- Add Review
- Subscribe
- Nominate
- Submit Media
- RSS
Release day... Night.
- Nightblade
- 06/22/2011 04:02 AM
- 5392 views
First off I'd like start by thanking my beta testers.
NewBlack, Neophyte, NicoB and Skie for all of their help beta testing my game.
An extra thank you goes to Neophyte again for supplying me with help patching a lot of rm2k3's more annoying features out.
I'd also like S.F. Valle for the use of his original music towards the end of Part 1.
Also, to the generous sprite artist who did the camel sprite; I'm very sorry - but I've forgotten your name. Still, thank you and if you're looking at this; please speak up.
...And of course all of my fans and subscribers.
So here we are at last. Release day. It took me years of and off work to reach this point, and there were many factors that delayed and impeded my progress... But before I go over all that, an FAQ to answer any questions you might have.
Q - My fonts are all screwed up.
A - There is a file in the zip called rm2k_fp. Run that file and your fonts should look fine.
Q - Do I need the RTP to play this?
A - No. All of the files you need are included provided RMtool did it's job right. Also don't worry, I didn't use RMtool's buggy purge feature, so all of the necessary files are sitting in the folder and then some.
Q - Where is the wait option in the menu?
A - I took it out. The game's exe file has been hex edited to have wait on by default. For those who don't know, the "active" atb option in the engine's battle system causes a multitude of bugs if you even customize battles a little bit.
Q - How come Nero can't use items? How come this character...
A - Each character has their own pool of commands. They each play differently and playing to each one's strengths and weaknesses is key in tackling some of the game's more difficult encounters.
Q - Can I use...?
A - Anything that isn't original artwork is up for use. Rips, Romancing Saga hack sprites, and so on. I ask that you not use Slade's Sprite, Shadar's sprite, or any of the hand drawn artwork found inside the game.
Now it's time to explain myself, and possibly attract mockery and criticism from a lot of you, and if you've read this far already; your patience is likely wearing thin; so I'll be as blunt as I can. (Which in turn is not very)
I really don't want to post this. I really, really don't, but oh well. Here goes anyway.
Earlier this year, my student loan monthly payments jumped up 40%, and I've been unable to pay the cost since. It wasn't until the very month the fee jumped that the good people at Sallie Mae decided to inform me that I was expected to pay much, much more than before. I live at home, I have a meager income and a portion of that has to go to help my family. So, I just stopped paying. I thought to myself that since I had been wronged by the college I had attended (Katharine Gibbs School) there must be SOMETHING I could do to settle this.
For those of you who aren't aware, Katharine Gibbs is one of many schools around America who take advantage of young, naive high school graduates. With promises of well paying jobs, excellent job placement and high graduation rates; the admissions representatives, or more accurately, salesman ensnare the ignorant. In my particular case, my naivety was rewarded with poorly maintained equipment, classes held in storage closets, an English teacher who could barely speak comprehensible English himself and peers who appeared to need another 2 - 10 years in high school.
My "Visual Communications" coursework involved cheap photoshop tricks I was already fully aware of, basic flash skills, and a class where our mid term project was *literally* cutting images out of old newspapers to make third grade style collages on white construction paper. I was frightened that I had wasted my time and money, and should have cut my losses earlier but I kept at it, thinking that it was a introduction. "Maybe things will get better" I had thought, but I was wrong.
It wasn't until a 60 minutes investigation that went to my actual campus that reality sank in: these people had swindled me and the cost of my ignorance was an oppressive debt that is immune to many of the consumer protections other types of debt have.
I left as quickly as I could at that point, but the damage had been done. 33,000 dollars, barring interest. But I had a small grace period, and so I looked for work, and I looked... and I looked... and I couldn't find anything for some time.
After a while, I managed to land a job at a call center, fired in 9 days due to my own "sunny disposition" and inexperience. Landed another (low paying) job at a UPS store but was forced to leave due to work conditions that violated the law (No breaks to name one), and a boss who thought it was appropriate to humiliate me in public on a regular basis. Long story short, few weeks later I landed my current job at this awful retailer where I've been working and slowly climbing ever since.
Watching the debt eat away at my savings, and giving what little I have to the debt all whilst the principal balance either barely moves this has gone on for a long time but now I approach the end game.
Default status imminent, called Sallie Mae for a settlement offer and was told 26k in one lump sum or split into 3 payments over 3 months, money I of course did not have. I was also threatened that if I waited on this, the settlement would go up for each day I waited. As I told the CSR I needed to consider my options before I agreed to anything, she threatened me before I was forced to hang up on her.
