Hiya hi!! There’s maybe a lot I want to ramble about. I was going to try and keep it brief but I kinda failed at that lol. Sorry if it's really disjointed! It's also kinda upsetting!! Oh well! ´･ᴗ･`

I'm putting my art summary here before I start rambling a ton. Like, for your sake. :)

Also here's like four of my favourite things I've done this year? Not really in any order.

Idk, I'm really happy with these ones so yay.

There is a very real chance I end up deleting this post.

2024 was kind of a weird year, to put it lightly. Maybe it's a mildly bitter sentiment I have.

One of the really cool things that happened was I got to meet some friends in person again in Philly! That was cool! I kinda already rambled about it a bit before, even if it was kind of surface-level. I am glad I got to see everyone again; it was super fun. Oh!! Also, the Garfield movie for PSP is sitting nicely behind Kyubey (not that it really matters).

I only really have two resolutions I am willing to share with others, which is. Funny, considering one of them. ( •_•)

I need to get better at speaking with others. In a meaningful manner, at least. I struggle to actually talk, I feel like the things I say don't make sense often? Or I vomit words. Neither of these are ideal, lol.

I also need to become ok with sharing more of my art and writing with others. It’s difficult to want to share anything I make at times, and sometimes I hold certain things really close? So in the end nothing is seen except by me. It’s fine to have personal and private art and writing, it’s important to. However, I would like to share the stories I write up, they aren’t always supposed to be for myself alone. Ignoring that sentiment, it's impossible to improve if I don’t share more often.

Thinking a bit about improvement, my art has gotten better this year. I kinda look back at my art from 2020 or even last year and the differences are fairly large even in a short amount of time? It’s weird. At least, I think it’s improved a lot. I want to keep pushing and start making more complicated backgrounds and pieces with larger groups of people.

It’s silly, I think the Lancer game I’m in with my friends may be motivating me toward that. We’ll see, lol.

Not going to dwell on this super long, because it sucks. There wasn't a really good way for me to write about that didn't make me wildly uncomfortable (or read a certain way, frankly. It still does.) But also It's kind of hard to be like "haha wowie yay this year was great!!" Parts of the year were good but also like. lmao.

The second half of the year has been kinda difficult for me - in a way that's made it hard for me to want to stick around and do things with others. Or at all for that matter. I'm getting out of that mind now, I think. My epilepsy has been getting worse and that certainly has not helped. Like, lmao. And I've been spending more and more time at the doctors, and it's for something I need but it's insufferable. And I hate it. But I very much enjoy being able to function.

I also lost half my vision, this has decidedly been a nightmare but what I can do about it at this point? I've been getting used to it. Not much else to do other than that, as if I have a choice in the matter. On a sillier note, I've been pirate-maxxing the past few months because of it.

Visual aid below, for those who need it. ´･ᴗ･`

Things will be fine in the end though!! I am certain of this!! Luckily, I have really cool friends who tolerate (most) of my evil schemes, yeah? (◕‿◕) I am insanely thankful for everyone around me, you guys have no clue. Probably because I don't tell you!! haha. I will do my best to do better for you guys.

In spite of everything, I am looking forward to 2025!! Things may be difficult but next year will be good. Even if I have to blow up the sun or something like that. It will be good! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

I hope the new year is kind to everyone. ´･ᴗ･`

Thank you guys!!!

Hello! We’ve got some small news for the NG Fests that are upcoming! Yay! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

The last fest was super fun, and the past few years have been great. The besties, @Slimygoo , @Anislug and I want to keep going with it. I’m really thankful for the patience you’ve granted us in getting to the next point. We’ve got some silly things in store again for this winter! I hope you’ll stick by us for it all. :3

Saying that, let’s get into it!

ANNOUNCING THE WINTER FESTIVAL

Today we are officially announcing that the Newgrounds Winter Festival is slated to happen during the weekend of February 21st! As before, the programming will start Friday night, and close out the following Sunday. The event will be formally hosted in the NG Fests Discord server - and streamed on our Youtube Channel. Regardless of where you watch, you will be able to participate.

Due to the range of content being featured and for the safety of users, the event Discord will continue to be accessible only to users who are 18 years of age or older. Age verification is required to join the server.

Click here to fill out the server application!

Please understand it will take us some time to sort through this.

If you do not want to join the server (or can’t), worry not! You will be able to participate in the festival through the Youtube Livestream as well! The chat will be monitored by staff so participation in various events will be possible - don’t worry about being left out. We’ll do our best to include everyone. (´◡`)

PANELS

A few panelists have already been sorted out, and while that is super cool, Newgrounds is what it is. This means Everything by Everyone! If you want to host a panel this year and have a super cool and awesome idea - or maybe some super secret info you think everyone should know - the time to apply is now! Panels can be anything from community events, workshops, or a history lesson. Perhaps even some sort of evil nefarious plot to steal the sky… Anything!

