stardewdreaming: (Default)
Hi, hello, good afternoon! How are you?

I'm restarting the 30 Days Of Stardew Valley meme that I started previously - I misread the first couple of prompts and answered about the bachelor/ette characters, and then a couple of questions later were about them, so I'm going to start again.

Day 1 - Favourite character
My favourite non-romanceable character is Evelyn, or as she tells us we can call her, Granny! She's a friendly old lady who's lived in Pelican Town her whole life. She's married to the incredibly grumpy George and Alex is her grandson.

She's just the absolute sweetest and I want to be a little like her when I'm old - she's in charge of the community garden and can be found tending it in nice weather. As well as gardening, she likes to bake and bakes cookies in the shape of flowers. She's hopeful and optimistic and loves to reminisce about the town's past.

Sometimes, she'll mail you chocolate cake or cookies - and you can sometimes also find them when rummaging in her bin!
stardewdreaming: (Default)
[community profile] sunshine_challenge Prompt 5 is Hyacinth
Hyacinths symbolize jealousy, a desire for forgiveness, joy, and sincerity, depending on the flower color. Yellow hyacinths are linked to jealousy, purple flowers mean you're seeking forgiveness, and blue hyacinths are tied to sincere care.

I was going to talk about about how these emotions manifest in Stardew Valley, but then I realised I personally get jealous of other people's farms when I see them - not just Stardew Valley but also other peoples islands on Animal Crossing: New Horizons

I know we're not supposed to compare ourselves to other people - but so many people have beautiful layouts, they have incredible themed farms and islands, with gardens and decor and paths and they looks beautiful. I am not creative in that way and I can never come up with designs for my games. They always end up looking very basic. They're perfectly functional and I'm progressing in the game but they don't look as nice as all the ones you see online. I get very jealous of players who have the ability to make their farms/islands/etc to look that pretty.

Sometimes I'm almost tempted to place an order from those people online who offer to design your farm/island - but I'd be too nervous about it being a scam.

I do wish my farm and my island had an amazingly aesthetic layouts though
stardewdreaming: (Default)
hi, hello, good evening!

I am catching up on posts while sitting in my hotel room. My connection is terrible, sadly, but I'll catch up on commenting when I'm home. And thank you all for your lovely comments that I can see you've left!

[community profile] sunshine_challenge Prompt 5 is Goldenrod
Historically, Goldenrod has been used as a symbol of good fortune, growth, and encouragement. Because of its ability to survive in diverse, harsh environments, Goldenrod represents good luck and a pioneering spirit (pretty fitting given its origins in the meadows and pastures of North America).

And it will come as no suprise that I'm going to write about Good Fortune, Growth, and Encouragement in Stardew Valley

In Stardew Valley, good fortune is a fickle thing. Some days, it seems like everything is going your way. You find a prismatic shard in the mines, your crops grow at an accelerated rate, and you even catch a legendary fish. Other days, it feels like the universe is conspiring against you. You get hit by a swarm of bugs in the mine, your crops die of a mysterious blight, and you can't seem to catch a break.

But even on the days when your luck is running low, there are still plenty of opportunities for growth and encouragement. Talking to the villagers can help you learn more about the world of Stardew Valley and its inhabitants. Completing quests can give you a sense of accomplishment and help you build your relationships with the villagers. And even just spending time tending to your farm can be a rewarding experience.

So if you're feeling down on your luck in Stardew Valley, don't give up. Just keep on keeping on, and eventually the good fortune will start to come your way. In the meantime, there are plenty of other things you can do to grow and be encouraged.

Talk to the villagers. The villagers of Stardew Valley are a friendly bunch, and they're always happy to chat. Talking to them can help you learn more about the world of Stardew Valley, its history, and its inhabitants. It can also help you build your relationships with the villagers, which can have a number of benefits. For example, villagers with high friendship levels will give you discounts on their goods, and they may even give you gifts.

Complete quests. Quests are a great way to earn money, experience, and items. They can also help you learn more about the world of Stardew Valley and its inhabitants. To find quests, talk to the villagers, check the bulletin board in the town hall, or visit the adventurer's guild.