This is a burden that has destroyed far greater people than myself, one that has had me actually consider suicide at one point... So I come here with a desperate plea for help. Here, to a community that I have grown so much with, that I've even scorned at one point.
To wrap this up my paypal name is NightbladeX@verizon.net, and any help would be appreciated. I'd like to stick around and make games, move passed this ordeal and maybe even live a decent life after this is settled; however it is settled... In the mean time, I'm going to start looking for security guard positions as my meager skillset, college dropout status and antisocial disposition doesn't get the employers calling me, and the law sure as hell isn't on my side on this.
If I can move passed this, if by some miracle some rich baron sees this and decides to help me not only will I finish this within the year; but I will go on youtube and cry like a baby thanking everyone who helped me, or maybe I'll just do something else humiliating... I mean more than the second half of this blog post.
Posts
Pages:
1
author=nightblade
Q - Where is the wait option in the menu?
A - I took it out. The game's exe file has been hex edited to have wait on by default. For those who don't know, the "active" atb option in the engine's battle system causes a multitude of bugs if you even customize battles a little bit.
I see I'm not the only one doing this. B)
the other stuff
I don't know why this would attract mockery. I honestly feel bad about the whole thing but can only offer words of good luck. ):
I've been watching this for a long time now. Problem is, I've committed to not playing any new games until I finish mine (which may take quite a long while ~_~). Also, I think I'll play the first one before I delve into this. I already have it sitting on my comp, ready to be played.
On the serious stuff, you're a victim of the College Industrial Complex. I almost was too, but our tuition fees are still within reason.
I live up here in safe ol' Canada with a well paying job and a head on my shoulders that can sort the reality from the bullshit, so I'm probably not the right person to offer advice. But I'll just say this anyway.
Don't pay it. Fuck'em. Debts that can't be paid, won't be paid.
Even if someone did bail you out, what would you do? Go back to sleep? Just want to be left alone? That sort of complacency is what got you into this mess in the first place, and you're not the only person to be ensnared.
The entire system is corrupt from bottom-feeding predatory colleges to the top echelons of government. If there was justice, Katharine Gibbs would be shut down, it's officers in jail, and your payments reimbursed. You can't rely on the law to fight back unless you're willing to change the law yourself, and that kind of will doesn't exist in the US. The system is working against you. Your best bet is to no longer participate in it.
Once you gather the resolve to stop paying your student loan, use the internet to educate yourself. Anything you can think of, resources are on the internet to learn it. You are your best asset. Develop it. You only need school if you need some mandatory certification like for Medical or Engineering, and even then it's probably not worth it anyway (high paid trades pay the most taxes).
Start stocking up on the necessities of life. Don't think for a second that you're the only one whose got it bad. When things go bad, crime goes up.
Take a history lesson on the US Dollar and know why your country is only a few years away from hyperinflation (or a pre-emptive default, which isn't better).
And for god's sake, buy a gun or two. If you're a whiny "guns are bad" faggot, I can point you to an excellent argument on why every man, woman and child on the face of the earth should carry one.
A safer alternative is, if you have friends or family in a different country, move there. The US is going to be a nasty place to live in the coming years.
Anybody out there with "tinfoil hat" comments to say, leave them at the door and try actually proving me wrong.
On the serious stuff, you're a victim of the College Industrial Complex. I almost was too, but our tuition fees are still within reason.
I live up here in safe ol' Canada with a well paying job and a head on my shoulders that can sort the reality from the bullshit, so I'm probably not the right person to offer advice. But I'll just say this anyway.
Don't pay it. Fuck'em. Debts that can't be paid, won't be paid.
Even if someone did bail you out, what would you do? Go back to sleep? Just want to be left alone? That sort of complacency is what got you into this mess in the first place, and you're not the only person to be ensnared.
The entire system is corrupt from bottom-feeding predatory colleges to the top echelons of government. If there was justice, Katharine Gibbs would be shut down, it's officers in jail, and your payments reimbursed. You can't rely on the law to fight back unless you're willing to change the law yourself, and that kind of will doesn't exist in the US. The system is working against you. Your best bet is to no longer participate in it.
Once you gather the resolve to stop paying your student loan, use the internet to educate yourself. Anything you can think of, resources are on the internet to learn it. You are your best asset. Develop it. You only need school if you need some mandatory certification like for Medical or Engineering, and even then it's probably not worth it anyway (high paid trades pay the most taxes).
Start stocking up on the necessities of life. Don't think for a second that you're the only one whose got it bad. When things go bad, crime goes up.
Take a history lesson on the US Dollar and know why your country is only a few years away from hyperinflation (or a pre-emptive default, which isn't better).
