Hey there, dear reader! Have you ever stumbled upon something unexpectedly exciting? Well, I certainly have, and it’s all about Dark and Darker, a game that recently emerged on Early Access and has turned my world upside down.
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my time playing Smite and delving into the realm of gods, but then came Dark and Darker, and it was like a bolt of lightning. This game offers a unique blend of competitiveness and humour that’s right up my alley. It’s one of those rare titles that make me feel at ease, and it has even inspired me to create videos about it.
Since I first got my hands on Dark and Darker during the playtests, I’ve been absolutely smitten. What. A. Game! The idea of making videos about this game feels like a way to spread our brand further into the vast world of YouTube. So, what’s the past week been like? Well, it’s been all about creating content, writing articles, and grinding it out on streams. We’ve released more videos this week than we have in the past few months combined, and the feeling is incredible. We’re on the road to becoming a YouTube partner, and I hope we’ll reach that milestone sooner rather than later.
You might wonder why this is so important to me. Achieving this goal would take some weight off my shoulders. I’ve been relying solely on streams for a while, which has been a bit stressful at times. With YouTube partnership, we can enjoy the streams more and worry less about putting on a brave face. It’s not all about the money, but the bills do have to be paid and getting YouTube Partner would allow me to pay the bills with money from Google, rather than money out of the community pockets.
In my previous blog post, I apologised for my lack of energy, but Dark and Darker’s release has given me a newfound vigour. I hope you’ve been enjoying the streams and the content we’ve been working tirelessly to create. Balancing AzzCasts, streams, editing, and spending quality time with Tara, my endlessly understanding partner, has been quite the juggling act. Tara’s support means the world to me, and I can’t wait to show my appreciation.
If I haven’t already, then let me introduce you to Torvi, our furry alarm clock. She’s taken it upon herself to wake me up each morning with a game of tug-o-war involving my nose piercing. So, early mornings are our new routine, I guess.
Anyway, I genuinely want to thank you, our amazing supporters, for joining us on this journey. As the dynamics of our streams change, and we push ourselves to create content across various platforms, your support is what keeps us going. Here’s to another month of pushing boundaries and striving for more! Our YouTube push is still going strong, and we’re getting closer to reaching our first milestone. The growth has been rapid, but there’s still so much for me to learn about the YouTube algorithm and content promotion. This week has been a steep learning curve.
However, it’s important to be realistic. Balancing content creation with maintaining a clean house, keeping Tara happy, and engaging with our stream can be challenging. It’s been a week of not just learning but also reflecting on how I can continue to make a positive impact in all aspects of my life, especially since time management has never been my strong suit.
Dark and Darker remains close to my heart, allowing my creativity to flow freely. It offers a unique blend of competitive gameplay, and I find myself drawn to it in a way that I haven’t been with other games. Now that I’ve become more comfortable with editing and sharing content, I believe these skills can be applied to any game I play. Fingers crossed for exciting possibilities ahead.
In other news, we were approached by Guild Wars 2 for a “let’s play” sponsorship to showcase their new expansion. While the technical issues we encountered were frustrating (the audio just would not behave for me) we are keeping the lines of communication open for future opportunities.
It’s been three weeks of long hours and hard work, and I couldn’t be prouder of the community we’ve built from scratch. The support we receive during streams and on YouTube is incredibly motivating. I may struggle with imposter syndrome at times, but the messages from the community remind me of what we’ve achieved together. We may not be viral sensations or the biggest streamers in certain games, but that was never the goal. It’s always been about building a supportive community and the positive impact we can have on each other’s lives.
In the real world, Tara has put on her DIY boots, and we’re in the midst of decorating several rooms at once. Her creativity knows no bounds, and it’s transforming our living spaces into cosy, inviting havens. We’ve repurposed a kitchen block from my dad into a stylish breakfast bar, complete with fresh paint and new handles. It’s a small change that’s made a big difference. We’ve also gifted a credenza to friends who needed it more, creating more space for us.
Our bedroom is also undergoing a transformation with new bedside lamps and rugs, creating a tranquil atmosphere. We’ve added shelves and mirrors to our staircase and even upgraded my office with a new blind (which, while keeping out sunlight, can make it quite warm, especially during this early September heatwave).
So, there you have it—a whirlwind week of gaming, content creation, home improvement, and reflection. Thank you for being a part of our journey, and here’s to another week of pushing boundaries and making the most of every opportunity that comes our way. Cheers to growth, gratitude, and the adventures that lie ahead!