I can’t believe it’s already the end of 2018! Let’s see what 8-Bit Santa has in his magical sack of promotional materials today…
Okay, first things first – Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
If you missed last month’s update, you should definitely check it out here: https://steamcommunity.com/games/733110/announcements/detail/1719708631743433481
Not only did I discuss the game’s release, but I also included a new sizzle reel video that showed off some previously unseen aspects of the game! So if you’re looking forward to 8-Bit Adventures 2, it’s well worth a look =D
If you want to skip straight to the gameplay, please go to 1:54 on the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BZIxbw_m30
Winter Sale Discounts
For the next two weeks only (until 10:05 AM on January 3rd Pacific Time), you can get 8-Bit Adventures at 60% off! That means you can own it for just $4 USD! You can also get the fantastic Remastered Soundtrack 30% off ($3.50 USD), or the Game + Soundtrack bundle 45% off (that’s only $6.60 USD)!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/370300
Additionally, my most recent game Tales Across Time is also participating in the sale, making an already cheap game even cheaper! You can now get it 20% off - that's just $2.39 USD!!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/461710
These discounts won't get any lower in the future, so get 'em while they're hot! ;)
And remember, every purchase goes towards 8-Bit Adventures 2's development. As many of you know, I am funding development myself, so any and all support is greatly appreciated!
This Box Isn’t a Present – It’s a Prize!
I’ve mentioned this a couple of times before, but when the game is released, I’ll be holding a competition where players (like you!) can win a physical, boxed copy of the game – complete with a (short) manual. Now, I don’t actually have these boxed copies in my hand just yet, but the person who’s been making them for me was kind enough to take a picture. So here’s a little tease ;)
I hope you guys think this is as cool as I do =P
They’ve been made by Uncle Tusk, who’s basically a legend in the world of video game reproductions. He was incredibly kind and helpful throughout the process, and I can’t wait for you all to see his work in full. And if you’re interested in filling some blanks in your collection, please check out his store: http://www.uncletusk.com/ Tusk specialises in games that were either never released, never translated into English, or are the best-of-the-best fan hacks. He can even do custom orders! I scoured the internet to find the highest quality reproducer for the 8-Bit Adventures 2 boxes/manuals, and I’m confident I found him! I'll provide more details about the competition near release, so please stay tuned.
A Symphony of Samples
As I did a video last month, this time around I wanted to show off some more music samples. So I’ve uploaded over 10 minutes of music (samples from 9 separate tracks) to the 8-Bit Adventures 2 SoundCloud!
Sebastian (Carfonu), our composer, has done an incredible job on the game’s absolutely massive soundtrack - which contains over 75 pieces of music. What I wanted to highlight with this group of samples is the variety and energy of his compositions, despite the limitations of the technology he’s working with. I really can’t praise his work enough, and I’m very grateful to have him on the project (as I was with the first game too!). But don’t take my word for it; you can listen below!
I honestly can't pick favourites, so if you have the time, I highly recommend sitting down and listening to them all! If nothing else, though, the Title Theme is an easy recommendation. And those mystery themes sure are mysterious!
As we’re getting closer and closer to release, I’m planning to do one of these updates every month. In fact, when my last game (Tales Across Time) was coming out, I did daily updates on Twitter for a few weeks until its launch, so I’m also considering bringing that back. I can really dig into the minutiae of the game’s systems then!
To make sure you don’t miss any of those, I recommend following @CriticalGamesAU on Twitter, as that’s the best way I’ve found to keep up-to-date on news!
You can also check out the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Website for more info and screenshots, or check Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalGamesDev
And don't forget the newest addition - the Critical Games Creator Page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/33038547
Follow that page or wishlist the game to be notified when 8-Bit Adventures 2 is finally released!
Thank you all so much for your continued support, and I absolutely cannot wait for you guys to play 8-Bit Adventures 2 in 2019!
I mean, I know I said that about 2018 at the end of last year, but this time it's definitive; I've gotta make sure everyone's patience pays off! Although it is a *little* surreal that Kingdom Hearts 3, a game I've been waiting for since High School, will be releasing before 8-Bit Adventures 2...Ah, but I'm getting sidetracked. I sincerely hope that you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday season and a most fantastically happy New Year!
I'll see you on the other side for a brand new adventure!
~Josh
8-Bit Adventures 2 Video Update + Autumn Sale Deals!
Time flies, doesn't it? I've been hard at work on the game, but I'm back with another update - this time in video form! And for American players, just in time for Thanksgiving =)
8-Bit Adventures 2 November 2018 Update
I'm sorry it's been so long since the last update, but the game is progressing really well. However, I've got both good news and bad news. It's not exactly a trailer, but I've prepared a sort of 'sizzle reel' that you can watch below. I really hope everyone enjoys it!
