Hello everyone! I wanted to do a blog on my birthday, probably the last one this year. As usual I wanted to start with some ME-OS stuff, and then just jump into everything else. Let's start! Maybe with something I don't do as often...

Really quick, if you don't know what ME-OS is, it's an operating system simulation game with tons of games inside! You can check out the video from the last big update here (already very outdated). This little teaser specifically is for Jump Wars, since I know a lot of you who follow are excited for this game. There will be at least 5 new characters, and here's a small teaser of two... and there's a reason I am teasing these specifically. One is for my long time fans, you might recognize one of the silhouettes. The other one (in my opinion) is a staple of Newgrounds and something I have been a fan of since I was around 7 or 8 years old! I'm very excited to show off both of these, as well as the other things aside from characters coming to Jump Wars in the next update... but of course, we are working on other ME-OS games too! Here's some news about Gon Ball Rally:

Besides some other changes, I am working on the second level with adding the scenery/models required before starting on the platforms! It seems easy, but getting around to this is super hard since 3D is just a monster to work with sometimes... but it's getting there! Just to keep it brief I'm gonna go over just a few more changes in minor detail...

The UI update is underway! You can't see it here yet, but this is just an example of some things I wanted to add to improve user experience. Mimi Mini for example can now play user made playlists, and they can source from internal, external, and mixed directory songs! Gifs can also now open in the image viewer, which you'd think would be easy but it's a bit complicated with Unity for some reason... oh well haha. There's a ton of other things such as network improvements and useful features (banning, banlisting, etc.), more spawnable objects, and a lot more. Since I already feel like this is getting super long though, just know that I plan to release the next ME-OS LIVE presentation early February (I really really hope!!). Some of you might have also seen a nostalgic like trailer for ME-OS on the NGTV Christmas Marathon:

If you haven't watched it, make sure to do so! It's a great compilation many people worked on. I want to watch it after this blog too, and am very excited. @Kolumbo gave me the idea of making a nostalgic like ME-OS commercial for one of the commercial breaks, so I'd like to once again say a massive super duper big thanks for letting me be part of such a great project!

Now on to other stuff...

If you couldn't tell I'm rushing a bit because I have so much to say and so little time to write, since I got more stuff to do after this... oops lol. But I had a great day today! I got birthday presents in the morning (including a very warm green onesie from @spicycoffee, and there were also green balloons everywhere, and my brother gave me a green steam deck case, can you maybe guess what my favorite color is?), and then spent most of the day in the zoo since I go there at least twice almost every year since 2004. Then spent Hannukah dinner with family before going upstairs and writing all this lol. It's been a very interesting year full of ups and downs, awesome things and big obstacles, but I'm happy I'm just here before the next year starts in a very happy and fulfilled mood. My year has been filled with great people, including many of you guys here! Lots of people posting very good music that I listened to, many people that interacted with my stuff (which means the world to me honestly), and I even got to be on @bottletopbillfanclub 's podcast! It was this episode btw (and thanks a bunch for having me):

I have a ton of plans for the new year. It's exciting in a good way but also a scary way... I have lots of exciting plans and ideas, but also some big obstacles waiting ahead for me. For example I'm pretty sure the next update I have for ME-OS will also release alongside a demo, which is already scary, but I also think it will be the year when I finally do my Kickstarter if the demo goes well (which is even scarier oops). But its something I've been waiting to do for a long time and can't wait to get around to. I also have a whole backlog of music I am going to finish/make, lots of stuff I want to try, and much much more.

I'm probably gonna continue doing some birthday stuff, but I want to conclude with a bit of stuff. I know I am extremely lucky, and am very grateful, to be surrounded by wonderful people all the time. My family, friends, and even followers like you! I had some tough times this year where I didn't have motivation, had doubts and problems, but the support I have from everyone just made me want to continue and succeed. And the fact that you read this far in my super disorganized blog means so, so much to me. I wish you all the best of most importantly health, and then luck with all the good things you want to do. Newgrounds is a platform for very creative people, and I want to see you all flourish and show off how awesome you can be!

For those of you who celebrate, Happy first day of Hannukah or Merry Christmas, and in general for everyone have a great and exciting new year! I'll see you all in the next one :)

You're all awesome!

- MG