June

![2](//images.ctfassets.net/vafj0jtq5v91/115FLagZuuk3X67YEb2Hv9/1fd7178e8b4dc43e6190c1280fcce531/2.png)

Summer has arrived for many of us, and we hope everyone is enjoying its start! We are ending the month of June with our latest Dev Blog! 

As a short reminder, we’ll be releasing these at the end of each month to make sure our community is up to speed with the happenings of our team as we continue the development of Ilysia. 

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# ICYMI: More Additions To The Team! 
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest additions to Team 21 Studio! Please join me in welcoming Norm and Kyle! 

Some short and sweet words from Norm: 
*"Navy vet, Fullsail Grad, and alum of Cartoon Network, EA Sports(Madden console & mobile), Zynga Sports 365, Fanduel, CastAR, and more.  Loves gaming, programming, APA billiards, his gorgeous lady, and his kids."*

And some words from Kyle who is joining our narrative team: 
*“I’ve known that I wanted to do storytelling since I had any concept of career goals. Creating a world and characters that people can develop a connection with feels like a worthwhile pursuit to me. I got a degree in creative writing, as well as a minor in theater, from the University of Nevada, Reno. I’ve worked with groups local to my area, such as indie filmmakers or a dance troupe, as well as creative groups with members living across the country and world. I’m thrilled to be a part of this team and tell some engaging tales within this fantasy world everyone has been passionately working on to bring to life.”*

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# Development Update 
 *Hi everyone, Arthur here,*

 *Alpha 2 was a smashing success! We had thousands of players show up, they helped our team tackle some bugs, and gave us some great feedback to aid us in our steps to Beta 1.  Our dev team has been hard at work getting creating new features for players to test, some of those being mounts, new classes, player-owned content, a PvP zone, increasing draw distance for mobile VR, and more of the social aspects that players come to expect from MMORPGs.*

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# World and Character Building - What has the art team been up to?

Last month we looked at what it takes to go from concept art to in-game assets. This month we dive a little deeper into new projects the team has been up to. 

Introducing The Igara, these creatures began life as a redesign of our Tokas, seen in Alpha 2, but we decided to make them a new mob instead and leave the Toka as the smaller and cuter mobs they already were.

![The Igara](//images.ctfassets.net/vafj0jtq5v91/74U9P2aXz1LgjWbd93ZBIe/235cf320e756ef567c8f0dcd8ac6440e/The_Igara.png)

Additionally, Our character artists have been adding to our already wonderful avatars, creating new hairstyles and avatar customization options, as well as adding two new races that will appear in our upcoming Beta 1.

![Elf hair](//images.ctfassets.net/vafj0jtq5v91/4oG7VgmvOiz4H8eKZ4f6lq/eb3f3e0b82ccacd9ee90236fd68d3f9c/unknown__2_.png)

From Seth, one of our Character Artists:

*"My main inspiration in concepting these hairstyles was looking at modern trends for braiding hair as well as gaining inspiration from Viking culture and hairstyles! I wanted to play with different silhouettes and styles while still making sure they feel connected and belonged together in the same realm for the Elves. I am excited for the players to see the finished styles!"*

From concept art to in-game assets, our art team continues to flesh out the world of Ilysia by introducing unique flora and terrain props to the world. Below are some examples of flora you might come across in the game! 

![unknown](//images.ctfassets.net/vafj0jtq5v91/5p9VAyg3M27K8AvmQHi0Wz/1ca792cb15757c5d8665f7c50b9496bb/unknown.png)

![unknown (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/vafj0jtq5v91/5ObkYDgLkgrY45XyJNtFzV/827d515e2c90e4c10530697facaaf8ac/unknown__1_.png)

And last but not least! Some Toka environmental prop concept art! 

![unknown (3)](//images.ctfassets.net/vafj0jtq5v91/6aqMqmJ8rNgiPb5fI7Lj10/8c1eebf63d6a526cb4228662c2047b50/unknown__3_.png)

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#Music That Motivates

It doesn't matter if you are writing code from scratch, working on a cool new character design, modeling game assets, or sculpting terrain. We all need music from time to time to either motivate us or keep us going late into the night. Our team is made up of a diverse group of people and our taste in music can be just as diverse. We asked each team member what their current top three songs are at the moment and this is what they came up with.

