What is a key art in video games? Key art, also known as key visual is the artwork which is repeated across media such as posters, print, television and digital advertisements, streaming or download thumbnails, and game or film DVD/Blu-Ray box covers.
Resistance Games, the development studio of Great Houses of Calderia, did a brainstorming to determine the scene that would represent the game. During this reflexion session, many words came out: Power, Wealth, Generations, Nobility... The team started to do some research to create a visual that would embody these strong elements.
Resistance Games presented a first idea that Firesquid, the publisher, really liked. You probably have guessed by then...
As you may have recognized, there is a huge reference in the Great Houses of Calderia key art. You might know the original painting, or have seen the same disposition in ads or reinterpretations.
The main reference is indeed: The Last Supper (1495-1498) by Leonardo Da Vinci
The idea was validated and we looked for an artist to help us creating the key art. After some research, we found the perfect match for our game: Scott Pellico.
His principal goal was to rethink The Last Supper to make it medieval and Renaissance style. We wanted less characters to enable fluidity in the reading.
Scott created this first background with silhouettes.
A Steam event serie will be shared soon to also show you the characters creation process.
Then, we had to think about a background that would fit the spirit of the game. We made a few tries before selecting the official one.
A first iteration was made with opened windows to show the colorful lands of Calderia.
We felt that the front scene was overshadowed by the background. It was a bit too bright for our Renaissance-themed game. Plus, if we added the logo, it would have been faded by the light colors of the sky. Scott made another iteration but indoors.
After a few retakes, here is the final asset you all know:
How do you like the final key art? Have you guessed the references used for the characters?
To be part of the development process of Great Houses of Calderia, join us on Discord! Great Houses of Calderia Discord: https://discord.gg/vsxD6n8P8J
- Great Houses of Calderia Team -
The name selection
The name selection is a very important step in the game development process.
This name will stay for years, can impact the communication and marketing strategy, describe what the game is about, etc. It needs to be selected carefully.
Every video game project has a "code name". It is important to have one to refer to the project easily before the selection of the official name. It is often short to facilitate the exchanges. Our project name was: Pro Domo.
After 6 months of production, we started the official name selection.
We used the pitch of the game we had back then to find the first options: "Pro-Domo is an accessible grand strategy game taking place in a fantastic world where you’re taking the lead of one of the Family/Houses of the realm and building its legacy. You’ll have to make sure your fiefdom is well administered and that you're on good terms with your rivals (or not...). You’ll embody leaders over generations: expand and protect your domain, define your traditions, values and goals, and make sure all your family is aligned with it. You have plenty of choices: traders/warlords/lawmakers... But remember every action you’re taking will have consequences and each generation will have to carry the family’s legacy."
Our objective was to find a name that feels medieval, have Renaissance sounds, and tell people it's a strategy game.
First, we brainstormed about potential names for the game. Then, we came up with a dozen of names and asked the community to add their ideas to our list. After that, we all voted on Discord. Here is the name list:
🇦 Houses of the New Dawn 🇧 Legacy of Power 🇨 Bloodbound Legacy / Bound by Traditions 🇩 Great Houses: Tradition / Legacy / Royal Legacy 🇪 Royal Houses 🇫 Houses of legacy / trades 🇬 Trades of power 🇭 Atlantium / Houses of Atlantium 🇮 The Sprouting 🇯 Citadel Rising 🇰 Royal path: Eternity 🇱 The Land of Hundred Kingdoms 🇲 Legacy of Royals/Nobles 🇳 Ballads of the Old/Ancient Houses 🇴 Power's peak
After one week, we collected the three names that had the most votes.
Another important step is to check the availability of this name and be sure that it was never used before (in a game or anything else).
Then, we decided internally which one would be "the one".
We ended up with the name you all know: Great Houses of Calderia
To be part of the development process of Great Houses of Calderia and help us make these kind of decisions, join us on Discord! Great Houses of Calderia Discord: https://discord.gg/vsxD6n8P8J
- Great Houses of Calderia Team -
Never get your hands dirty!
Getting my hands dirty? Never!
In the lands of Calderia you cannot build your realm with your bear hands. You will need people mastering the art of building and infrastructures. That's why we introduce you this new set of companions.
What is a companion?
Companions are units used in social conflicts, much like soldiers are used battles. They also give players a glimpse of the culture and every life of Calderia. Their appearances are based on Renaissance clothe mixed with classical antiquity and a splash of fantasy elements.
This new set of companions will help you building your realm.
These new companions are named Draughtsmen / Draughtswomen.
Architect Any major constructions or public buildings need an Architect. Their designs are based on the guidelines of the Old Continent, with inspirations drawn from the architectural marvels of Calderia.
Master Builder A building made by a Master Builder can stand for centuries and still look like it was built yesterday. Master Builders oversee everything from soil to the quality of building materials to construction of treadwheel cranes.
