I need your help
I went well over 15 years trying to avoid starting a post with those words, but sooner or later something was going to catch up with me. Today, apparently, is the day.
I'll leave a TL;DR at the bottom of the post for those just looking to get the cliff notes (you're welcome)
What happened?:
You all may have noticed I took like a week, week and bits of a pause after our last piece (Ragotha), and that I was planning on getting to our VIP pick for last month now... Well, I was actually handling something else here besides working on the Placeholderette's coding developement...
Turns out, shortly after posting my last piece, my trusty 22HD Cintiq of around 13-14 years finally turned off for the last time.
This is (was, I guess) an extremely old model of drawing tablets. Even within this specific line of tablets, this one was the 1st model of the bunch. A fan back in 2013 sent it to me (haven't forgotten you, dude. You know who you are, and you have no idea how much your random act of generosity helped me all these years. You a real one), and every piece of content you've seen from me since has been done in that old chap's rig... Until today.
This was to be expected, sooner or later. I've been working it non-stop for 13-14 years now, and it was already used when it was sent to me, so add however long it was used by it's previous owner... I'm surprised this beauty lasted as long as it did.
But in any case, I sent it to get checked this week to see if anything could be done, and got it back today... With bad news. It's over. It's all over.
So what now?:
Well... It is as you may already be guessing.
I need to buy a new drawing tablet.
I've already been checking what's up around these days, and thankfully at least, the pricing range isn't as stupidly obscene as it was back 13 years ago... But we're still talking from anywhere between the 500 USD to the 1K USD range...
I keep my earnings here public, it's no secret I make, on average, without counting comissions, around 350-400 USD of late. And I pay my living expenses with this (don't ask how. I manage... somehow. Barely, but as long as I can break even, I'll keep producing my artwork, animations, games and such. It'd be nice to be loaded, but I don't do what I do TO get loaded. I do it because I enjoy it.)
Now, it's important to note: I will STILL buy a new one as to keep making content. I will have to cut a bit more on my spending (somehow), and I will have to wring out of my savings something fierce, but I will do all I can to recover from this setback the best way I can figure out how. I'm not just dropping everyhing and fucking off. This is my livelyhood and this is what I want to do, so if you're concerned I might just quit it all, then don't. I will keep going for as long as I can.
What I DO need to ask of you, is... Two? Maybe three things?
1. Of course, the obvious: If you can, and of course, zero obligation whatsoever, any extra you can afford helps. Even if it's a 1 dollar, one time pledge, everything and anything adds up. I don't expect to cover the costs of the new tablet this way, but it could potentially be the equivalent of three full months of living expenses for me, so every cent makes that noose just the slightest bit looser :,D
2. If you can't pitch in, that's totally fine. If you could just share the news with whomever, just reachout helps. Maybe there's someone out there happy to help and to whom it wouldn't be an inconvenience, and all we're lacking here is range. I try as much as I can to keep all my content free for everyone, so there may be some potential new fans out there who'd like the stuff I put out. Just one of those fancying dropping a penny is already one penny less off this setback.
3. Lastly, and I hate to say this but I'm sure you understand: I have to put on pause any and all new pieces, our last VIP winner included (Vexoria, the Sun Eater), until I get the new tablet. I will try to be as expeditious as I can, I promise, but I'm still gonna need to see what are my options, how quickly can I get a new one (even though I'll try to find something locally, some options might require shipping, which can take a while depending on from where it comes), and after that, hopefully adapting myself to the new rig won't be super tortuous (modern tablets don't have shortcut buttons nowadays, but separate controllers. I feel ancient).
With all of this said... Let's give the TL;DR now:
TL;DR: My 13-year old tabled died, and I now need to buy a new one. Money is super tight and any extra donations, pledges, or just sharing the info and/or my work around different socials helps. Gonna have to take a (hopefully) brief pause until I can get a new one, and any help you can muster, as long as it doesn't inconveniences you, is and will be greatly appreciated.