__Arthur | President and Chief Creative Officer__

- [One Slip - Pink Floyd](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOPNa753e1E&ab_channel=Vini0784)
- [The Widow Maker (feat Gunship) - Carpenter Brut](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3i7tcZ-szI&ab_channel=CarpenterBrut)
- [Moonwalking In Calabasas - DDG](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSo-MVAADyo&ab_channel=DDG)

__Xander | Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer__

- [Lizzo - Grrrls](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r9TbKLCus0&ab_channel=LizzoMusic)
- [Cafe Music - Ghibli Jazz](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jWRrafhO7M&t=9s&ab_channel=CafeMusicBGMchannel)
- [Breathe Carolina - Sweet Dreams](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lles_PvHqAk&ab_channel=Spinnin%27Records)

__Geoffrey | Co-Founder and Chief Narrative Officer__

- [New Cydonia - Starcadian](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rmBZOAyKAk&ab_channel=NewRetroWave)
- [Kiss me more (ft. SZA) - Doja Cat](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EVVKs6DQLo&ab_channel=dojacatVEVO)
- [Release the Kraken - Ninja Sex Party](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4itm0SRxAro&ab_channel=NinjaSexParty)

__Tyler | Chief Executive Officer__

- [Bedtime intimacy - Das Mortal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ0rCjCQ9rE&ab_channel=DasM%C3%B6rtal-Topic)
- [Them Changes by Thundercat](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNCd_ERZvZM&ab_channel=Brainfeeder)
- [Crockett's Theme - Roundheads remix](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AqTB30d-Mc&ab_channel=Welcometothe%2780s)

__Jared | Developer__

- [Nothing More - Turn it up Like](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbWr515vhkw&ab_channel=BetterNoiseMusic)
- [I Prevail - Body Bag](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEzYKLLUAI4&ab_channel=IPrevailVEVO)
- [Sabaton - Stormtroopers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo8H5vUKMlk&ab_channel=Sabaton)

__Josh | Developer__

- [Live in the Moment - Portugal. The Man](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hha0bwVvGmY&ab_channel=Portugal.TheMan)
- [Doses & Mimosas - Cherub](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E45fogGN_Y8&ab_channel=CHERUBVEVO)
- [The Distance - Cake](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_HoMkkRHv8&ab_channel=CakeVEVO)

__Samer | Developer__

- [Flight’s booked - Drake](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb24kZ0fiEA&ab_channel=DrakeVEVO)
- [TDB - OBOY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Oh3knWDBnA&ab_channel=OBOY)
- [Greece - DJ Khaled](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMlBB2pK5qo&ab_channel=DJKhaledVEVO)

__Jason G | Developer__

- [Code Monkey - Jonathan Coulton](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEBld6I_AKs&ab_channel=JonathanCoulton-Topic)
- [Dare To Be Stupid - Weird Al](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMhwddNQSWQ&ab_channel=alyankovicVEVO)
- [Hikari - Death Devil](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t08uisWILAg&ab_channel=HuiJS)

__Norm | Developer__

- [Pump It - Black Eyes Peas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaI2IlHwmgQ&ab_channel=BlackEyedPeasVEVO)
- [Aerial Boundaries - Michael Hedges](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaIN13aDbCc&ab_channel=type3secretion)
- [Shatter Me - Lindsey Sterling](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49tpIMDy9BE&ab_channel=LindseyStirling)

__Jason S | Developer__

- [Dreaming Of Ghosts - Not Real Anymore](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvI4QWoekl0&ab_channel=RobotKoch)
- [Flume ft. Vera Blue - Rushing Back (Ekko & Sidetrack Bootleg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG5lss65JkM&ab_channel=UKFDrum%26Bass)
- [Wilkinson & Becky Hill - Here For You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY2IB2gGC14&ab_channel=UKFDrum%26Bass)

__Kyle | Narrative Writer__

- [Lord of the Rings - The Shire](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LML6SoNE7xE&ab_channel=Escapemusicmovies)
- [Remastered Music and Ambience - Sunset in Hobbiton](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBmbI8dzc-M&ab_channel=AmbientWorlds)
- [1 Hour of Celtic Forest Music - For The Pack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yTLaqO5kmA&ab_channel=AdrianvonZiegler)

__Ralph | Environmental Artist__

- [My Dear Frodo - The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxbxNuVYOPw&ab_channel=jediking12)
- [A Gift of Thistle - James Horner](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrjSLW0zfts&ab_channel=Tim0N)
- [Hand in Hand - Lorne Balfe](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezh4lIexd70&ab_channel=LorneBalfe-Topic)

