HorizonChars v1.1.1 - Sharper & Slicker

[crystallinegazer]

Hi, everyone! It's been well over three years since the mod's last major update, and I've personally given up on trying to be all mysterious. I'd like to make it as clear as possible how much progress has been done on v2. And to be entirely honest - the answer is not a lot.

The main goal I want to reach with v2 is a total rework for Milne and Iclyn along with adding Randellia as a playable character. The reason for the reworks is that the mods for Milne and Iclyn were created when I was 11 and 13 years old respectively. I've learned a lot and these characters have grown just as much since then. Rather than keep these movesets that are simply just comprised of what I thought was cool at the time, I want to create something more cohesive that reflects their personalities. After all, the only reason I wanted to make this mod in the first place is really just because I just want to play as my own characters in this game.

This mod is just something I do as a hobby, and as such I only really work on it when I have the motivation to do so. That motivation has only come back very recently, and due to this the most work on v2 has been done between January and now. Milne has had a resprite in the works behind the scenes since March 2023. However, it took until last November for the design in her sprites to be finalized and only two animations were 100% finished prior to January. Iclyn and Randellia have not yet been started.

So far, all vanilla animations have been finished for Milne along with a handful of her ability sprites. As soon as I'm finished with Milne's sprites, I'll move on to Iclyn. In terms of code, Milne has a good amount done for most of her moveset but there are still major parts missing.

Past v2, at some point I would like to add Zinc the Porcupine and Titanium as playable characters to the mod. Zinc has a moveset concept planned, but Titanium is just a nice thought at the moment. Sarla the Dark Warden is another character I've considered at some point, but she's less likely to be added. Just depends on how I feel after those two. After that, I don't see myself updating this mod any more until 2.3 releases.

If you don't like these changes I'm making, all I have to say is that I'm honestly not really sorry! These are my characters, and I don't plan on changing them from how I like them to appease anyone. Also, please be patient if you're waiting for the update. It'll be released when it's done, and if you pester me for a release date, no matter how respectful you are (and i really do appreciate it if you are,) I'm just going to ignore it.

 

[BoopyDoop]

Hi, everyone! It's been well over three years since the mod's last major update, and I've personally given up on trying to be all mysterious. I'd like to make it as clear as possible how much progress has been done on v2. And to be entirely honest - the answer is not a lot.

The main goal I want to reach with v2 is a total rework for Milne and Iclyn along with adding Randellia as a playable character. The reason for the reworks is that the mods for Milne and Iclyn were created when I was 11 and 13 years old respectively. I've learned a lot and these characters have grown just as much since then. Rather than keep these movesets that are simply just comprised of what I thought was cool at the time, I want to create something more cohesive that reflects their personalities. After all, the only reason I wanted to make this mod in the first place is really just because I just want to play as my own characters in this game.

This mod is just something I do as a hobby, and as such I only really work on it when I have the motivation to do so. That motivation has only come back very recently, and due to this the most work on v2 has been done between January and now. Milne has had a resprite in the works behind the scenes since March 2023. However, it took until last November for the design in her sprites to be finalized and only two animations were 100% finished prior to January. Iclyn and Randellia have not yet been started.

View attachment 169599 View attachment 169600
View attachment 169601View attachment 169602
View attachment 169604View attachment 169606
View attachment 169613​

So far, all vanilla animations have been finished for Milne along with a handful of her ability sprites. As soon as I'm finished with Milne's sprites, I'll move on to Iclyn. In terms of code, Milne has a good amount done for most of her moveset but there are still major parts missing.

Past v2, at some point I would like to add Zinc the Porcupine and Titanium as playable characters to the mod. Zinc has a moveset concept planned, but Titanium is just a nice thought at the moment. Sarla the Dark Warden is another character I've considered at some point, but she's less likely to be added. Just depends on how I feel after those two. After that, I don't see myself updating this mod any more until 2.3 releases.

If you don't like these changes I'm making, all I have to say is that I'm honestly not really sorry! These are my characters, and I don't plan on changing them from how I like them to appease anyone. Also, please be patient if you're waiting for the update. It'll be released when it's done, and if you pester me for a release date, no matter how respectful you are (and i really do appreciate it if you are,) I'm just going to ignore it.