If you want to skip straight to the gameplay, please go to 1:54 on the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BZIxbw_m30
So, as most of you have probably guessed, 8-Bit Adventures 2 will be released in 2019. I feel terrible for breaking another release window and keeping you all waiting. But I'm also not going to release an unfinished game, or something that isn't worthy of the support you've all shown me these past 3 years.
Even though I won't give a date, the end is nigh! With a few small exceptions, all of the mapping is complete (the final dungeon was completed a few weeks ago), cutscenes are at least 90% completed, environments are fully functional, NPCs are all written and implemented, the game's systems are all in place and finalised...The biggest challenges on the horizon are battles, balancing and testing (and lots of work has already been done on these fronts).
This game has been an incredible learning experience for me, and a much bigger project than I ever could've anticipated. Every other game I've worked on has taken around 6-12 months to complete - which is why my previous estimates for this game have been so wrong. Mistakes were made (and learnt from), but overall it's been a pretty smooth process. It's just also a pretty big game =)
I'm sure this news will disappoint some, but I just wanted to say that you guys are amazing. I love talking with you all, meeting new people through this game (and my previous works), and the patience and support you've shown me has really kept me on track these last few years.
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia, but I'm always thankful for you guys!
I sincerely hope you enjoyed the video and, as always, I'm more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the game. Well, to a point...spoilers ;)
The closer we get to release, the more I'm going to have to say and show, so please stay tuned! And if you haven't already, add 8-Bit Adventures 2 to your Steam Wishlist to get notified when it releases!
Autumn Sale Discounts
For this week only (until 10:05 AM on November 27th Pacific Time), you can get 8-Bit Adventures at 60% off! That means you can own it for just $4 USD! You can also get the fantastic Remastered Soundtrack 30% off ($3.50 USD), or the Game + Soundtrack bundle 45% off (that’s only $6.60 USD)!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/370300
Additionally, my most recent game Tales Across Time is also participating in the sale, making an already cheap game even cheaper! You can now get it 20% off - that's just $2.39 USD!!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/461710
These discounts won't get any lower in the future, so get 'em while they're hot! ;)
And remember, every purchase goes towards 8-Bit Adventures 2's development. As many of you know, I am funding development myself, so any and all support is greatly appreciated!
That's All Folks!
I always post 8-Bit Adventures 2 news here on Steam (on the 8-Bit Adventures 1, 8-Bit Adventures 2, and Tales Across Time pages), but I also highly recommend following @CriticalGamesAU on Twitter, as that’s the best way I’ve found to keep up-to-date on news!
You can also check out the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Website for more info and screenshots, or check Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalGamesDev
And don't forget the newest addition - the Critical Games Creator Page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/33038547
Follow that page or wishlist the game to be notified when 8-Bit Adventures 2 is finally released!
Thank you everyone for your support; I'll have another update post next month.
Hopefully my intro in the video wasn't too bad! I was up past 4AM getting it all finished...Phew!
~Josh
Weeklong Sale + Square Enix Collective Result!
Well, it was a crazy month, but 8-Bit Adventures 2's time on the Square Enix Collective finally drew to a close last week. 300 people voted for the game, and we had an amazing response on the website and on social media - ending up with a 90% YES rating!
Now as far as I'm concerned, that's absolutely incredible! Thank you so much to everyone who supported us over the past month, whether you voted, gave feedback, tweeted, or just checked out the page! Everything you guys did for the game was sincerely appreciated.
In fact, we even got our very first piece of 8-Bit Adventures 2 fan art, drawn by the wonderful @Zepht on Twitter, who did an incredible job!
I'm planning to run a fan creation competition at release with some really fun prizes for collectors. So if there any artists, musicians, or writers out there, get ready! We'll be accepting all kinds of entries, so even if you don't fall into the above categories, you still have a shot. But that's a discussion for another time!
Weeklong Sale Discounts
For this week only (until 10:00 AM on August 27th Pacific Time), you can get 8-Bit Adventures at 60% off! That means you can own it for just $4 USD! You can also get the fantastic Remastered Soundtrack 30% off ($3.50 USD), or the Game + Soundtrack bundle 45% off (that’s only $6.60 USD)!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/370300
Additionally, my most recent game Tales Across Time is also participating in the sale, making an already cheap game even cheaper! You can now get it 20% off - that's just $2.39 USD!!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/461710
These discounts won't get any lower in the future, so get 'em while they're hot! ;)
And remember, every purchase goes towards 8-Bit Adventures 2's development. As many of you know, I am funding development myself, so any and all support is greatly appreciated!
