I've gotten a lot of questions and suggestions regarding the game, it's dialogue system and the sheer amount of flavor text and dialogue in Fantasia. I'm going to firstly answer questions related to dialogue, for one- I've said a system like Yanfly Gab Window wont work, but yet no one will take my word on it, so I figure I'll take this post to explain why, as well as state that- changes are indeed coming for the dialogue system, and very likely positive ones at that.
Q: So why no Gab Window
A: For the amount of dialogue in some of the conversations, a gab window would be too small, and even if not, the other major problem with gab window is that because you can free move, you could talk to multiple objects at once, and it'd parse each one in a queue.
This gets unwieldy and awkward very fast.
There's also the issue that gab windows, unlike regular textbox windows, do not allow for animated busts, which give a lot of the expression and charm to these conversations. The Gab Window is a dumb idea. Though it's a fair suggestion, but believe me, it's been thought of, tried, found unworthy, and discarded long before this question was raised.
Q: Would it be possible to make dialogue boxes less wide so that the text is less head-turny to read?
A: A bit awkwardly worded, but basically this related to how the dialogue stretched from one side of the screen to the other, causing a lot of head swerving to read encapsulate dialogue on large monitors.
It is possible, and it's something I'm working on. In fact I've already done a proto-type I'm pleased with which has been met with approval from most of the people who complained about this, the only real difference is in place of one dialogue box, some may become too, because less width for each line means that some few dialogue windows that were chocked full of words will bleed into new dialogue boxes, but this is fairly easy- if a bit monotonous to fix. But this is why I do demos, because had I done the full game and had dialogue like that, I'd have had a lot more work on my hands.
Q: Would it be possible to trim down the amount of dialogue in the beginning?
A: Possible, but not much, several things that are mentioned, are incredible vital to the story and don't really get mentioned again. For instance, some think the fact Kyoshi mentions that the vending machine is acting funny as filler, but in reality thats a subtle clue as to the plot you uncover later.
Another thing I see mentioned is that Lilac's detetsation of being called Lily seems a bit redundant, but it's really not, and when you get to day 6 it's revealed there's a big plot element behind that. I will say that it is mentioned more than once, but that time in the intro it's CRUCIAL because that's the most dramatic reaction, the reaction to Lumi on Day 4 is a bit more subdued, which doesn't give it as much impact.
In the end, it would be a very minimal change, though Day 2, some of the dialogue could definitely be tuned down.
Q: Pamphlets... what are they even good for?
A: Currently, and possibly forever, they are just well presented info dumps. They are rewards for defeating bosses youre not supposed to or doing well in certain challenges.
Though some can be found just from exploration, like Koko's, though that will likely change.
Q: More gameplay!!! Where??
A: The dialogue to gameplay ratio is rather imbalanced, especially in the beginning, and currently one section of gameplay can be entirely skipped in an invisible sequence break.
In Day 2 a new fight will be added for Koko Spiral, so that you can try out the full cusp of her abilities. I may also have the Insidious Architect talk to her, I'll have to change a bit of future dialogue to reflect this- But that's easy enough.
Q: What's the dealie with Kyoshi's backstory?
A: I've only gotten this question once, but it was in regards to why Kyoshi has old adventuring gear, some swords and other things which would suggest he had a life of adventure.
Kyoshi's origin story is played out in Terra, or more accurately, Terra: New Moon. A currently unfinished RPG which tells of Kyoshi, Nikki and Trixie, as well as the often mentioned understudy and son-like fella of Kyoshi, Valin.
In that game Kyoshi is heartwarming towards his adoptive son, but very weary and scathing off his girlfriend and engagement, Trixie Valenthart- he references these characters in his Fake ID's, which Lumi forgivably assumes to be made up aliases that sounded ridiculous.
The game mentioned has two routes, one where Valin chooses Trixie over Kyoshi, which leads Kyoshi to be heartbroken, and one where he mends the relationship between the two. Both are considered canon, as the result of either is unclear and not mentioned in the context of the small references they've had.
Q: When will we see more of the 6 winged pink faerie girl (Fyori) and the blue winged sorta devil-looking five-winged girl (Esperia)?
A: Disk 1 and 2 to some degree, Disk 3 to a larger degree.
Q: Will Disk 1 have more gemplay than Disk 0
A: Yes, six bosses that will require some effort, as well as a couple obstacle courses.
Q: Where will Disk 1 take place?