This is the most beautiful Milne has ever looked as of recent! Current version was already awesome, but this is even better! I can't see how these sprites could be improved any further than this. Her color palette is so pretty, the shading and sprites in general look like they have a style of its own while also retaining the current SRB2 look, I love how pointy and angular she is to really emphasize her crystalline origins, expressions to the max to really show off her personality... Safe to say, I'm really hyped for this update and I've been keeping up with the teasers! Take as long as you need to cook! :D

 

[CopperTheFox]

man dont i love how milne has slowly but surely become more and more pissed off

 

[crystallinegazer]

man dont i love how milne has slowly but surely become more and more pissed off

Unfortunate for you, I guess lol
Milne has had the same design for almost three years at this point, it's both shocking to me and frankly a bit irritating that people are still complaining about this. She did not have any form of personality back when the mod released. I've had five years since then to develop my characters and their story, and this is how I like them. You're free to think that Milne looks too mean or angry, but that's just how she is and I don't plan on watering her down just so people who are only here to play the mod can like the character more.

 

[DylanDude]

man dont i love how milne has slowly but surely become more and more pissed off

Keep the backhanded, passive aggressive comments about other people's creations to yourself, please. It's her art and she can do with it what she wants. If you've got feedback to give, make it constructive or don't give it at all.

 

[Derphead123]

Hi, everyone! It's been well over three years since the mod's last major update, and I've personally given up on trying to be all mysterious. I'd like to make it as clear as possible how much progress has been done on v2. And to be entirely honest - the answer is not a lot.

The main goal I want to reach with v2 is a total rework for Milne and Iclyn along with adding Randellia as a playable character. The reason for the reworks is that the mods for Milne and Iclyn were created when I was 11 and 13 years old respectively. I've learned a lot and these characters have grown just as much since then. Rather than keep these movesets that are simply just comprised of what I thought was cool at the time, I want to create something more cohesive that reflects their personalities. After all, the only reason I wanted to make this mod in the first place is really just because I just want to play as my own characters in this game.

This mod is just something I do as a hobby, and as such I only really work on it when I have the motivation to do so. That motivation has only come back very recently, and due to this the most work on v2 has been done between January and now. Milne has had a resprite in the works behind the scenes since March 2023. However, it took until last November for the design in her sprites to be finalized and only two animations were 100% finished prior to January. Iclyn and Randellia have not yet been started.

View attachment 169599 View attachment 169600
View attachment 169601View attachment 169602
View attachment 169604View attachment 169606
View attachment 169613​

So far, all vanilla animations have been finished for Milne along with a handful of her ability sprites. As soon as I'm finished with Milne's sprites, I'll move on to Iclyn. In terms of code, Milne has a good amount done for most of her moveset but there are still major parts missing.

Past v2, at some point I would like to add Zinc the Porcupine and Titanium as playable characters to the mod. Zinc has a moveset concept planned, but Titanium is just a nice thought at the moment. Sarla the Dark Warden is another character I've considered at some point, but she's less likely to be added. Just depends on how I feel after those two. After that, I don't see myself updating this mod any more until 2.3 releases.

If you don't like these changes I'm making, all I have to say is that I'm honestly not really sorry! These are my characters, and I don't plan on changing them from how I like them to appease anyone. Also, please be patient if you're waiting for the update. It'll be released when it's done, and if you pester me for a release date, no matter how respectful you are (and i really do appreciate it if you are,) I'm just going to ignore it.

Understood Mate! You do you, we shall all be patient! (hopefully)

 

[Maverick]

man dont i love how milne has slowly but surely become more and more pissed off

iirc crystaline mentioned something about them just appearing mean and them having a friendlier personality (maybe kinda like susie from deltarune). but I could be mistaken about that

Milne has had the same design for almost three years at this point, it's both shocking to me and frankly a bit irritating that people are still complaining about this.

I never mentioned this before, but pre-redesign milne reminded me of what I can only describe as "lesbian wallmart intern" and I moreso head cannoned what I thought they were based on that. (sorry about that btw)
anyways, I love the newest design, reminds me of invader zim.

the only reason I wanted to make this mod in the first place is really just because I just want to play as my own characters in this game.

mood

 

[neo x]

View attachment 169599 View attachment 169600
View attachment 169601View attachment 169602
View attachment 169604View attachment 169606
View attachment 169613​

these sprites are GORGEOUS! i can only dream of reaching this level of artistic skill!! good luck on this mod.

 

[crystallinegazer]

GeodeChars v2 is going to be going on an indefinite hiatus for my own sanity, lol
I've been working on it nonstop since I was 11 years old, and I am now 17. Recently it's become less of something I've been doing for fun, and more something I felt like I needed to do out of obligation for the community, it's exactly the reason why there's so much art I've made of Milne before this mod released and then after it's almost completely barren lol. I need to let myself grow as an artist and do more things so I'm taking a break from this mod and the community for a while.

