is Just. Not. Fair!

The future of games console firm Nintendo in New Zealand is in doubt after receivers were called in on local distributor SPI.

SPI director William Flew yesterday confirmed that the company had been placed in receivership. He would not comment on what that meant for Nintendo or for game brand Activision, which his company also distributes, and referred all questions to receivers KordaMentha.

Gaming console retailers say rumours have been swirling of the distributor's collapse, but they have not received official notification.

A Nintendo Australia spokesperson declined to comment on SPI and Nintendo's New Zealand future, saying that it had not yet had official notification from either the company or its receivers.

The news couldn't come at a worse time for Nintendo users, with blockbuster title Super Smash Bros due for release and the popular Wii Fit having just hit the shelves.

God-FREAKING-dammit!

It's bad enough that there were delays with the PAL conversation of the game, but now a further possible delay because I live on this foresaken piece of rock that has had the only distributer of Nintendo games go bust?!?

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Time to Update http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/18614425/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/18614425/ Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:19:50 PDT

Wow, where did May go? I have updated this in over a month...

Rings of Time Hiatus

So, we reached a point of the comic where I felt compelled to take a break at last. Ironically, it's also when I took my first break at page 20. That means In 12 months, I've done a total of 80 pages, including the time of all the other breaks.

I've also mapped out the rest of the comic. Looks like it will be ending between pages 135 to 140. I'll try to get it sorted out, but just so you know, that the end of Rings of Time is coming...

At the moment, I'm saying I'll be back in July, but that depends on when I get my art trades and other artworks i want to complete done. So for the moment the ETA of the comic's return is July, but possible to change.

Comic Features

In the meantime, I would like to feature three artists with their own comic series that are impressive and I enjoy as well.
I'd like to recommend these to people to read through, as the following three artists deserve the publicity...

| |

*Kameira

Kameira's Zenith the Dolphin comic is regarded by me as one of the best cetacean comic series. She really pours her efforts into the pages and it shows, as well as having interesting and colourful characters and an engaging plot.
Zenith is well worth a read, as well as Kam's other upcoming comic projects, Origins and The Green Ring.

~Bio-hazardOrca

Bio-Hazard's The Lost Sunrise comic is off to an interesting start. A story based on the Clan Dolphins from Ecco: Defender of the Future, this story looks to be taking off to an interesting beginning. Well worth to keep watching as it progresses.

~JenL

http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/18041691/ Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:41:21 PDT

If you are in NZ, make sure you watch Stars in their Eyes on TV this week...

You might see me in the crowd!

I'm in the front row, wearing a red vest, so keep an eye out for me!

Edit: So I wasn't shown at all...

My mother, grandmother and sister popped up briefly as the show opened (and you could see the top of my grandmother's head when you saw the wife of the Tom Jones player), but there was no sign of me sadly...

Meh...

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura dA Drama and Comic Stuffs http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17814951/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17814951/ Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:58:53 PDT

The Drama of the Orphans

Okay, so I see this stuff going about the 'Orphans Works' or something about dA, with people hyping up and panicking that their art is going to be stolen legally by the Government, meaning that anything they take, unless they pay for the copyrights, is not theirs.

People, you need take a chill pill and calm down. You are only reading through selectively and not understanding how this bill truly works.

In short, the bill does allow someone to use your art without permission, but only if they have exhausted several avenues to contact the original artist.

And I think, if you post something on dA and visit the site like, once a week, then if they didn't attempt to contact you via dA, they are in clear voilation of your copyright protection.

YOU - ARE - STILL - PRO - TEC - TED!

I am not working with the admins or anything, but if you wish to read more about the bill to help unstand it a bit more, and see how you are still protected and safe, click here: [link]

Comic Stuff

Last journal, I think a few people misunderstood my ask of the journal, with all the promises that 'I'll comment on every page from now on' and such.

That's not my intention. Please don't get me wrong.

Yes, I like comments, and it saddens me when people 'Fav-n-Run' without any suggestions, but I'm not begging for more comments on the pages.
I just noticed that after the April Fools page, it seemed as if interest in the comic slid off the block and started to become ignored. I was just a little afraid people may have got upset about the prank or were actually losing interest in what was going on.

One thing that did slip my mind, was the change in schooling times. I keep forgetting that the rest of the world has different schooling dates as opposed to us in New Zealand. It never occured to me, that some of you may be dealing with finals and such.