Spend time tending to your farm. Tending to your farm can be a rewarding experience. It's a great way to relax and de-stress, and it can also be a lot of fun. As you tend to your farm, you'll watch it grow and thrive. You'll also get to harvest your crops, which is always a satisfying feeling.

Most importantly - Don't give up. Sometimes, it can be easy to get discouraged in Stardew Valley. You might have a bad day in the mines, or you might lose a valuable item. But it's important to remember that everyone has bad days. The important thing is to not give up. Just keep on keeping on, and eventually the good fortune will start to come your way.
stardewdreaming: (Default)
Hi, hello, good evening!

It's Sunday night which means one of my favourite Stardew Valley streamers is going live with a couple of hours of cozy farming. For anyone who's mentioned wanting to check the game out, and for it to be low pressure and really chilled and relaxed, I recommend coming along.

https://www.twitch.tv/lilithesque is the link. There's generally only me and her partner in the stream. I feel really bad for her because she doesn't get views and I don't understand why. So I'm promoting her to my... super large online audience in the hopes that maybe one of you will come and at least check her channel out!

She often nerds out about game design, storytelling, game accessibility, and various science-fiction things that I don't understand. She shares her struggles with mental health, adhd and autism and how gaming helps her with them.

If it interests you at all, please come along!
stardewdreaming: (Default)
hi, hello, good evening!

Question 2 on the 30 Days of Stardew Valley Challenge is Least favourite character and that dubious title goes to Haley
Haley, to me, comes across as conceited, self-centred and rude. She seems judgey and superficial, all she seems to care about is fashion and how people look - her dialogue the first time you meet, she says 'If it weren’t for those clothes you might actually be pretty/cute...'

She reminds me far too much of the popular girls in school who used to bully me for not wearing the right clothes, not wearing make-up, being tall, etc etc. I'm sure, like all the other NPCs, she has some heart-breaking storyline that explains why she's the way she is but I don't care to put the effort into befriending her to find out!
stardewdreaming: (Default)
hi, hello, good evening!

It's time for some more [community profile] sunshine_challenge and Prompt 4: Daisy
These sunny springtime blooms have several positive meanings. The meaning of a daisy flower can be purity, innocence, new beginnings, joy and cheerfulness. In the Victorian Era, daisies symbolized innocence, loyalty and an ability to keep things secret.

Games like Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley, Story of Seasons etc are all about new beginnings and I think that's one of the reasons I enjoy them so much. They're about escaping to a state of innocence, a simple place - where the days are long and the nights are short, the air and water are clean, the people are kind and the animals are friendly. You can leave behind the hustle and bustle of city life, start over, reinvent yourself and find a new happiness, peace and contentment in a small town - and that is something that appeals to me a lot!

I love the character creation aspects of the game, that they can be whoever you want them to be. You choose their name, their appearance, and I like to give them a personality and a backstory too! You can choose which skills you want to work on - farming, fishing, mining, foraging.

There's something about the games that give them this vibe of being pure and innocent. The graphics are simple but charming, the music is cheerful, upbeat and relaxing with a folky kind of feel, and the characters are (mostly)kind and friendly. The whole vibe is positive and uplifting, with a focus on friendship, community and self-improvement. They're such feel-good games, filled with the simple joys in lfie and it's hard to not feel calm, happy and carefree playing them.
stardewdreaming: (Tom Nook)
Prompt 2: Gladiolus
Generally, gladioli represent strength of character, faithfulness, moral integrity, and remembrance. Gladioli are actually the traditional 40th-anniversary flower and the birth flower for the month of August! Each individual colour of gladiolus is also symbolic.

Life in Stardew Valley isn't always a walk in the park. You would think with it being a pixel farming game it would be, but there's unpredictable weather patterns, and the relentless challenge of running a farm. Some days there's so much to do with your crops and animals, there's no time for anything else and it's easy to get frustrated. However, it's in these challenges that our strength of characters gets the chance to shine - you learn to adapt, to persevere, and keep pushing forward. Your ability to bounce back from setbacks (and remember to build scarecrows), or make tough decisions (do I milk my cows & water my crops, or keep working on my current quest?)

You also have the opportunity to foster deep and meaningful relationships with the villagers - and not just the one/s you're romancing. Whether it's supporting Pierre's store over Jojamart, joining in with community events or simply taking the time to chat with or gift to our neighbours. By consistently showing up, being a reliable friend, we cultivate trust and camaraderie along with our crops, and our faithfulness helps build a thriving community that lifts each other up.