 

[crystallinegazer]

I'm finally listening to the (admittedly 100% correct) criticism regarding Milne's design. Starting today, I'll be making a new resprite for Milne using a new design made from the ground up to appeal to everybody, and I've taken all of your concerns to heart. Her old design was far too brash and unwelcoming, and this new design aims to fix that.

Of course, this will result in significant delays for GeodeChars v2. It'll probably take me multiple years to get used to this new design, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for you all.

 

[Volkage the Rabbear]

I'm finally listening to the (admittedly 100% correct) criticism regarding Milne's design. Starting today, I'll be making a new resprite for Milne using a new design made from the ground up to appeal to everybody, and I've taken all of your concerns to heart. Her old design was far too brash and unwelcoming, and this new design aims to fix that.

Of course, this will result in significant delays for GeodeChars v2. It'll probably take me multiple years to get used to this new design, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for you all.

Now I know (and most certainly understand) you're joking, but I think the way you chose to design your character was good for you and I'm glad you made something that gave off a personality of its own. I don't want people's opinions against your philosophy to change something unique into this. Come on, you don't need to subject your characters to this.

 

[*GOOFYRAT!*]

I'm finally listening to the (admittedly 100% correct) criticism regarding Milne's design. Starting today, I'll be making a new resprite for Milne using a new design made from the ground up to appeal to everybody, and I've taken all of your concerns to heart. Her old design was far too brash and unwelcoming, and this new design aims to fix that.

Of course, this will result in significant delays for GeodeChars v2. It'll probably take me multiple years to get used to this new design, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for you all.


View attachment 186326

Likewise.(For Volkage)
But personally I don't think the design matters, and that people shouldn't be mad about it. Not too many people make characters who are rude and brash, and I think it's an underrated idea.
Either way, though, I've always found OC designs for Sonic characters (Especially from people on here!) amazing, and I admire all of them!
(Reworded because my point seemed odd, after revising it. I took a while because I was elsewhere, apologies.)

 

[blacc]

If I can offer my two cents, even with the knowledge this entire bit is a joke, this whole thing feels spiteful towards those who actually tried criticizing the way Milne has been portrayed throughout the years, in an uncalled manner. This just feels a lot less like a funny joke, more of a butthurt response to people whom are addressing these issues.

I'm personally not so sure about how Milne looks right now in terms of portrayal. It's better than an empty shell of the first few designs sure, but it still feels like something is either missing, or is being misinterpreted, but I think I still like the current look more than the teasers we have been shown. It really comes down to a matter of preference, regarding watcher and artist, but I think the reasons why the whole criticism against Milne herself has been such a thing is because of the response from how the owner has been treating this community and inputting it into the character itself.

So when I say "This whole thing feels spiteful towards actual criticism" I mean it feels instead of trying to understand where people are coming from, you're just brushing it off and ignoring the whole point. You're directing not only your anger and stress into the character, but at the same time just making it build up even more by doing something like this.

This post isn't me trying to tell you how to make your own character - it's your own character, that's your own control, this is moreso me trying to explain that sending something like this as a joke does not paint a better picture for you, or your character. Unless that's what you want to be portrayed as, be my guest. I can only hope you understand what I'm saying and hope it gets to you in a kindly matter

 

[dashdahog]

If I can offer my two cents, even with the knowledge this entire bit is a joke, this whole thing feels spiteful towards those who actually tried criticizing the way Milne has been portrayed throughout the years, in an uncalled manner. This just feels a lot less like a funny joke, more of a butthurt response to people whom are addressing these issues.

I'm personally not so sure about how Milne looks right now in terms of portrayal. It's better than an empty shell of the first few designs sure, but it still feels like something is either missing, or is being misinterpreted, but I think I still like the current look more than the teasers we have been shown. It really comes down to a matter of preference, regarding watcher and artist, but I think the reasons why the whole criticism against Milne herself has been such a thing is because of the response from how the owner has been treating this community and inputting it into the character itself.

So when I say "This whole thing feels spiteful towards actual criticism" I mean it feels instead of trying to understand where people are coming from, you're just brushing it off and ignoring the whole point. You're directing not only your anger and stress into the character, but at the same time just making it build up even more by doing something like this.