That's All Folks!
I plan to have some more announcements in the (relatively) near future, so please stay tuned! I always post 8-Bit Adventures 2 news here on Steam (including on the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Steam Page!), but I also highly recommend following @CriticalGamesAU on Twitter, as that’s the best way I’ve found to keep up-to-date on news!
You can also check out the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Website for more info and screenshots (including our new Dev Blog), or check Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalGamesDev
And don't forget the newest addition - the Critical Games Creator Page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/33038547
Follow that page or wishlist the game to be notified when 8-Bit Adventures 2 is finally released!
So long! Farewell! Auf wiedersehen goodbye...
~Josh
Summer Sale Reminder + 8-Bit Adventures 2 Coming to Square Enix Collective!
As promised in last month's update, I am very excited to announce that 8-Bit Adventures 2 has been selected for this month's Square Enix Collective showcase! It will be visible on their website for 28 days, beginning on July 16th.
https://collective.square-enix.com/projects/
For anyone that doesn't know about the Collective, it's a curated website (run and maintained by Square Enix) that helps small teams build awareness of their ideas. It's a wonderful opportunity for more exposure, as well as a chance to connect with an audience who loves the same types of games that we do (namely JRPGs). And depending on how positive the response is, there could be more opportunities beyond this as well!
If you want to help, then please check the Square Enix Collective website on or after July 16th (up until the 20th of August). There will be some new screenshots and information to check out, and you can take the opportunity to vote and provide feedback if you'd like. Your support would be sincerely appreciated!
Critical Games Creator Page
Also, despite some troubles, the new Critical Games Creator Page is fully operational! If you want updates on new games and a place to see my entire library of content and news updates, please check it out and click the green 'Follow' button up top!
https://store.steampowered.com/curator/33038547
Summer Sale Reminder!
Finally, I just wanted to remind everyone that the Steam Summer Sale is nearly over. Even I'm honestly not sure when the next sale will be, so if you haven't picked up 8-Bit Adventures or Tales Across Time, make sure to grab 'em before 10:05 AM on July 5th (Pacific Time)!
You can get 8-Bit Adventures at 60% off! That means you can own it for just $4 USD! You can also get the fantastic Remastered Soundtrack 30% off ($3.50 USD), or the Game + Soundtrack bundle 45% off (that’s only $6.60 USD)!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/370300
Additionally, my most recent game Tales Across Time is also participating in the sale, making an already cheap game even cheaper! You can now get it 20% off - that's just $2.39 USD!!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/461710
As I've said before, these discounts won't get any lower in the future, so now's the best time to buy! ;)
And remember, every purchase goes towards 8-Bit Adventures 2's development. As many of you know, I am funding development myself, so any and all support is greatly appreciated!
Thank you so much for your continued support!
~Josh
Summer Sale + 8-Bit Adventures 2 Promo Art & Updates + Creator Page
Another year, another E3, and another Steam Summer Sale! But we’ve got much more than discounts in this update – see what went into creating 8-Bit Adventures 2’s brand new Promotional Artwork and Title Screen, as well as some brand new images of the game in action!
8-Bit Adventures 2 Promo Artwork
I am very excited to finally reveal the 8-Bit Adventures 2 promotional artwork! Due to Steam's size limitations, please right click on the picture and choose 'View Image' to see a much larger version.
While I think the piece speaks for itself, let’s talk about what went into it behind-the-scenes. This wonderful artwork was drawn by Ryan “Jamps” Jampole, a Harvey award nominated comic artist best known for his work on the Mega Man, Sonic, and Dexter’s Lab comic book series’. When I contacted him in March, he very kindly agreed to draw a promotional image for 8-Bit Adventures 2, and I think he did an incredible job capturing the personality of the characters in his own signature style!
The goal was to create a piece that conveyed a sense of personality, character, and family from the main party. Unlikable characters are one of the main issues I’ve had with a lot of JRPGs over the last decade, so this was something I really wanted to communicate about 8-Bit Adventures 2. I always loved the idea of the art showing the party together on an Airship, but getting to this finished state required a lot of work on Ryan’s part!
To start us off, he sketched the scene from a variety of perspectives. In my head, I’d been imagining something like Design A, confirming once and for all that I don’t know anything about art! While they all had pros and cons, Ryan pointed out that conveying personality is pretty tough when you can’t see the characters from the front. So we ended up agreeing on Design D - the most dynamic of the group.
