Mimi Vanilla
@mimivanilla.bsky.social
Creator of Stardust Millennium・VTuber・Illustrator
i'm avoiding the environmental, job security and plagiarism concerns because everyone talks about those and i wanted to offer unique insight into my design process instead, but i do recognise that these are major issues with genAI as well
December 17, 2025 at 7:07 AM
i'm avoiding the environmental, job security and plagiarism concerns because everyone talks about those and i wanted to offer unique insight into my design process instead, but i do recognise that these are major issues with genAI as well
I do understand it on an abstract level, especially if they're using it for things that are "generic" but i actually think narrative focused games especially are better served by specific, human-driven design rather than falling into the trappings of generic design
December 17, 2025 at 7:07 AM
I do understand it on an abstract level, especially if they're using it for things that are "generic" but i actually think narrative focused games especially are better served by specific, human-driven design rather than falling into the trappings of generic design
I also think, and i've said this before, it's quite difficult to compare Crossworlds, MKW and Air Riders, because all three games do very different things, and all three of them have aspects that I like enough to make the decision between the three titles basically impossible for me.
December 13, 2025 at 7:19 AM
I also think, and i've said this before, it's quite difficult to compare Crossworlds, MKW and Air Riders, because all three games do very different things, and all three of them have aspects that I like enough to make the decision between the three titles basically impossible for me.
And what I mean by this is that they are actively making balance changes whilst these pvp events go on, and these changes are good, I just want to see more so fewer people feel pigeonholed into one or two specific builds at high level play.
December 13, 2025 at 7:19 AM
And what I mean by this is that they are actively making balance changes whilst these pvp events go on, and these changes are good, I just want to see more so fewer people feel pigeonholed into one or two specific builds at high level play.
That being said, I still really like the game and I do think it has a lot of potential as a pvp kart racer, the equipment loadouts really lends the game to this and i think that is the game's strongest aspect, but I think it needs some more live testing for the game to reach it's full potential here
December 13, 2025 at 7:19 AM
That being said, I still really like the game and I do think it has a lot of potential as a pvp kart racer, the equipment loadouts really lends the game to this and i think that is the game's strongest aspect, but I think it needs some more live testing for the game to reach it's full potential here
I honestly think these issues have a larger, more immediate impact on the perception of Crossworlds than the character models looking odd from particular angles or having stiff posing in some renders (which are not design problems btw)
December 13, 2025 at 7:19 AM
I honestly think these issues have a larger, more immediate impact on the perception of Crossworlds than the character models looking odd from particular angles or having stiff posing in some renders (which are not design problems btw)
There are other small presentational issues, like the UI being a bit disorganised in some places, the trick voice lines playing /every single time/ and the trick animation in and outs not being particularly smooth that do make an impact and do drag the presentation of the game down.
December 13, 2025 at 7:19 AM
There are other small presentational issues, like the UI being a bit disorganised in some places, the trick voice lines playing /every single time/ and the trick animation in and outs not being particularly smooth that do make an impact and do drag the presentation of the game down.
UE5 sickness in this case is mostly referring to the muddy ambient occlusion and mostly default unreal engine lighting effects. Some intentional changes in this direction would make the game look a lot more appealing without asking for a major aesthetic rebrand
December 13, 2025 at 7:19 AM
UE5 sickness in this case is mostly referring to the muddy ambient occlusion and mostly default unreal engine lighting effects. Some intentional changes in this direction would make the game look a lot more appealing without asking for a major aesthetic rebrand
Your average video game journalist (which is what TGA jury mostly consists of) is not going to be dissecting character models in the way that fans are obsessed with doing at the moment - I do think crossworlds has a presentation problem but it is firmly in it's UI and the "UE5 sickness" it has.
December 13, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Your average video game journalist (which is what TGA jury mostly consists of) is not going to be dissecting character models in the way that fans are obsessed with doing at the moment - I do think crossworlds has a presentation problem but it is firmly in it's UI and the "UE5 sickness" it has.
I do understand the criticisms towards certain aspects of the current brand image in relation to some awkwardly posed renders, but let's not forget that in terms of brand appeal, the modern look for the franchise has worked for the general public for a long time.
December 13, 2025 at 7:19 AM
I do understand the criticisms towards certain aspects of the current brand image in relation to some awkwardly posed renders, but let's not forget that in terms of brand appeal, the modern look for the franchise has worked for the general public for a long time.
the sonic franchise is doing better than ever and you dont need a game awards win to validate your enjoyment of it and dissecting the modern look of the franchise and "fansplaining" the previous design eras to the developers as if they somehow weren't there is actually not all that productive
December 13, 2025 at 7:19 AM
the sonic franchise is doing better than ever and you dont need a game awards win to validate your enjoyment of it and dissecting the modern look of the franchise and "fansplaining" the previous design eras to the developers as if they somehow weren't there is actually not all that productive
I’m finishing this by saying I’m not touching the Mario kart world vs sonic racing crossworlds thing with a 10 ft pole. And I don’t think Hades 2 and Silksong are bad games, I just understand why E33 won out over them in a lot of categories, but I also think a lot of good games were passed over.
