#akademia game
September’s Featured Game: Akademia
DEVELOPER(S):Somni
ENGINE: RPGMaker VX Ace
GENRE: Horror, Exploration, Puzzle
SUMMARY: Akademia is a 2D horror RPG currently being developed in RPG Maker VX Ace. In the province of British Columbia, Canada, there exists a private school in the woods, Rayfair Academy, that is known for its wealth and ambition. The academy follows the motto, “Pearls are worthless in the pursuit of gold,” and it has a reputation for producing highly motivated and overachieving students. However, in a bout of curiosity late at night, six students uncover a secret, and the story of the school’s origin–and the being responsible for it–begins to unravel.
Our Interview With The Dev Team Below The Cut!
Introduce yourself!
*Hello! I’m Somni, and I like to draw and write stories! I’ve been interested in RPG Maker games since 2013, and I’m a big fan of horror ones! I recently dived into community and I love how encouraging and positive everyone is. It motivates me to work hard!
What is your project about? What inspired you to create your game initially?
*Somni: Akademia is a story-heavy horror game about six second-year students in a prestigious academy accidentally coming in contact with a strange and powerful being. As Margaret attempts to find her friends and lead them to safety, the story of the academy’s past comes to light, and the otherworldly hollow they’ve all found themselves in starts to pick apart at the threads that hold their friendship together and prey on their minds.
How long have you been working on your project?
*Somni: I’ve been working on Akademia for more than three years now! The first two years were spent solidifying concepts and doing research, and the third year was spent doing game development. I kept the project to myself until I had a good grasp on everything, so it’s only been public for a year.
Did any other games or media influence aspects of your project?
*Somni: The Witch’s House and Ib brought me into the RPG Maker engine, and they all have a very solid plot and cute character designs. Haunting Ground was also one of my favorite horror games because it delves into alchemy as well, and it lit a fire in me to work on my game.
Have you come across any challenges during development? How have you overcome or worked around them?
*Somni: The first thing I always groan about is the discovery of bugs. Sometimes, I get careless or tired and add in weird things that mess with my game, and I can never find them until I backtrack or one of my beta testers points it out. Always add comments in your events so your mistakes can be found more easily, and remember to thank your beta testers, especially if they pick out lots of errors!
Have any aspects of your project changed over time? How does your current project differ from your initial concept?
*Somni: Akademia’s gotten a lot more sombre than it originally was. The first drafts I had were very campy, and the story didn’t glue well with character development. I guess time and experience allowed me to reconstruct everything and make the plot and character development a lot better. I can take the story seriously now, and I love it a lot!
What was your team like at the beginning? How did people join the team? If you don’t have a team, do you wish you had one or do you prefer working alone?
*Somni: I like to work alone. I’m very picky about how things are made and written, and it would be a nightmare for everyone if I started micromanaging. A lot of things in my game are personal as well, and I’m hesitant to share them with others who can bend my experiences. In the future, I’ll think about voice actors, but that’s as far as I’ll go.
What was the best part of developing the game?
*Somni: Writing dialogue and making cute sprites! My characters have pretty different personalities, so I have a lot of fun making them interact and switching between individuals. I also wanted to make expressive sprites, so having small things like Jude tapping his foot or Austin rubbing his eyes makes development more fun for me.
Do you find yourself playing other RPG Maker games to see what you can do with the engine, or do you prefer to do your own thing?
*Somni: I like to explore things on my own. I have a better understanding of the engine if I experiment and play around with things and see it fit the image I have in my head. Besides, you can do pretty much anything in RPG Maker if you get creative. I think getting inspiration from other games is the best and a very solid way of learning, but it doesn’t work for me personally.
Which character in your game do you relate to the most and why? (Alternatively: Who is your favorite character and why?)
*Somni: This is a bit of a hard question for me because all of my protagonists have a part of me in them. I’d have to say Mai is the one I can relate to most, but I can’t say why because of spoilers. However, my favorite character is Austin because he’s genuinely sweet and supportive. He’s always there for his friends and wears his heart on his sleeve. There are other things I like about him, but they’re all secrets!
Looking back now, is there anything that regret/wish you had done differently?