So then the sketching process began, and we went through several iterations – although they’re all pretty close to the final version. Jerram (our pixel artist) suggested that the logo be placed on the top right-hand corner rather than in the centre (which was definitely the right decision), and Warrior’s expression was changed (he looked a little too smug). Also, Emma miraculously regained her sight in this first sketch – she’s blind in the actual game, so that was a very important change =P
After the sketches, next came the line art and tone (the latter provides a sense of the lighting that the final image would have). As you can see, we’re very close to the final version now; the biggest change was Emma’s pose and expression, as she didn’t quite feel true to the character. But after a few more tweaks and a coat of paint, the final version was ready to go! Did you notice the glitch-like distortion on the mountains in the background? =)
Title Screen
You may have already seen it on Twitter, but I also wanted to show off the final version of the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Title Screen! Just like the promo art, I really couldn’t be happier with how this turned out. It went through several iterations in the concept phase, but I think Jerram has done an incredible job.
It’s designed to represent both the similarities and contrast between two major characters – Charlie on the right, and the Glitch on the left. Honestly, I’ve spent longer than I’d care to admit just staring at this animation! Hopefully you all agree that it's a great way to greet the player when they start up the game.
Steam Creator Page
It was a bit of a surprise, but this week Steam opened up the beta version of their new Creator Page system. Essentially, it gives Developers and Publishers their own area on Steam to show off their entire catalogue of releases and content. Honestly, I think they’ve done a really great job; looking at my entire body of work (on Steam) in such a stylish form made me feel very professional haha.
And that’s not all! If you click the green “Follow” button at the top of the page, you’ll be alerted by Email and on Steam whenever I release a new game. So if you want to always stay up-to-date with my work, please give that button a click. Given how long it’s taken me to develop 8-Bit Adventures 2, I don’t think I’ll be spamming anyone =P
Please check out the Critical Games Creator page here (there have been some technical problems, so I apologise for any images that don't load - just have to wait for Valve to fix it): https://store.steampowered.com/curator/33038547
A Few More Things...
I know that updates have been very scarce recently, and I sincerely apologise for that. The longer development takes, the more I’m trying to walk the tightrope of what to show (and spoil), how to show it, and when to do so. Also, whenever I'm working on promoting the game, I'm not working on actually finishing it, so that's been a difficult balance.
I’ve just recently submitted 8-Bit Adventures 2 to the Square Enix Collective, and if the game is picked for their showcase I’ll hopefully be able to reach an entirely new community of people who also love JRPGs. I should know whether or not that’s happening next week, so please keep an eye out for an update post – your support would be sincerely appreciated! Plus there should be a few new images and details.
Speaking of which, here a few new screenshots! First up is another ‘cinematic shot’ from the game’s opening sequence. If you know your NES games, the inspiration for this shot is probably pretty obvious ;)
Next we have a quick trip in the Airship around part of the Anbu region – a new continent on the World Map (the file size was too large for Steam to upload, so I apologise for having to use a link):
This last one’s not animated, but I wanted to show it off all the same! This image is from the Glade of Graphics, one of the four Computer World areas in the game. The architecture here features an Art Deco style; a bit different to your average fantasy environment, isn’t it? This area’s built around the concept of a murder mystery – a ROBOT murder mystery! ...I promise it makes sense =)
Summer Sale Discounts
Can't forget about these! For the next two weeks only (until 10:05 AM on July 5th Pacific Time), you can get 8-Bit Adventures at 60% off! That means you can own it for just $4 USD! You can also get the fantastic Remastered Soundtrack 30% off ($3.50 USD), or the Game + Soundtrack bundle 45% off (that’s only $6.60 USD)!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/370300
Additionally, my most recent game Tales Across Time is also participating in the sale, making an already cheap game even cheaper! You can now get it 20% off - that's just $2.39 USD!!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/461710
As I've said before, these discounts won't get any lower in the future, so now's the best time to buy! ;)
And remember, every purchase goes towards 8-Bit Adventures 2's development. As many of you know, I am funding development myself, so any and all support is greatly appreciated!
That's All Folks! ...For Now
I'm sorry that I still don't have a release date to share, but I won't be announcing that until I'm 100% sure it's going to happen. I don't want to lead anyone on - myself included! I hope you’ll stick with me during this final stretch of development, and I look forward to revealing more of the game as soon as I am able. Please check back late next week to see if there are any updates about 8-Bit Adventures 2 appearing on Square Enix Collective!
Also a BIG thanks to Ryan for his work on the Promo Art - seeing these characters represented in a piece like this was an amazing feeling, and I'm so happy with how it turned out. If you love Mega Man and Chrono Trigger, I highly recommend checking out his Deviant Art page!