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
I’m finishing this by saying I’m not touching the Mario kart world vs sonic racing crossworlds thing with a 10 ft pole. And I don’t think Hades 2 and Silksong are bad games, I just understand why E33 won out over them in a lot of categories, but I also think a lot of good games were passed over.
My only true issue with e33 is how it’s represented as a “small indie game from out of nowhere made by 30 people” when it was made by 30 people and about 200 or so contractors and financed by a millionaire investor, like let’s not pretend this is an underdog story against all odds.
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
My only true issue with e33 is how it’s represented as a “small indie game from out of nowhere made by 30 people” when it was made by 30 people and about 200 or so contractors and financed by a millionaire investor, like let’s not pretend this is an underdog story against all odds.
Silksong also has its issues of strange map layout, awkward signposting, uneven difficulty curves and a few botched hitboxes, though I would argue that it is also intentionally abrasive to a general audience, which I do have to respect lmao
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Silksong also has its issues of strange map layout, awkward signposting, uneven difficulty curves and a few botched hitboxes, though I would argue that it is also intentionally abrasive to a general audience, which I do have to respect lmao
Hades 2’s release version ending I think would have done significant damage to the game’s overall feel for the jury, unfortunately, and whilst I understand that it has changed for the better now, it certainly left a bad taste in /my/ mouth. And like I said, it’s a “more of the same” sequel.
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Hades 2’s release version ending I think would have done significant damage to the game’s overall feel for the jury, unfortunately, and whilst I understand that it has changed for the better now, it certainly left a bad taste in /my/ mouth. And like I said, it’s a “more of the same” sequel.
This sounds harsh I know, but I’d rather have a /new/ thing win than a “more of the same” sequel win. In terms of GOTY both games are also flawed in specific but quite damning ways, so unfortunately I do understand why they’re in the position they’re in
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
This sounds harsh I know, but I’d rather have a /new/ thing win than a “more of the same” sequel win. In terms of GOTY both games are also flawed in specific but quite damning ways, so unfortunately I do understand why they’re in the position they’re in
So what’s my issue with Hades 2 and Silksong? I’d like to preface this by saying I love both games to death but it simply comes down to the fact that in categories like best score and best art direction, they do not iterate sufficiently upon their predecessors to stand out as particularly innovative
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
So what’s my issue with Hades 2 and Silksong? I’d like to preface this by saying I love both games to death but it simply comes down to the fact that in categories like best score and best art direction, they do not iterate sufficiently upon their predecessors to stand out as particularly innovative
An E33 loss that I will contest is Best Audio Design, not just because I think E33’s is very good, but I also think Battlefield 6’s is quite quite bad - either E33 or Silent Hill F could’ve taken this one and I would’ve been more satisfied tbh
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
An E33 loss that I will contest is Best Audio Design, not just because I think E33’s is very good, but I also think Battlefield 6’s is quite quite bad - either E33 or Silent Hill F could’ve taken this one and I would’ve been more satisfied tbh
Art direction is another one I will quibble on, mostly because I don’t think E33 has that strong of a visual identity compared to the other titles in the category, but I don’t think they were particularly eligible either for other reasons I’ll get into
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Art direction is another one I will quibble on, mostly because I don’t think E33 has that strong of a visual identity compared to the other titles in the category, but I don’t think they were particularly eligible either for other reasons I’ll get into
I think Once Upon a Katamari’s soundtrack is better than any of the nominees for best score so this discussion ends up being a bit of a non-starter, I just don’t feel like Best Score ever taken super seriously and ends up being another “game the juror liked in general” category
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
I think Once Upon a Katamari’s soundtrack is better than any of the nominees for best score so this discussion ends up being a bit of a non-starter, I just don’t feel like Best Score ever taken super seriously and ends up being another “game the juror liked in general” category
E33 first, phenomenal complete package, fantastic experience all around, I think Silent Hill F had the better, more intentional narrative - however, Silent Hill F was about misogyny so it basically wasn’t ever going to get game awards recognition anyway LOL
December 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
E33 first, phenomenal complete package, fantastic experience all around, I think Silent Hill F had the better, more intentional narrative - however, Silent Hill F was about misogyny so it basically wasn’t ever going to get game awards recognition anyway LOL