A: Earth, both in Britain and Australia.
Q: Will we go to some places not yet explored, even in menagerie, places like Vahnus, completely new on the cosmic map?
A: Yes. The Homeworld of the Kitsunes for one, among some worlds not very far developed, such as Mira's Homeworld of Planet Shale.
Q: Will Mira be one of the 19 members we recruit?
A: Yes. Given her power level, she's the fight just before Esperia and then Fyori.
Q: How do you plan to have the Twins, Embodiments which have essentially, an ever growing power level, be a realistically winnable fight?
A: It's true, they are unlikely to be defeated, and impossible to destroy. Both Twins have their own fight, then a combined form which is the ultimate final boss.
The Girls are unaware, but they have the same capability, the ability to grow their power to match their opponents, during the last fight, they'll start to learn this, and they will get more health, more attack power, etc- As the fights go on. This is what Yasondre, Sacreblu and such could have meant when they refer to the girls having more power than they know, and that it is something they best discover themselves. The music track 25, "More Power Than You Know ~Star-sundering Ascension to the Heavenly Might of God" refers to this moment of self-discovery.
That was probably a bit of a spoiler. Oops. :0
Q: Oh lawdy, did you make a tumblr?
A: Against my better judgement. Yes.
Q: What is Lilac's endgame? She seems to have some hidden agenda up her sleeve? And shows virtually no sympathy, or at the least, very little for Vahnus- her home's destruction.
A: Lilac says it best herself, her sisters are her world, the only world she cares one bit about. Even if the whole Universe ceased to be, she'd be happy so long as her sisters were by her side. Her only real endgame is to be there for her sisters. She's just naturally pretty apathetic to most events outside of that.
Q: Lumi is so cute!!! What gave you the inspiration for her character?
A: Mabel from Gravity Falls was one of Lumi's larger inspirations, the glitter eating, the optimistic upbeat personality. However, she had other influences as well, Jade Harley from Homestuck sorta played into her perceived Narcolepsy, even though it's not Narcolepsy, she's just humble-tired all of the time due to how much energy she exhausts during her night shift. Several other of her behaviours, such as the munching and sleeping in odd places, is reflective of the bunny spirit inside her.
Q: So if Lumi is Mabel, then Koko is Dipper?
A: Busted. Koko also takes inspiration from Rose Lalonde of Homestuck fame, due to her more classy etiquette, rare but amusing bouts of self-indulged silliness, and her neo-gothic outlook on the powers beyond. She's also into books. Her shades were inspired from bad anime.
Q: So, in recurring with the Gravity Falls clique, who is Lilac?
A: She's not based on a gravity falls character, and she got the most on the fly personality dynamics. She started out as the edge girl who ate burnt toast and got mad when dad lied to her about the world exploding, she was basically a Gaz (invader zim) but this made her hard to sympathize with, so she got the superior sibling and Pavlovian trainer dynamic. This worked well because Koko was very much a sort of inverse, as in, she thought of the good of everyone, even at the cost of her sisters, while Lilac thought of her sisters, be it at the cost of everyone else.
Q: So, Sacreblu, the Spellweaver, is she the same deity Blu from Menagerie and Intelligence?
A: Same personality, altered body. In the finale of the 314th Clash, Niirgo fused with her after she defected so that he could finish his task, but she rebelled and outcast his presence from the new body.
Q: Who is that guy in the intro, who says he misses his sisters??
A: You'll just have to wait and see.
Q: What was the inspiration for Kyoshi?
A: In his original conception, it was Auron, but now while he carries some of Auron's inspiration, his tone is more in line with a goofy character like Goku or Stanley Pines. He's definitely the most romantic male character so far, rivaling Sped. I often base Dads in games of mine off the happy-go-lucky side of my Dad.
Q: Are all the bosses going to be female?
A: Captain Nelson is girl??
In seriousness, no, in fact in Disk 1 Rolly and Pep are bosses. Zardari, Future Spooky and other males are bosses in Disks further on.
The majority though, yes- is female. This is not a decision I made for equality, political or any significant reasons, I just like to drawn and write girls more than boys. That's literally the only reason. Anyone who tells you I'm a gender-traitor, a misogynist, a trap, or the like, is just raving on with either memes or shit they dont know fuck all about.
The Roster is complete, on average there's one boy boss for every 3 girl bosses.
Q: Will the game cost anything on release?
