in an era of hyped up releases, event levels, list demons, mythics, what does a level really need? well, that's a loaded question; and not one i'd necessarily even ask myself if it wasn't for this level. i don't dislike polished works - in fact, most of the time i love a good balance of polished designs, colors, energy and concept in a level - but sometimes it really does feel like i'm defining and saying all this for some other person to reason through and understand me rather than for me to understand myself. er- i'm going on a tangent, sorry, let's get back to the original question - what does a level really need to be appealing? to play its own role, to attract some eyes, to fulfill its purpose?

well, i don't know. really, nobody does. people make guesses and throw ideas out and toy around until they find something they think works for them. you iterate over guesses upon guesses, prototypes and concepts, through rigorous playtesting, feedback; until eventually you get some end product you can show off to your friends and other players. but this iteration process isn't just some simple linear process - no, it never is with art - there's ups and downs, failures and successes, personal standards, self-doubt, perfectionism, all of that nonsense. don't you just want to forget?

vast waters is what it feels like to forget. well, that's not to say HangyKing just rid themselves of all forms of pressure or standards while making this - no, far from it, given this level was made immediately following it back's initial backlash upon its release and rate. but vast waters is what that feeling is, in essence. vast waters is the feeling of driving home as a kid, looking out the window of your parents' car, imagining a cool level in your head as your eyes pass the countless lights under the night sky. vast waters is listening to a song and imagining some cool colors and visuals and gameplay to go alongside it. vast waters is about creating a level in your head. ..except, well, it is a level, in the game.

vast waters is .. just a vibe, really. it's the pure essence of having ideas and making them. it's free of the polish anyone would put themselves through to look appealing to others; but it's still an incredibly memorable and great looking level. it feels like a realized dream, in a way - it's what creating should be, and it's what all creations should turn out to be. just pure masses of creativity molded into a cute shape and passed along. vast waters is the pure essence of artistic creativity