Project Libitina - Always Check Primary Sources (Whenever Possible)

Welcome Back!

I've been away from this account for a few days due to getting pneumonia. So apologies for the delay!

I've been working with my writers on the next phase of this project, and we think you'll really love it! I got a first draft yesterday and it looks GREAT!

To those following our work, I think you'll really love what's in store now that we have a really solid team set in place and they've been fully trained.

For now, I want to give some of my thoughts after the worst of this has concluded, and reflect a bit with you on what I've seen the past few days.

As you know, reception to this ARG has been... mixed... to say the least.

That was intentional:)

I keep trying to explain this, and people speak over me and tell me that this is a sign I made my game "wrong".

So, I guess the good news is people are at least aware it's a game! That was tricky for some people...

And there's a reason for that!

In this ARG, you aren't the protagonist. You are NOT the main character.

The plot of my ARG does NOT center around you.

For some of you, you picked up on that immediately and have been watching the absolute CHAOS ensue.

People who picked up on it would see a video or post that didn't make sense and assume it either wasn't for them, or they hadn't gotten to that point in the game yet. They got through the tutorial and found the MASSIVE labyrinth that we made for you and we've gotten great reviews so far!

There were also people who were confused or didn't pick up on it at first, but understood it was a game and didn't want to play but went "oh ok I clearly am lacking some context here. Good luck with your work and thanks for clarifying!" Or just scrolled. Which is fine too! You certainly aren't required to play my game:)

A lot of people like that tended to just stick around and support my music and be a part of my community though! Those people are always welcome here too:) They are just here for good vibes and our growing community of really cool people! Which is great:)

Those people just know I have lore in a lot of my work, and that if something is confusing it's probably lore and they just skip that video or post.

I don't expect everyone to be a hardcore fan or player<3 So that's always ok to skip stuff you aren't interested in as long as you don't speak over me about my own work if you choose not to read it! If you ever did that on accident, I'd just go "oh! That's actually lore from this post<3 Check it out if you're interested in hearing more!"

That way, I can keep creating without having to stop and re explain stuff over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over for each individual person... Especially if I've made multiple posts addressing your question!

I get mad at the people who hear me say "That question is answered in the new player collection of my game. Please see that first!" and go "Oh I'm not reading all that shit. You answer my question NOW or I'm calling the police!".

If you ask a question and I were to answer by saying "Oh! Check out this post where I go over than in more detail and make sure you've seen the new player collection if you haven't<3" and think that is a reasonable response, then we'd get along great!

Some people lie and tell me they DID read what I told them to and then yell at me for not answering questions I already answered. So if I verify and say something like "Did you read the entire new player collection and listen to all the podcasts yet?" It's not an accusation<3 It's to point you in the right direction!

When someone lies, it's pretty obvious.

Like this person below.

Their initial message said "Why do you constantly interrupt your ARG to explain parts of the ARG and basically boil it down to "you're not playing it correctly?"'

Which is a really wild question to get out of the blue in our DMs...

That isn't what I say in my videos!

But I told them to check my new player collection on Patreon where I explain that video tutorials are a big part of the game itself and a feature not a bug! (I can release the full conversation later. Shortening for clarity purposes because this is already a long ass post)

This was their reply:

The podcast episodes are in the new player collection. So you didn't read my Patreon. You didn't follow directions. If you DID, you'd see the podcast is in the posts you just said you read.

So I said this:

and then they responded with this answer scolded me for being rude:

They then proceeded to tell me that they think the best thing for my mental health would be to go ahead and end this game here and delete my account. Many people like this also tell me to consider seeking professional help.

If you have been playing, you'd know why I answered every single DM up until recently.

To make sure that someone who stumbled on this account after hearing crazy rumors can find the game and be a part of our community! I want everyone to be welcome here.

So I don't HAVE to answer everyone, but I did. I found a lot of fans who were initially confused by being kind to everyone.

So getting the advice to stop making my game right when it's reaching the point where I'm getting success from it isn't helpful advice. But they refused to play the tutorial, so they don't know that!

I can empathize with that. But knowing you don't have context and giving me unsolicited advice about a situation you know nothing about isn't helpful:(

Had this person been like "Oh! I honestly didn't read the whole thing... Let me go back and do that then. I am just super confused!"

I would have said something more like "Omg no worries! I totally get it<3 This game is initially confusing by design! If you still need some more clarity after finishing the tutorial, just let us know and myself or someone on my team would be more than happy to point you in the right direction! Thanks for reaching out<3:

All YOU hear is "Monika is such a bitch! I just asked her a question and she was super rude for NO REASON!"