And please stay tuned for more general updates! I always post 8-Bit Adventures 2 news here on Steam (including on the new 8-Bit Adventures 2 Steam Page!), but I also highly recommend following @CriticalGamesAU on Twitter, as that’s the best way I’ve found to keep up-to-date on news!
You can also check out the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Website for more info and screenshots (including our new Dev Blog), or check Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalGamesDev
And don't forget the newest addition - the Critical Games Creator Page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/33038547 Follow that page or wishlist the game to be notified when 8-Bit Adventures 2 is finally released!
So what do you guys think of the Promo Art and Title Screen? I'd love to hear your thoughts!~
Josh
Updates, Delays, and Sales – Oh My!
Lots of news this time around, including a brand new content update for the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Demo!
But let's get the business stuff out of the way first:
Weeklong Sale Discounts
For this week only (until 10:00 AM on April 16th Pacific Time), you can get 8-Bit Adventures at 60% off! That means you can own it for just $4 USD! You can also get the fantastic Remastered Soundtrack 30% off ($3.50 USD), or the Game + Soundtrack bundle 45% off (that’s only $6.60 USD)!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/370300
Additionally, my most recent game Tales Across Time is also participating in the sale, making an already cheap game even cheaper! You can now get it 20% off - that's just $2.39 USD!!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/461710
These discounts won't get any lower in the future, so get 'em while they're hot! ;)
And remember, every purchase goes towards 8-Bit Adventures 2's development. As many of you know, I am funding development myself, so any and all support is greatly appreciated!
8-Bit Adventures 2 Delay
Okay, so let’s tackle the elephant in the room – it’s Early 2018 Josh, so where’s the release? Well, as you might have guessed by this point, 8-Bit Adventures 2 will not be releasing in Early 2018. No excuses; we’re simply not ready and the game is not finished. And I really can’t do anything else but apologise for this.
Honestly, there’s probably no one more eager to release 8-Bit Adventures 2 than I am, because the game is essentially my livelihood. Until that’s released (and hopefully sells well…wink, wink; nudge, nudge =P) I don’t have an income. But, of course, there’s no way I’m going to release an unfinished game – that doesn’t work out well for anyone.
Now, I do think it will be sooner rather than later and I have an estimate of when I think it will release (which is less than 6 months away). But I don’t want to say anything specific until I have an exact, locked-in, unchangeable date to give you. It *will* be released before the end of this year though; that I can promise you unequivocally.
But I am sincerely sorry that I have failed to meet this deadline and can only ask that you continue to support us as we finally (*finally*) approach release.
New Content Update for Demo
In lighter news, you guys have definitely been doing that! Over 1000 people have downloaded and played the 8-Bit Adventures 2 First Look Demo, and nearly 1500 people have added the full game to their wishlist! This shows an intention to purchase the game on launch, and it makes me incredibly optimistic about 8-Bit Adventures 2’s chances for success (which in turn will allow me to continue making games in future). So thank you very much to everyone who has played the demo or added the game to their wishlist.
In fact, player feedback has provided lots of valuable information, so I sincerely appreciate all of the responses I’ve received. By far the most common request I’ve seen is for the addition of a ‘Run’ button. Your feedback convinced me that this was the right way to go, and not only has it been implemented in the full game, but I’ve updated the demo to include this as well. The demo also now includes new tweaks to the battle system, a new bonus boss, a new playable character, and a silly alternate ending!
The update is available now! So if you’re in the mood, I hope you’ll check it out =D
Behind the Scenes: Music Samples, Art, & More!
So then, what’s going on behind-the-scenes? Well, I am very happy to announce that I have commissioned a professional comic book artist to draw a piece of promotional art (the “box” art, essentially) for 8-Bit Adventures 2. I won’t say who it is just yet, but the artist and image should be revealed sometime next month, so please stay tuned. Needless to say, I’m very excited to see it!
Beyond that, with enemies, battle backgrounds, and tiles done (among many other things), Jerram Fahey (the artist) is hard at work tackling the remaining Battle Animations – and trust me, that’s a long list! The seven playable characters alone have around 98 abilities in total. And then when you add enemies and items into that mix, well…there are lots of crashes, bangs, booms, and whams that need animating.
He’s also working on something that I’ve been hoping to do since before development began – something that will be used to enhance a handful of key cutscenes. Those of you who’ve played Ninja Gaiden on NES might have an inkling of what I’m talking about ;)
The soundtrack surpassed 50 songs last week, and we’re still not done! Carfonu (the composer) has been working very hard, and I really can’t wait for you all to hear his work in full – the variety of sounds and styles he’s managed to create, despite the limitations of the NES (Famicom technically) sound chip, is incredible. Have a listen to some new samples!
