The Royalty in the Other Castles | Executive Summary Presentation and Speech

*Speech Below Break*

"The Royalty in the Other Castles" Online Comic | Executive Summary

Technology has influenced our ways of looking at the world both for the good and the bad. While it has given us the ability to experience other cultures, it has also created a barrier that we as a society have grown attached to. A barrier that has made it hard for some of us to connect with each other. And with its constant interaction with technology, nerd culture has started to suffer. Bigotry, harassment, threats, and verbal attacks are just some of the behaviors that have become sadly commonplace in the culture's world. These behaviors have found their targets on many sub-sects of the nerd culture population from female nerds to nerds of different sexualities. There are those who have tried to stand up against the injustice, but their cries have fallen on covered ears.

Yet, there could be light at the of the warp pipe. Where others have tried to change nerd culture's ideas with mainstream and traditional ideas, it seems there is a way they haven't tried. And that's through a language that all members of nerd culture seem to understand: comic books.

The Royalty in the Other Castles is an online comic that is updated twice a month. The storyline follows four roommates through their daily journeys in nerd culture. The four roommates span multiple spectrums of identity such as Nerd/Geek identity, sexuality, and gender. The overall tone of the comic will be humorous, but most the topics that they discuss and the situations they experience will be serious. The characters will have to deal with a variety of situations from fandom drama to harassment and threats. Through the comic, the audience will be able to see the current issues in nerd culture through a raw, honest lens.

The Royalty in the Other Castles is a small time project that would require that many people involved. There would be a couple of artists and writers to create the comic as well as a small staff of editors, web designers, and social media directors to help manage the website and overall production.

Funding for a project such as this will be rocky. Being an independently published web comic can eat into any earnings that you might make. Yet, I believe that going to the site Kickstarter would be an adequate way of getting the money needed while gaining exposure in the process. The money would be going towards equipment, software, and web hosting for the comic's production. With cushion funds for repairs and other mishaps that might happen along the way, the total funding for this project would come to about $9,500. It is a bit steep, but the money would be going towards a good cause.

The timeline for Royalty is not a standard timeline. The first order of business would be to raise the funds necessary to get the comic strip started. From past experience, such a popular form of nerd culture media with such a cause would take around a year and a half at most to raise the money. After the funds are reached, there would be a two month break in order to get the devices, set up a studio, and start work on the first piece. The final part of the timeline would be the creation and updating of the comic. The timeline for the final portion would be indefinite until the creators decide to end the comic. Yet, the comic will be updated on a bi-monthly schedule. This would give the creators, editors, and designers a chance to create the comic and then go over and tweak anything.

The goal of The Royalty in the Other Castles is a simple goal: raise awareness and change minds. Comic books have a long history of tackling troublesome and hot social topics. From drug abuse to mass death to historical first moments, the list of topics commented on by comic books goes on. Yet, I chose a medium that allows for some levity. Although the comic will be touching sensitive and serious topics, entertainment allows for the audience to want to read the comic further rather than get bored with the soap box it could become. Through this comic, I want to show the world a first hand look at what it's like to be the one with the target on their back. To be afraid to walk around a convention floor because of harassment. To need to lie about your sexuality so you don't get attacked while playing video games online. To see what it's like to be silenced in a conversation because of your sex or gender. And all while making clever nerd culture references in the process.

"You're Pretty Good at Games for a Girl" | My Worst PAXEast Experience

Warning: The following is a personal account of harassment. If you are triggered by harassment in any way or form, please read with caution.

My PAXEast Experience

Before spring break, I made a post stating that I would be attending the major video gaming convention PAXEast in early March. Well, I've been there, done that, and got amazing SWAG. But, I also received quite an interesting experience along the way. An experience that highlights both the wonders and the downers of both nerd culture and video gaming culture.

So, buckle your seat belts and hold on tight to those controllers because this isn't your grandma's boss fight.

I arrived at the con in the mid-afternoon. The first panel that I managed to make was a panel concerning my favorite YouTuber Markiplier.