Currently, we are looking for panels covering these categories:

Writing

Animation

Audio / Music

Art

Newgrounds History & Culture

Interactive Community Events

If your panel does not fall into any of these categories, don’t worry! We still want to see it! Be what you want, and express what you believe we should hear. Do you think we should blow the moon up? Sure! That’s fine! Tell us about it. Do your best. Applicants can submit more than one panel, so don’t feel restricted.

You must be 18 or older to host a panel.

The application deadline is January 25th @ 11:59PM EST. (Deadline was previously the 3rd)

Click here to apply to be a panelist!

EVENTS AND CONTESTS

If you are interested in hosting an event or contest during the Newgrounds Summer Festival, contact Kekiiro with details via PM.

VOLUNTEER STAFF

This has been and will always be a community event! As such, it makes sense that the staffers are those from the community. We’re looking for a team of staff who can help things flow nicely. 

As such, Winter Festival Staff applications are now open for volunteers! If you have experience working conventions or other such events - or even if you don’t and just want to get involved, this could be for you! As long as you have a love for Newgrounds and the community, we’d love to have you!

The responsibilities of volunteers are varied and can include things such as chat moderation and helping to ensure panelists are set and ready for stream time. You may even be asked to assist with a panel, such as gathering questions from the YouTube live stream during Q&A sections. 

You must be 21 or older to staff the event.

Click here to apply to be staff!

The deadline for staff applications is January 15th @ 11:59PM EST! So you have tons of time to decide if this is really what you want to do. It’s no rush - best of luck. (◕‿◕)

WINTER FEST ANIMATION PROJECT

Just like previous years, we’ll be putting together an opening animation for the event! Production will start closer to the event, and an announcement will be made in December to begin recruiting animators. If you’re super keen on joining the team, or you just have questions about the cartoon, send Slimygoo a PM on Newgrounds.

You can see the previous year’s animations here!

A FEW REQUESTS

Art Assets

This year we would love to showcase things created by users on the site more. We’re looking for art that can be displayed during intermissions between panels on the live stream. If you want to create something for this purpose, please contact Kekiiro or Slimygoo.

The theme for this upcoming festival is Winter in the City! So try to base anything around this.

Gamedev showcase

Do you have a game? Or two? Maybe? Do you want to share it? We’re looking for titles far enough in development to have trailers or short gameplay demos that can be shown during the event! These games can be hosted on the site or for commercial release! All are welcome as long as it’s a game. 

Recently released games are also good! Bring everything you’ve got! Unless it’s a moba! I promise we won’t play league on stream again this year!! Pinky promise.

Music?

This festival we’re going to be working on a playlist of music to play during intermissions. If you have music you’ve made that you’d like on this playlist, please let us know.

Okay yay! This is all for today’s update. We’ll have something a little more substantial the closer we get to the event. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Very excited to see how this year goes. Hopefully, we’ll see you all there!

Feel free to leave questions, concerns, suggestions, or silly comments!

-NG Fests Team

first game for the night before Lancer. Will update with more later.

Very silly game :)

Played chess with @HekDiggity as per usual, he played a Pacifist Run this time. Did my best to be evil and ruin the run, but he refused to kill the horsey. :(

Will update with our 5d chess with multiverse time travel games :)

Update: We played 5d chess :)

HI!!! I got back home from Philly earlier today!!! Yay!!! :D

I lost my voice cause I'm allergic to PINE!!! Now you all know how to END me. FOREVER. You're WELCOME.

Thought a little bit about it and decided I'll make a brief post. I didn't make one last year. It's going to be a bit messy, writing this a bit tired.

I may not tag everyone I met cause there were a lot of people and I think I get a little mixed up on names/usernames I'm so sorry. Please just spam me about it..（>﹏<）

Kinda like last year I stayed in a bnb with the besties :3 Got to play a few chess games and a little bit of MTG with @DocNG @Kiyo @Intelevande (this is my sibling though so I mean like, I guess I can lose to his cool and epic and not actually evil blue deck if I want to feel annoyed whenever.) Pulled a draft for New Capenna but unfortunately never got to play that bit, always next time I guess lol. ´･ᴗ･`

Obtained some Among Us plushie keychains with @intelevande, @Kiyo, @DocNG, @Rascal, and @Chrisk1315 as proof of our bonds of friendship. (My amongus gacha pull and also a Kuromi keychain I obtained are below.)

(´◡`) Unrelated, the magic 8ball we found kept refusing to answer if I'm a witch or not. Oh well.

