Villain Mode Activated
The Manifesto | 15 October 2024
The wallpaper on my laptop has the words OPERATION MISANTHROPE across the top in gold letters on a black background. Below that, in cream-colored letters, is a simple declaration: I will offer no explanations and will not be taking questions.
You can already see why this resonates with me. For someone who's been doing this full-time since 2016, I’ve built up a healthy armor of misanthropy. There’s only so many internet comments, unsolicited opinions, and half-baked critiques one can tolerate before adopting a "no questions, no explanations" policy. It keeps me sane, and honestly, it's a great strategy for staying focused. I’ve got work to do, projects to create, and that’s where the energy goes. This wallpaper serves as a little reminder of that every time I turn on my laptop.
Now, you might be wondering how this is good for you, the reader. I mean, aren’t newsletters about engagement? Well, yes and no. See, what you're getting from me is clear, unfiltered content. There’s no getting bogged down in explaining why I'm doing things a certain way. No endless Q&A sessions that lead nowhere. Just straight to the point, value-driven material designed to help you with your roleplaying experience. This no-nonsense approach is how I cut through the noise and deliver what matters. No distractions, no over-explanations, just content that respects your time and mine.
The irony, though? Writing this newsletter flies directly in the face of Operation Misanthrope. Newsletters are inherently about communication. There's a need for clarity, for explaining my choices and answering questions, sometimes preemptively. It’s a fine balance. On one hand, I want to keep you in the loop and offer insights into what’s coming. On the other hand, there’s a strong temptation to embrace the Operation Misanthrope motto and just drop the mic after every announcement.
But to some people, this approach makes me the villain. They’re invested in our current parasocial norm, where creators are expected to not only churn out content but also smile, nod, and constantly seek validation through likes, follows, and endless engagement. I'm not playing the "like and subscribe" game, and that rubs a few folks the wrong way. Because, you know, to be truly indie, you need to do things the way everyone else does.
It's a weird contradiction, be independent, but only in the ways that fit the mold. Well, spoiler alert: I’m not here to be anyone’s hero or villain. I’m here to make things that matter, in the way that makes sense to me. You’ll either get on board with it or you won’t, and that’s fine. Because while others are busy chasing the algorithm, I’m focused on creating things with real value, the kind that doesn’t require me to jump through social media hoops to prove its worth.
So, if this newsletter sometimes feels like a tug-of-war between direct communication and a little misanthropic withdrawal, now you know why. The newsletter gets written, and you’re kept informed, but I’m probably grumbling about it the whole time.
I hope you’re doing well today.
Coming Up
DoubleZero: Gold Edition is up next. It could be out this week, but almost definitely next week. A lot of editing is happening behind the scenes to make sure it’s as polished as it needs to be. I’m also aiming to get Ghostlight out before the end of the month, as soon as humanly possible. Both of these are outstanding, but I’ll be honest, creatively, I’m itching to move on.
After those two? I’m probably going to release a fantasy game that doesn’t have an official title yet. I’ve tossed around The Language of Liberation and Indulgence & Tyranny, but I’m not in love with either of those. It’s a companion piece to the Foragers Guild, centered on the Freebooters and murder hobos, with a healthy dose of fascism and rebellion.
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