#serverscanon

[usaokay]

Servers: Part 1 - Grand Tour

Remade to better introduce readers to the virtual reality software.

[usaokay]

Servers: Part 5.5 - Going Steady

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Much like Part 4.5 - Birthday, it’s served as a side-story that’s not too important to the overall plot. 

[usaokay]

"It's so hot!" exasperated Katie Izaki as she sat in her sweltering room with the fan facing her at full max. Living in California would have its benefits if the weather didn't zip back and forth between the cold and the heat. Despite living far each from each of her teammates, Frank and Bravo 2, they shared the same sentiments. "I thought winter was supposed to be a cool season," Katie said. "But it's 86 degrees where I am!" Bravo 2, who looked up from his tablet, was also sweating through his headset in real life. Taking off the VR headset for a quick second to wipe the sweat off his brow, responded, "You should definitely go to a coffee place or a bookstore and take advantage of their A/C." Katie didn't want to go outside. She was afraid of any paparazzo or anyone she personally knows would hound her. At best, it was better for her to stay inside for some time. With her air conditioning unit still under repairs, she has to brave the heatwave for just another day. "It probably doesn't help we're sitting in this map," Frank said, sitting far away from the team as he's under a virtual fan and eating virtual ice cream. "It's all about the mind! How do you think the desert nomads brave the heat? They get used to it." "What do you suggest?" Katie asked. "We can change our location by going to a beach or a snowy place. Anything is better than some middle eastern village." Katie thought about it as the fan beside her was blowing humidity at her sweating face and equally sweaty headset. "I suppose we can try a new location for the time being, but I'm not sure where." Bravo 2 piqued up from his tablet once again. During the exchange, he was looking up different areas for the group to move to. "Since the holiday town's server is mostly crowded right now thanks to some Christmas event, we can go to a pool an have a little party or train by fighting underwater." "I like to cut of your jib," Frank said as he's pointing his finger guns to Bravo 2. "As much as I like the beach, I can actually use my pool floaties. Maybe have a little race?" Katie sat by in a tired mood. She's tired of Frank's slightly childish antics as it reminded her a lot of her ex-fiance Hiroshio used to be known for. Still, it doesn't hurt for a change of pace every now and then, but she wasn't going to swim with them. No way, no how. Taking an orange water pistol, Frank announced, "It's decided then. Train a little bit at the pool. Do some sparring, racing, and target practice!" If you could see it, Katie raised her eyebrow through her headset and said, "Target practice?" Frank snickered devilishly as the group head through the portal into the pool.

[usaokay]

[usaokay]

- Some of the screenshots are a year old. - Jessica previously appeared in the old Season 2 using the SIN Episodes model. I changed her model to better fit with the Servers cast. - The reason this comic took some time to come out was due to some story revisions and focusing on the overarching story at hand, which many of it are mentioned throughout this comic. - There are some concepts and screenshots that didn't make it to the final result. - If you're wondering, Jessie identifies as a lesbian. She decided to go on a "date" with Bravo 2 to help him out. Bravo 2 did show some interest in her until that reveal.

Posted in reverse order for better readability on tumblr page.

See the entire comic: http://imgur.com/a/QOOjv

Read the entire story (so far): http://imgur.com/a/VK5aX   

[usaokay]

Constructing each Bravo character in Servers

We all have our reasons to fight, to keep living, and to pursue our own goals.

For the Bravos, it’s no different. Many of their self-interests are mainly inspired from what I experienced in my life. These interests clash into what makes the Bravo team into a group that readers can connect with.

As their behavior, appearance, and name have changed throughout the years, I finally found a good enough ground to cover that showcase their history and emotional story arcs.

A girl in a video game is basically like a sheep in a den of wolves.

Katie “Bravo 1″ Izaki wasn’t always the case. She didn’t officially become a girl until nearing the end of Season 1 where I wanted some more diversity into the group. It was easy to explain her different appearance as her hiding herself from horny players over the internet. Unfortunately that wouldn’t stop Frank from sometimes unintentionally doing naughty things with her.

Being the butt of sexual jokes between her and Frank, I based her character on a mix between someone I know and Japanese anime characters.

Since I was into the manga Love Hina at the time, I wrote her as a potential love interest for Bravo 2, which then changed to Frank and then to a new unseen character named Hiroshio. The radical changes were pretty much: I got older, this romance wouldn’t fit, and this totally makes sense for the story; in that respective order.

She used to primarily have Japanese ancestry and lived in Japan for most of her life until the story’s development shifted her to being a mix of African-American and Japanese; and she grew up in California before moving to Japan.