A: No. Alike all of the CCC's games so far, no payments are required to play the game. It would be my honor to let you play and join me on this unnerving journey.
Q: MAPS. The Only flaw is maps, you have these, ms-painty indoors maps, then these rich and beautiful outdoors maps, my AESTHETICISM IS OFFEND??
A: That won't stay, I simply didn't wish to delay the demo any longer than I had already. In the next BIG demo update, all maps should include the aesthetic that matches up with the sprites and portraits. The maps in the house wll be given a tad more detail and texture so as to better blend with the sprites.
Q: Why did you choose three-backwalls?
A: Some people think there is some legit symbolic reason why I wanted the indoor maps to have three visible walls, like some illuminati crap, to be fair- given the amount of tri-symbology in this game, that's a fair assumption, but it factors into this design descision none.
I just wanted more space to place wall hangings.
That's it, that's literally my excuse. Is it a good excuse for the perspective mockery? Dunno... do I care? Hell nah! Gotta have them walls for posters mang!
As an unanticipated but positive bonus, it makes the game look very removed from the RTP.
Q: Who is the Innocuous Merchant?
A: Have you heard of the Immoral Messenger?
Q: What's Yasondre's deal... she sometimes gets a very serious worried look, but most of the time she's chipper as beans?
A: Yasondre is unnerved by anything that reminds her of the Embodiment of Terror, whom she's had more than enough of.
Q: How did Yasondre, Sacreblu and Kyoshi coordinate the plan to whisk away the three girls if Yasondre has been in isolation for the last 12-13 years?
A: You'll simply have to speculate, I know why- but it's quite a spoiler.
Q: What's the difference Destruction and Erasure?
A: Destruction is what Yasondre endured, body is destroyed, and conciousness is trapped in a place called the Afterworld. Erasure means complete oblivion, there's no coming back from Erasure, once something is erased, it's gone- forever. Even if the Twins would want to, they cannot possibly recover what has been erased.
In Other words, Captain Nelson is gone- for good.
Q: So wait, is Yasondre's body was destroyed, how did she get it back the moment she came back to the living world?
A: She formed a new one when she returned to the mortal plane. She is the Life-goddess, after all. For most, destruction would be the end, and even if their concious self could be recovered from the otherworld, they would lack a living body to inhabit, Yasondre is special in this case.
Q: So, if Sacreblu got sent to the Afterworld by Niirgo, how does she still possess that body?
A: A God's body is indestructable.
Q: So, explain the dieties, gods, and hieracy, please??
A: Very well.
Demigod: Usually given a singular role or purpose, these include the Origination Council, Destroyer Gods such as Maw, Pyro, Jolt, etc.
Immortals: Basically Mortals who have died, they can acquire latent powers, but don't have the perks of creation and destruction the way Demigods do. The difference being Immortals can't create something from nothing, Demigods can. Both Immortals and Demigods are impossible to kill permanently.
Angels: These are mortal controllers that keep the host they're assigned in check. They can be exorcised and by which, completely destroyed.
Symbolic Gods: This refers to Gods that lord over big symbological things of a planet, see Crowfeast has the Shale Crow Eset and Sun Dragon Ra. Other Planets such as Haven are also beleived to possess symbolic Gods, such as Rensooi, the God of the Jungle. These Gods can be destroyed, hurt and defeated.
Gods / Goddesses:
This is the assumed ruling class, Sacreblu, Niirgo and/or Origin would fall under this category. They possess limited omniscience and omnipotence. They have an indestructible body. They can destroy and create from nothing.
Embodiments:
In the Divine Heirachy there are none above, this is where the Twins fall in, they Embody Emotions. Terror and Power are known so far. There may be more. I don't know.
The main thing that divides Emodiments from Gods or Goddesses is that they are avatars from a cosmos beyond. Embodiments not only Embody their emotion, but the person beyond that uses said Embodiment as an Avatar.
Embodiments are the most powerful, besides having unlimited omnipotence, they can also destroy and more dangerously, erase anything they desire- regardless of scale, depth or complexity. Be it a single life form, a world, or a galaxy, even an entire universe. They can also hard-reset a cosmos or universe entirely via a simple command. They are also the only deities ALLOWED to travel back in time. Others have been shown to do it, but it is considered a severe transgression.
Q: What about cited Gods such as The Queen of the Darkvoid and others?
