Burnout and other news · 12:27am Jul 30th, 2021
Just saw the news that If The Emperor had a Text To Speech Device is going on indefinite hiatus in light of GW's new crackdown on fan animations.
I never followed TTS as strongly as some people here, but to see it go makes me sad. I found it amusing and at least a nice gateway into some aspects of the 40K fluff others would have ignored, and to see it shut down so like this makes me feel like there could have been a better way. Makes me feel like I could be doing more to get the word out.
I'll admit, I'm burning out a little. I really want to get back into the swing of things, but between my crummy part-time job and trying to think more about the future... it's not really coming to me. I'm even burning out of 40k in general due to GW's antics and how much buying more minis is hurting my wallet (Old man voice: back in my day we could get a box of tactical marines for $35, and that was good!). I'm in good spirits and still getting into games (looking into a new one called Conquest- it's like Warhammer Fantasy without the bookkeeping, so I'm told), but my writing... well, not much has come of that.
Thought I'd let you know how things were progressing this year. I want so badly to finish Empress Returns. After five years, you deserve an ending, but I just need to get through my burnout periods first.
Thank you again for your patience.
Hey no problem, I think it's a bit ridiculous what they're doing to the fans. I mean it completely blows my mind how they haven't done anything with the franchise in either tv or movies, I think a properly done R rated movie or mini-serious on Hbo max or amazon would be amazing. Instead they decide to shut down fan animations, which have so much soul put into them more than what Games workshop seems to be putting out nowadays. They seem so narrow minded, missing that if more people watch and enjoy the franchise (I mean not everybody likes tabletop games) that it will lead to more sales of 40k things. It just seems a bit backwards, I know they are trying to protect their brand, but moves like this detract and take away from the fandom, making people less excited. Anyway, hope you get your grove back, I know how burnout and stress feels. Thanks!
I posted the link to Alfa's announcement in the story, and only then saw your blog. It was literally the first place I went when I heard about this. Burnout is pretty understandable, especially in light of this. I can't nail down my feelings on this in regards to GW, but even just saying you want to continue Empress Returns is a positive offset to this.
Fuck.
5561845 5561841 Thank you for your support.
I won't lie, it's going to be a long haul. I honestly thought I'd have this wrapped up in 2017 and it would basically be a quick story like God Empress, but it keeps ballooning every time I sit down to think more about it. I have a general outline of where I want the story to go and how I want it to end, but a lot of details in between need filling in and that's the hard part for me.
Once again, I thank you all for your patience and support.
Sigh
My friends told me about this and I was hoping TTS was going to dodge it but that was just me being hopeful.
If Gamesworkshop is going to launch their own cinematic universe why not justHire Alfa and give him a team and make is a side series of some kind. I would reckon TTS as a whole is a large part of why Warhammer is so popular as it is today. Personally would have never even gotten into it if TTS did not exist. TTS is by far some of the best comedy I have seen in modern times and it saddens me to see it go into slumber.
I really stopped playing 40k way back in 4th edition though I still paint a model up on occasions. More for pleasure than anything else. My gaming needs are taken up by Battletech these days. TTS was probably the last link to GW property's I looked forward to much anymore.
I've actually been defending GW up to this point, but this is too much. I hope you get through this someday, I really enjoy this story.
5561854
That's exactly what they've been doing with every other content creator, it's actually pretty cool of them. However, everyone complained and harassed content creators for even considering taking GW up on their offer. They forgot that this was the alternative.
It can't stop parody animations, some of which are downright vile, but it really puts a kibosh in those animations that have production values and quality. Another company being shortsighted... what a twist.
5561854
Alfa actually explained this in his video announcing TTS's hiatus.
Basically, going to GW might result in GW wanting oversight over the story or, even worse, wanting parts of it changed to better reflect GW's own vision for the franchise. Alfa isn't willing to compromise on his vision, and so the "ask GW" route is probably unworkable.
5562238
Fair enough they would most likely wreck it.
It's not shutdown. It was explained in the video that TTS would eventually continue, whether or not GW became more lenient.
As far as I understand it; this is more of a "stuff is happening, we're going to take a break and see what happens" more than a "this will probably never continue"
It was also stated that even if GW undid the rule, TTS wouldn't come back immediately. The hiatus would still be in place.
Don’t worry. We understand. Take your time.
Take as long as you need! Burnout sucks, and trying to force yourself through it never ends well. We’ll be here when you’re ready to return!
As for the minis, I totally absolutely do not endorse buying an entry level resin printer, downloading the STL files for models, and printing your own for pennies. Nope. Totally don’t. Not one bit. Not in a million years.
5562411
Yeah, plus the fact Alfa just became a dad and all