We'll be back on a roll as soon as I can! Don't you dare peeling that beautiful ass off that chair!
Once again, thank you so much for your understanding. I'll put up an update as soon as I have anything concrete to relay.
Fate out!!!
Comments (18)
Usually just lurking but I just permanently upgraded to gold. About pledges like mentioned before a ko-fi or something similar might be a good way for people who have something extra to spare since it allows for one time pledges but if it's to much of a hassle right now that's fine too.
I honestly should consider it going forward, it's just that this was such a sudden mishap, I couldn't even look into it. Still! Appreciate your help! I've sent you the link to your files AND you're noted down for April's shoutout too! Thank you!
I will help you out late weekend or so with something. Like someone said: IF (and that's a big one) you going to take more commissions I don't mind taking up again (BUT: I want other people who HAVEN'T done it yet, can take the spot). Hope things will turn around soon.
Any help, even if it's just sharing the info or my work, is super welcomed! Thank you a lot!
I hate to suggest it, but would large-scale commissions be an option? Promised for after the new tablet is purchased? I know it's not great to put the weight behind whales, but you have fans who would almost certainly drop that for the right incentive. That said, consider me on board with the patreon again as soon as I can. Shorter than I'd expected to be.
Problem is I already have a VIP piece AND a commission backed on the queue, not even taking into account the commission spot requests on hold for when the second batch opens, so it doesn't feels fair to ask people to wait for god knows how long to get to their spot in these conditions, specially when payment in advance is involved. I will, however, try to open com spots a bit more often than I used to (I basically used to never do commissions, but the situation is kinda forcing my hand a bit), but that's more related to just making it on the day to day. Either way, any help, even if it's just sharing the word around, is appreciated. I don't wish to burden anyone in particular with this, this is just meant for those who are both willing and able. And of course! Always happy to see people back! Don't worry, I get it, we're all having to do juggling with our finances these last few years -.-
2013??you really put that thing to work! And it obviously pulled through to the very end. I hope the situation gets better, I'll support anyway possible
The big girl really did hold out. Thankfully these days, modern equivalents go anywhere from 500 to 1000 USD, because this bitch sold for 2.5k back in '13 O.o
Hey, how can we donate through patreon? Or do you have a kofi or something else to do so?
I should really get to thinking of diversifying my lines of revenue, but for now I try to make do via custom pledges here. It's how people usually pay for my commissions, I just don't know exactly what that looks like on the member's side cause Creators and Members have different UIs :S
Well i think its the perfect timing to release the platinum tier to help you out, help you get a new drawing ablet and after that help you devellop your game, just putting out ideas at 1:34 am, Take all eh time you need im in no hurry too with the commission ive planned with ya bro
I'm considering something of the sort for later down the line, but I wanna have something "playable" as a proof of concept first. People expect to get something for their penny and I aim to deliver :D And yeah, it goes without saying things will get delayed a bit with this setback, but aside from having to push it forward a bit, everything stands as arranged. I'm sticking by all my compromises, this is just an unexpected delay I had little say over, but that's it. It'll take more than this to put me out for the count >:D
My condolences. That tablet lived a long long time and served you well.
You're making me sentimental now. Great. I'll cue up Amazing Grace in bagpipes on my playlist. It's the least I can do for her. Also, thank you so much for your pledge! I'll be sending you the link to your gold-rank file rewards through the chat thingy, and of course you're noted down for April's shoutout list :D Thanks a ton!
If I have any extra cash after buying a game that comes out on the 14th, I'd be happy to send you some money. I love your content and I would like to do more than just subscribe
Sincerely super thankful. Anything helps, just as long as it isn't a burden to you. I'm not trying to inconvenience anyone.
I will see what extra I have available this coming Friday. I should be able to help out, and I wish you luck finding a decent one!
Checking all my options as we speak! Appreciate any help I can get as long as you ain't hurting for it. Never any obligation. Thank you, sincerely!