*Somni: Not really. Sometimes, I wish I released my game earlier. I spent three years on it and only just released a demo, but I also don’t feel too badly about it. All that time I spent working on it allowed me to polish the story and characters, and if I released the game too soon, there could’ve been some huge oversights. Knowing this, I don’t regret anything I’ve done.
Once you finish your project, do you plan to explore game’s universe and characters further in subsequent projects, or leave it as-is?
*Somni: I think I’ll release some cute side stories in the future so the player can see how things are with the characters when Akademia’s done and over with! As for the plot, there won’t be anything else after the game.
What do you look most forward to upon/after release?
*Somni: Definitely fan reactions! A lot of players gave me their thoughts and plot predictions, and they also gave me very suspicious messages about a lot of carefully worded things in the game. The full game has a lot more stuff to analyze, and I can just sit back and rub my hands together in glee. I can also draw more indulgent stuff with the characters when the game’s finished, so it’ll be a wild ride!
Is there something you’re afraid of concerning the development or the release of your game?
*Somni: Lack of time. I’ve had some health struggles all the way during development, and I’m going to be busy with work starting September. I’ll have to dedicate all my free time to game development, and I’m hoping I can balance those well and give updates on Akademia’s progress whenever I can.
Question from last month’s featured dev: If you had to change the main genre of your game, what would you change it to and why?
*Somni: I’d make Akademia a friendship simulator. Bonds between characters are an important part of the game, and if it can’t be horror, it might as well be a cute and adorable thing.
Do you have any advice for upcoming devs?
*Somni: This might not work for everyone, but try not to write your characters’ dialogue as a long script before you put it into the game. What feels right in a word document might not sound natural in the game itself. If you can, stick to a skeleton of dialogue and flesh it out as you event it in the engine. That way, you can consider the environment and situation the characters are in while you write what they say.
We mods would like to thank Somni for agreeing to our interview! We believe that featuring the developer and their creative process is just as important as featuring the final product. Hopefully this Q&A segment has been an entertaining and insightful experience for everyone involved!
Remember to check out Akademia if you haven’t already! See you next month!
- Mods Gold & Platinum
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Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Austin seems to have a bouquet ready. I wonder who it’s for…
First off, I’m very sorry for the super late updates! I’m back after recovering from illness, and I’ve been doing quite a bit of work! We’re at about 25%completion!
So far, we’ve moved on to a brand new area, and things are getting a lot more purple…
Speaking of, there will be a demo update coming up in the future! Things are moving slowly for now, but I’m going to keep working hard. Thank you so much for supporting me all this time!
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“Woooow! Thanks for teaching me all of this, Mr. No-Eyes!”
“Young lady, may I have your name?”
“It’s Avril. ”
(Mai, that is not how you avoid strangers’ questions…)
A small update! I’m still fighting off extreme illness again, but I’m happy to say I’ve made a bit of progress on maps and puzzles! I’m really sorry about the delay in updates and email responses; I’m going to do my best to try and get them all sorted soon.
Please take care for now! Stay hydrated, take your meds, get lots of sleep, and don’t be afraid to pamper yourself!
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Long time, no update! I’ve been extremely ill these past months, but I’ve been working on maps and updates as best as I can. You might also see a Team page popping up in the near future soon!
Please take care of yourselves! This spring has been very stressful for many.
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Voice acting auditions are now closed! I received very wonderful auditions from all of you, and I’m glad to hear it was very fun for a lot of you! I’ll be sending out emails to the chosen candidates, and when they’ve all responded, I’ll be revealing the cast in April! Thank you so much for your support, everyone!
A few spoiler maps have been finished, and I’ll be taking a week off to recover from illness. I can’t share those, but…
Part one of Jude’s area has been completed so far, and a bunch of other maps have been finished and polished! Jude and Austin are taking a little break here in this nice room before moving on. I wonder what lies ahead of them?
The voice actor auditions are set to end on March 31st, so there’s a little less than a month left! If you’re interested and haven’t applied yet, please do so! You can find the entire post and application instructions here!
Yikes, Avril… You just made Margaret’s fear spike up!
