In the latest gripping episode of Banished, the townspeople complete the boarding house and a second pasture, paving the way for trading their tailor’s exquisite wool coats for new seeds, livestock, and vital resources. Watch as Swag and the citizens prepare for the arrival of the town’s first merchant by resuming work on the bustling trading dock. Join us for an unmissable journey as this resilient colony fights to survive and flourish in the untamed wilderness. Don’t miss a moment of the action!
Episode 25: St. Augustine
In this week’s episode, Swag delves into the life of St. Augustine of Hippo, kicking off an enlightening new mini-series on the lives of the Saints.
Behind the Scenes: Crafting Engaging Content for YouTube and Podcasts
Hi everyone,
Creating family-friendly content for YouTube and Podbean is a process I truly enjoy each week. Let me take you behind the scenes and show you how I craft each type of content.
I’ll start by explaining the process behind my gaming videos first, as they are easier for me to explain. When starting a new series, I first decide which game to play. The next step is to choose whether to play the game in its vanilla form or with mods. If I opt for modded gameplay, I select the mods that will enhance the experience. For games like Minecraft, this can be an evolving decision if bugs pop up along the way.
The next step is to play the game while recording my gameplay and commentary using OBS. I utilize a dedicated Recording scene setup and have a key combination to start and stop recording seamlessly. Any reactions you hear from me are genuine and captured live during gameplay; I don’t edit the sound afterward. To avoid any copyright issues, I turn off the game’s in-game music before I start recording.
I then import the recorded video into Wondershare Filmora, where I add a title screen and sometimes an ending scene as well. I take a screenshot for the YouTube thumbnail and, if needed, add transitions to keep the video as smooth as possible. I then decide on what music to add, where it should go in the video, and what edits are needed for each track—such as reducing the volume and adding fade-ins or fade-outs.
Next, I decide on the episode’s title and export the video using Filmora’s built-in system to export it as an MP4 file. This MP4 file is what I upload to YouTube, with the screenshot becoming the YouTube thumbnail. While the video is being exported, I determine the YouTube description, appending a set of links for uniformity. I make sure to schedule any new uploads for the proper date at 4 am MST, while also adding the proper YouTube parts (subscribe and suggested video at the end, and perhaps a card with the series if it’s not the first episode).
Now that I’ve explained how I create each new gaming episode for YouTube, let me switch gears and explain how I write and record each new podcast episode, as the process is quite different.
The first thing I do is decide what topic I want to talk about in the podcast. This is easier if I am doing a series, as I either have a fixed set of episodes I want to research, write, and record, or at least a limited number of topics to choose from.
The next step is to search on Google for information about the topic I’m covering that week. I aim to pick at least two or three different sources to ensure a well-rounded understanding. This allows me to write the episode in my own words after comprehending the topic thoroughly.
I then proceed to write the topic using both OpenOffice Writer and Microsoft Copilot. I write out a paragraph at a time and ask Copilot for help improving it for flow. In fact, as I am writing this blog post, I am using Copilot to ensure you understand me clearly.
Finally, I proceed to record the episode using Audacity. I use headphones during recording to ensure that sounds from the speakers are not picked up by the microphone, allowing my voice to be heard clearly. After recording, I use Audacity to export the file as an MP3, adding metadata such as track name, recording artist, genre, track number, album name, and year. I then use Copilot to help me craft the episode description when I upload it to Podbean on Sunday.
As I currently cannot schedule podcast episodes on Podbean, I manually publish each one on Sunday morning. This is why they don’t come out at the same time each week and sometimes get published on Monday morning instead. I make sure to set the episode name, description, and duration in minutes and seconds. Once I get the funds to upgrade my subscription, I’ll start scheduling my podcast episodes as well. After publishing each episode, I share it on social media, and it is automatically added to my YouTube podcast feed.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my content creation process for both YouTube and podcast episodes. I hope you found it insightful and informative. If you enjoy my content and would like to support my work, please consider becoming a supporter on Ko-fi. Your support helps me continue creating family-friendly content and improving my setup. Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me!
Creative Engineering E6: Pressing Matters
In this episode of Creative Engineering, Swag ventures into the Nether to gather quartz. He then demonstrates how to use a pedestal to generate an endless supply of netherrack and sets up the Mechanical Press from Create.
Swag Plays Factorio S2 E20: Finishing Blue Science Automation
Will Swag finish the automation of blue science in today’s episode? Find out today how Swag overcomes the challenges he faces as he works to automate blue science to take his research to the next level!
