SUMMER SEASON TO WIND DOWN SOON

By: Arial

August has officially arrived, but that means one big thing about the changing of the seasons.

Soon, the summer season will begin to wind down across the dream world. According to the weather service, August is the last month of summer after it began on June 1. Weather conditions this month should soon begin to reflect a subtle change in the season.

“June was a little below normal as the auroras lit up the sky and July is looking to have been a little bit above normal in terms of temperatures,” DWPS meteorologist Neige told me, “It was hot in July across the dream world, but it was nowhere near what we saw in 2023. Now that August is here, things will begin to change.”

Neige says that while an impending autumn is upon us in a month, changes won't be sudden and will take time to notice.

“Just because it's the last month of summer doesn't mean that once September begins, it'll suddenly feel like autumn,” he explained, “Autumn-like conditions will begin to be subtly felt in some dimensions towards the mid to late part of this month. By September 1, it should feel like autumn for most of the dream world if the forecast is historically on track for it.”

While summer starts to wind down, residents of the dream world look to enjoy it as long as it lasts.

“I love summer and don't want to see it go so soon,” one Beachgoer said, “I'll be here catching a wave and enjoying the atmosphere before then. Wait, would a tropical cyclone threaten to close this dimension down? I haven't thought about that.”

“Just a few more visits to the Shore and I think we'll have soaked in summer to its fullest,” one resident told me, “Building sandcastles and enjoying a nice drink is great. I'm gonna miss this summer.”

“I still can't believe this summer wasn't crazy like the last two years. One year it was underwhelming and the next it was way too hot,” an Apartments resident said, “This year seemed normal? It's been a while since we've seen normal around here! I hope it lasts into autumn…”

Neige says the DWPS will release its seasonal outlook for autumn in one month and can't guarantee anything about the upcoming season just yet.

“Patience. We can't comment about what autumn will be like until we get closer to it,” the DWPS meteorologist said, “We have to look into our forecast and models for that so hang in there, it's still summer. Get out there and enjoy it while it lasts. Who knows what the next summer will bring.”

For the latest weather conditions, visit the DWPS' website for the latest weather information or visit your local forecasting office for additional resources.

DPF DISMISSES SECTION SHUTDOWN CLAIMS

By: Oswald

The Dimension Protection Force is dismissing claims that the agency shut down the Section dimension last week.

Recently, a rumor began to spread online about the possibility of the DPF having shut down the dimension for a classified briefing. As these rumors spread, the agency later came out against them. 

“The DPF is not behind the shut down of the Section,” a spokesperson said, “DPEC came out last week and announced that a power outage hit the dimension. Thus, the dimension had to be closed off.”

The DPF acknowledges that it is routine that the patrol unit shuts down dimensions, though typically when another agency issues a recommendation for it.

“The Dimension Patrol Unit can shut down dimensions if there is a recommendation from another agency about a concern such as a weather emergency or an outage,” the spokesperson explained, “However, they won't shut down a dimension for no reason on their own, unless it is being corrupted.”

Some residents believe it while others remain skeptical. 

“I mean so long as the dimension reopens again and the outage is fixed, I don't see a problem,” said one resident.

“I hope they fix it soon since I liked going there to study for exams,” another student resident told me, “It's very quiet with little foot traffic. I miss it already.”

“I don't know. It does seem fishy that it got shut down all of a sudden,” a concerned resident told me, “The Section has never had a problem with a power outage until now. Could the DPF be using it as a cover up for something else?”

The outage itself is almost completely restored and should be fixed within the week, according to DPEC.

“We're just about finishing up the last few issues we're having with the power,” a DPEC worker said, “Give us about another week. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

For the latest updates or to report an outage in any area, visit the DPEC website for additional information and resources.

Q/A: Ask the developer

Dear Adri, what are some of the inspirations behind the story?
By: Inni Spyre

Hello Inni! When I first start planning out the story, the characters, the setting, and everything else involving it, I got inspiration from various sources of media.

One of the big inspirations for the overall game is Club Penguin! You may see and hear a lot of references to Club Penguin if you used to play it as a kid. The newspaper updating every Thursday is similar to that of Club Penguin’s newspaper. There are also similar events to that of the virtual world like the Holiday Party. 