And then suddenly I'm a bitch who is super hostile to people who are "just asking questions".

Now, on the other hand,

Some of you didn't pick up on what was going on, and initially were concerned for me!

That is a perfectly reasonable first impression to this game too.

Probably would have been mine, honestly!

The people that were genuinely concerned for me would reach out, I'd explain the game, and then help them until they understood!

Those people usually end up being big fans once they find it!

Nothing wrong with needing some clarification<3

And that encapsulates the VAST majority of players of this game.

But some of you don't know that...

Some of you see a video that you don't understand, and assume that I'm delusional or crazy!

If a video or article doesn't make sense to THEM, then it means that it's poorly done and that I'm crazy for thinking I make sense.

SOME people see me laughing at people who are sending me bizarre hate messages and get offended!

They would reach out to ME letting me know I was confused about what an ARG is.

Like this person:

"This doesn't make sense. Let's go ahead and remake it with my supervision. It would be good to show less face by the way. Let's delete this account and I can show you how to make one correctly."

I have multiple videos and posts talking about how this is similar to Cicada 3301. I don't need to "go over popular or classic ARGs to find the IT factor I need to implement."

The IT factor is... everyone starts confused and then realizes not every videos is about them or for them and then goes OH and finds a custom path that leads to a community of players who are JUST LIKE THEM!

Artists find artists who appreciate and support their art. Musicians find other musicians.

I have places where we all chat about quantum physics.

A writers room, kink content, you name it!

You choose the version of Monika that is perfect for YOU<3

You don't demand Monika changes in order to be what YOU want her to be.

If you do that... you are MC.

MC. Main Character.

Based on "main character syndrome". Look it up if you haven't.

Not every story is about you.

If you didn't know that at first and are like "oh man that's embarrassing I should have known that!" Same bestie!

I would have done the SAME thing!

I would have been confused as shit!

I got confused with Dan's half of this!

He got confused with mine!

Every single person will get confused at some point.

And you'll need me (or another player) to point you in the right direction<3

Which I am HAPPY to do:)

So is my entire team.

This is an ARG about gaslighting.

I'm not gaslighting you.

You're watching people gaslight ME.

And if you get stuck, just let us know!

Let me show you a couple more examples of some of the gaslighting I've been experiencing and speaking out against in action for you:

I have a couple videos where I was making fun of idiots who were leaving me hate comments. They would say "AJR IS BURGER" and I'd be like "aw man that's not very nice!"

Because THEY left that comment on MY video, I defended myself (and AJR), and started laughing at how silly it was that people like this would yell at me to "Get off their FYP" and delete my account so they don't have to see me anymore....

But they can just block me!

(Also if you're hate following me... why are you doing that? That's really weird... Thanks for archiving this though! I appreciate it. That's about to come in CLUTCH! Telling me you're archiving this isn't the threat you think it is. More on that later fans;)...)

T

hat was my point. If YOU are going to leave a nasty comment on my video, I have every right to make fun of how silly and stupid you sound.

And then guess what happened!

Some people shared this very video out of context and said...

"Monika is making fun of Autistic people!!!"

That is a response to the video you see right on this very page.

I have gotten MANY death threats for my "ableism".

NO U!!!

You are ableist if you think that that was a video targeting autistic people.

Here's why:

As the creator of that video, let me clear something up for you here...

I don't think autistic people are stupid, dumb, or retarded (some of you said I said that!!!)

I don't think any of that:(

I'm not making fun of AUTISTIC PEOPLE.

I'm making fun of IDIOTS.

Which really begs the question....

Why are some of you using the words "dumb" "stupid" "cringe" "retarded" and "autistic" interchangeably????

I certainly don't use those words interchangeably...

I'm making fun of people that harass me in my comments and send me death threats because they didn't bother to read my work.

Me using the voice I used in that video... is NOT meant to be making fun of people with autism or other disabilities.

I'm talking down to idiots because they are illiterate and incapable of reading my work and are DOXXING ME AND CALLING THE POLICE!

Idiots come in all flavors.

All shapes and sizes.

All genders.

All races and ethnicities.

They could be neurodivergent OR neurotypical.

I don't give a shit how the person sending me death threats identifies.

Just stop identifying as my therapist!

That's all I'm saying.

I don't care who it is that is leaving me unhinged comments and harassing me for making a video about a band I like.