More maps, sprites and portraits are finished! Today, I’ll also be introducing two new characters in the story! I wonder when you’ll get to meet them in-game…
Harvey Sunderland (left) is a second-year student at Rayfair Academy. He’s talented in arts and has a cool and sociable aura around him, although he struggles with memory and sometimes speaking after a physically traumatic accident a few years back. It seems he’s familiar with Jude.
Elanie Montoya (right) is a fourth-year student at Rayfair Academy. Her acting ability is second to none, and she’s rather… dramatic, but she’s hardworking and genuinely sweet and sisterly. She has the unfortunate habit of gushing over things or people she finds cute.
And finally, this a reminder for those who are interested in voice acting! Auditions are still open until March 31st!Click here to check it out!
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Are you looking to audition for a game? Do you want a variety of roles to choose from? Do you like bunny rabbits? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you might be who we’re looking for! Akademia is looking for twelve lovely voice actors to add an extra touch of life to the protagonists and the other characters.
A few things about the roles in general!
• Most of the lines will be sounds like gasps, grunts, laughs, screams, and single words or short phrases! There won’t be a lot of talking for any of these twelve roles.
• I won’t be able to pay you for the voice acting. However, you’ll be getting nice cameos in Akademia with sprites and an introduction!
• I highly recommend voice actors be 18+ due to the subject matter of Akademia, although the voiced lines themselves will not have any material intended for an older audience.
• Good mic quality is much appreciated!
Auditions close on March 31st, 2018. For more details, keep reading!
How to Apply:
When you apply for a character, please put the names and numbers of the characters you wish to apply for, as well as the link to/file of your samples with your name and/or Tumblr/Twitter/Soundcloud handle in an e-mail to [email protected]. If you are chosen for the role you applied for, you can also use a pseudonym if you’re not comfortable with your name being in the credits.
Auditions will be accepted in the form of MP3, OGG and WAV, and you can have multiple takes in the same file!
There’s also a chance I may find your voice fitting for another role, and ask if you’d like to audition for that role as well. This is completely optional!
Roles:
NOTE: Trans woman voice actors may have priority over an unnamed student role, and non-binary/masculine-leaning voice actors may have priority for Student #4. Please know you are not obligated to reveal your identity as a trans person, although it would help with certain roles.
Student #1
A reserved, quiet and perceptive student. She’s very fond of her friends and is known for her peaceful nature, although she’s not savvy with modern technology or casual conversation. She has a medium-low to low voice, and speaks softly but clearly.
Sample lines:
- [Nervous] “I see…”
- [Flustered and shy] “O-Oh…!”
- [Soft chuckle]
- [Scared gasp]
- [Thoughtful] “Is that so…?”
Student #2
A blunt, hot-headed and ambitious student. She’s casual, brash and often runs her mouth before she thinks, but under that aggressive talk, there’s a brave and well-meaning soul. She has a medium to medium-low voice, and speaks with confidence and strength.
Sample lines:
- [Aggravated] “Huh?!”
- [Exasperated] “Uhhh…”
- [Smug] “Told you.”
- [Embarrassed and annoyed] “Ugh, nevermind…”
- [Startled hiss or exaggerated shriek]
Student #3
A sweet, ditzy and unpredictable student. She’s single-minded and full of energy, but a lot of people wonder about her level of intelligence. She’s like an innocent little kid… or is she? She has a high voice, and speaks with enthusiasm and not a lick of softness.
Sample lines:
- [Very happy] “Bunny!”
- [Mock frustrated] “Booooo.”
- [Amused and sing-song] “Wooooooow.”
- [Questioning] “Hmm?”
- [Pleased giggle]
Student #4
A grumpy, serious but kind-hearted student. He’s mostly known for being short-tempered, smart and easily stressed, but he cares much more for his loved ones than himself. He has a medium-low voice, and can speak both softly and assertively.
Sample lines:
- [Irritated] “Excuse me?”
- [Fond exasperation] “Oh, fine…”
- [Confused] “I thought…”
- [Soft laugh]
- [Frightened] “W-Wait…”
Student #5
A dramatic, extravagant and clever student. He’s a fan of fanciful talk and has an air of sophistication, but he has a romantic and caring heart under all the glamour. He has a medium-low voice but can do high or low tones, and speaks with a very confident vibe.
