First Post!
I also posted this to the Skies of Arcadia reddit, as well. But we're on the hunt for support, as who knows if a sequel, HD remake, or anything will come. I want nothing more in my life than to see us get some spiritual successor to a game that's had a massive impact on me.
Reddit Link:
https://www.reddit.com/r/skiesofarcadia/comments/18kygcf/tired_of_waiting/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3=================================
YouTube Link if you'd rather listen:
=================================
Video games have been a passion in my life for as long as I can remember. From the early days of seeing my older brother play his original NES to getting my first console, the Nintendo 64, and really beginning to appreciate video games with the release of the GameCube.
Skies of Arcadia Legends (specifically since I never owned a Dreamcast) had a profound affect on me as a young lad. This was the first game that truly spoke to me and came at a particular time in my life where the lust for adventure and freedom were really starting to take root into my own personality.
I lived in the middle of Southern Indiana where a mile wide river wrapped around me from the west and south. And 30 miles of dense Hoosier National Forest to my North and East.
The nearest cities were over an hour away.
It was a time before smartphones and Discord.
My world was small and I was getting cabin fever.
I remember picking this game up and it just hit all of the notes. The adventure, the freedom to explore, the mystery about what was around the corner, and the characters' sheer determination to stick to their core values. This was a game unlike anything I had played before. It wasn't gritty and overly serious.
This was what optimism felt like.
I've replayed this game so many times, I've lost count.
And it's never lost that magic.
Now 20+ years later, I'm done waiting for remakes or remasters (although I'd still take one please....SEGA.../Riselem...).
So, today, I'm here to say that we've begun work on an inspired project called:
Horizons of Achaea
There are so many elements of the JRPG that Skies of Arcadia is, that it deserves to have new life breathed into the idea of a sky world and its inhabitants.
Like Stardew Valley is to Harvest Moon, or Sea of Stars was with Chrono Trigger.
We'll be seeking to expand on the elements that made the original Skies so loved and tying in some other elements from various other RPGs that we enjoyed growing up playing.
Sweeping overworld skies to sail through.
A cast of characters that are candid.
An in depth plot that can stand on its own.
And most of all, a sense of adventure that overtook us back on the Dreamcast and then again in the GameCube release.
In the coming months, I'll be posting to our social accounts (some of which we're still creating) wherever I can with updates, challenges, and see what kind of community we can build around this ambitious project.
My goal is to get a demo together by the end of 2024.
This is my first game project and I know, I lofty one. But there is no other game I would rather sink my life into.
We're starting at zero but like Vyse says, "Impossible is just a word to let people feel goo about themselves when they quit."
Here throughout December, we'll be working on some title menu options, logo designs (the one we have up as a placeholder is FOR SURE changing), and getting what we can done on the "Starter Island."
January we'll be moving into designing some of the Starter Island landscapes before moving into some more elements to round out the first couple of hours of the game.
The story is beginning to take shape with the general framework being hammered out.
I'm really excited with story so far and I have a wonderful partner helping me out in that arena.
I really want to get a good trailer out, so stay tuned soon for that. That way people can see the difference between us and something like Sky Ocean.
From there, the real efforts of starting a game studio and development will pick up. And I'll have more updates as we continue along.
I look forward to seeing what the community reception will be.
And what interest we can draw and what output we can achieve.
I'll see you all on the Horizon and thank you.
Community