A: They fall under symbolic gods. Akra Olna is not a god in any light, she's just revered as one due to her teachings and relationship with Yi Hellrider.
Q: Will Akra Olna have a place in Fantasia?
A: Yes, you'll meet her shortly into Disk 2.
Q: Will Tristy be about the same as she was in Intel or will she have found happiness?
A: She'll be pretty similar, just a lot more confident in her abilities.
Tristy wouldn't be happy with happiness, she's the sort who wants to answer all the questions, but if she actually had no questions left to ask, she'd have no real motivation for anything anymore. Tristy's avarice for knowledge is her drive.
Q: What will recruiting the other characters grant, will there be any bonuses?
A: Currently it's just a plot sequencer. But when you recruit them they will get their own sort of space on the Starship Yhwh's main hall where you can talk to them and if applicable, their extended family.
If given enough time and reason, I may do a Harvest Moon sort of gifting system, but there'd be very little motivation to do so.
In Fantasia you don't have gear, items or armour, but maybe going on a date with certain characters tickles your fancy?
We'll see how it goes as things progress.
Q: Any plans for multiplayer PVP or co-op?
A: No. Setting up servers and coding peer to peer transfers for information of that sort isn't yet something I can do. Most bosses would be quite hard to make into playable characters anyway, due to the immensity of their attacks.
Q: Boss Arcade?
A: Possible, but likely not until after release.
Q: In relation the timeline, when abouts is Fantasia
A: 314th Clash ends on the Year 2112, Fantasia's events begin and end on 2133. it's precisely 101 years after Humanity leaves Earth. And about 520 Years after The Battle of Nadine / The Events of Menagerie.
Q: No joke patch notes for April fools?
A: I was utterly exhausted. Sorry.
Q: Universe, Cosmos, Dimensions?? Make up your mind?
A: I'l clear up the spacial bodies so as to avoid further confusion.
Cosmos: This is the simulation in whole, if someone makes a threat to destroy the cosmos, they plan to destroy everything, every universe, dimension, galaxy, etc.
Dimension: This is not the same as a universe, a dimensions houses the Three afterlives AND a universe within.
Universe: a Circular globe in the middle of all dimensions that is the 'living space' for mortals.
Galaxies, Planets, lifeforms and such all coexist in a universe.
Like an inverted globe, when one goes to the edge of their universe, they simply end coming out at the adjacently opposite end.
More info on dimensions and how they interlock here.
The Universe in which all of the games so far take place in is the 12th Universe, or Dimension XII. Other Dimensions exist as a dreamspace for astral travelers and to house their own existence. There are also Xadrants which is a pair of relatively similar dimensions. Such examples are Dimension IV (an altered version of our reality), Dimension VIII (Our exact dimension), Dimension XII (the central place that all the games take place in) and Dimension XVI, where Member XII seeks to go, and does so after the 314th clash, we have no idea why and what may await him there, and it's unlikely we'll find out.
Q: Are Corporation XVI and the Equation Unsolved going to be involved in Fantasia at all?
A: The time of helpful cameos is over, now is the age of mortal players, not some deus ex machinas in spoopy robes. At most passing reference will be made, but even that is unlikely due to my desire to not force players into feeling like they need to play prior games in order to understand what's generally going on. Honestly I feel like I made Corporation XVI too involved in the plot in previous games as it was.
Q: What were the inspiration for Yi and Wi? The two supreme goddesses who rule over everything?
A: The original idea came from the Scarlet Devils in Touhou, Flandre and Remilia, to the point their status of 'Embodiment' share in the games title, Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, where the Scarlet Sisters were most prominent.
Since then they've involved, Yi has taken on a mix of Bill Cypher (Gravity Falls) and Beerus the Destroyer (Dragon Ball Super vibes, while Wi has taken on more of a Ishizu (Yu-gi-oh) and Whis (Dragon Ball Super) sort of personality.
The three girls also have Touhou inspirations behind them.
Lumi inspiration is Reisen Udongein Inaba.
The ties to the moon and bunny stuff as well as some part of the character design, even more so for Naamah, her ennui- are present. Both also appear to be some sort of policing power.
Koko inspiration is Utsohu
The general sun motif and inventive nature of the character are present in Koko and her arc.
Lilac is inspired by Koakuma
Design wise, Koakuma doesn't speak in the games. She also takes some inspiration from Shinki, her hero theme's intro was
inspired by a remix of Legendary Fusion ~Infinite Being.
