Gorkzilla: building worlds, not just images

Some people enter Web3 to collect. Some enter to trade. Chris Goretski, better known as Gorkzilla, entered to build worlds.

As co-founder of XRPL Awesome Possum — artist, graphic designer, developer, and the creator behind Possum Tails — Chris sits at the intersection of art, storytelling and game development. His work isn't just about creating images. It's about creating experiences.

Drawing since day one

"As a kid, all I needed was a pencil and some loose-leaf paper to keep myself entertained."

Hours went into creating characters, often alongside their animal companions and familiars. Looking back, he realised this was something the legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano often did in his own work.

"He's one of my favourite artists of all time."

That early fascination with character design never left.

The power of animation

"I've always loved animation and the freedom it gives artists to create anything they can imagine."

One film changed his perspective entirely.

"The Last Unicorn completely changed my perspective on what animation could be."

From there came a lifelong appreciation for Japanese animation. Akira. My Neighbor Totoro. Gundam. Ninja Scroll. Berserk. Dragon Ball. Anime still influences his work today, especially scenes that combine hard-shaded characters with soft watercolour environments.

When one door closed

After high school, Chris had a different plan. He applied for an aerospace engineering program. He didn't get in.

At the time it felt like a setback. Looking back, it changed everything.

"That setback led me down a different path, and I chose to pursue graphic design instead."

More than twenty years later, that decision still shapes his life. "I've been working as a graphic designer since I was 19."

Today he combines two worlds that don't always seem connected: art and mathematics.

"I've always felt that my strengths in both math and art complement each other."

That combination became one of his greatest strengths as both creator and developer.

The phone call that changed everything

His brother, co-founder of XRPL Awesome Possum, had been talking about XRP for years.

"He was always the one at the Thanksgiving table talking about XRP."

Then one day the phone rang. "The following year, he called me with an idea. He wanted to start X-Possum and needed someone to create the artwork."

"I'll never forget that phone call. It set me on a path that would completely change my life."

Why XRPL

For Chris, XRPL wasn't just affordable. It was practical.

"XRPL tokens were much more affordable to create than tokens on Ethereum or Bitcoin."

As a developer he also found it easier to work with. "The coding was more straightforward, allowing me to focus on building." Less time wrestling with infrastructure, more time creating.

"Its consensus model is unique and allows transactions to settle quickly."

Those advantages made XRPL the natural home for Awesome Possum. If you want the underlying detail, XRPL 101 covers it.

Artist, designer, developer

"Developing on the XRP Ledger has reignited my passion for coding."

For him NFTs aren't simply collectibles. They're building blocks — pieces of a much larger experience.

"I've always dreamed of creating a video game without limits."

A place where ownership, creativity, storytelling and adventure all intersect. That vision is becoming reality through Possum Tails.

The creative process

"I've found myself drawing more inspiration from nature."

Studying real-world subjects and working from references has helped him keep growing. But at heart he's the same creator who filled notebooks with characters.

"I'd say I'm a cartoonist at heart. Give me a pencil, some paper, and an idea, and I'm ready to create."

Travel has become a major source of inspiration — new landscapes, new cultures, new perspectives, combined with influences like Tron and The Matrix.

"I love creating experiences that encourage people to explore, imagine, and become part of something larger than themselves."

Every week is a side quest

Chris isn't focused on short-term market cycles. He jokes that the bear market is all he's ever known.

Instead of watching charts, he builds.

"My goal is to create meaningful NFT utility that goes far beyond market speculation."

That passion shows up early. "I wake up at 5 a.m. almost every morning thinking about the game." New ideas, new mechanics, new adventures.

Structure, not luck

"Setting both short-term and long-term goals can be a powerful way to stay focused."

His method is lists. Breaking large goals into smaller tasks and checking them off one by one.

"Success rarely happens all at once."

It's built through consistency, one task at a time.

What he's building now

Possum Tails Chapter 2, plus the first major community event — PvP multiplayer, expanded gameplay, and new adventures for holders.

Asked about his favourite creation, he didn't point to a painting.

"Making the Possum Tails v0.589 Demo NFT reward for the community was monumental for me."

What started as a reward NFT now carries utility inside the game itself — a perfect example of his philosophy: make it matter.

The creator behind the work

Coffee first. Energy drinks second. Most mornings start around 5:30 AM, before most people are awake.

A personal note

XPossum was the very first NFT G ever purchased when entering the XRP ecosystem. The Possums have been an inspiration from day one — mentors first, then friends, now brothers.

Watching Chris and Jason build year after year, through every market condition, has left a lasting impact on the CommUnity.

The adventure is just getting started

Chris Goretski isn't just creating art. He's building worlds. From childhood sketches and anime inspiration to game development and XRPL utility, every step has led toward a larger vision — one where creativity, ownership, storytelling and community come together.

Where to find the work

• XPossum — the first NFTs from the Awesome Possum collection — find it on XRPL Home Explore
• Awesome Possum Gen 2 — find it on XRPL Home Explore

Elsewhere: @doppleGORKer on X · xrplawesomepossum.com · Possum Tails · LinkTree