This post isn't me trying to tell you how to make your own character - it's your own character, that's your own control, this is moreso me trying to explain that sending something like this as a joke does not paint a better picture for you, or your character. Unless that's what you want to be portrayed as, be my guest. I can only hope you understand what I'm saying and hope it gets to you in a kindly matter

This is an April fools joke about people saying she was better before calm down

 

[Emmette_Clyde]

If I can offer my two cents, even with the knowledge this entire bit is a joke, this whole thing feels spiteful towards those who actually tried criticizing the way Milne has been portrayed throughout the years, in an uncalled manner. This just feels a lot less like a funny joke, more of a butthurt response to people whom are addressing these issues.

I'm personally not so sure about how Milne looks right now in terms of portrayal. It's better than an empty shell of the first few designs sure, but it still feels like something is either missing, or is being misinterpreted, but I think I still like the current look more than the teasers we have been shown. It really comes down to a matter of preference, regarding watcher and artist, but I think the reasons why the whole criticism against Milne herself has been such a thing is because of the response from how the owner has been treating this community and inputting it into the character itself.

So when I say "This whole thing feels spiteful towards actual criticism" I mean it feels instead of trying to understand where people are coming from, you're just brushing it off and ignoring the whole point. You're directing not only your anger and stress into the character, but at the same time just making it build up even more by doing something like this.

This post isn't me trying to tell you how to make your own character - it's your own character, that's your own control, this is moreso me trying to explain that sending something like this as a joke does not paint a better picture for you, or your character. Unless that's what you want to be portrayed as, be my guest. I can only hope you understand what I'm saying and hope it gets to you in a kindly matter

This post was clearly designed to poke fun at the people that claimed old Milne was better because she was more generic before, not targeted at people that made genuine critiques over Milne's portrayal. And even then, critiquing Milne's portrayal as if you know how the character should be portrayed better than the creator of the character themself is just plain entitled behavior. This isn't some mascot for a big corporation that has mandates and a specific image they're expected to uphold; this is some independent artist's character that is expected to be used in stories and undergo development, who's personality and appearance will change over time as the artist fleshes out the story they want to tell with the character.

Don't claim you have any authority over the artistic intent of the character when you aren't the character owner, especially when said character is clearly not designed for mass appeal or marketability. You're taking an April Fools joke that isn't even targeting you way too personally and you should seriously change the mindset that every content creator on the internet only exists to generate content that pleases you specifically.

 

[crystallinegazer]

If I can offer my two cents, even with the knowledge this entire bit is a joke, this whole thing feels spiteful towards those who actually tried criticizing the way Milne has been portrayed throughout the years, in an uncalled manner. This just feels a lot less like a funny joke, more of a butthurt response to people whom are addressing these issues.

okay, so to be entirely honest, yeah, it is a little bit spiteful. however, i wasn't upset about this or anything while making it?? i've been listening to criticisms regarding milne's design for probably like three years at this point. i've had more than enough time to take in what i thought was helpful and leave what i thought was ridiculous.

I think the reasons why the whole criticism against Milne herself has been such a thing is because of the response from how the owner has been treating this community and inputting it into the character itself.

So when I say "This whole thing feels spiteful towards actual criticism" I mean it feels instead of trying to understand where people are coming from, you're just brushing it off and ignoring the whole point.

like i said before, i understand exactly where people are coming from in this case, and i just. disagree. simple as that. i can see what would be likable about her old designs, but i personally don't find them all that interesting or fitting to the character she's been supposed to be since about 2022.

You're directing not only your anger and stress into the character, but at the same time just making it build up even more by doing something like this.

this part is confusing me quite a bit. do you think i've been redesigning milne because i was upset with the srb2 community?? tbh if anything i'd say it's like. exactly the opposite. from like 2023-ish to november of last year, i was intentionally holding myself back from changing her design at all, even if her character was evolving in a direction that her design didn't fully suit, because i didn't want to make another set of new sprites and make the community more upset LOL. i only decided a few months ago to focus on making a good character first before thinking about anything related to this mod.

This post isn't me trying to tell you how to make your own character - it's your own character, that's your own control, this is moreso me trying to explain that sending something like this as a joke does not paint a better picture for you, or your character. Unless that's what you want to be portrayed as, be my guest. I can only hope you understand what I'm saying and hope it gets to you in a kindly matter

frankly, i feel so far removed from the srb2 community at this point that i don't really pay much mind to how people view me. i do appreciate the thought at least but all this was supposed to be was a silly little jab at the people who want milne to stay the same as she was when she first released. i posted it kind of hoping someone would fall for it and think it's real buuut i guess not. too obvious of a joke i suppose

 

[Omega]

However you want Milne's Design to be, I don't care; not because "it's bad" or "the old version was better" but because it's not my place to be judging what other people's characters look like. I've no intent to come off as rude for this, I'm just saying that judgement for the re-redesign is undeserved; it's like wandering into someone else's house uninvited and telling them how to arrange their furniture.

