In this episode of Swag Plays Banished, the builders of Otterview complete a big move—relocating the foresters to the northern part of town. A merchant arrives, but negotiations fall flat: he refuses to buy one of our trade goods, and we can’t afford his wares. To prepare for future trades, I stockpile some excess resources at the trading post. Meanwhile, we set our sights on a rich iron deposit across the river, mapping out a new route and planning another bridge to expand Otterview’s reach. Watch the episode and let me know—what would you do differently to help Otterview thrive?
Episode 42: St. Louis de Montfort
In this episode of A Few Moments with God, we explore the life and legacy of St. Louis de Montfort, a devoted priest known for his deep Marian spirituality and missionary work. From his early years to his founding of religious communities, we uncover his lasting impact on Catholic devotion. Midway through the episode, I invite you to reflect on thought-provoking questions about faith, guidance, and devotion, before concluding with his enduring influence on the Church.
Level Up Your Status: How VIPs Will Shape Our Community’s Future
Greetings everyone! I have something quite exciting to introduce to you today: a new rank on Discord that will later transition to the community website when I shut down the Discord server and Fourthwall store in favor of the community website’s features. This rank is called VIP and you should know what that stands for already, but for those new to the acronym it means Very Important Person. Later in this post, I’ll explain how you can get this rank for yourself (but it’s not easy!).
On the Discord server, VIP status lets you stand out with a colored nickname and an exclusive VIP tag when online. But the true power of VIP comes from free access to the Supporters Area—a space packed with exciting perks! Inside, VIPs can enjoy private chats, behind-the-scenes livestreams (once I have enough Full Members consistently), interactive Q&A sessions via Stages, exclusive images, and polls. And if you’re a gamer, there’s something extra: early access to beta versions of the Minecraft modpacks I’m developing—giving you the chance to explore new content before anyone else.
One of the goals for the community website is to expand the VIP experience, offering even more perks—including exclusive discounts. While the Fourthwall store doesn’t currently support free ranks, moving to our own platform will unlock new possibilities!
When the transition happens, VIPs will retain all their existing benefits—but to keep your status, you’ll need to verify your identity on your new community website profile. On top of the previous perks, VIPs will receive special discounts on most shop items (except memberships—sorry, no one gets a discount on those, even as gifts!). The VIP discount will be slightly higher than Full Members’, giving you even more savings.
But that’s not all! VIPs will also get exclusive arcade tournaments to compete in, along with other future perks still in the works. Keep an eye on the community website’s blog section (which this blog will transition into) for updates as new benefits roll out!
You might be eager to grab VIP status for yourself—but hold your horses! This isn’t just handed out—it’s earned. If you want the prestige and perks that come with VIP, you’ll need to actively contribute to the community.
For now, I’ll personally be awarding this rank on Discord to those who consistently engage—whether it’s posting regularly, participating in discussions, or interacting with my YouTube channel through comments and community posts (yes, I do check if you’re subscribed!).
Once we transition to the community website, a dedicated committee within the company I’m founding will take over the process, granting VIP status once a year while revoking it for serious violations of community standards.
So what does being active really mean? It’s all about consistent participation—whether it’s chatting on Discord, commenting on videos, engaging with blog posts, or making meaningful contributions to discussions.
So if you really want VIP status and all the perks that come with it, start engaging now—earn it through genuine participation and become part of something exclusive!
Automating Eggs & Blaze Farm Automation | Creative Engineering E22
Unlimited eggs and blaze rods? Swag sets up a fully automated Mechanical Chicken for all the eggs he’ll ever need AND a blaze farm using Easy Mob Farms for infinite blaze rods! Watch how it’s done, learn the key automation tricks, and avoid common mistakes in your own world! Let me know what you think in the comments!
Swag Plays Factorio S2 E36: Robots Take Over & Rocket Tech is Ready!
In this episode of Swag Plays Factorio, I complete the Logistics System research, unlocking full automation for my factory. I replace the belt delivery system for blue and yellow science packs with a sleek robot network and set up a brand-new factory for purple science production. And to top it off, I queue up my final research goal: the rocket launcher. The factory is stronger than ever—now it’s time to bring the firepower!
Swag’s Private Minecraft World – A Tour of Infinity Fields in Creative Engineering!
Welcome to Infinity Fields! In this video, I take you on an exclusive tour of my private world in the Creative Engineering modpack for Minecraft 1.20.1. Check out what I’ve built so far and get a sneak peek at what’s coming next in the main series here on my YouTube channel. You won’t want to miss this!
