Tag Archives: games

Work and Life, Personal

Levelling Up My Hobbies (and My Content!)

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Hi everyone,

I’m getting ready for the weekend and thinking about something that’s a big part of my life: my hobbies. From reading a good book to making art, these are the things that recharge me and spark a lot of the creativity you see in my content.

You might know that a lot of my time goes into Creative Engineering and A Few Moments with God. But what you might not see as often are the moments in between—the ones where I’m just enjoying a passion project. For me, these are things like getting lost in a good book, writing new ideas down, or getting my hands dirty with some pottery. I’ve also been getting back into playing some old favourites, like modded Minecraft and Factorio on my PC, and even dusting off some classic Wii or GameCube games using the Dolphin Emulator for the latter. These aren’t just ways to pass the time; they’re ways for me to learn and experiment. Reading, for example, has taught me a lot about storytelling, which has been super helpful for my own video series. Gaming has helped me see things from new perspectives and has trained my eye to notice small details that can make a big difference.

I often think about how cool it would be to share more of these things with you. Imagine a series of posts about the new pots I’m making or a deep dive into the latest mods I’m playing with. Right now, it’s a challenge to find the time and resources to do that justice. That’s where you come in.

Your support through Swagnilla Ice helps me turn these small passion projects into something more. It helps me invest in things like art supplies or new equipment. More importantly, it gives me the freedom to dedicate more of my time to these creative outlets. By becoming a member, you’re not just supporting a blog; you’re helping me grow as a creator and bring even better content to you.

So, if you enjoy what I do and you’re excited about the idea of seeing more, please consider joining one of our membership tiers. Even the Peasant membership is a great way to show your support, or if you want full access, the Squire tier is a fantastic option. The more paid members we have, the more time I can dedicate to hosting events on the Discord server. For example, once we hit five paid members, I’ll host a bi-weekly voice chat, with each session focusing on a different topic. At ten paid members, I’ll start a weekly live stream on Discord. And if we can hit fifty paid members, I’ll host a monthly community gaming night with games like Jackbox and Golf with Your Friends. I’m certain that I can also continue to find ways to provide even more content for higher numbers, so please consider becoming a Squire or higher today!

Thank you for being here and for helping me make all of this possible.

Talk soon,
Nathan Pinno (aka Swagnilla Ice)

Gaming and Technology

Why An Authorized Pokemon Mod for Minecraft is Needed

I enjoy Minecraft (well, modded at least, but you get the point). I also enjoy Pokémon—I remember playing one of the handheld games as a child. I won against the Elite Four and the Champion on my GameBoy Color, and I enjoyed playing the version that was set in the Orre region, though I never finished it. Imagine if you could enjoy aspects of Pokémon in Minecraft safely and legally—what adventures could you come up with, and what sorts of battles you could have, both against wild Pokémon and in multiplayer, against other trainers! You could build your own Pokémon center—make it as big as you wanted, as long as you had the materials! You could maybe even challenge gyms that spawned in villages and earn a unique reward when you won—or even a badge toward a bigger battle with the ultimate reward. The possibilities would be nearly endless!

The history of unauthorized Pokémon mods goes back a few years. The first unauthorized Pokémon mod, Pixelmon, did not have a good reputation with the community at large due to hidden code that allowed the developers to shut down servers that didn’t follow their rules—not Mojang’s or The Pokémon Company’s, but theirs. Due to this, and their use of copyrighted materials such as sounds and images, the developers were sent a cease and desist letter from Mojang in 2017, which they complied with. However, the mod has been revived several times since then by others after the base code was leaked. Pixelmon Reforged, Pixelmon Generations, and Cobblemon are three more unauthorized Pokémon mods for Minecraft, but sooner or later, I bet that Nintendo and/or The Pokémon Company will move to shut them down to protect their intellectual property, which they need to do in order to safeguard it.

I believe there is a way to get an authorized Pokémon mod for Minecraft. Yes, monetization is a factor that would appeal to Nintendo and The Pokémon Company (as they are both driven by profit), but I don’t think it should be the key aspect. Instead, an authorized mod would help their companies stay relevant and open Pokémon up to people who have never heard of the anime, games (both card and video), or manga. There could even eventually be a Pokémon World Championship tournament like there was in the anime—imagine seeing someone acknowledged as the best player of the game! Right now, this is impossible with the mods not being authorized. Additionally, an authorized mod could be trusted by the community to not have malicious code that would harm your game, and it would be compatible with the version it was designed for.

Personally, I will only ever support an authorized version of Pokémon as a mod for Minecraft and not include it in my Minecraft video series until this is accomplished. This aligns with my goals of making my content both family-friendly and ethical. I use tools like the YouTube Audio Library and Content ID to ensure that I am compliant with copyright at all times in my productions. If I’m uncertain about whether or not I can include something, I keep it out. For example, I encountered issues with copyright using Pretzel Rocks for my livestreams to provide background music, so I decided to stop using it. I’d rather use the normal Minecraft music (which I know is safe to use) than deal with the hassle of copyright claims on my livestream VODs. I have chosen in the past not to post videos when they went against these principles, and I will do so again in the future—you can count on it!

Once again, I call for an authorized Pokémon mod for Minecraft—just imagine the possibilities and how it could extend the shelf life of both games with such support! An official mod would not only ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for players but also foster a thriving community of Pokémon and Minecraft fans. It would open up new creative and competitive opportunities, from building intricate Pokémon-themed structures to participating in epic battles and tournaments. By supporting an authorized mod, we can encourage Nintendo and The Pokémon Company to collaborate with Mojang and bring this dream to life. Together, let’s advocate for a mod that respects intellectual property, enhances our gaming adventures, and paves the way for even greater innovations in the future. Join me in this call to action, and let’s make our voices heard!

Gaming and Technology

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!