This panel was more for personal interest in the celebrity than for my project. Therefore the only information I have to report is that it was completely awesome to meet my favorite YouTuber. The other panel that I was interested in going to was later that day.

Unfortunately, I was unable to make the panel due to train scheduling problems. It was a sad situation, but I'm hoping to find a recording of the panel somewhere online. That way, I'm able to watch it and experience it despite having to leave the convention without seeing it.

After making my way out of the panel and down onto the convention floor, I was, well, floored by how large the convention was. Large booths were more small cities that were bordered by lines of people that wrapped around them. Below are some pictures I managed to take while on the convention floor, but I will be honest in that they don't do the sheer huge-ness of the show justice.

My overall experience at the convention was great. It was a convention that I have longed to go to since I was young. And everything that I got to try was amazing. Yet there were some parts of the day that tore away at the fun that I was having.

The first part was some attendees' reciprocation of cosplayers. Now, just as with every convention, I decided to go in cosplay. My costume choice was to do a cute, human version of the Pokémon Umbreon.

Source

To keep a long description short, my outfit consisted of: a skirt with attached tail, crop top, tights, boots, a beanie with ears, and an under bust corset. Because Umbreon is a Dark type Pokémon, I wanted to keep the design dark, Gothic, but cute, fun and recognizable. I got stopped for photographs quite a bit and my character was recognized. All in all I thought it was a good cosplay. However, there were some people on the convention floor who didn't enjoy, not just my cosplaying, but cosplaying in general quite as much.

Quite often, I would find myself overhearing comments about my cosplay. Whether it was my choice to wear a corset or how "short" -- apparently just above my knees is 'short' -- my skirt was, it seemed as though what I was wearing was of huge concern to the people around me. Being a cosplayer for three years, I know that I will be judged by everyone who sees me on the floor. Cosplay is a subculture where critiquing is commonplace. Yet, when my cosplay one of the more covering cosplays I saw that day, I started to get irritated that what I was wearing was causing concern.

The topic of cosplayers being at the convention was a subject that seemed to bring strife to some attendees. It seemed as though that every time I was stopped for a picture or had a compliment given to me, there was a time when someone made a comment about "how much cosplaying is ruining PAX" or "how these 'fake' gamers are only there to cosplay" or "how cosplayers shouldn't bother with coming." It was disheartening to say the least, but I could understand their points.

PAXEast is a widely recognized video gaming convention. It's a place for major video game companies to come forward and show off their newest toys and games to the masses. It's a place for Independent - "Indie" - developers to bring in media attention to their newer titles. It's a place for tabletop companies to give you exclusive releases to add to your decks. The core interest of the convention is gaming. So it's natural for long-time, dedicated PAX con-goers to be distressed to see cosplay growing in popularity at the convention. However, I personally think that completely discrediting someone just because they chose to come in costume to a gaming convention is ridiculous and elitist. Cosplay is a fantastic and creative way to show appreciation for all nerd media. Whether it's comic books, television shows, movies, or, yes, video games, to put the time and effort to make and wear a costume of a character shows a level of fan appreciation that I, again personally, think goes beyond just loving the medium their from. And while yes it can be annoying to try and move around someone in large, Worbla armor that lights up and takes up the space of two people, saying that cosplay is "ruining" the convention is simply untrue.

The second part was the concern of my sex. Throughout the day, I found myself stuck in a situation that, sadly, is all too common for me: the treatment of female gamers. Being a gamer and being a woman has always lead to some difficult situations. I have been pushed aside, laughed at, scoffed at. But, at the same time, I've been seen as some mythical being emerging from the mists of fantasy when my male counterparts realize that I wasn't a "fake gamer girl." And I wasn't able to escape this treatment at PAX.

At some booths, I would struggle to keep my place in line. One attendee cut in front of me and, after I politely explained that I was in line, he bluntly said "Oh...I just thought you were waiting in line with your boyfriend." At other booths, I found exhibitors explaining aspects of the game and answering questions to my partner or my male friends when I was the one who asked the question or made the inquiry. I had to stand in front of my partner at one booth because the exhibitor almost refused to answer me. 

