I am genuinely struggling to find the words to properly convey how I feel. When I started creating (writing, short stories and such) I did not know what it feels like to have someone that genuinely understands and is invested in what I make. Even today, when I give someone one of my books, in 99% of cases I never again hear from them about it - nobody ever has the time, apparently.
I would be lying if I said your comments didn't move me. With the extremely troubled history behind it (I failed to mention I considered quitting it altogether several times because of how much I was trying to perfect it) and the relentless self-criticism and perfectionism I unfortunately suffer from throughout all my productions, having someone call my work a "masterpiece" is earth-shattering to me.
I think it's pretty obvious that I make this games because I genuinely think games can be works of art - and that I want to make some too, something personal. When I started, I must admit, I was terrified of having to learn to draw. But editing (photoshopping, distorting, mashing, whatever you prefer) I think makes for something quite unique I have not seen a lot around, and it very much still is a way to convey personality and emotion, in my opinion.
I have loved the medium throughout all my life, and during my studies (I'm going for the master's degree now!!) I'm trying to understand more and more on why they can be so intriguing, and where do those emotions come from, how to evoke them and what consequences they have. (I've been reading Mark Fisher's The Weird and the Eerie and honestly it's a treasure trove of inspiration)
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
For exploring, understanding, and taking the time to flavor the sickly-sweet emotions in my work, with way too much sugar inside, just the way I like my tea.
All the love this tiny heart can muster <3