Cartographer There are two places one can find a Cartographer from. Either at their desk drawing maps with meticulous precision, or climbing a high vantage point somewhere in the wilderness, carrying along their various measuring instruments.
See these elements in preview in our Discord! Join us there to chat with the team and get involved in the development of Great Houses of Calderia: https://discord.gg/vsxD6n8P8J
- Great Houses of Calderia Team -
Calderia new telenovela!
Our new telenovela: The Just and the Righteous 🌹
This summer, coming to all platforms, our new telenovela set in the lands of Calderia. Drama, Politics, and betrayals...
Will Giuseppe conquer Valentina or Julia's heart in the courtroom? You will have to wait this summer to know!
Not that it's an April fools... but it could actually be really cool!
Would you like to see a telenovela set in the Great Houses of Calderia lands?
Join our Discord to chat and fool around with the team and get involved in the development of Great Houses of Calderia: https://discord.gg/vsxD6n8P8J
- Great Houses of Calderia Team -
THANK YOU
Dear playtesters,
First of all, thank you!
You've been a total of 136 playtesters to try the game for our first public playtest. We were not expecting such a result!
During two weeks, you could play an early version of Great Houses of Calderia. You shared your feedbacks and suggestions in our official Discord.. We collected all of them carefully. We received really interesting points and sometimes even with a lot of details.
We could feel your enthusiasm and are glad you're supporting us in the development of the game.
Now, we now what to improve, modify, remove, etc.
As you all know, our main objective is to provide you an enjoyable experience playing Great Houses of Calderia. Your help is precious and we hope you will be as excited as us for our next public playtest!
You can join us on Discord to talk about the game and strategy stuff! We'd be more than happy to chat with you players :) Great Houses of Calderia Discord: https://discord.gg/vsxD6n8P8J
- Great Houses of Calderia Team -
The logo history
Interested in our logo creation process? That's here!
We had different steps before choosing the perfect logo for our game. We want to involve the community as much as we can in our development processes. The logo was a result of this common work!
As soon as we validated the name of the game, Great Houses of Calderia, we started working on the logo design. First, we made different iterations. It had to have a Medieval style and Renaissance inspirations.
Our first iterations were:
But we were not satisfied as it was a bit "thin". It would have fade into the background if we wanted to add it into our visuals and illustrations.
Then, we went with a more Renaissance style:
But the readability wasn't the best. So we tried with some coat of arms that remind a lot Medieval times.
The coat of arms ideas:
We found it really interesting. The colored one was our first choice. Then we realized it would not be really clear and harmonized if we add it on a colorful background and on marketing assets.
After all our research, we decided to go for a simple text with Medieval and Renaissance looks.
Our final choice was the logo you saw everywhere:
Here was the story of our logo creation process. If you have any question, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.
Which one is your favorite logo?
To be part of the development process of Great Houses of Calderia and help us make these kind of decisions, join us on Discord! Great Houses of Calderia Discord: https://discord.gg/vsxD6n8P8J
- Great Houses of Calderia Team -
Gardener...? Gardener!
As an wealthy House, you surely love to have people taking care of your domain right? Say no more and welcome these new companions!
What is a companion? Companions are units used in social conflicts, much like soldiers are used in battles. They also give players a glimpse of the culture and everyday life in Calderia.
Their appearances are based on Renaissance clothes mixed with classical antiquity and a splash of fantasy elements.
This new set of companions represents the "Household Servants"
Majordomo Every wealthy household has a steward of the house – a Majordomo. They are in charge of overseeing the day-to-day responsibilities of servants as well as managing arrangements and household finances.
Physician Whether you’re having trouble sleeping or being bedridden, a Physician is your friend. They have vast knowledge of human anatomy and the healing properties of flora & fauna.
Pleasaunce gardener A well-kept pleasure-garden is a sign of pride and wealth. A good pleasaunce gardener knows what kind of floral arrangements should be planted each season, in order to create an aesthetically pleasing space for all senses.
Sommelier Wine is the drink of choice for the people of Calderia. Vinification is a careful craft led by the wine steward – Sommelier. Their responsibilities range from selection of grapes to fermentation to correct selection of vintage for the dinner table.
See these elements in preview in our Discord! Join us there to chat with the team and get involved in the development of Great Houses of Calderia: https://discord.gg/vsxD6n8P8J
- Great Houses of Calderia Team -
New units to fight by your side!
Aye Aye Conqueror!
We're having new recruits here! We’d like to introduce a new set of units that will help you during battles.
This selection puts emphasis on the Renaissance's inspiration and show some sort of units that has been asked by the community last time, like crossbow. If you want to share your thoughts with the developers too, it's in our Discord.
You can also see a strong reference to Leonardo Da Vinci.
Who would you recruit to fight with you?
Join us there to chat with the team and get involved in the development of Great Houses of Calderia: https://discord.gg/vsxD6n8P8J
