This project is an interview with the developer of the new indie game that you are interested in. This time, we will deliver a mini -in -tube to developers for developers, “ Epipherany City ,” developed by Cameron Ladjevardi and David Elliot, and for PC/Mac, a magical frame puzzle adventure “ Epiphany City “.

This work is a puzzle adventure that solves the mystery using the magic frame. Lily, a girl who has lost all hopes, changes various things according to her needs, such as using her magic frame to blow her life into her painting or change her time. To go. At the time of writing, it is not compatible with Japanese.

“Epiphany City” is being distributed for 1,010 yen.

— First, please introduce yourself. What is your favorite game?

David Elliot (David) This is the lead designer and writer David Elliot. My favorite game is “Super Smash Bros. DX”. Because we are playing in earnest in earnest. However, it is unfair to other games, so I will put two other favorite games, “UNDERTALE” and “Chrono Trigger”. (Smile)

When I was a child, I was convinced that when I cleared Chrono Trigger and the credit flowed, this work would be my favorite game. That moment will be unforgettable. “Undertale” has a great soundtrack, but there is nothing else that is comparable to the game play and the harmony of the story of this work.

――Why did this work developed?

David There are two main reasons why I started making this work.

1. I’ve always wanted to make a game myself, but I’ve been exposed to the voices of “games are a waste of time” and “games are bad for you.” But I didn’t think it was the best way to convince others to refute. Instead, I wanted to create a game that makes people who have never played games make the game a wonderful thing. Of course, there are things like the pleasure of solving the puzzle for gamers, the sense of accomplishment that overcomes difficult things, and the joy of discovering something you have never thought of. But you can taste them in this work, without having to spend a lot of time or playing games in the past.

2. Based on this, I wanted to create a game where any player can have amazing experiences like “The Witness”. But I didn’t know how to do that. Until I heard such a genius, I would never be able to do it… Until I heard the lecture of Yoko Otaro who made “Nier: Automata” on the GDC. His design strategy was immediately applicable to puzzle games such as Stephen’s Sausage Roll and Baba Is You. Thus, I was able to start the development of this work.

―― Please tell me the characteristics of this work.

DAVID This work is equipped with an innocent puzzle system. With the creator’s creativity and imagination, you can change the situation of everything. Players can use magic frames to turn pictures into actual ones, change their time, and create new ways. For example, you can make a golf ball by picking up a monthly photo and placing it on a golf tea. It is difficult to explain in words, but if you look at the first 5 seconds of the launch trailer on the article, you will understand that meaning.

In the story, more unique hand -drawn characters will appear than any other game I know. This will make you very emotional. For this work, more than 800 characters are drawn, of which 200 are more than 200.

――What kind of person do you want this work to play?

David

1. Those who want to try something new with just similar things recently

2. People who like puzzle games

3. Those who want to experience a story where the emotions drawn by handwritten pictures are shaken

4. Those who want to start a game or want to help those people

— Is there any work influenced by this work?

David’s “The Witness” and “BRAID” are the most influential. I was influenced by the story with a wonderful twist like a movie and a creative and unexpected design.

However, this work is also influenced by “Plant vs. Zombies” and “Paper Mario”. These two are perfect examples that can be enjoyed by anyone who can enjoy complex genres (tower defense and JRPG). Even my father started playing “plant vs. zombies” and started playing games! For those affected, I post myself firmly, so please see here if you like (English).

――Do you plan to support this work? Is volunteer translation possible?

If you are a fan, if you are a fan, you can translate, of course, thank you! You can add your name to the credit. Japanese localization is a very high priority for us, so I’m glad if you can help!

――What had an impact on the development of the new Coronavirus?

David To be honest, it didn’t have much effect. We are completely remotely developed, so it was almost unchanged. If something happened, some of the development members lost their jobs, and they would have more time to spend this work.

――Is it okay to distribute or monetize this work?

David, of course! Please distribute this work or upload videos! I want to see your reaction (laughs).

– Finally, please give a message to Japanese readers.

As I mentioned earlier, Japanese is a highly priority language for us. That is, of course, because of its presence in the game industry. But there is another reason. The story and ending of this work are very controversial in English. I want to know how Japanese players interpret this! I heard that UNDERTALE, one of my favorite games, is also popular in Japan, so I want to know if our game has been received from Undertale.

–thank you.