As for me (Josh - I design/develop the game), I’ve been making steady progress. Fun fact: I’ve apparently written over 100,000 words of dialogue so far, which is pretty crazy to think! This past week, I’ve been finishing up the continent of Anbu – which is the Japanese-inspired area you might have glimpsed in some trailers and screenshots. The main dungeon here is an old, ruined pagoda (fortress) with a heavily guarded exterior and 8-storey tower. It’s a fairly lengthy dungeon, and has some cool moments (like using Robot to slam through the gates leading up to the tower’s entrance while fighting off undead soldiers and ninja), so it was a lot of fun to design!
I’ve also started putting together the Instruction Manual. While it’s not quite the same as the old days, everyone will have access to a full colour, 25+ page manual when the game is launched – complete with silly jokes, concept artwork, information about the world, and even some useful information!
You can read a ‘Press Release’ that I made in the same style on the 8-Bit Adventures 2 website (www.8bitadventures2.com), but here are a couple of sample pages from the final manual if you’re curious.
That's All Folks!
But anyway, that’s really all I can say for now. Again, I sincerely apologise that the game is not available yet, but I hope you’ll stick with me in this final stretch.
And please stay tuned for more updates! I always post 8-Bit Adventures 2 news here on Steam (including on the new 8-Bit Adventures 2 Steam Page!), but I also highly recommend following @CriticalGamesAU on Twitter, as that’s the best way I’ve found to keep up-to-date on news!
You can also check out the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Website for more info and screenshots (including our new Dev Blog), or check Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalGamesDev
Let me know what you think about the demo updates!~ Josh
Lunar New Year Deals + Music Samples + Dev Blog!
Another year, another update post – I hope you’ve all had a fantastic start to 2018! Today I come bearing discounts, music samples, and a brand new Dev Blog! Not quite a Monster’s Inc world reveal, but it’s not bad ;)
Lunar New Year Sale Discounts
For four days only (until 10:05 AM on February 19th Pacific Time), you can get 8-Bit Adventures at 60% off! That means you can own it for just $4 USD! You can also get the fantastic Remastered Soundtrack 30% off ($3.50 USD), or the Game + Soundtrack bundle 45% off (that’s only $6.60 USD)!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/370300
Additionally, my most recent game Tales Across Time is also participating in the sale, making an already cheap game even cheaper! You can now get it 20% off - that's just $2.39 USD!!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/461710
These discounts won't get any lower in the future, so get 'em while they're hot! ;)
And remember, every purchase goes towards 8-Bit Adventures 2's development. As many of you know, I am funding development myself, so any and all support is greatly appreciated!
Dev Blog
With the release getting closer, I wanted to write some articles about the process of developing 8-Bit Adventures 2. I don’t know how regular this will be (as you all know, first and foremost, I need to get the game finished!), but I hope you’ll enjoy them.
Right now there are two articles – an properly formatted version of my Battle System Overview from last year (explaining the battle system of 8-Bit Adventures 2), and a brand new article called ‘Inspiring an Adventure’ where I discuss some of the games (and other media) that inspire me and how they’ve influenced 8-Bit Adventures 2.
The reason I wanted to write about this is because when I make a game, it’s always a game that I want to play myself. So if you and I like similar things, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll like 8-Bit Adventures 2, as well! …At least, that’s my hope haha.
https://www.8bitadventures2.com/blog/
If you want to keep up to date with future articles and news, you can now join the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Mailing List! No spam – just new articles and major announcements. Just scroll to the bottom of the page listed above!
Music Samples
Now the fun part! I’ve uploaded lots of screenshots, but it’s very rare that I get to show off the game’s soundtrack. So today, I wanted to give you guys a sneak peek with five new music samples! They are significantly trimmed down and occasionally different sections have been edited together to fit within the sample size, but I think they give you a good idea of the chiptune goodness that Carfonu’s been working on!
And if you want to give the composer some love, please check out his SoundCloud and send him some support – like Jerram and I, he’s working hard =) https://soundcloud.com/carfonu
That's All Folks
That’s all for now, but please stay tuned for more updates (and the release)! I always post 8-Bit Adventures 2 news here on Steam (including on the new 8-Bit Adventures 2 Steam Page!), but I also highly recommend following @CriticalGamesAU on Twitter, as that’s the best way I’ve found to keep up-to-date on news! Or now you canjoin the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Mailing List to receive updates to your inbox!
You can also check out the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Website for more info and screenshots (including our new Dev Blog), or check Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalGamesDev
We’re getting closer and closer to the finish line, everyone!~ Josh
Winter Sale Deals + Holiday Wishes/Screenshot + BTS Interview!
