Update 59: Recap
Hello everybody!
It’s a new year, which means it’s time for my annual reflection. The past year was challenging in ways I didn’t expect, but also revealing.
For this update, I’m doing something a little uncharacteristic. I actually took a real break from work. Not one of those “fake” breaks where I’m still sketching, writing or tinkering the whole time (see my holiday post from December 2024, where I spent two weeks in the sun doing exactly that). Instead, I paused.
And because the year held a lot of pain, it feels important to deliberately look for the positives. So here’s my 2025 recap.
Most Popular Post
The most popular post of the year was...
the DVA prostate milking re-return!
That result honestly didn’t surprise me. It features what is probably the most accomplished and original set piece we’ve created so far, a popular character voiced by an extremely talented voice actress, supported by sound design from our new (and very shiny) sound designer. It also explored a fetish I’d seen requested more than a few times.
What did surprise me was how well it landed emotionally for me. I made it during a period where I was really struggling creatively, and at the time, I didn’t like it at all. Seeing how positively it was received ended up being one of the things that helped turn that period around. The timing couldn’t have been better.
It also led to one of the most treasured things I’ve received: an audio note from a member, which is pinned in the #chit-chat channel on Discord if you’d like to hear it. If you’re not already there, you can find the server via the link.
All in, that piece taught me a lot. It helped me finally crack some fluid effects I’d been struggling with (I may do a deeper dive on that at some point, because the solution was genuinely interesting), and it showed me that a piece doesn’t have to feel good to me to be rewarding to others.
Favourite Episode
My personal favourite piece this year was Visiting Cirimani.
It was the product of months of writing, animation and editing, and one of the most complex pieces I’ve ever made.
It used everything I’d spent the year learning, including my first successful walking animation (thank you, mocap), and marked the start of the more cinematic approach I’ve wanted to take with my work.
It wasn’t the most popular animation, which I think comes down to many people preferring more extreme scenarios (you dirty things). But it allowed me to show something I’ve wanted to explore for a long time: the loving, supportive side of AIMEE, alongside subtle suggestions of her other facets.
It also functioned as a first-time “visit” to the premises, refining both the tone and the AIMEE voice itself. What started as fairly crude audio editing has evolved into something far more dynamic, thanks to professional input. Once all the interconnecting parts were in place, it grew into its own storyline, leading me to write some of the most engaging material since the original A414 arc, which still means a great deal to me.
That story will unfold over roughly ten episodes and will start filling in gaps between characters and scenarios I’ve hinted at over time. I’m very excited to continue it.
Best Comment
This is a completely subjective pick, and it took me a long time to choose. I also realised during this process that I somehow skipped updates 46, 47 and 48.
The comment I chose came during the peak of my mental health struggles, and it was one of many messages that genuinely helped guide me through that period.
Thank you, Rando M., for taking the time not just on this comment, but on so many others. And thank you to everyone who reached out in their own way. It mattered more than you probably realise.
Best Fan Art
So in something that utterly blindsided me, someone modelled and created a 3D print of AIMEE and posted it on the discord server in January of last year:
Not only is it an awesome piece of creativity, knowing that a character I created inspired someone to put that level of care and effort into something tangible filled me with a kind of pride I didn’t even know I was capable of feeling.
Truly special work. Thank you, Bird, for making it.
Special Mention
Also in the Discord server, Apos shared a 35-minute review of my work (pinned in #fan-art).
Much like the comments and messages I’ve already mentioned, it spoke to me deeply. When I first made a horny video all those years ago, I never imagined it would lead to something of that scale. It’s another reminder of how thoughtful and supportive this community really is, and it motivates me to keep improving and exploring this world.
What's next?
I come into 2026 with renewed energy. I’ve never felt more confident in the tools available to me, the support from my community and collaborators, or the direction I want to take.
This year, I want to offer a wider range of scenarios and experiences. I’ll be returning to some more neglected areas of the world, including Cis Female and Cis Male content, while also exploring entirely new avenues.
You’ll also start to see appliances produced by another corporation within the universe, along with hopefully an episode or two that will begin laying the groundwork for their actions in the greater universe:
Tecsin was originally formed by engineers who worked on the AIMEE project. They specialise in the fusion of organics and machines and primarily operate through licensing proprietary technologies, including the robotic tentacles you’ve already seen in use by Cirimani and Orogenix. They’re already woven into several storylines, and their role will become clearer as new animations drop.
In the immediate future, I’m polishing the homage I created to the original Lara Croft pin-up and integrating it into the remaster of Mechanically Insistent Pleasure.
I’m more active on Discord these days, so alongside the monthly updates here, I’ll be sharing snippets of devices and project development there. I’m also considering the occasional stream on my much neglected Picarto account here
Once again, thank you all for your support throughout the past year. It genuinely means a great deal to know this work is shared with such a thoughtful and engaged group of people.
That's all,
Ciao for Niaou!