Anyways, with that outta the way...

Tomorrow, Rings of Time turns one year old officially.

Do I have something special planned?

No.

Seriously, the pages are now so detailed, they chew up a lot of time. When I first started, I could burn through three pages a day. With the detail now in the pages, I'm lucky to have one page drawn in three.

I may slap together a little something to express the evolution of the comic, but all that really will be, is cut and paste of selected panels and explanations of what's changed.
And that's not a promise.

What I can say though, is that I plan to post up a page tomorrow.
And it's a bit of a turning point to the plot...

And that's all for now...

Except watch and at the final clip ~> [link]

(Clip Collection 2 is the title)

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Losing Interest? http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17772122/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17772122/ Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:12:48 PDT

Just curious, but I kinda felt the last three pages of my comic after the April Fools prank sorta went a bit ignored...

Are people boycotting me for my prank, or are you all starting to lose interest or something?

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura So I heard you planned to update...? http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17617055/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17617055/ Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:48:02 PDT

So I heard you like Mudkips...?

dA seems to think I do... >.>

It's a lie. I prefer Lapras.

So I heard it's your birthday...?

Well, not mine, but on April 14th (April 13th for most of you all across the globe), Rings of Time is officially ONE YEAR OLD!

Don't believe me? Look at the date of the upload of the first page... =3

This officially makes it the longest project I have EVER done.

So I heard you are gonna be on TV...?

Yup.

I went to the recording of the second episode of Stars in their Eyes as an auidence member.
You'll spot me as the boy with glasses in a red vest, sitting next to an old man with a crutch (my grandfather).

Awesome night, and we should be going to the final as well!

So I heard you uploaded to YouTube too...?

Indeed.

Here ~> [link]

So I heard you have nothing else to say...?

Not right now.

Peace out all.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Re: Important News (Must Read Please) http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17603380/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17603380/ Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:53:43 PDT

April Fools everyone!

Seriously, I'm a day ahead of you, so it counts!

Did you REALLY think I'd quit this story in the 11th hour?
No, The Road Home does not exist... I made it up to fool you all! =3

I have some stuff to show and tell tonight, but that'll have to wait until after work sadly...

Happy April 1st...

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Important News http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17592056/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17592056/ Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:07:27 PDT

Well, I have something to announce that is quite important to all of my readers...

After a lot of debating and discussions with some people, I have decided to can Rings of Time early, and instead start a new story where this story leaves off...

This story, if you read the page I did over the past few days, will take off, after Okura and Tiare have been left to live out the rest of their days in the theme park.
Of course, Okura just wants to get home to be with Venus, and this story will tell his journey with Tiare to eventually return home.

I am quite interested in this story and hope you will enjoy it as much as I am with the plot.

As for all the pages of Rings of Time that I have completed, I will later submit those to my scraps in the next few days so everyone can see them.

Thanks for understanding.

]]> *Okura Requesting Help http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17544637/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17544637/ Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:21:28 PDT

Is there anyone from the old Caverns of Hope era who happened to save the gallery pictures from the Defender of the Future gallery pictures that used to be on the site?

I've been looking aobut for them, but just cannot find them anywhere.

I'm mostyly after the onecs from Man's Nightmare, but any of them would be greatly appriciated.

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Shitty Weekend http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17484719/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17484719/ Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:11:42 PDT

I've had one hell of a crappy weekend...

So the things in the previous journal if you saw it are from me whilst I've been furious.
And if I said anything that may have offended you in IM or the journal I apologise.

I guess there's a large number of things this weekend that have really rubbed me the wrong way in so many ways.

Lack of interesting role-plays.
Extreme boredom.
Family drama.
Video games boring the hell out of me.
Feeling ignored and unimportant to people on IM and off.
Money issues.
Lack of sleep.
Lonely.
Unable to draw.

I've been feeling like shit this entire weekend. And even now, I don't feel 100% better.

I'll probably restore my gallery when I feel better tomorrow night.

]]> *Okura April Approaching http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17460393/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17460393/ Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:05:28 PDT

Wow, is it like... One quarter of the year is over already? O_o

Doesn't seem that long ago, I was celebrating New Year (well, closer than all of you, since I'm one day before almost all of you here due to timezones).
Or that less than a year ago, I was having the time of my life in the US.
Ahh... Memories...