Looking for some RPG goodness this Christmas? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
All marketing aside, I sincerely want to wish everyone (yes, even you!) a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! As much as I wish I’d been able to finish 8-Bit Adventures 2, 2017 has been a year filled with progress and I am extremely happy with how the game is shaping up. I still have a…genuinely terrifying amount to do haha, but I know we’ll get it done. And hopefully it’ll end up being something very special!
*Merry Christmas from the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Party!*
Speaking of 'special', I wanted to quickly highlight a game called Persona 5. This was my favourite JRPG in a very long time, for a wide range of reasons. But more than anything, I loved how, despite dealing with very dark and often sad topics, Persona 5 was such an uplifting experience! Every action you took in that world made someone’s life better, and the ending left me with a genuine sense of wanting to be more proactive, improve myself and help others.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, I highly recommend it. In my opinion, *this* is the kind of game we need at the moment =)
And on the development side of things, Persona 5 made me reaffirm that I want 8-Bit Adventures 2 to be a game which inspires a sense of fun, hope, and joy in its players!
But what if you’ve already finished Persona 5? Or are just looking for something a bit more retro (or an experience that doesn’t take 6 months to finish =P)? Well, there are some great deals on my previous games: 8-Bit Adventures 1 and Tales Across Time!
So if you're interested in 8-Bit Adventures 2 and want to check out the original,
now's the time to buy!
Winter Sale Discounts
For two weeks only (until 10:05 AM on January 4th Pacific Time), you can get 8-Bit Adventures at 60% off! That means you can own it for just $4 USD! You can also get the fantastic Remastered Soundtrack 30% off ($3.50 USD), or the Game + Soundtrack bundle 45% off (that’s only $6.60 USD)!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/370300
Additionally, my most recent game Tales Across Time is also participating in the sale, making an already cheap game even cheaper! You can now get it 20% off - that's just $2.39 USD!!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/461710
These discounts won't get any lower in the future, so get 'em while they're hot! ;)
And remember, every purchase goes towards 8-Bit Adventures 2's development. As many of you know, I am funding development myself, so any and all support is greatly appreciated!
8-Bit Adventures 2 News Recap and NEW Interview!
Just in case anyone missed it, 8-Bit Adventures 2 received several big updates last month! A brand new trailer, an official website, the Steam page launch, a special First Look Demo, and even a 13 Page SNES Manual! And you can check all of that out at the links below:
8-Bit Adventures 2 has also popped up on a number of great media websites (such as Siliconera: http://www.siliconera.com/2017/10/24/8-bit-adventures-2-pits-rpg-heroes-dangerous-glitch/)!
You can also check out a brand new interview about my work conducted by Pierre on Chalgyr's Game Room! It was a fun chat, with lots of great questions. So if you've ever wanted to know more about the Behind-the-Scenes development of 8-Bit Adventures 1, 8-Bit Adventures 2 or Tales Across Time, it's well worth your time: http://www.chalgyr.com/2017/12/critical-games-josh-hallaran-on-8-bit.html
Thank You Everyone!
That’s all for now, but please stay tuned for more updates (and the release) in 2018! I always post 8-Bit Adventures 2 news here on Steam (including on the new 8-Bit Adventures 2 Steam Page!), but I also highly recommend following @CriticalGamesAU on Twitter, as that’s the best way I’ve found to keep up-to-date on news!
You can also check out the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Website for more info and screenshots (including some animated GIFs), or check Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalGamesDev
Thank you, everyone, so much for your support in 2017. The response to the demo and trailer/screenshots has been phenomenal, and it's honestly given me a lot more confidence going forward.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year~ Josh
Steam Autumn Sale + 8-Bit Adventures 2 Recap!
Hard to believe it's almost the end of 2017, isn't it? But thankfully there are plenty of deals and discounts to keep us busy over the holiday season! ...Although in my case, I've got a sequel to finish =P
But if you're interested in 8-Bit Adventures 2 and want to check out the original, now's the time to buy!
Weeklong Sale Discounts
For this week only (until 10:05 AM PST on November 28th), you can get 8-Bit Adventures at 60% off! That means you can own it for just $4 USD! You can also get the fantastic Remastered Soundtrack 30% off ($3.50 USD), or the Game + Soundtrack bundle 45% off (that’s only $6.60 USD)!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/370300
Additionally, my most recent game Tales Across Time is also participating in the sale, making an already cheap game even cheaper! You can now get it 20% off - that's just $2.39 USD!!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/461710
These discounts won't get any lower in the future, so get 'em while they're hot! ;)
And remember, every purchase goes towards 8-Bit Adventures 2's development. As many of you know, I am funding development myself, so any and all support is greatly appreciated!