And for god's sake, buy a gun or two. If you're a whiny "guns are bad" faggot, I can point you to an excellent argument on why every man, woman and child on the face of the earth should carry one.
A safer alternative is, if you have friends or family in a different country, move there. The US is going to be a nasty place to live in the coming years.
Anybody out there with "tinfoil hat" comments to say, leave them at the door and try actually proving me wrong.
If that's the case Dyhalto, that should be fun. I hope there's leather.
Post Apocalypse just isn't right without leader. And spikes.
Attempt to assemble a development team and get on with my life. I wouldn't squander a miracle like that.
Post Apocalypse just isn't right without leader. And spikes.
ven if someone did bail you out, what would you do? Go back to sleep?
Attempt to assemble a development team and get on with my life. I wouldn't squander a miracle like that.
So glad this is finished... Sorry to hear it hasn't been completed in the best of times
If you're not being served collection notices and demands by the original creditors/banks, I urge you to learn your rights. I've heard in 90% of cases you have no legal obligation to pay these collection/junk collection agencies the sums they're demanding. I know that your co-signers would be held hostage should you refuse, so if things hit rock bottom you might want to look into filing for chapter 13 bankruptcy...
Best regards!
If you're not being served collection notices and demands by the original creditors/banks, I urge you to learn your rights. I've heard in 90% of cases you have no legal obligation to pay these collection/junk collection agencies the sums they're demanding. I know that your co-signers would be held hostage should you refuse, so if things hit rock bottom you might want to look into filing for chapter 13 bankruptcy...
Best regards!
You should take a look at these links:
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3419079
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3412495
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3234974
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2250971
I haven't looked too much into it (I'm fortunate enough to live my life debt-free), but there should be something in there that can help you.
Congratulations on your release by the way :).
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3419079
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3412495
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3234974
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2250971
I haven't looked too much into it (I'm fortunate enough to live my life debt-free), but there should be something in there that can help you.
Congratulations on your release by the way :).
Man, I don't know you well, and wish I could help. I'm in the same problem. The worst part about the debt is the interest. You pay a little off, and oh ho look at that it fills back up again. It's like bailing out water from your boat while the floor has a hole in it.
Maybe bankruptsy is an option? I don't know too much about that though.
Maybe bankruptsy is an option? I don't know too much about that though.
Also, here's some ways to make money online:
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3284002
I'm not sure how lucrative some of these methods are, but if you're desperate..
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3284002
I'm not sure how lucrative some of these methods are, but if you're desperate..
damn that's really terrible. i thought student loans only had to be paid back after you started earning over a certain amount of money? or is that only the UK?
author=Dudesoft
Man, I don't know you well, and wish I could help. I'm in the same problem. The worst part about the debt is the interest. You pay a little off, and oh ho look at that it fills back up again. It's like bailing out water from your boat while the floor has a hole in it.
Maybe bankruptsy is an option? I don't know too much about that though.
Student Loans have no consumer protections. The loans will follow you around until you die, you pay it off, or you manage to get the loans discharged. (Which is something incredibly difficult).
For those of you suffering from the same issue; you can submit your story here: http://www.studentloanjustice.org/
damn that's really terrible. i thought student loans only had to be paid back after you started earning over a certain amount of money? or is that only the UK?
Not quite the case here. These people have garnished social security checks in certain instances.
Student loans aren't usually that cut-throat, compared to say, credit card companies, but Sallie Mae isn't one of the better ones in this regard. I know most student loan programs offer income-based repayment or deferments for reasonable economic hardship, you never mentioned anything like this in your story and if they're pounding down your door demanding payment it might not be an option, but have you looked into those options at all? If they don't have something in writing saying you're having problems then they aren't going to offer anything.
My suggestion would be to look for a local community college and see if any of your credits from that circus act you attended before could transfer. You might be surprised at what they'll let you carry over. You could take classes at night while still working, to earn some sort of degree, for a much more reasonable price. If you're in school for a certain number of credit hours per semester you usually don't have to pay student loans back either during that time period, though I imagine that's different for every lender. I know you've probably been soured on the whole education process after this mess but you owe it to yourself to keep trying until you find something that works. The worst thing you can do is give up.
My suggestion would be to look for a local community college and see if any of your credits from that circus act you attended before could transfer. You might be surprised at what they'll let you carry over. You could take classes at night while still working, to earn some sort of degree, for a much more reasonable price. If you're in school for a certain number of credit hours per semester you usually don't have to pay student loans back either during that time period, though I imagine that's different for every lender. I know you've probably been soured on the whole education process after this mess but you owe it to yourself to keep trying until you find something that works. The worst thing you can do is give up.
