#vietnamese devs

[I.D.: A gifset containing four screenshots of the interactive fiction game OCHITSUBAKI.

Image 1 shows the typical layout of the game. On the lefthand side of the screen is the game’s title in both Japanese and English. Beneath the title are the poetry lines “A fallen camellia / is a beheading, / every time, / every petal falling / at once: / a severing.” Beneath the poetry is “Feyxuan,” the name of the game’s author. In the middle of the screen is a computer window with a pixelated, retro portrait of the character Hanashiro. Another window of another character is beneath it. A third window on the righthand side of the screen reads, “The tongue of the heavens, of seven, of worth, of more than the fen and the murk and the mercury of star, too far, I can taste it. If I want to taste the language of heaven, I will have to go seek out my remaining bretheren.” The overall screen is tinted purple.

Image 2 shows the game with its graphics colored in black and white. In the middle of the screen is a computer window with an anime-styled portait of a character that’s captioned “Lun Kochouran.” The window on the right of the screen reads, “I live or die at your service. (Kill, too, I suppose).”

Image 3 shows the game tinted purple again. Two narrative options are presented on the righthand of the screen. One says, “Shiragiku, who holds the line, in the same place, every time, the MOONFLOWER CASTLE of crescent, incandescent, who holds no love for me but keeps me in mind, we meet once every Time.” The other option says, “Shirayuri, unremembered, forgotten in every wreckage of world, reborn after every new age unfurls, who I knew when my goddess was just a girl, and who not once, not once have I found with their SWALLOW-wings, damage unwrought since the Age of Erl.”

Image 4 shows the screen colored in black and white again. The righthand window says, “A celestial king of heaven. And there you’ll go back again. I don’t know what to do. So I kiss you.”

end I.D.]

OCHITSUBAKI || 落ち椿  is an experimental visual novel about the impossibility of translating trauma and recovering from it. Play as Hanashiro (he/she/they) as they and their few remaining kin react to the trauma of being immortal and witness the apocalypse agin ang again during different reincarnation cycles. With language translations playing a vital role in your route, make enemies, learn the Amayuri tongue, and possibly be the first to kill an immortal.

For Windows and Mac. A free demo is also available. 

[I.D.: A gifset containing four gifs of the interactive graphic novel It Will Be Hard.

Gif 1 shows the protagonists Arthur and Harold in the kitchen, with the comic panels slowly revealing themselves over a white background.

Gif 2 shows the menu interface of the graphic novel, including settings and save files.

Gif 3 depicts three panels. The first panel features a character out of frame slamming a large cup down saying, “Aaahhh! That’s the stuff!” The second panel is revealed, showing a small building. The same character says, “Shite! I’ve got it everywhere. Sorry!” The screen scrolls down as the third panel is reveal. It shows three people side-by-side at a bar counter. The character on the far right says, “You know, I’m really gonna miss this when the place gets busy again.” The character on the far left says, “The quiet does have a charm.”

Gif 4 depicts two panels. In the first panel, Harold, who is out of frame  addressing a friend: “Should we hop bars again? I’ve lost count of how many places we’ve been already...” His friend replies, “Why don’t we haunt your friend’s bar? And where is Arthur anyways? Shouldn’t he be your wingman?” In the second panel, Harold is in focus saying, “Arthur... Well, he works there. We both do, actually. He doesn’t get anything out of these outings. Unlike me, he doesn’t need to hook up.”

end I.D.]

It Will Be Hard is an interactive graphic novel about working towards a fulfilling relationship! Experience the story of Arthur and Harold, two men whose sexualities are the polar opposite. This gentle, optimistic, and optionally erotic story focuses on gray-asexuality, polyamory, and the importance of communication between partners.

For free for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Developed by Hien Pham, a gay Vietnamese developer who focuses on making optimistic queer stories of respite, caring, and being loved.