8-Bit Adventures 2 News Recap!
Just in case anyone missed it, 8-Bit Adventures 2 received several big updates last month! A brand new trailer, an official website, the Steam page launch, a special First Look Demo, and even a 13 Page SNES Manual! And you can check all of that out at the links below:
But seeing as this is an update post, I wanted to leave you with a little something extra - a new screenshot! And this one might look very familiar to players of 8-Bit Adventures 1 ;)
Almost every location from the original game is present in 8-Bit Adventures 2; albeit rebuilt and much nicer looking this time. The Castle Ruins pictured above are an optional dungeon that you can visit to uncover hidden treasures. And it's not the only one!
As you can probably tell from the trailer, though, there are *plenty* of new areas to discover as well =)
That's All Folks!
That’s all for now, but please stay tuned for more updates! I always post 8-Bit Adventures 2 news here on Steam (including on the new 8-Bit Adventures 2 Steam Page!), but I also highly recommend following @CriticalGamesAU on Twitter, as that’s the best way I’ve found to keep up-to-date on news!
You can also check out the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Website for more info and screenshots (including some animated GIFs), or check Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CriticalGamesDev
Thank you very much for looking and I hope you enjoy the new demo and discounts!
'Till next time!~
Josh
8-Bit Adventures 2 Steam Page Launch + First Look Demo!
I am very excited to announce that the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Steam Page has officially launched, alongside a special ‘First Look’ Demo!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/733110
Additionally, the official 8-Bit Adventures 2 website is live, alongside a brand new Trailer. Check them out below:
The ‘First Look’ Demo will give you an early taste of the turn-based JRPG action! But I should say, the game is constantly improving and evolving every day, so the demo’s content may not be exactly the same as the final version, and it’s almost certain that any problems with the demo will be fixed by the time of release. With that said, I absolutely welcome any and all feedback and would love to hear what you think – whether it’s via email or via the Steam Community here.
8-Bit Adventures 2 is entirely self-funded and is by far the longest and most difficult development cycle I’ve ever tackled – and it still has quite a way to go. While we’ve all tried our best, I must unfortunately announce that 8-Bit Adventures 2 will not be releasing in 2017, and now sits under a vague, unsatisfying ‘Early 2018’ release window. I sincerely apologise if this disappoints anyone, but we’re all committed to making this game something truly special and it simply won’t be ready this year. Hopefully the content I’ve released today will help to tide you over!
Who are We?
But I shouldn’t get ahead of myself – who are “we”? Well, my name is Joshua Hallaran and I’m an Australian indie developer, working under the company name Critical Games since 2011. Best known for creating RPGs on the PC - notably 8-Bit Adventures & Tales Across Time - I am currently hard at work developing 8-Bit Adventures 2. But thankfully I’m not alone! I’m working with three very talented freelancers:
Artist - Jerram Fahey – who is the source of all the amazing artwork, both in-game and out, and might just be a wizard given what he can do with the NES colour palette!
Composer – Carfonu - who makes all of the incredible NES-accurate music for the 8-Bit Adventures games. It’s just another reason you should watch the trailer and play the demo, but be careful – I can’t get some of these songs out of my head!
Programmer - Dr “iBolt” Dhoom - who programmed the entire battle system and must be getting *extremely* tired of bug reports!
Want to Help?
If you’re brand new to 8-Bit Adventures, then welcome! Or if you’re a returning player who’s been reading my recent updates, thanks for sticking with me. If you’d like to support the game, then please add it to your Wishlist and consider purchasing my previous games: 8-Bit Adventures 1 or Tales Across Time. As I said before, the game is self-funded, so those sales help out quite a bit. In fact, it’s thanks to the players of those games that 8-Bit Adventures 2 exists at all!
Beyond that, please spread the word! Indie games like mine thrive on word of mouth, so if you know someone who loves JRPGs, pixel art, chip-tunes, or a good story and characters – particularly someone with an affinity for the NES, SNES, or PS1 eras – then please let them know about 8-Bit Adventures 2!
But that’s all from me for now! I hope that everyone enjoys the new demo/trailer/website, and that you’ll look forward to the final release next year. If you’d like to keep up with all the latest news, either check back on the 8-Bit Adventures 2 Steam Page or follow @CriticalGamesAU on Twitter.
And if you want a reminder for when the game is released, please don’t forget to add it to your Steam Wishlist!
Thank you all so much for your time and I hope to post again soon.
~Have fun! :OrbGetWarrior: :OrbGetThief: :OrbGetMage:
