Tiny Bytes for 3/6/23
This week, we interviewed Red Spring Studio, the team behind the upcoming horror romance game TOUCHSTARVED! We asked them a bit about themselves, what it's like to work on this game while also fulfilling their duties at their full-time jobs, and of course, the game itself! If you're interested in learning more about TOUCHSTARVED and the talented people behind it, you can read our interview with them here!
Next week, we will be releasing our interview with Ingrid, one of the developers from Forsythia Productions. Forsythia Productions is responsible for the upcoming queer Victorian romance visual novel Of Sense and Soul. Be sure to look forward to that interview next week!
Support My Alien Roommate on Kickstarter!
The romantic comedy visual novel My Alien Roommate is now on Kickstarter. When an alien named Enoch lands on Riley's balcony, the latter must keep the alien's identity a secret while trying to still keep a handle on their everyday life. Will Riley be able to keep Enoch hidden, or will their secret roommate get exposed for who he truly is?
Developer Purple Herring Games is looking to secure SG $5,500 for the game. If you would like to support My Alien Roommate in reaching its funding goal, you can pledge toward the game's Kickstarter here. If you would like to check the game out before pledging, you can download the demo either on Steam or itch.io.
Live out your final year in high school before the world ends in Goodbye Volcano High, releasing June 15
Goodbye Volcano High was first revealed back in 2020 in Sony's Future of Gaming Presentation. The game focuses on Fang, a nonbinary teen who is going through both their last year of high school and the end of the world. There is a lot Fang wants to do before the year is over: tell their crush how they feel, fix the problems within their family, and make it as a musician. However, with limited time and life getting in the way, not everything can be accomplished. Of course, there are other issues going on. Fang's bandmates have their own problems that they're trying to figure out. Will Fang and their friends make things right before it's all over?
You can wishlist Goodbye Volcano High on Steam. The game will also be released on PlayStation 4/5.
Melancholic Star (Demo)
Content Warning: Talks of gender
In this short demo developed by Taumi Licorice Jellyfish, who also created I wanna be her for Spooktober 2022, comes a piece that discusses identity. The game tells of stars and the idea of them being the souls of the unborn. One day, a shooting star collides into a tree. A flower is born from this incident, and then a person emerges, leaving no trace of the flower or the tree. The person is then sacrificed, leaving behind only their child who is brought into nobility. Many things are said about this child, how they're an improper man or weird. Some say that they're an adorable girl. With a longing for a sense of identity, the child wonders who they are and who they want to be.
You can download the demo for Melancholic Star on itch.io.
Nightmare Zapping
Nightmare Zapping is a pixel horror visual novel where you browse through TV channels watching the final moments of the residents in Canela Town, a cursed town where everyone is destined to die. There are multiple stories to see, and your choices will affect how the characters' final moments play out.
You can download Nightmare Zapping on itch.io for free.
BOKURA
BOKURA is a cooperative puzzle adventure game where two players play as runaways who want to go somewhere far away. Both players need to work together to solve the game's various puzzles. The catch is that what the two players see on screen is different. One player may be able to see an object that the other person can't, so communication is critical to your success. The game features a "Friend's Pass," meaning that if one individual owns a copy of the game, their friend can play for free through the use of the Friend Pass.
You can purchase BOKURA for US $10.99 on Steam.
Red Tape
Content Warning: Mild blood, suggestive themes, and mild language
You play as an angel who has been accidentally sent to work at Hell Incorporated. In order to get where you should be, you'll need to get through the nine circles of Hell Incorporated so you can meet the boss himself, the Devil. Unfortunately, it won't be easy. After all, it is Hell. You'll need to solve the employees' problems and experience the hardship of working at a corporation. But the pain should be worth it...right?
You can purchase Red Tape on Steam for US $5.99.
Women of Xal
Content Warning: Sexual themes, assault, recovery, exploitation, moments of intense violence and death.
