Plans for the future and additional art

So, I made this little game for the O2A2 jam, but it’s actually just a peek into a bigger story I’ve been itching to make for some time. I talked about it in the comments but I thought I’d sum it all up in a post, too, for better clarity. ^^

So, basically, the whole idea for this game sprung as a Nioh 2 AU for my main game, Quaint, but quickly evolved into something else entirely. The only leftovers from Nioh 2 are the setting and the half-demon protagonist. The characters, though originally started as their equivalents from Quaint, developed their own identities once I filtered them through the story, so to say. (because of different experiences and stuff) And though the story is completely different from Quaint (including the majority of the cast), there are still small analogies and similarities between the two. (which is why I’m hesitant to completely let go of the AU connection)

As for the game structure, there’ll be two storylines: one in the present, with Kyū trying to navigate (and fix?) the relationships with Mahiro and his father; and one in the past, with everything that happened between Kyū and Mairō, presented as a series of tales Kyū would tell Mahiro. (and the scene from this short game, probably slightly modified, would serve as an introduction to the rest of the story)

Ideally, I’d like to set the game in the early Edo, with the Kyū/Mairō timeline still in the Sengoku period. I think that’d be easier to navigate, as I’d rather focus on the day-to-day matters and relationships between the characters than on war and politics. 😅

Still, I need to do more research on the factual side of things before I get to writing. 🫠 I do have general knowledge about this period, or at the very least enough to know that it’s not historically accurate, especially in terms of customs/social stuff. (because that wouldn’t be very exciting) (and honestly, it would never be completely accurate, it has a half-demon as a protagonist lol) But I’d rather learn some more about the historical reality before I completely destroy it. 😅

The past storyline is pretty much planned out, the present… still needs more work. It’s all a bit murky at the moment, and I don’t have a clear vision of how it could all end. I’m not sure what needs to happen for Mairō to get over his aversion towards Mahiro with how hurt and stubborn he is. (but I think the ending wouldn’t be satisfying unless they found a way to have a relationship so I’ll need to figure it out) I’ve got some emotional scenes planned for them, though, so that’s a possible start (and I know Kyū will have a big part in it, too). The pieces are kinda there, I just need to put them together. 🤔

But that’s all a problem for when I’m done working on Quaint, so…

For now, catch some more art because this story lives rent-free in my head and I need to get it out. 🫠