__Kevin | Character Artist__

- [Ignorance - Paramore](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH9A6tn_P6g&ab_channel=Paramore)
- [Goose - Polyphia](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVSqUl-FtCI&ab_channel=Polyphia)
- [Greenlights - Krewella](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2dgChEZA4M&ab_channel=Krewella)

__Seth | Character Artist__ 

- [honey - Halsey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4akyJGZqjFg&ab_channel=HalseyVEVO)
- [frown - mxmtoon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlxtYyIdXgM&ab_channel=mxmtoon)
- [Good Advice - Peach Tree Rascals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPfmqJOx66s&ab_channel=PeachTreeRascals)

__Pam | 3D Artist__

- [CO1N - LVL 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfIKIr9RgnY&ab_channel=LVL1VEVO)
- [After The Storm (feat. Tyler, The Creator & Bootsy Collins) - Kali Uchis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f5zD7ZSNpQ&ab_channel=KaliUchisVEVO)
- [Washing Machine Heart - Mitski](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vjkh-acmTE&ab_channel=MitskiVEVO)

__Abbie | 3D Artist__

- [tryna smoke - jhene aiko](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ov6tH8KSvY&ab_channel=Jhen%C3%A9Aiko)
- [2late - iyla](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fA9EmDl8nY&ab_channel=iyla)
- [diva - princess nokia](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI66CjACJsU&ab_channel=PrincessNokiaVEVO)

__Sam | Community Manager__

- [To The Hellfire - Lorna Shore](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyYmS_iBcy4&ab_channel=CenturyMediaRecords)
- [Fear of Falling Asleep - TENDER](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15I4DzkaX2E&ab_channel=TenderVEVO)
- [Hate Me! - MASN](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF1LWTHOdg0&ab_channel=MASN)

__Justin | Composer__

- [Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen - The Traveller](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXLaVQ4YgzQ&ab_channel=Epidemic)
- [Kirill Pokrovsky - Bittersweet Regrets](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=donHFxrLyT8&ab_channel=AuraofMana)
- [Danheim - Runar](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bHvk2hQXoY&ab_channel=Danheim)

Why yes, I did in fact place all these songs into a YouTube playlist and it might just be the most chaotic thing in existence, enjoy! 

👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6mhsVZoqnl6mNPfgcQXVYrAymk7RlKuK

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# Community Spotlight

Our Discord continues to grow and we’ve recently reached 10k users! If you’re not in our [Discord](https://discord.gg/ilysia), we highly encourage you to join us! Talk about all things Ilysia, VR, and other various topics.

Not only do you get to meet others excited about Ilysia, it’s also an opportunity to score a key for our upcoming Beta. Users can self-assign the giveaway role for a chance to be entered in the drawings when they surface! 

We also on occasion host some hilarious game nights with the community and encourage users to jump into those as well! 

Now thats out of the way, let's take a peek at some community artwork! We are going back a bit to showcase some older pieces that at the time didn't get the spotlight they deserve! 

![Nervly7805 02](//images.ctfassets.net/vafj0jtq5v91/7MQ6488V6WHyySv4BvJ892/6fe06927206b2ccbf8ea7645ee28cc7e/Nervly7805_02.png)Drawing by Nervly#7805

![Tahgoomy5934 01](//images.ctfassets.net/vafj0jtq5v91/1wFRhbEEIspoKFrDZg9suX/3639011b54c8ea48ca3e277269c1c35c/Tahgoomy5934_01.png)Drawing by Tahgoomy#5934

![rafamalafa8705 01](//images.ctfassets.net/vafj0jtq5v91/3f2mTRMclU9iTjdjrTIvoL/935a9274e34b67be835ac6170494549d/rafamalafa8705_01.jpg)Drawing by rafamalafa#8705

![Rufoid1996 04](//images.ctfassets.net/vafj0jtq5v91/3BTSZu3XW2iG0FLI7Uf1eu/7bdf460dbdcca911d55f90605c468dc4/Rufoid1996_04.jpg)Drawing by Rufoid#1996

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# And Thats A Wrap!

Thank you all for reading June Dev blog! Things are going well with the team and we look forward to sharing more in our next blog! 

If you'd like to receieve these blog updates and other Ilysia related news via email, be sure to sign up through our website!

And as always, check out our other socials:

[Twitter](https://twitter.com/ilysiavr) [Discord](https://discord.gg/ilysia)

~ Sam (Kosmos)

Team 21 Studio, Community Manager

Dev Blog - June 2022

June 30, 2022

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