Her singer background was also changed from being a Pop Star to a regular indie musician. Making her character less of a star and is currently in her attempt to rise-to-the-top can allow for further subplot progress. Not sure how it will relate to the larger story at hand, but I generally enjoy an extra slice of character development.

Since the beginning of the old Season 1, I have no idea where to take Bravo 2. He was nearly a mute throughout the season as the main jokes lied purely on Bravo 1 and Frank. It wasn’t until Season 3 that I realized Bravo 2 wasn’t utilized to a full extent, so I made that season (and later the larger story at hand) revolve around him and his personal struggle. Over the course of development, he grew from a character-less enigma to the main star while Bravo 1 and Frank were placed into the side-lines.

At first I struggled what kind of character he would be, but then it dawned on me at the time: due to my own struggles that I was going through, I found it to be more relaxing if I wrote about it in a entertainment format that audiences may enjoy. I later discovered that this was a normal occurrence that writers go through in their works: They write about their personal experiences.

Bravo 2 is me. He’s using my legal first name too. I would name him “Ross,” but it would be too obvious and on-the-nose. Most of his background has been events that I personally experienced.

I was worried about how people may react to Bravo 2′s new sense of character, but they enjoyed him nonetheless. In Season 3, he was a generic hero with some comedic moments that don’t really portray him too well. He felt like I was shoehorning myself into being this badass who gets the girl at the end. I didn’t want that. He needs to have an obstacle to overcome within himself. 

As I have planned for him to fall apart near the end of the season, the semi-reboot allowed me to better utilize Bravo 2′s character development that would explain his motives and background that relate to the larger events at hand.

Bravo 2′s focus has become exceedingly large enough where it mirror’s Pirates of the Carribean where it’s just Jack Sparrow & Friends. I want to focus more on Bravo 1 and Frank because I feel like they’re Will Turner and Natalie Portman at the moment.

Frank J. Brandly was the main star of Servers. He was the comedian who, as a friend in middle school once told me, loved Frank more than anyone else. Frank’s comedic chops was my focus on trying to make up new jokes with each short issue.

He eventually grew into being the Game Helmet’s CEO that the hackers would want to capture. I thought it was a good idea at the time until I realize Frank’s actions isn’t too realistic and is downright stupid for a CEO to do. I changed his position to being a famous developer who helped began the GH’s development. 

In the semi-reboot, I downplayed his perverted character with more slightly inane moments where he goes against the game and is carefree about the serious nature of video games. I referenced his perverted nature in Part 5: Date Night, which showcases that he’s a different kind of character now.

As his background relates to the larger plot and certain characters, I can’t say anything further.

Next up: The evolution of my layouts.

[usaokay]

Rhythm binds everyone together regardless of race, gender, or any background preference. The only difference that matters is song preference. Fortunately in the Game Helmet's dance floor, the song can be specified to a specific user, so while one player boogies down on punk, another is twerking to pop. For the Bravo team, they sought to teach their student, Frank, how to boogie down on the dance floor. It was a spur of the moment decision as no one wanted to play the same ol' shooting games again. Fortunately enough, no one needs to be an expert on how to become the best dancer on the floor, though it only contributes to the fact that everyone else is just as bad at dancing. Still, it didn't stopped everyone from having a good time.

[usaokay]

"Help! There's a dragon nearby our settlem-" but before the newbie player could finish his shaken up sentence, he noticed a peculiar sight on the three heroes he was trying to get help from. They aren't in the same art style as everyone else. In fact, you might say that they have more blocks than the entire world combined. Never the less about the players not taking the whole "roleplaying" element seriously, the village needs help. A high-powered dragon monthly boss has been the target of many trolls who will lead it to the nearby village. While the village could ban the trolls, it would be economically better to send in three idiots to handle such a mighty feat. What they don't know is that one idiot has the power to easily defeat the dragon with ease. "Don't worry, m'villager!" shouted Frank, who pointed up into the air to the bemusement of Bravo 1. "Thee shall slay ye mighty beast for ye!" "Okay bro," the villager responded. "I have no idea what you just said. Just kill that boss for us and we'll probably give you a hat or something." "Bravo 2! Have ye procured us some mounts and weapons for our dashing adventure ahead?" Frank said to Bravo 2, who returned from the shops. Bravo 2, took a sip of his virtual beer, and looked behind to his three purchases: A wolf, a pig, and a horse. "Like you said, Frank," Bravo 2 said, "Three animals for us, and a shovel for Bravo 1 so he can feel like that Shovel Knight guy. We need to finish this boss training quickly, cause we got something else planned for today." "Aha! Then let us ride off into the unknown so we can be written into legends!" Frank said, still talking in a medieval accent. Everyone groaned at Frank.