I’d only stepped into @OthersideMeta once before, during Project Dragon. I remember creating an account and discovering a world and community unlike anything I’d experienced. When the Swamp became persistent, I returned for a @GeezOnApe event hosted by the @Othergames team. I was immediately consumed by the scale of what they had created and the constant activity happening throughout the Swamp. After showing up to weekly bubbles and events, I started searching for an avatar that connected more with my gaming roots. That’s when Koda #7315 stepped in, becoming my online identity, my first Yuga asset, and the beginning of my conviction in the Otherside ecosystem. From there, I attended nearly every event I heard about and met countless incredible people and communities. I watched talented builders freely share knowledge in public bubbles and realized something simple… If you want to learn from people who show up day after day, sometimes all you have to do is show up and listen. More recently, I was lucky enough to win the Arsham pass raffle. I hadn’t delegated my Koda correctly for the extra entries. My tickets came from my Otherside level alone. I had simply kept showing up. That opportunity helped me make a few moves and finally join the @BoredApeYC through my Mutant. My Mutant may be my online identity now, but Koda #7315 hasn’t gone anywhere. This journey inspired me to take my own leap into game and web development, where my Koda and other IP will continue living through characters, lore, and world-building. There are far too many people and communities to tag, but thank you to everyone who has made the last year feel like family. Happy one year of Persistent Otherside. Here’s to many more. 🥳