Anyways, I'm working with someone to get some videos ripped to post online from my holiday DVD collection. I'll keep you all updated how that goes...

Life Update

Ehh, let's not go there.
Things are better at the moment, though life is still as tough as nails...

My sister Jacinta is basically attempting to force us all away, so she can go and live with her father and step-mother. However, nothings been decided yet...
I dread to think what she'll do if they decide they do not want her, and she's a manipulator, and attempting to turn everyone against one another for her own benefit.

I just try my best not to express the extend to what this is doing over the phone, IM or whatnot.

Instead I'm keeping myself busy with my comic or video games and staying out of it all.
Seems to be the only things at the moment that keep me out of a slump...

Rings of Time News

Someone suggested something to me recently, and I'm seriously considering it for the comic...

It would mean a massive change of direction to the comic, but I'm really liking the idea and considering it through and through.

If I decide to go through with it, I'll make an announcement in early April.

Until then, I'll keep working at it.

Joys and Disappointments

Joys:

* A Spryo the Dragon movie in the works? Awesome!
* Brisinger is coming out this year and I have a discount card for when the book comes out.
* Another compliment at work, so more kudos for me there.
* I'll have my loan for my US holiday paid off in Feburary 09 if all goes to plan... Maybe sooner as well.
* That new 'Spectacular Spider-Man' cartoon. That is so much ! I cannot wait until it's released here!
* Having Tia enjoy coming to sleep next to me on the bed at night.

Disappointments:

* Ecco was not in Sega Superstars Tennis in the end it seems.
* Sharing some Sonic news with the Sonic community and watching as suddenly the forum it was discovered at goes to heck with n00bs and flammers.
* Having to RP less and less as no role-plays seem to last long and/or my partners are morons. A quality RP these days is almost impossible to find...
* Super Smash Bros Brawl not being released here until June. It's Kingdom Hearts 2 all over again.
* Insomnia... 'Nuff said.
* Seeing less and less of my friends online...
* Being so bored outta my brains that I have to resort to playing Crash of the Titans. Anyone who knows my stand on that game will know how desperate that makes me...

That's All for Now

See you in April I guess...

Explore the Rings of Time!

]]> *Okura Spoke too Soon... http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17232093/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17232093/ Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:02:45 PST

Well, it would seem that somethings come our way...

It means life will be tough for the next six months or so, but if everything works out well, then we may not have to move at all!

It's not a given, but there's finally a spot of good news here for me at last.

In other news, new comic page coming soon I guess.

Read my Comic!

]]> *Okura Sorry All: Edit http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17051170/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17051170/ Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:47:44 PST

Sorry everyone, but with all the shit life has thrown at me, I'm leaving the nets until further notice.
I can't bear to be about with all this shit going on in my life...

Partically the way things fell apart as they did tonight.

My family is tearing itself apart...

My grandfather is becoming posessive of everything and taking away everything we need.
The eldest of my sisters is constantly running us down and causing strife here.
My youngest sister is planning to leave and live with her father, meaning that money now goes to maintence meaning we will have no money.
My mother is struggling to support the family on a single income.
I'm being over-run at work with managers and clients who treat me like shit...

There's been a death in the family.

The weekend holiday I was planning to Napier to visit *tani-tiger and Marineland has gone poof because we lack the money.

We are going to lose our house because of lack of money!

Any plans I have for any return holidays to the US and such are on hold indefinately.

And everyone is considering packing up and migrating to go live in Australia!

So yeah... I'm sorry, I can't deal with this shit as of current, so I'm leaving.

I'll be back sometime in the future probably... maybe.

But until that time, everythings gone I'm afraid.

Take care and I hope to one day see you all again.

Edit: So, I've restored my gallery back, and I'll be hanging about online occasionaly on IM, but I'm still a little hesitant to come back fully, mostly cause I'm still having some issues here at home that aren't helping my mood.

Not to mention, my luck continues to throw bad luck my way often.

In case you've been wondering, yeah, I've been doing art to relax and calm down, though I doubt I'll be posting much of it anytime soon.

Just basically an update to say everythings there, as it was before, and that I'm okay. But just sorta still iffy about returning.

]]> *Okura Looney Tunes http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17045672/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/17045672/ Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:50:00 PST

Just finished watching a Looney Tunes marathon of DVDs and such and after watching them, I began to wonder a few things.

Most of us here have had to seen Looney Tunes before, and we all have to have had a favourite, so yeah...

