To the Moon (and hi from a ghost)

Reives · August 09, 2011, 10:34:53 PM

Hiya everyone! Some of you might vaguely remember me; I was active here quite a few years ago and liked to whistle that really annoying tune which made everyone want to take a leak.

Here's the thing. . . For the past year and a half, I've been working on a new project, and I wasn't planning on posting it on RM forums anywhere. The reason for that is, well, it's a commercial project -- with RMXP. I'm at the point in my life where I need to choose and start my career, and I know what I like to do. So I decided to try to make what I've been doing for the past 5 years as a hobby what I'll do for a living. The odds might be against me, but I'm going to give it a try and see how far I can go.

I wasn't planning on posting this on any RM boards, because, at least back in the days, there seemed to still linger a general sentiment against commercial RM games. But RMRK is the place I started using RMXP from all those years ago, and it's where I started my first project, Quintessence - The Blighted Venom. So, I decided that it would be only right to post it here as well.

I hope the folks can be understanding of it and not hang me upfront!

And so, here's to the good ol' times, all over again

:

The game is called To the Moon. It is an adventure game about two doctors traversing through the memories of a dying man in reverse, in order to fulfill his last wish.

Announcement Trailer:

http://youtu.be/sqkJuSV-23U

In-Game Preview Trailer:

Dr. Eva Rosalene and Dr. Neil Watts have rather peculiar jobs:

They give people another chance to live. Literally.

There exists a technology that allows doctors to weave artificial memories, such that a patient can request attempts to alter their mind, and wake up with memories of things that didn't actually happen.

However, since these new memories are permanent, the conflict between them and the existing authentic memories clash in such a way that it ceases the person's ability to properly function.

Thus, the operation is only done to people on their deathbeds, to fulfill what they wish they had done with their lives. . . but didn't.

But creating a new memory is not as simple as pressing a button.

The technology allows the doctors to step into the memories of the patient, which are reconstructed as interactive scenes. The doctors then gradually traverse backwards through memories of the patient's life until they reach childhood -- at which point, the wish of the patient in present time would be transferred over.

Along with the doctors' influence, the patient (as a child) could then lead an entire different life inside their head, working toward and fulfilling their dying wish themselves. And if all goes well, they would wake up, having lived the dream life they never had, and embrace a brief moment of blissful fulfillment.

Shortly after, they'd be drawing their last breath.

Every once a while, there comes a life that is rather peculiar.

This particular story follows Dr. Rosalene and Dr. Watts' attempt to fulfill the dream of the dying elderly man, Johnny. In their mission to do so, they traverse backwards through the man's memories, unfolding his curious life story before their eyes.

With each step back in time, a new fragment of Johnny's past is revealed. And as the two doctors piece together the puzzled events that spanned a life time, they seek to find out just why the frail old man chose his dying wish to be what it is.

And Johnny's last wish is, of course. . . to go to the moon.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

The original soundtrack of the game will also be available, of which 50% of the profit will be donated to charities for autistic spectrum disorders, something that is relevant to the game's story. It is composed by myself and the talented Laura Shigihara, composer/singer of Plants vs. Zombies (and her upcoming project, Melolune), who is kindly writing a special vocal song for the game. The soundtrack can be found here:
http://freebirdgames.bandcamp.com/album/to-the-moon-ost

Thank you all so much for being a great community and getting me on my way those years ago! I didn't forget it. I'll be more than happy to give free copies of the game or the soundtrack to the veterans; it's the least I can do.

Cheers RMRK,
Kan/Reives

Zylos · August 10, 2011, 12:16:25 AM

*falls in love again* <3

cozziekuns · August 10, 2011, 12:34:14 AM

Wow.. This is just amazing. I love the atmoshpere, sprites, setting and story. This is probably one commercial RPG Maker game I would actually buy.

modern algebra · August 10, 2011, 01:14:01 AM

You've always been one of the very best, Reives! It is good to see you and I will gladly buy this game once it is released. It sounds like a very artistic and intriguing storyline and the graphics and music are wonderful. I've preordered the OST already and can't wait for the game.

Really though, I am very much looking forward to it.

strike · August 10, 2011, 03:12:35 AM

this story sounds legitimately amazing.

firerain · August 10, 2011, 03:36:50 AM

Wow, I'm actually impressed by an RM game. I've always liked your work, Reives.

Oh Summer · August 10, 2011, 04:18:39 AM

Amazing visuals. Can't say much else that hasn't already been said. Looking forward to this!

Reives · August 10, 2011, 04:48:37 AM

Thanks for the warm reception, everyone.