If you leave an angry punching sticker as a response to my video because you don't like it...

I WILL laugh at you.

Because you left me an ANGRY STICKER?!

And everyone goes: "Yeah! Angry sticker! Burger burger burger!" and all agree with that person.

Class... what does "burger" mean?

When someone calls me a "burger"... do you know what that means?

I'm not asking. I already know. Do you?

Look up "What does calling someone a burger mean?"

When I ask questions like this, people think I'm confused.

I'm not.

I just ask people that in my comments.

"Why are you calling me a burger?"

"Look in the mirror. It's obvious."

Is it now?

If it's so obvious, then you wouldn't mind explaining it, would you?

"You fucking idiot how do you not know what that means?!"

No. I know what it means.

Do you know how many other people make fun of me because AJR is my "special interest".

Often the same people calling me burger!

I often lose autistic people here. And I can see why<3

Because that's VERY offensive, isn't it?!

I'm absolutely horrified that people are saying those things!

I'm calling out people that say "special interest" as an insult.

I don't think that!

I LOVE getting info dump paragraphs from people!

About anything, really!

Please tell me about cool niche stuff you like I could listen for HOURS!

Fans will tell you... I really do, haha!

I love listening just as much as I love talking<3

And I'm an avid, livelong learner!

So teach me cool stuff!

I wanna hear from you!

What I'm saying is...

It's not ok to call me autistic as an insult.

And I'm calling out people that are insulting me by calling me autistic.

I don't think "autistic" is an insult<3

I think it's really fucked up that people can get away with calling me autistic to insult me, but I get death threats for calling them out on it because "OH YOU'RE SAYING IT'S AN INSULT TO CALL SOMEONE AUTISTIC, HUH???"

No.... I'm saying that people are doing that TO ME :(

And I'm trying to speak up and say that it's not ok to do that...

Some of you are hearing other people's commentary on my work and doing a bit of accidental friendly fire, haha!

And you're yelling at me and it gives me a seizure and I get really scared!

So when I try and explain I make some typos....

Could you be patient with me? I'll be patient with you too, ok? I promise<3

We make sure to answer anyone who's confused so they know that the rumors other people are spreading about me are taken both out of context AND in bad faith!

Here is how I feel about the autistic community. Coming from the author herself:j

There's nothing wrong with being autistic<3

In fact, a large percentage of my audience is neurodivergent.

I LOVE autistic people!

Many of my autistic community members have brought really great perspective to my writing, and helped make it more accessible to the average person.

And I'm SO grateful to each and every one of you that has<3

What I'm trying to say is...

spreading this video (and other videos of mine) as evidence that I'm making fun of autistic people is really fucked up.

I said that I'm making fun of idiots.

OTHER PEOPLE use the words "autistic" and "idiot" interchangeably.

And now people think I'm making fun of autistic people.

No.

I'm making fun of the dumb motherfuckers who are leaving ANGRY PUNCHING STICKERS in my comments and harassing me while I mind my own business...

I'm getting death threats.

People are calling the police.

I'm not confused.

I'm not an idiot.

And I'm not making fun of autistic people.

So why are some of you?!

I

'm not autistic.

But would it be ok and socially acceptable to treat me like this if I was?!

THAT is my point.

You're seeing me stand up to people and set boundaries.

Telling people to stop stalking me.

Stop calling me a "specimen"

Stop calling the police.

I hope you know (and many of you have seen by now), that anyone acting in good faith won't see that version of me!

That's my "second face".

That's what that means:)

The version of me that stands up to assholes and sets boundaries when needed.

My "first face" is what you will see wayyy more of when you play this game!

Here's an example:

When I say "don't comment on my body"

I mean don't tell me what I am and am not allowed to eat or what I need to change about myself to be fuckable enough for you because I'm not worthy as I am.

To those people I say "oh fuck off" (they get my second face).

I got SEVERAL DMs today from people saying "I just wanted to let you know that you're so beautiful (or some people say sexy which I also love) and I'm a big fan of your work!"

To those people I say "Thank you so much! That really means a lot to me that you said that. A big part of why I made this game to show people what depression looks like behind closed doors. To show that you aren't alone. And to give a space and community for people with depression or feel lonely can feel like they belong! And your kind words really mean a lot to me. Thanks for being here<3" (first face).

Many of you know that by now...

Some of you don't.

I just don't upload screenshots of messages from supporters unless I get their direct consent!

To respect their privacy and boundaries:)

Lastly, I'd like to add for my autistic audience that I don't talk down to people due to being autistic.