Student loans aren't usually that cut-throat, compared to say, credit card companies, but Sallie Mae isn't one of the better ones in this regard. I know most student loan programs offer income-based repayment or deferments for reasonable economic hardship, you never mentioned anything like this in your story and if they're pounding down your door demanding payment it might not be an option, but have you looked into those options at all? If they don't have something in writing saying you're having problems then they aren't going to offer anything.
I've omitted some of the details for the sake of brevity but yes; I have taken advantage of FORBEARANCE on this loan in the past to buy some time (Deferment.
The only loan I can defer is the much small federal student loan, and that's only if I'm working a certain amount of hours per week. (I have two loans by the way). The last time I called them I was told once again that "There's nothing you can do."
I know you've probably been soured on the whole education process after this mess but you owe it to yourself to keep trying until you find something that works. The worst thing you can do is give up.
There was a kind old gentleman (who happened to be a retired admissions guy for a community college, or something along those lines) who I helped with a computer who suggested the same thing as you, however it's as you said. Also, I doubt I qualify for financial aid at this point.
but Sallie Mae isn't one of the better ones in this regard
If you have a student loan, it's most likely handled by sallie mae. They're relentless with their calls but the ... "cutthroat-ness" begins when the loans are bought for pennies on the dollar by collection agencies.
author=Magi
if things hit rock bottom you might want to look into filing for chapter 13 bankruptcy...
Don't bother with bankruptcy. In the US, student loan is a non-dischargeable debt. Bankruptcy won't free you from it.
author=Magi
If you're not being served collection notices and demands by the original creditors/banks, I urge you to learn your rights. I've heard in 90% of cases you have no legal obligation to pay these collection/junk collection agencies the sums they're demanding.
The situation for each loan is different so there is no widespread solution.
But it is theoretically possible to invalidate a debt when it passes hands to the collection agency. If they add a fee to your existing debt, you can repudiate that fee which may result in repudiating the entire debt (judge willing) should you have to take it to court. Note that if they add a fee and you make even a single payment to them after they added it, you've already consented to ownership of that fee.
There's information all over the net regarding debt invalidation. Student loans will be an uphill battle, and they may even send a SWAT team to collect but if you're willing to fight it, good luck.
Wow. I really feel for you man. While I didn't get caught up in a scam, I did go to a school that made promises it couldn't quite keep, especially in the bad economy, for a high tuition rate. Thankfully, my degree still has a high value, but I can TOTALLY relate. If it were not for the fact that I am still unemployed and will need to start paying my student loans soon, I would absolutely help. If my situation turns around, I will make sure to help.
I would suggest that you look into your legal options. Low-income legal clinics offer free consultations with lawyers. Such a lawyer could probably tell you if you have any legal action available to you. Depending on how overt the lies of the admissions people were, I wouldn't be surprised if it would be possible to get your loan discharged because the school attempted to defraud you. You should def. consult with a lawyer familiar with your state law to see if anything can be done.
I am glad to see that these hard times have not destroyed your desire to work on a creative project. I am looking forward to trying the game.
I wish you the best of luck.
I would suggest that you look into your legal options. Low-income legal clinics offer free consultations with lawyers. Such a lawyer could probably tell you if you have any legal action available to you. Depending on how overt the lies of the admissions people were, I wouldn't be surprised if it would be possible to get your loan discharged because the school attempted to defraud you. You should def. consult with a lawyer familiar with your state law to see if anything can be done.
I am glad to see that these hard times have not destroyed your desire to work on a creative project. I am looking forward to trying the game.
I wish you the best of luck.
I would suggest that you look into your legal options. Low-income legal clinics offer free consultations with lawyers. Such a lawyer could probably tell you if you have any legal action available to you. Depending on how overt the lies of the admissions people were, I wouldn't be surprised if it would be possible to get your loan discharged because the school attempted to defraud you. You should def. consult with a lawyer familiar with your state law to see if anything can be done.
I've consulted a lawyer already, apparently I waited too long to do anything; so my only choice is to wait until I'm called to court - maybe I should get another opinion though...
author=Dyhaltoauthor=MagiDon't bother with bankruptcy. In the US, student loan is a non-dischargeable debt. Bankruptcy won't free you from it.
if things hit rock bottom you might want to look into filing for chapter 13 bankruptcy...
Purpose of chap 13 bankruptcy isn't to dismiss debt, but to negotiate protection for co-signers and force collectors into a better payment plan. It is one form of bankruptcy that can work for recent graduates. Also, I know people have said student loans cannot be dismissed, but this is not actually true. The courts can still evaluate these on a case by case basis and some student loans can be dismissed if you prove they are an undue hardship or if they were accumulated from attending a scam school.
Pages:
1