Ko-fi Updates: Games, Gadgets, and More
Hey everyone! I’m excited to share some important updates with you today. We’ll be covering changes on my Ko‑fi page, the new games I’ll be able to play after switching to the Linux distro Linux Mint, and a future project for my YouTube channel that I’d love your help with. So, let’s dive into the changes first!
The biggest change here is the removal of the jug of milk (or any food) references for donations. Now, you can simply choose a preset amount or enter how much you’d like to donate as a one-time contribution and click the donate button to proceed to the payment page.
Another significant update is the return of membership tiers, which are straightforward. The first tier, called the Tip Jar, is available for at least one Canadian dollar (though you can pledge more if you prefer). This tier offers the satisfaction of supporting me and a block with a sign in my Minecraft worlds. The type of block varies based on the length of your membership. For more details, check out the “Signs, Blocks, and You – Rewards from Swagnilla Ice” video below the donation panel.
The second tier, called Full Membership, costs at least five Canadian dollars a month. In addition to the Tip Jar benefits, you’ll gain access to the Supporters Area of my Discord, where you’ll be acknowledged as a Ko‑fi Member. This area features access to my beta modpacks, exclusive live streams, and tech talks amongst the features you will be able to enjoy. You’ll also enjoy exclusive polls and posts here for your viewing pleasure.
Next, I would like to focus on my computer and the changes happening soon. I’m planning on switching to the Linux distro Linux Mint (with the Cinnamon desktop) after the current seasons of Factorio and Banished are completed (whether I win or lose). However, this switch means I won’t be able to play all of the games in my Steam library. The following games will still be available after the switch: Minecraft, OpenTTD, AdVenture Capitalist, Basement, Big Pharma, Cities: Skylines, Empire TV Tycoon, Factorio, Game Dev Tycoon, Golf With Your Friends (community streams potential here), Kerbal Space Program, Kingdoms and Castles, Knights and Merchants, Masterplan Tycoon: Foundations, Megaquarium, Oxygen Not Included, Quiplash (great for community streams), Rise of Industry, Robocraft, Software Inc, Stardew Valley, Super Indie Karts, Surviving Mars, Train Fever, Transport Fever, and Tropico 2: Pirate Cove.
I know I’ll be able to mod Minecraft and Factorio, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do the same for Stardew Valley—I’m hoping that will be the case. I’ve also got games on my Steam wishlist that I’ve ensured are compatible, but I won’t spoil the surprise by listing them here!
In the near future, I’d like to create a video for my YouTube channel that’s focused on technology rather than games, although my Creative Engineering series on YouTube and my Twitch livestreams helped inspire the idea. The video will explore the power of nature versus man’s engineering feats, and I’ll need help to bring it to life.
To make this project a reality, I’ll need people to help with deeper research on the topic, someone to edit the script once I’ve written it, and someone to storyboard the video. Additionally, I’ll need individuals to record video footage both on the ground and with drones, as well as people to ensure the sound is perfect and that the right music is chosen for various sequences. I may also need someone to co-narrate and host the video with me.
With this support, I can focus on directing and producing the video, ensuring it reaches its full potential. However, this is a long-term project, as I currently cannot afford to dedicate the necessary time to it. If I receive enough financial support to cover my bills and groceries, I’ll be able to focus on projects like this one. If you like this idea and want to contribute, consider becoming a member and/or joining my Discord to stay in the loop about projects like this one.
Thank you all for your continuous support and enthusiasm. Your contributions make it possible for me to keep creating and sharing content that I love. If any of the changes, updates, or future projects resonate with you, consider becoming a member, joining my Discord, or simply staying tuned for more exciting updates. Your involvement means the world to me, and I look forward to sharing more of this journey with you. Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring!
Swag Plays Banished S2 E12 – Getting Another House Built
In today’s episode of Banished, join the hardworking farmers, laborers, and builders of Otterview as they come together to construct a stone house for a family in need. Witness the beginning of work on the future temporary housing area, designed to provide shelter for any others who find themselves without a home. Don’t miss out on this heartwarming episode filled with community spirit and dedication!
Episode 24: Sloth and Diligence
In this episode, Swag delves into the final deadly sin of sloth and its counter-virtue, diligence.
People of the First Christmas: The Magi
Welcome to the final post in my mini-series on the People of the First Christmas. Today, I’ll be focusing on the Magi, also known as the Wise Men or, less accurately, as the Three Kings. Contrary to popular Nativity scenes, the Magi were not present at the stable on that first Christmas night. Instead, they visited Jesus in a house when He was about two years old, bringing their gifts and worship.