Sample lines:
- [Showboat] “Come now.”
- [Displeased and thoughtful] “Hm…”
- [Solemnly] “How worrisome.”
- [Shocked gasp]
- [Very dramatic and exaggerated squeal] “Eeeek!”
Student #6
A friendly, enthusiastic and genuine student. He’s talkative and charismatic, and is very thoughtful when it comes to others, although he stays quiet about himself. He has a medium to medium-low voice, and speaks with a clear but casual tone.
Sample lines:
- [Happy] “Yeah.”
- [Sheepish] “Heheh…”
- [Flustered sputtering]
- [Contemplative] “Really?”
- [Hesitant] “If you’re sure…”
Student #7
A cool, creative and sociable student. He’s well-liked by those who know him, although he struggles with art now, having suffered an accident two years ago. He has a medium-low to low voice, and speaks smoothly and pleasantly.
Sample lines:
- [Pleased] “Alright.”
- [Annoyed] “Hm…”
- [Upset] “Don’t do this.”
- [Soft laughter]
- [Labored, pained breathing]
Student #8
A dedicated, adventurous and hard-working student. She’s known for her ability to portray all kinds of moods, but she’s genuinely sweet and ready to help others. She has a medium to medium-low voice, and speaks with an air of dramatic flair and confidence.
Sample lines:
- [Pleasantly surprised] “My, my.”
- [Amused giggle]
- [Shock] “Is that…?”
- [Exasperation] “No, no, no.”
- [Sad] “Oh, no…”
Adult #1
A responsible man known for his leadership and popularity among the students of Rayfair Academy. He is well-spoken and intelligent, and seems quite sympathetic to many. He has a medium-low voice, and speaks with a jovial, cheery tone.
Sample lines:
- [Joyful] “Hello, kiddo!”
- [Thoughtful] “Is that so?”
- [Understanding] “I see…”
- [Laugh]
- [Warm] “Take care.”
Adult #2
A naive, gentle young woman. She lacks experience in the outside world and depends on her husband for most things, but she does her best to love her child, even though she struggles. She has a medium voice, and speaks softly and hesitantly.
Sample lines:
- [Mild surprise] “Oh…”
- [Unsure] “That one?”
- [Concerned] “Oh, dear…”
- [Defeated sigh]
- [Terrified cry]
Adult #3
A strange old man wandering in the goldsmith’s hollow. He doesn’t seem very trustworthy, seeing as he’s a disheveled alchemist with no eyes, but he seems helpful enough. He has a medium to medium-low voice, and speaks with weak strength and a rasp.
Sample lines:
- [Amused] “There you are.”
- [Agreement] “Agreed.”
- [Worried] “Take care, child.”
- [Surprised] “Ohhh!”
- [Reluctant] “In that case…”
Goldsmith
A mysterious and frightening monster who controls flames and liquid gold. He does not tolerate dithering or foolishness, but he seems to have a soft spot for determined individuals. He has a low to very low voice, and speaks slowly but clearly. Some effects will be added to his voice as well to simulate a more non-human feel.
Sample lines:
- [Irritated] “You.”
- [Decided] “Very well.”
- [Very tired] “Leave.”
- [Furious and sarcastic] “How amusing.”
- [Soft, faint chuckle]
Long time, no update! Recovery’s going smoothly and I’ve finished a lot of maps and sprites! Although I can’t show most of them here, have a sneak peek!
There will also be an announcement at the end of this month! I look forward to keeping you all updated! ✨
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What a week it’s been! Akademia’s demo was released last week, and I’m overwhelmed by the support I received from so many people. Thank you, everyone! ❤
I’m currently working on maps for the full game, and I’m sitting at 5% completion, but updates might be a bit sporadic starting from September onward due to health problems and work. I will do my best to shell out an update whenever I can, though!
Having a demo out was a dream for me three years ago. I’m so glad I got to experience all of this with the help of everyone who believed in me. Once again, thank you so much, and I hope to share even more of Akademia with all of you!
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Art from the Pixel Horror Server Art Trade!
It’s Jude Lee, a character from @akademia-project!
Can’t wait to play the game ^o^/
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A painting experiment featuring the lovely characters from Akademia
Akademia by @akademia-project
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