But, the experience that stands out most in my head would have to be the moment that I was the subject to uncomfortable harassment by an attendee. To read about that, check out the stand alone post I made about it.

PAXEast 2015 was an overall good experience. I had fun, I saw a lot of neat games and technologies, and I managed to meet a few of my idols. Yet, there were some lead linings to this cloud 9 experience. Despite the changes made in the recent years following the GamerGate controversy and other nerd culture icons speaking out, I still found myself in the position I've been in for most of my life: receiving different treatment because I was a woman who identified as a gamer. But instead of ripping my fun from me, it fueled my passion. It pushed me to keep on going forward with this blog and this area of study. There is so much more that needs to be done to bring about change and I'm not giving up.

I may have lost a life in this boss fight, but I have two more. And I'm not wasting either of them.

Pitch #2 | The Royalty in the Other Castles: Online Comic

Comics are a huge part of nerd culture. Since its beginning, it has grown to earn a place as one of the corner stones of the culture. And whether you are an avid collector and reader or a casual onlooker and fan, the world of comics is a familiar world to every nerd. In recent years, the Internet breathed new life into the world of comic books. It offered a place for everyone and anyone to create, publish, and promote their own comics that broke the mold from the traditional comic book style of the past.

The Royalty in the Other Castles online comic strip is a weekly comic that discusses the world of nerd culture through the lens of four roommates that span multiple spectrums including race, sexuality, and gender. The overall tone of the comic will be humorous, but the discussion topics will be serious. The four characters will deal with everything from favorite show drama to harassment. The reason for making the characters span different spectrums is to help bring to light, not only gender issues and nerd culture, but other issues as well.

Pitch #1 | In the Line of Fire: Gender, Nerd Culture, and the Women Who Play Hard

In recent years, with nerd culture assimilating more into popular culture, documentary films on the culture have been popping up left and right. Documentaries on video gaming culture, cosplaying culture, and all different sects of nerd culture that were previously hidden away are now in the spotlight. Yet, there is one documentary that has yet to break ground. 

And that is the documentary film I want to create.

In the Line of Fire: Gender, Nerd Culture, and the Women Who Play Hard is a documentary film that follows a group of women who participate in nerd culture in different ways, but come together in solidarity over the behavior and reactions they have received. The film is a way to bring to light the prejudice and bigotry in nerd culture that has been thrown at its female members. And also to help incite change in society by showing how the group of women confront the prejudice and harassment.

In the Line of Fire's concept works because it is a way to depict the severe gender divide in nerd culture through a raw, uncut, uncensored fashion. Through the camera's eyes, the audience will be able to see just how horrible of an effect the gender divide has, not only the members of nerd culture, but the morals and ideals held by the culture. Instances of harassment, threats, discrimination, and prejudice are just some of the events that will be shown throughout the film. And while most film producers would tread carefully as to not tarnish the reputation of the culture, the film will remain true, raw, and uncensored. There will be no rose-tinted lens on the scenarios that these women go through.

While the content will be intriguing and shocking, the overall impact of the film is to incite change. Many people, both inside and outside of nerd culture, don't understand the severity of the issue of gender and nerd culture. They claim that it's just the way it's always been. Or that these women are being "too touchy" or "too sensitive." The film will open the public's eyes to what it actually means to be a female nerd and the repercussions that come with taking on that identity.

Alternate Publishing Plan

After looking around the Internet for sites, I've decided on an unconventional site to post my article on. The website that I would want to publish my article on is the news blogging site Kotaku. While most people would want their article published in a journal or newspaper, my beat is more directed at a younger audience. With that being said, the best place for me to put my article would be a popular news site that talks about general nerd culture news.

Kotaku isn't a standard news site. There isn't a set list of rules about what a certain post has to be on and how long it has to be. Sure, there was a post that taught you how to "use" the site. But, there wasn't a list of set rules about what a post was and wasn't supposed to have. So when I went in search of submission guidelines, I came back empty handed. The only stipulation that I seemed to find was that I had to be a registered member. Yet, that didn't sadden me. I was excited to learn that I had such a freedom to write about what I wanted. I'm not tied down to writing about only video games or other topics. I could write about anything, making my article welcome to the community. 

