July 2023 Update
Hello JRPG lovers! We have some more great reveals in this month’s update!
Campaign Updates
Discord Roles
We are finally done with the bot and want to explain how it will work. Here’s how the download will work, directly from our engineers:
A unique key will be sent to the email address tied to your kickstarter backer account. That key can then be used on your discord account regardless of whether or not it uses the same email address. Next, a bot will appear on a dedicated channel for both the Penny Blood and Armed Fantasia discord servers and post a public message in that channel that contains a button. When you click that button, the bot will send you a private message with a form where you can input your key. You can redeem the key once on each server and receive the roles tied to your backer tier. Then you can show everyone on the servers just how much you love the games!
Development Updates
We’re finally in the thick of summer now, and the back-to-back days of extreme heat are taking a toll on our bodies. We’re doing our best to beat the heat, though. Please make sure you all keep your salt/water levels in check.
Today we have another report from Kaneko – fresh from a crisp air conditioned work room!
ARMED FANTASIA July 2023 Project Report
Field
World Map
We’re still working on the white models for the world map.
Londenium, the stage of our story, actually has a vast, complicated structure to it.
Since the story outline is complete, we’re also working on structuring the map in a way that allows us to do things like create mountain ranges in front of ‘information’ that we want to reveal with a strong impact after a player gets out of a dungeon, or give players glimpses of structures that they’ll be heading to in the future.
The geography, which was once just a series of straight traversals from one place to another on the paper map, is evolving into a 3D form daily, including locations so high up that they’re sure to make your loins quiver in anticipation.
Towns & Dungeons
Just like last month, we’re creating new concept art that will be used to create new maps.
Similar to the town built above △△△△△, our images of maps with strong connections to the story are becoming more concrete.
We also created white models for new dungeons, and are upgrading white models we created previously in order to get them closer to final version quality.
As for the dungeon that appears in Alicia’s prologue…compared to prologue dungeons that appeared in previous games, I feel like it’s going to be the prettiest one ever. (Personal opinion)
Head-Up Display
We’ve created temporary designs for various data that will be processed on the field.
We want to properly display the necessary information while maintaining a wide view of the field, so we’ll be adjusting things as we continue forward.
Incidentally, our key colors for this game are sunset red and orange.
Battles
Head-Up Display
In order to create temporary designs for various information processed during battles, we’re starting by cementing in the design of the UI.
As Cross Order Tactics is the backbone system of our battles this time around, we’ll be able to create battles that focus on strategy. Simultaneously, we’re aiming to make the controls intuitive so that this focus doesn’t become too complicated or annoying.
Scenario
Scenario
After getting this far, (how far?), there’s one thing I’ve become convinced of…
Even though he’s stuck in with other outstanding characters, Ingram is doing a good job as the main character.
Of course, I intended for him to be the main character from the start, so that shouldn’t be a surprise, but he isn’t letting himself become an innocent bystander. He pulls the story forward, supports his allies, and also suffers a lot for us.
I’m still in the process of working on the scenario, but I feel like Ingram will definitely be able to overcome the last boss and pull me (Kaneko) to the ending.
Storyboard
I’m also working on the storyboard for event scenes when necessary.
According to the storyboard artist who’s been reading the scenario, “the scenes (that Kaneko writes) have become more anime-esque than before.” I didn’t really think about that sort of thing or try to change my style this time around, but apparently that’s the case.
Just in case, I asked them, “Is that a complaint?” but they told me it wasn’t, which was relieving.
Design
Characters
We’ve spent a long time developing and verifying Ingram, Alicia, and Euclid, but now we’ve finally begun 3D model work on Mercedes, Sigurd, and Soleil.
We’ve been working together with the designers and adjusting things as necessary to make sure the complicated designs of the costumes don’t fall apart during their conversion to 3D.
We’re also working on new anomaly designs, models, and animations.
We’re also verifying a rough draft for ○○○・〇〇〇〇〇〇, and designing Kimiquis’ □□□□□・□□□□□.