Whose your favourite of the Looney Tune crew and why?

My personal favourite was always this guy...

I always loved Marvin because he was a funny litle guy with big ambitions. Even with all the high technology that he had to him, he had nothing on the likes of Bugs and Daffy, but he was always a funny and cool guy to watch.
I actually admit most of the time, I actually cheered for Marvin to win!

Anyways, who was your favourite Looney Tune and why?

Read my Comic!

]]> *Okura Personal Issues (Update 2) http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16905344/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16905344/ Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:44:28 PST

I'm suffering some major personal issues here in life after some awful news and an bombshell that was dropped upon me today.

I'm in no mood to talk about them here.

All I will say is until I feel better about all this hard stuff thats just been thrust into my face, don't be surprised if my art and such starts to suffer.
I doubt I'll be doing much posting or comic work until this situation is cleared up, and even then, since it's a no win situation for me, it may not help much.

So yeah, sorry; Comic's probably on hiatus indefinatly at this time.

Edit: Some of the stuff has calmed down quite a bit, but there's still some issues. I have started drawing again to relax, but it's a bit slow going at times.

So yeah... Still going with the comic for the moment.

Edit 2: Well, now that's officially been confirmed, you may as well all know.

Due to recent family dramas, warring between family members and such, it's come down to a simple truth.

We are going to lose our house because we are now getting closer to being almost bankrupt.

Read my Comic!

]]> *Okura For the Ecco fans... http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16810352/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16810352/ Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:52:24 PST

Guess what?

Sega hasn't fully abandoned our favourite dolphin...

Maybe you've heard of the game Sega Superstar Tennis?

Well, take a look at this tasty little tidbit...

While expecting Ecco to be playable is a too bigger ask, looks like we'll be get to playing Tennis with our favourite star-faced dolphin very soon.

Read my Comic!

]]> *Okura Possible Delays http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16743540/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16743540/ Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:00:46 PST

Just a forewarning.

Artistic block has struck.

Also a slight lack of motivation.

I'm having issues drawing new comic pages, so it may be a while before you see any new pages...

Sorry bout that.

Read my Comic!

]]> *Okura Thanks for the 30k http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16715422/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16715422/ Sun, 03 Feb 2008 21:53:52 PST

Thank you all for the 30,000 hits.

Mostly wanted to say thanks and get that huge rant from my front page.

Read my Comic!

]]> *Okura Video Game Rant http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16468897/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16468897/ Sat, 19 Jan 2008 02:50:37 PST

I haven't had a rant in a long time, and I guess I just wanna blow off some steam about the way I feel the video gaming world has gone and my thoughts on anything and everything in regards to it.

There are five franchises of video games I have loved throughout...
However in recent times, most of these games have just spiralled downhill, and I want to rant about how these favourites of mine have lost the plot.

Crash Bandicoot
Once high and mighty, he led the charge for Sony against the likes of Sega and Nintendo. Granted, the Crash games were highly unoriginal, but the originals were just AWESOME. Naughty Dog's Crash games were just so cool. I would play them over and over again.
Now, I look where Crash is, and I shake and hang my head in shame.

Crash used to be a cool, but klutzy hero. Now, he's just... ugh. Crash 1-2 and CTR are out of the games, as they are Naughty Dog games and just flat out awesome.
The games seemed to slide a bit, getting towards Crash Nitro Kart. The GBA games were great, until Crash/Spyro Fusion. That's where it began to become undone.
Don't get me wrong. Twinsanity was an excellant step forward for the gameplay. But the characters took a large leap backwards.
Crash suddenly changed from cool, klutzy hero, to brainless retard.
Coco from a smart tech whiz, to a ditzy blonde.
Cortex from a deranged evil madman, to a whiny villian who never wins.

The characters were messed up badly. And the humor was just... over the top and out of place.
Then Radical came in with Crash Tag Team Racing and the characters leapt back so far, I can't see them anymore.
Crash became a sadistic ass, who enjoyed inflicting pain.
Coco became even blonder.
Crunch changed from the 'bad-ass' to a Mr. T. wannabe.
Cortex got whinier.
N. Gin... Well, even I'M confused on his sexuality now!

And the game. The game was great... But the only thing that made it even remotely like a Crash game was the fact it had the characters. All the traditional Crash elements were gone; Wumpa Fruit, TNT/Nitro crates, the masks...
It was like replacing the Mario sprites from a Mario game with Sonic and selling it as a Sonic game.