You, a woman named Xjena, are in Xal, a universe full of political intrigue and people who want to get more power. Xjena came here to do exactly that. She wishes to assume the position of Matriarch. However, there are other women who want that job as well. Thankfully, she has a special gift: the power of foresight. With the ability to see into the future, what will you do with it?
You can buy Women of Xal for US $19.99 on Steam and itch.io.
Your Turn to Die -Death Game by Majority-
Content Warning: Death, blood, trauma, and grief.
After originally being translated by vgperson in 2021 and 2022, Your Turn to Die -Death Game by Majority- has now officially been released on Steam. The game focuses on Sara, a young woman who is kidnapped and forced to participate in a death game where the person who dies is chosen through a majority vote. The game features many twists and turns as well as different paths depending on your choices. For those who enjoyed Danganronpa or love RPG Maker horror games, Your Turn to Die is a story that you should invest time in.
For those curious on what the differences are between the Steam and free versions are: the Steam version will receive extra content, such as stories. In addition, the final chapter of the game will be released first for Steam before being added to the free version.
You can purchase Your Turn to Die -Death Game by Majority- on Steam for US $16.99.
Yandere Game Jam 2023
This year's Yandere Game Jam has officially concluded! Plenty more entries have been submitted to the jam since we last covered it, so let's take a look at what people have made!
It gets so lonely here
Trigger Warnings: Drowning, being buried alive, cannibalism, bullying, illness, vague references to homophobia
Lost in a forest with no map or light to guide you, you run as fast as you can so you don't get caught. But it's all in vain, because no matter how far you go or how fast you run, she'll find you.
You can download It gets so lonely here for free on itch.io.
Mushroom Oasis (Demo)
Content Warning: Implied animal death, implied player death, manipulation
Looking for your lost cat, you head deep into the woods to find her. While you don't find her, you do find a nice stranger who's willing to help you out.
You can download the demo for Mushroom Oasis on itch.io.
Sacrarium Pario (Demo)
Content Warning: Gore, human taxidermy, human dissection and vivisection, flesh monsters, body horror, possible death, stockholm syndrome, dubious consent, and unhealthy/toxic power dynamics
After being betrayed by a confidant, the god known as Violo takes an interest in you. But his lover, Vivere, isn't happy that his lover is paying attention to you. Will you be able to survive and maybe win the hearts of both Violo and Vivere? Or will you meet a gruesome end?
You can download the demo for Sacrarium Pario on itch.io.
The Shades of Red (Demo, R18)
Content Warning: Strong language, suggestive themes, drug use, suicide, violence, and blood
After meeting artist Isaac Redfield, he agrees to give you painting lessons at his home...
You can download the demo for The Shades of Red on itch.io.
Marketing Visual Novels on TikTok by Arimia
With TikTok growing every day and Twitter slowly dying, it might be a worthwhile investment to market your visual novels on the former. However, TikTok thrives on short content, so you need to create content that quickly captures the viewer's attention, or else you may lose them. If you want to learn more about TikTok and how to create content for it, Arimia created a fantastic post about the platform. She breaks down the stats, how to make a 30 second video for your visual novel, and more.
Sprites, Camera, Action!: VN Cinematography in Of Sense and Soul by ingthing from Forsythia Productions
Animation, movement, and simple tricks with the camera can add a lot of value to your game. It brings life to what could be an otherwise static game. Ingthing (Ingrid) from Forsythia Productions wrote a wonderful devlog about the cinematography in the studio's upcoming visual novel Of Sense and Soul. She breaks down how she used the Ren'Py Action Editor plugin to enhance the game. With simple zoom-ins on the background, she's able to set the scene, and then by focusing on one character and moving another in the background, it helps the player focus on the person who is closer to the camera and give a feeling of closeness. We strongly recommend reading through this devlog to learn more about how cinematography can improve your game and pick up some of the tricks that Ingthing used.
Thank you to our wonderful Byters for all of their support!