 

[Volkage the Rabbear]

Perhaps maybe what I said sounded a little harsh. My apologies for not really understanding the joke all that well.

 

[blacc]

After reading through everyone's messages I feel like I should re-state a few things that seem to have been misinterpreted.
As always with these giant text walls I write, there's always going to be something lost along the way - with either a message like this or my own lorewriting. (don't worry about it) So in response I've chosen to write a follow-up message responding to some of the new messages that have been sent here.

This post was clearly designed to poke fun at the people that claimed old Milne was better because she was more generic before, not targeted at people that made genuine critiques over Milne's portrayal.

April Fools day is a day usually consistent of either pranks, jokes, or satire messages. The whole point I've been trying to make here is the time this was written on that day with the context of the holiday and in regards to past incidents (one that literally happened in this character thread) it leads me to believe this is less of a joke, more written out of spite, which Gazer herself confirmed to be the case.

Don't claim you have any authority over the artistic intent of the character when you aren't the character owner, especially when said character is clearly not designed for mass appeal or marketability. You're taking an April Fools joke that isn't even targeting you way too personally and you should seriously change the mindset that every content creator on the internet only exists to generate content that pleases you specifically.

I literally stated at the beginning and end of my post this was my own opinion on the matter and that at the end I am not saying how to make the character. It doesn't matter if I'm "taking an April Fools joke that isn't targeting you too personally", the problem isn't that it's related to me, it's related to the creator. And yes, what the creator does with the whole joke is their business, there is always a context barrier that needs to be given to the people that view it, even if it's small. If I'm really overthinking this because it's an April fools joke then so seems to be the majority of others online. (I.E: updates to games having long wanted features only for a day, this can apply for things such as art, it all depends on the meaning and context.)

However you want Milne's Design to be, I don't care; not because "it's bad" or "the old version was better" but because it's not my place to be judging what other people's characters look like. I'm just saying that judgement for the re-redesign is undeserved; it's like wandering into someone else's house uninvited and telling them how to arrange their furniture.

I personally think the whole judging thing around here has been misinterpreted by the role itself; any of us in the message board can be judges. We don't need a yellow border around our name to have a place to do so. Any review or comment we left on these threads, that makes us judges in some way. Sure we don't control over the board itself, but our responses do have weight behind them. But when I brought up how Milne as a character feels, I wasn't trying to state it was "bad" or "the old version was better". It was more of an inspection of who Milne as a character is, through references and characteristics, based on what I had seen in regards to Milne herself and the creator.
When actually talking about design, I feel as if the whole "milne has slowly become more and more pissed off" debate comes from the message board being written as an art community when it's harsh reality is more modding than just straight art. Which is why I wrote the third paragraph to quickly try to explain it.

TL;DR - Don't write off potential valid criticism as an April Fools joke. It doesn't matter what or how much stuff you make or if it's "not part of the joke", you wrote it into the message and that is the part I am more focused on instead of the character design - But if I really need to say something about Milne, I said it back in the original post.

With that being said: whether you agree with me or not, I'm at least glad you went through reading my insane ramblings and I truly hope someone around can understand or at least put what I said to good use.

 

[crystallinegazer]

it leads me to believe this is less of a joke, more written out of spite, which Gazer herself confirmed to be the case.

i would like to clarify that's not entirely what i meant lol, it was absolutely still intended as a joke, but it was mainly directed at the people who keep asking for this sort of thing while also being a classic "this is the opposite of what this character is usually like". i assume that won't change much for you though and i understand

tbh i do think the main reason ive gotten so irritated with people saying she's "too mean" in the past is because i don't believe ive ever been given a reason as to why that's a bad thing, at least one that doesn't seem to loop back to "i want to keep the old one." a lot of what seems like empty complaints rather than actual criticism if that makes sense

i don't really share much about my oc lore online and whatever i might have said in the srb2 discord at this point is guaranteed to be outdated. so while one could say that the new design doesn't really fit her as a character, i think only a handful of my friends actually understand what she's like currently, so that point kind of immediately gets thrown out the window. i can't think of any other arguments that could be given in this situation though