Had a lot of fun at the convention!! Got to finally meet some besties like @Bleak-Creep, @RickStuebens, @HekDiggity, and @ManlyPotato. Also got to see some others again!!! YAY!!! （＾ｖ＾）

Handed out a sticker sheet I made and ran out of them. My fault entirely lol, but it was kind of a selfish sheet I made cause I really wanted glittery frog stickers... If you got one from the table that's cool and epic though!! Lemme know if you like them please. It's the first time I've ever really made anything physical from my digital art for others so I'm curious. (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Gave Bleak a few sticker sheets and she gave me some prints, I'm gonna get little frames for them. Absolutely adore them so much. Tom gave me a NG sticker as well. Also got a bunch of stickers!! I love stickers!!! They're not all here cause I have limited desk space and didn't wanna make like, a large disorganized pile.

The stickers will all be going somewhere. Probably on my car. My cool green hampter mobile. ◉‿◉

A bit out of order but went to the King of Prussia mall with the bnb besties. Picked up some hairpins (the Hello Kitty hairclips were split with my sibling, he wanted them also.) @HekDiggity also gave me a very silly Keroppi lanyard and I love and adore it and will cherish it forever. Keroppi my beloved... (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Also!!! I got goosed at the meetup by @deucelegoose!! He was super nice. :D

Also got my badge signed by the Legends of Avantris cast on the other side!!

The absolute best thing of all is this cool epic drawing @RickSteubens made. °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

I'll finish my painting and post it when he gets it. He can post the other half then maybe, but it's getting framed.

Went to the office again this year and got to meet a lot of cool people again!!! I also got every to sign a copy of Garfield the Movie for PSP. ≖‿≖

The idea was funny when the movie was purchased but then I had to walk back to the office in the rain so I mean. I guess that's what I get for buying a fucking UMD lol

Played a single game of pool at the office too! I'm really bad at pool! Unrelated my lancer character, Telemachus, is going to do something really fucking stupid. Thank you Hek. I should have taken a photo of the snits we drew on the wall. ｡^‿^｡

This will be used to summon a demon stored within the UMD. You're all fucked.

Anyways!!! I'm really glad I went again this year and got to see everyone again. That's it that's my really super quick summary. Thank you!!! Bye bye!!! (•‿•)

AN UPDATE I HATE CHESS

Hiya!! I hit the silly 1K number, that's super cool! Thank you!!! :3c

Anyways, I made glitter brushes because I draw glitter too often and spend too much time on it. I'll share them with everyone else cause maybe you'll find them useful. Or maybe not. I might make other brushes for other more obnoxious tasks in the future.

These are brushes for CSP. Lemme know if you find them useful. ^-^

Here's an image with info on the brushes. Though, it is also on the asset page.

Guys I have a super super really important important update about my previous art post: The second session happened!!! Telemachus lost her hand!! What the fuck Harrison Armory !!!

Here is an image depicting this super sad event !!!

Anyways I'm here to update the art work thank you you're all so welcome.

i found this evil and fucked up hedgeho g

Whoa! Hiya!! Kekiiro here with a very major update for the Newgrounds Summer Fest this year!

Panel Schedule

It's now time to have a big big reveal. I present the Newgrounds Summer Fest 2023 schedule!

All times are in EST.

This year we've got a wonderful lineup of guests and panelists, including @Bleak-Creep, @RickSteubens, @Jack, @milkyace, @stradomyre, @SrPelo, and the very silly @ninjamuffin99 !

We also have the return of the character design battle hosted by @Cubesona and @Oolongearlgrey! Yay!

For some extra fun we will be hosting the Summer Games in collaboration with the besties over in the Newgrounds Podcast next month! We'll be playing a fun list of games so be sure to check it out! ^-^

The games were held on August 11th-13th. They were fun.

Attendee Registration

If you want access to the discord server, please be sure to fill out this registration form!

All attendees for the server must be 18 years of age or older, and have a Newgrounds account.

Once the application has been filled out, please keep track of your Newgrounds inbox. Invites will be sent there. Please be patient, all applications are reviewed in the order received. If you have not gotten your invite for the Summer Fest by August 20th, please contact me.

Where to Watch

As with previous years, all three days of the Summer Fest will be on the Newgrounds Festivals YouTube channel!

Link to Day One!

Link to Day Two!

Link to Day Three!

Event Staff

The staff members for this years Summer Fest are as follows!

@Kekiiro

@Slimygoo

@Nek0ai

@DocNG

@P-PAMda

@Anislug

If you need any assistance during the event, please reach out to us for help.

Again, thank you all for being super patient. Also a big thank you to everyone participating this year. <3

This should be the last update before the Summer Fest goes live (beyond posting the stream links). I'm certain this year will be wonderful, and I look forward to the fest with everyone! ^-^