And it's nice to see some familiar faces too! Hope you've all been doing well.

Today was the first day after the press release, and wow, I'm pleasantly surprised. It got seriously fortunate and went on places like GameTrailers, IGN, TigSource, ShackNews and even GameSpot (what the heck); so far reception is decent for the most part, and the trailer racked up over 10k views now. There still seems to be a bit of a illogically distorted image of "RPG Maker can't make anything new or decent" among some of the folks (though surprisingly few), and I hope to be able to break that a bit both for my sake and for the sake of the RM community. Gonna be some busy couple of months ahead, though!

pacdiggity · August 10, 2011, 09:34:49 AM

This lives up to the sexy-ness of Quintessence. Incredibly well done.
I will not oppose to you going commercial, you can manage it. I really look forward to seeing this done.

Oh Summer · August 15, 2011, 05:44:14 AM

Not a plug or anything, but I thought I'd mention that your story, while awesome, sounds somewhat familiar to my project. :O Quite strange, yes...

IAMFORTE · August 15, 2011, 02:40:00 PM

Your graphics look incredible, it seems you've broken the stigma with rmxp and lame maps :3 I would probably buy this

Ryosis · August 15, 2011, 06:00:18 PM

The plot sounds a lot like Big Fish, which happens to be among my favorite movies. I will most definitely be buying this along with the soundtrack.

Amazing work as always, Reives.

Reives · October 13, 2011, 12:58:40 AM

Thanks so much for the support, you guys. I shall keep it in mind as I get through this last crunch period!

And Bunny, what's your project like? It'd be cool to see it. c:

The official release date is set to November 1st. In the mean time, here's the 2nd and last trailer before launch -- it's less, uh. . . formal, and shows a different side of the game:

*Click*:

Hope you guys enjoy it!

Zylos · October 13, 2011, 01:08:13 AM

Said it before, I'll say it again: perhaps the most hilarious yet epic trailer for an RPG Maker project. <3

PLUS IT COMES OUT IN TIME FOR MY BIRTHDAY. Yay.

Gracie · October 13, 2011, 01:33:44 AM

Tell me its under $5 and you have yourself a sale

Thats going on the fact its only 5 hours though. However, I am greatly impressed :3

pacdiggity · October 13, 2011, 05:33:47 AM

Oh god that's beautiful.

Reives · October 13, 2011, 10:45:34 PM

I'm giving the option for anyone who been involved/contributed to the RMRK community for a while now to get the game free anyways, since if it weren't for this place I wouldn't be here making these things today anyway.

So aye, no worries about the wallet for you guys here.

As for the normal price, after looking into pricing in games and its effects, I decided to not set it to <$5. o: And I'll probably rely lazily on this article when it comes to justifying it vs. the length and the like.

Zylos · November 02, 2011, 03:13:12 AM

Was this officially released today?

Reives · November 02, 2011, 03:14:51 AM

Sort of. It went live, but I haven't done the press release yet. Working on that now! I've been getting sleep in 2-hour sessions every 10 hours or so these couple of days, hahah. . .

P.S. I can suddenly see better for some reason. Did the colour scheme here change or something?

Irock · November 02, 2011, 03:26:17 AM

I keep seeing this on Tigsource and Indiegames.com and I'm like "hey I know that guy"

Keep it up, man.

SirJackRex · November 02, 2011, 04:30:26 AM

Holy cow this looks really amazing. I love the aesthetics, atmosphere, and plot. The graphical presentation is familiar, but something about it is so charming and endearing. I can't put my finger on it, but it's really lovely. Strike succinctly expressed the plot's quality, which is better than a lot of books I've read.

This of course is no surprise because you're pretty much the best user of RPG Maker of whom I know. Good luck, man! I look forward to playing this.

Dyre · November 02, 2011, 07:07:20 AM

You never cease to amaze. I will gladly put forth monies for this. At under $5 there's no reason not to.

I can't count how many times I have replayed Quintessence, I'm certain this will be worth every penny.

Zylos · November 02, 2011, 04:09:17 PM

It's not under $5, but it's more than worth its price.

Dyre · November 02, 2011, 07:29:05 PM

Ah, I missed the "not" before the "<$5". You're right that it's still worth the price.

Reives · November 02, 2011, 08:59:46 PM

Sorry for not being very responsive lately guys! Just getting buried right now on barely any sleep, heheh. Aye, the price is $12 -- though as I promised, I'd be happy to give free codes to anyone who's rooted to RMRK. c: Just send me a PM if you'd like.

Also, just published the launch "trailer": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9Vo4m2yiIo