Swag Plays Banished S2 E29 | Progress & Tough Choices Ahead
In this episode, the citizens of Otterview push forward, relocating the gatherer’s hut and forester’s lodge while battling the harsh wilderness. Along the way, we bid farewell to a few beloved citizens. Witness their struggles, and let me know in the comments—should the series end at year 20 or when we reach 100 citizens, whichever comes first?
Episode 41: St. Thomas the Apostle
Doubt or devotion? Join me as we explore the life of St. Thomas the Apostle—the man often called ‘Doubting Thomas.’ From his moments of uncertainty to his powerful proclamation of faith, we’ll uncover the true legacy of this remarkable saint and how his journey can inspire our own. Tune in for a fresh perspective on a disciple who sought truth with his whole heart.
From Faith to Food Banks: The Charities That Make a Difference
Greetings, everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read today’s blog post about my favorite charities. In this post, I’ll be dividing them into three main categories: Religious, Health, and Animal charities. In each section, I’ll explain why I choose to support these organizations, and I’ll include a link to their CanadaHelps page so you can donate if you’d like to support them as well.
I’d like to begin with my favorite religious charities. As a Roman Catholic, I support various institutions that guide the faithful both locally and nationally. The first one is my local parish, The Catholic Parish of St. Joseph’s Cathedral (St. Joseph’s Basilica). This is the church I attend for weekly Mass and occasionally on week days. It also serves as the main church of the Archbishop and Metropolitan of Edmonton, which is why it is designated as a Cathedral. Additionally, it holds the status of a Minor Basilica. If you’d like a refresher on the difference between a Minor and Major Basilica, I covered that in a past episode of my podcast—so be sure to check that out!
Another religious charity I’m proud to support is the National Catholic Broadcasting Council. This organization ensures that Catholic Mass is broadcast for those who are unable to attend in person. I’ve personally been blessed by their work—especially during times when I was sick and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting them is the least I can do to show my gratitude for the comfort they provided!
When it comes to health charities, I’m especially passionate about supporting organizations that provide essential resources, fund research, and raise public awareness about health issues. One such organization is Diabetes Canada. While I don’t have diabetes myself, I know people who do, and given my family medical history, it’s something I need to be mindful of. Supporting research and awareness efforts to improve treatment and prevention is a cause I’m more than willing to stand behind!
Movember Canada is another health charity I’m proud to support. Every November, I dedicate time to raising funds for their cause—something I’ve been committed to for the past eleven years. This organization focuses on improving men’s health, both physically and mentally. Having faced my own mental health challenges, I know firsthand how important it is to spread awareness and work toward preventing male suicide. Additionally, Movember funds vital research for male-specific diseases such as prostate and testicular cancer, making their mission even more significant to me.
The final health-related charity might not seem like a traditional health organization, but for me, it has been an absolute lifesaver: Edmonton’s Food Bank. There have been times when I’ve worried about my next meal, and the free groceries I’ve received through their programs have been a huge help. Beyond just food, their Beyond Food program provides training and support to help people secure good jobs. Without the generosity of this organization, I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten through the past few years when I was without steady work. My support for them is more than gratitude—it’s a commitment to ensuring others have the same lifeline I did.
The final charity I love to support is The Valley Zoo Development Society. As an animal lover, I want what’s best for them, and this society plays a vital role in improving my local zoo by funding enhancements for the animals that live there. They even offer fun merchandise featuring various animals—I’m hoping to get a Meerkat plushie for myself one day! I’ve enjoyed many trips to the zoo, and knowing that my support helps create new experiences for future visits makes it even more rewarding.
Supporting charities is more than just giving—it’s about making a difference in the lives of others, whether through faith-based guidance, life-saving health initiatives, or improving the world for the animals we love. The organizations I’ve shared today have personally impacted my life, and I hope they inspire you too.
Even if you’re not in a position to donate, simply visiting their pages, learning about their missions, and spreading the word can make a huge impact. Every small action helps create a better, more compassionate world.
So, take a moment to explore the links provided and see if any of these causes resonate with you—you might just find a new charity to support!
Creative Engineering E21: Steam Power Begins: Blaze Burners and Control Room (Pt 2)
In this episode, Swag takes on the challenge of restoring mechanical power to his factories with blaze burners and a steam engine—but not without a few unexpected hiccups! Watch as he navigates setbacks, learns from his mistakes, and refines his plan so you can craft an even better setup in your own world!