Before I dive into what the Bible has to say about their visit, I want to explain just who the Magi were and were not. The word “Magi” is a translation of a Greek word that referred to the astrologer-priests of Zoroastrianism, a religion in what is now modern-day Iran, but was known as Persia in ancient times. They were experts in observing the skies and predicting future events, both through their interpretations of celestial phenomena and their studies of religious texts—both their own and those of other cultures. They likely had heard of prophecies such as Balaam’s in Numbers or Isaiah’s, both of which referred to celestial signs about the King of the Jewish People.
So when they saw the sign of a bright new star, they would have understood its significance and decided to follow it to see where it led. This extraordinary event aligned with the prophecies they had studied, such as Balaam’s words in Numbers 24:17, “A star will come out of Jacob,” and Isaiah 60:3, “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Recognizing the importance of this celestial sign, the Magi embarked on a long and arduous journey, driven by their desire to honor the newborn King of the Jews.
Now, before I dive into what the Bible has to say about their visit, I want to pose a question: When we see a sign in our lives, are we ready to show such faith and follow God, or do we resist because we are living a comfortable life and don’t want to change anything? It’s something worth pondering!
The visit of the Magi is described in the second chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The passage tells us that wise men from the East came to Jerusalem during the time of King Herod, seeking the child who had been born king of the Jews. They explained, “For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
King Herod, disturbed by this news, gathered the chief priests and scribes to inquire where the Messiah was to be born. They referenced the prophecy: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Herod then secretly met with the Magi to determine the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem with instructions to find the child and report back to him under the pretense that he too wanted to pay homage.
The Magi followed the star to the place where it stopped over the house where Jesus was. Overwhelmed with joy, they entered and saw the child with Mary, his mother. They knelt down, paid him homage, and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another route.
After the Magi left, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath. This fulfilled the prophecy, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
Unfortunately, Herod did not react kindly to the Magi’s decision not to report back to him about the child’s location. Knowing the timeframe in which the star had appeared to them, he sent his soldiers to Bethlehem with orders to kill every child aged two or younger. This horrific act fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah, which spoke of Rachel weeping for her children because they were no more.
Now, what can we learn from this bit of biblical history? I think we can learn quite a bit! First off, we see that the Magi were humble in asking the people of Jerusalem where the Messiah was to be born and then following the directions given to them. Do we show such humility by asking for help when we need it, or do we let our pride get in the way and refuse to ask?
Secondly, the Magi were devoted and wise because they paid homage to a child living in a humble home with his parents. They recognized greatness even without the earthly trappings of such. Are we willing to overlook what the world sees in others, or are we only looking skin-deep at our fellow human beings? As believers, I hope it is more of the former and not the latter!
Third, the gifts they gave Him were prophetic in nature. Gold symbolized royalty, signifying that He was the King of Kings. Frankincense, used in Temple worship, revealed His nature as our High Priest. Myrrh, a spice used to bury the dead, foretold His death on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we offer a gift to someone else, does it hold such meaning as well, or is it merely given because it’s customary, and we want to appear nice?
Finally, their visit led directly and indirectly to the fulfillment of several prophecies, including God’s calling His Son out of Egypt and the massacre of the innocents in Bethlehem. While we can see today that it was all part of a larger divine plan, it must have been terrifying for Joseph, Mary, and the young Jesus to flee for their lives into Egypt to escape the mad King Herod. When we look back at our own lives, can we see God at work, or do we attribute events to coincidence or fate?
In conclusion, the story of the Magi is more than just a tale of a journey guided by a star. It’s a testament to faith, humility, devotion, and the fulfillment of divine prophecies. As we reflect on their story, let’s be inspired to seek guidance with humility, give with meaningful intention, and recognize the divine workings in our own lives. May we always be ready to follow the signs God places before us, trusting in His greater plan.
Thank you for reading another blog post on my Ko‑fi page. I enjoy writing these posts each week, and your support for my writing and other family-friendly content is greatly appreciated, whether it’s financial or otherwise. Until the next time I post here, go live on Twitch, publish a podcast episode, or release a video on YouTube, may God bless you all!
Creative Engineering E5: Making Lava Faster
Hey everyone, and welcome to my latest Creative Engineering episode! Today, I’m going to show you how to get up to 5mb per tick of lava generation in the early game, using only bone meal, sand, and clay. I’ll also show how to make obsidian in the modpack and start building a Nether Portal.
Here’s a quick summary of what I’ll cover:
- How to get 5mb per tick of lava generation
- How to make obsidian in the modpack
- How to start building a Nether Portal
I hope you enjoy this episode!