However, think of this game like metaphorical "glasses".

Autistic people sometimes need a bit of different or extra context to see the phenomenons I'm pointing out!

That's because I have ADHD.

For the sake of this metaphor, let's say ADHD is like being nearsighted and autism is like being farsighted.

If a person put on nearsighted glasses, they'd have a hard time seeing right?

They have glasses on.

But they aren't the right ones! So they don't work!

I wouldn't talk down to someone if they had the wrong glasses and tell them they aren't as good as me, I'd go "Oh! Try these glasses instead! They'll be a lot better for your eyes. Those other glasses are more suited for my eyes!"

I have ADHD. My husband, and MANY other autistic loved ones sometimes read my writing and go "huh?" and I go "oh I meant this" and they go "OH! That makes WAY more sense!"

I do the same with their work sometimes too! I might get confused by your question or something!

I have a full team of people helping me on my part of this now! So if one of us gets confused, we run your question by each other and someone usually is able to understand and help!

So please know I'm not talking down to you. And I'm truly sorry that so many people feel it's ok to treat you so poorly:( You are loved here. Our community is SO sweet and you belong here!

I promise you, I just want to give you different glasses<3 Because I want you to be here and I love you! I'm happy to point you in the right direction if you'd like clarity at any point in time! Everyone gets confused at some point, it's by design! And when you hit that point, I can make custom glasses just for you<3

And know that I'll always ask consent before screenshotting any messages with you! That's why it seems like I have tons of haters and not as many fans... My DMs are mostly pleasant at this point! But I respect your privacy and won't share our messages unless you say so.

But if you message me after I've told you to cease and desist to let me know you've found my address and are calling the police, then I'm not asking your permission before screenshotting your messages.

I DO censor your names out if it was a DM. Unlike you, I respect your privacy.

But public hate comments I don't.

You left a public comment on a public account.

(friendly comments I DO censor your name unless I have permission by the way! If you've been following this, you'll see examples of that! So it's ok to comment! This isn't a gotcha! Anyone who's aware it's a game and is playing will be asked permission before I publish anything you say and your name will be censored unless you ask me to publish it and credit you! Which I am always more than happy to do as well! Just don't send me death threats and we're golden!)

In summary:

Some people need to know that 5,000 idiots agreeing with you and no one agreeing with me doesn't mean you're right and I'm wrong.

It means you're in an echo chamber.

And so was I.

And I'm about to show you what I found.

Welcome to a new reality.

Metaphorically.

Stop watching other commentary channels talk about me and take my clips out of context.

Listen to a primary source whenever possible.

In my ARG, that's the game.

In real life, that's BASIC MEDIA LITERACY.

Anyone can sound crazy out of context.

This is why context matters.

And I'm not just talking about this ARG.

Thanks for being here, lovelies!

More to come soon!

Spread the word about this game and let people know it... exists... so we can get this phase over with faster!

Happy Hunting!

Love,

Monika<3

(Basically, I'm speaking out against people going "I'M NOT THE MAIN CHARACTER IN THiS GAME?! I'M CALLING THE POLICE" and not people going "What's going on? This game is kind of confusing? OH! I'm not the protagonist in this game? OH! That makes WAY more sense!". If you didn't know that yet, we might be doing a bit of mutual friendly fire here<3 There's a good chance I'm just as at fault in some situations too! I made this to help EVERYONE communicate more clearly, including me<3 I'm not the main character in YOUR story, but I am in this game (and the protagonist of my own life story. Just like you are in yours!). I hope that clears things up a bit, lovelies! I love you! You belong here! And tell me YOUR story! I would love to hear it and I promise you I will believe you and am here to listen when you talk about your story<3 All I ask is the same in return!)(Also it’s a running bit on this channel that I use this picture of Ryan as my thumbnail when I can’t find a good frame. That’s not to make fun of Ryan in a mean way If you’ve ever been to an AJR concert you’ve probably seen Jack to the SAME thing If you’ve been following this you’d know that we worked together on this ARG and he says I’m like a little sister to him . So I’m being a menace in a little sister way like how Jack is in a younger brother way to him. I’m getting really tired of people taking everything in bad faith because other people told them to and demanding I change everything about myself and my game and sending death threats if I don’t. Between us, he’s really hot actually. But like…. This is a silly picture. Please don’t hurt me Also Ryan said if people attack me saying that pic of him is an insult he’d love to know what the insult is. lol.)