And then Crash of the Titans... URGH...

I wasted and feel cheated of $60 for this game. It is the most un-Crash like game I've played. Crash I agree, is in need of a make-over; but not like this!
The characters got all the more worse, to the point where my favourite character, Tiny Tiger, was raped and turned into an army-like Mike Tyson wannabe.

In short, I feel the Crash games have suffered badly, and this is a hole that I doubt the bandicoot will ever burrow his way out of in my books.

Sonic the Hedgehog

2D Sonic games are class. Surely everyone has played one of the originals at least one time in their lifes...

But now, Sonic is a has been.
Look at his recent games for all the proof you need.

Sonic Heroes: Levels floating over bottomless pits the entire time and slow game play.
Shadow the Hedghog: Aliens, angst and guns... Plus the most shot controls ever!
Sonic 06: Ugh, ugh, ugh... WTF? A stupid, anti-climatic plot... Glitches a million and the wors controls in a Sonic game YET. Even the developers admitted they rushed it out as fast as they could, rather than perfect it.

I do blame Sega's force into software after the failure of the Dreamcast. That has taken a series toll on Sonic, but the fact they are churning out 2-3 games a year doesn't help...

It's rather funny. The two Sonic 'games' I'm looking forward to the most, Sonic Chronicles and Sonic in Brawl, are all games not done by Sega.

Is it a case of the only good Sonic games are the ones NOT by Sega?

Ecco the Dolphin

Fantasic gameplay and wonderful music... These games are sheer classics to me and I love each and every one of them (except the Gamegear version of Tides of Time).

The biggest problem is the fact Ecco appears to be dead now. All people want for games is brainless carnage and shooting games.

Sega will not release a new game and the company, Appaloosa, is dead.

Plus we all have that cliffhanger of the original trilogy that was never resolved.

I hate games like that. Maximo was another great series that went under, and never resolved the series...

PokÃ©m... ]]> *Okura Birthday Blues and Comic Chaos http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16348656/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16348656/ Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:47:58 PST

Birthday Blues

Well, in the tradition of the other holidays at the start of the year, my birthday was a flop.

Issues with friends and family made the day something near unbearable with fighting and being completely ignored when unexpected guests arrived, then being blamed that I spent no time with them, when they were busy with their own friends.

To everyone who wished me a happy birthday/drew me something/talked to me over the past two days, thank you so much. It really meant a lot to know I was remembered by others. It really helped to get over the nonsense that happened prior.

And to the select few who ignored me or pushed me aside when I was trying to talk to them, there is a sarcastic thank you in store. I was really nice to know how much you truly cared when I was really feeling down and upset and just needed a friend.

Overall, it sucked and I'm looking towards just getting past it and moving on.
Just needed to rant it out really.

Because a few people seem to have got the wrong message about the above journal, I just want to confirm here:

I am not blaming anyone or wanting anything.

I'm just ranting about how my family and select few friends made the day somewhat depressing by ignoring me.

So please, don't think I'm accusing you, because I'm not.

Thanks.

Comic Chaos

Well, you may have noticed, I've started back up Rings of Time once again.
With some luck, I should be able to complete the comic in the coming months.

I'm looking forward to continuing the comic and finishing it, as I hope you all are of reading it.

Read my Comic!

Hope you all are too.

]]> *Okura Welcome to 2008 http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16214517/ http://Okura.deviantart.com/journal/16214517/ Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:02:24 PST

(Un)Happy Holidays

Christmas sucked.
New Years as well.

Between work, family emergencies, wet weather and food poisoning I kinda do have to say 'Bah! Humbug!' to these holidays.

I'm glad they are over and am looking forward to beginning 08 on a fresh start...

That and my birthday's coming up on the 10th of Jan...

Rings of Time Update

Yes, I know people are excited about Rings of Time picking up again sometime this month.
I don't have a set date, so just keep an eye out and you'll see a new page up soon enough.

In the meantime, you may want to re-read the first 20 page again. I have edited most of them, changing text and tidying everything up. Several pages have some major edits, mostly in removing concepts that were eventually dropped.

So those may help to pass a bit of time between now and my first page of 'Season 2' so to speak.

I Command You...

To watch this video...

[link]

That's All Folks...

Read my Comic!

]]> *Okura