Stardew Valley is steeped in history and the stories of those who came before us. The farm belongs to your late grandfather, and you're working it in his memory. From the dilapidated community centre, to the secrets buried in the mines, remembrance plays a vital role in uncovering the valley's past. As you discover and preserve artifacts, interact with the villagers and get to know them and their stories, and participate in seasonal festivals, you pay homage to the rich heritage of the area. All of this allows you to connect with the traditions and legacies that have shaped Stardew Valley, fostering a sense of appreciation and gratitude for what has come before.
stardewdreaming: (Default)
Kindness is another important theme in Stardew Valley - you're constantly interacting with the residents of Pelican Town and treating them with kindness will lead to them reciprocating. The main way of being kind to them is by giving them gifts they like, and especially on their birthday. This will increase your friendship level with them and creates a positive feedback loop where they're then kinder to you in return which makes you feel more favourable towards them

The higher your friendship level with the villagers, the better the likelihood that they will gift you useful items.
Pam, for example, will gift you battery packs.
Clint can send you copper, iron, and gold bars
Gaining 2 hearts with Caroline unlocks the tea sapling
Linus sends you a recipe for sashimi which is a decent snack
Gus will send you all kinds of recipes in the mail

Plus, being kind - even in a game - makes you feel good! When you perform an act of kindness, it releases endorphins which have mood-boosting effects. This means that being kind can literally make you feel happier!
So go out there and spread some kindness
stardewdreaming: (Default)
I think my favourite Stardew Valley characters are Elliott and Leah

Elliott lives alone in a cabin on the beach and is known for spending a lot of time by himself, mainly found wandering aimlessly outside. He is a writer who dreams of one day writing a magnificent novel. He is a sentimental 'romantic' with a tendency to go off onto flowery, poetic tangents. He has gorgeous long hair. When he can afford it, he enjoys a strong beverage at the Stardrop Saloon.

Leah lives alone in a small cabin just outside of town. She's very kind, loves to spend time outside, foraging for a wild meal or simply enjoying the gifts of the season and seems to enjoy animals to people. She’s a talented artist with a large portfolio of work… yet she’s too nervous to display it to the public.
stardewdreaming: (Default)
Prompt 1: Iris
They can represent faith, hope, courage, wisdom and admiration. Specific flower colours attach further meanings to the pretty blooms. Purple iris brings a message of wisdom and compliments, while a bouquet of blue iris blossoms speak of hope and faith.

We've already covered my slight obsession with Stardew Valley, right? So I'm kind of wondering if I can manage to make this entire blogging challenge about the game. I don't know if I will, but the prompts appear to be nice and abstract so fingers crossed!

When you start playing Stardew Valley (or any game really) you don't know what you're doing, the controls can be confusing and can you feel completely lost and confused, right?
But you have faith that you'll eventually figure out what you're doing.
I remember thinking I'd learn my way around the map, never remember who the characters were, but within a couple of hours/game days, I was working it out and a year later I know so much about the game.

The whole point of the game is the hope that you can build a better life for yourself in Pelican Town, the hope that you can find a sense of satisfaction, happiness and maybe in love!

Even though it's only a game, there's still courage needed to face the challenges in it. There's monsters, disease, the weather. It takes courage to try new things, both picking up a new game to play, but also in-game itself - I know people who find it scary to start talking to & befriending the villagers; some of them can be difficult and no-one likes rejection, even when it's fictional! I find the mines take a lot of courage, especially the Skull Cavern - I keep dying and it would be so easy to not keep going back but I find the courage to keep trying.

There's so much to learn in game - what crops to plant & when & how long they take to grow, what animals to raise, what machines to buy/build, when to spend and when to save money.
I know players who have built up a huge bank of knowledge about the in-game details, they're like walking encyclopaedias and it's pretty amazing to witness!

You wouldn't think it in what initially appears to be just another farming sim game but the themes of faith, hope, courage, wisdom, and admiration really help make the game meaningful and enjoyable and keep me coming back day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year!

I'm also hoping I have enough courage to share this post with folks at [community profile] sunshine_challenge!
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