While most readers know Kotaku as a video game news site, other topics are welcome. Especially when the topics revolve around nerd culture. My article is about gender and nerd culture. It's a general overview about the history and complicated relationship between the two. With my topic being centered on a common theme, I knew that my article would be at home on the site. It would create more of a conversation in the community on the topic.

At the Halfway Point

For the past couple of months, I've explored the world of nerd culture and gender. I allowed myself to see both the good and the bad. Yet, while my actions come from the right place, the journey hasn't been easy. And these difficulties have helped form and shape my stance and view on a culture that I grew up so closely to.

After looking back at the posts on my blog, I still feel as though the beat that I have chosen is the right one. The connection that I have with the topic has grown stronger through the research that I have done. Along with that, I learned more about the world of nerd culture and gender politics. Before, my passion was based on personal experiences and research from past projects. However, now my new knowledge has brought to light more information that strengthened my bond and passion.

At this halfway point, I still like my blog. The design is one that I enjoy. And the posts that I have made are ones that I think adequately represent my research. The only critiques that I would have on my current blog is to go back and do extensive re-edits of some of my posts. This would be in order to push them closer to fully realising my research. Along with that, I would want to add a few more researched posts. I have developed my voice on Twitter, but I still feel there is some development to had on my blog.

My experiment is one that's working well. By focusing on a particular sect of nerd culture for each week, it has enabled me to narrow down my efforts. I am able to research and find credible resources. I am also able to give all of my attention to the particular sub-sect of that week. However, I think that I might be changing my experiment for the remainder of this semester. Instead of working on a sub-sect a week, I might extend the time that I focus on the sub-sect for two weeks. This would allow me to research more on the topic and explore the sub-sect even more.

Just as with my reasons for choosing this beat, my reasons for sticking with this beat is because of how much it means to me. I have seen harassment and bigotry in nerd culture since my middle school years. I have experienced many injustices towards others based on gender and the backwards morals of nerd culture. And my personal experiences aren't the only ones that have happened. Through my research, I've read about other people -- of all genders and sexes -- and their experiences with bigotry in nerd culture. Through their stories, I have been inspired even more to research and bring to light the morals and ideals of nerd culture that perpetuate prejudice and intolerance.

I have struggled to keep my posts objective. Yet, with such a strong tie to this subject, the struggle came with the territory when I chose this beat. It's something that I'm going to continue to struggle with, but it's a struggle that I want to overcome. I want to overcome it because I want to learn as much about this beat as possible and relay the information and research that I have found in a reliable manner. 

My Journey to PAXEast

Conventions are a hub of nerd culture activity. Members of all different sub-sects from all over nerd culture come together to celebrate anything from pop culture to video games. Celebrities come to shake the hands of fans. Independent artists host booths in order to get discovered. Panels bring the world of whatever media is on display to the world of their fans. And being a fangirl and a member of nerd culture, conventions are a way for me to experience and socialize with my fellow nerds in the best way possible.

Earlier this year, I managed to purchase a ticket for the annual PAXEast convention in Boston, MA. The convention is a celebration of video games and video gaming culture. Tournaments are held all day throughout the weekend. Video gaming companies and celebrities hold panels to discuss anything from development to general queries. Being a gamer, I'm excited to participate in this important annual event. But, I'm also excited to attend the event as a scholar studying nerd culture. The event will give me a hands on way of looking at, not only video gaming culture, but also nerd culture as a whole. 

And I'm not the only one who is interested. While perusing the schedule site, I found myself honing in on a particular panel. 

source

The panel captured my eye because of how it's focusing on the gaming identity and culture along with the bigger geek/nerd culture and identity. With this being such an interesting panel, I plan on, not only taking notes and recording the panel, but I plan on giving my opinions on the research and information presented at the panel. 

If you wish to learn more:

     • PAXEast Website

     • PAXEast Schedule