Another source of inspiration was Gravity Falls! There was always something so unique about the show that captivated me when I was younger. At Biz Mart, there's lore similar to that of Gravity Falls. People in the area have reported seeing some pretty strange things they can't explain and such things seem natural to only this area in particular. Seem familiar?

One another source of inspiration was Omega Mart. The very strange products that the store sells got me thinking of what the actual Biz Mart store could be like. Of course, the products at Biz Mart may be expired and there may be some abnormal things happening too. One wrong step and you're in another world…you have no idea what's in store for you!

There are more sources of inspiration for the story, characters, and setting, but these are a few. It's nice to know there are people who find even the littlest things in the game and story to be interesting!

Dear Adri, are there any specific events you'd like to incorporate?
By: Pahrtee Tyme

Hi Pahrtee! Yes, there have been some events I'd like to incorporate one day in the game. I'll be sincere- I have a list of events I would want to do, but the storyline hasn’t given me time to really plan it out correctly. Here are some events I have written down as possible future event contenders…

Some sort of elemental event is on the list! The event would consist of celebrating some of the most important elements there are out there such as fire, water, ice, air, earth, etc. It would likely divide up dimensions into certain elements with some sort of “battle” taking place. I don’t think it would be a serious battle, but more of a “which one of us is the best element” type of battle. I’d have to see how this would play out!

Another event on the list is a carnival type of event. Interestingly, I do have a plot for what this event would do in regards to the storyline as it may be a precursor for the event following it. However, I don't want to spoil much about it. I will say that unfortunately such an event won't take place this year, but there's always next year!

A third event on the list would be a music festival type of event. I think an event to celebrate the different genres of music would be pretty cool! This event was originally on the board for this year, but I had already decided on doing the Wilderness Expedition for the summer. Who knows? Maybe next summer we'll get to see this event!

It's hard to implement cool events I have in my head when it's not directly tied to the current plotline and also the timing. Sometimes I just have to be lucky to have a filler month and hope for the best. Do you have any ideas for a cool event for the game? I would love to hear them!

Dear Adri, which event has been the most fun to have made?

By: Haddalo Tafunn 

Hello Haddalo! Throughout the last three years, there have been numerous events. Holiday Parties make me nostalgic, Halloween Parties are spooky, but out of all of the events, I think the April Fool’s Party is the most fun!

What makes this event different than others is that it's the one event that I can have fun and mess around with things. It's not often that the game can look so weird and strange like a virus has corrupted its file! Invisible objects, things misplaced, missing decal textures and more… it's a lot of fun!

I've looked forward to the April Fool's Party each year as it's really the one time I can go crazy with the rooms in the game and no one will really question it. Yes things are getting weird and that's okay! Enjoy the weirdness while it lasts!

Dear Adri, is there a character that's the most like you?

By: Simmi Lahriti

Hello Simmi! I've been asked this question a few times in the past. To be frank, about 98% of the characters in the story are some part of my personality. This means that pretty much almost all of them are a little piece of the real me!

Let's take Porter, for example. Porter is a journalist who works at the Subliminal Tribune. In high school, I took a journalism class for three years and worked on the school newspaper too! I was a reporter for one year and an editor for another year. I think Porter reflects my interest for journalism in a way that I can incorporate in the story.

Cirrus is a meteorologist who loves talking about the weather. Just like her, I too am so fascinated by meteorology! Since I was little, I always liked to read and learn about the weather and how it affects the earth. Later in college, I took an earth science and then a meteorology course and it was incredible stuff! She reflects that little part of me.

One more example I would include is Rainier. He is the Secretary of Christmas Affairs- a silly sounding, but very important title nonetheless! Rainier reflects my love for Christmas if it wasn't obvious where I was going with this. I have always loved Christmas growing up and even so now. Getting to have Rainier be all about Christmas reflects my love for the holiday and everything it has to offer!

There are other characters I could shed some light on, but I'd leave you with these. Do I seem more like one particular character in general than another? Or a mix of a few? I'd love to know who you see me more as!