From the age of four or five, I began to draw. By far, my favorite thing to draw was video games. Maps, characters and even dialogue, just like design blueprints. I often drew my favorite games, but sometimes my own original inventions as well. And one of those inventions was Elements. But at first, it didn't have a name. I mulled over it with my friends, saying, "Oh, well, it's based on the elements, so I was thinking of calling it Element Sages, or Element This or Element That..." Then one friend spoke up and said, "Why not just Elements?"

So the stories and ideas of Elements grew, and grew. Eventually, they grew so big that I deemed one mere installment couldn't possibly contain them all. Or two. Or three. Or... well, you get the idea. Between the year 2000 and 2005, the basic groundwork for the series was laid in what I called the Archives; a library of character designs and corresponding stories about the characters, everything from basic plot outlines to in-depth lore, and even planned gameplay features.

The result, after seven long and passionate years of development, was Elements: Soul of Fire. And what a result it was, with many players investing in excess of 100 hours into the game. My childhood dreams of game design had at last come to fruition. But of course, that wasn't the end. I had more stories to tell. So I started on Elements II: Hearts of Light, and that won't be the end, either... because the story still isn't finished. The story is what it's all about.

What I and many other independent developers are doing is an important statement on behalf of individuality and the God-given right to free self-expression. So never forget your dreams, even if others don't understand them, and even if they speak against you in ignorance. Easier said than done; I know personally. But you were born, you were created to do what you do. And your work is capable of touching lives, however few. Numbers are irrelevant; if even one life is changed at your hands, you have proudly served your purpose. But don't stop there! ;)

There's a lot more to come, so I hope you'll look forward to it with me! And if you're the creative sort, I hope you'll keep at it with your own works. We are a chosen few, destined to move the world through the hearts of those who are listening!