We wish we could just come straight out and say it but let’s provide a bit of background first. Additionally, and as courtesy requires (as always), we should probably start with an apology for the lack of updates recently but we have good reason. We’re busy with a whole lot of great new developments recently: the sneak peek, the packing-up and preparing for GDC (which, if you’ve never organized for an exhibition/conference, is really tiresome), and, er… you won’t believe it, because well, we barely believe it ourselves, very shortly you’ll be able to see a couple “CG” City of Steam animated shorts!
You may be thinking, “CG? There’s no way they could afford it. CG costs thousands of US dollars per second, and as an indie developer with a tiny budget how is it even possible?” Of course we want to spend every frugal dime we have on the GAME itself. In this sense, going ahead with animated CG shorts would have been beyond consideration had we not met Evan Ricks, founder of Big American Films studio in Shanghai, China.
At GDC China we had the pleasure of having Evan Ricks drop by our booth. After checking out the version of City of Steam we had on display, he showed off some great examples of other projects Big American Films had worked on. Soon, we got to know more about his small but industrious studio and that Evan was looking for a filler job between big projects they’re signed up for. After GDC and several emails later, the gears started turning. We came up with some vignettes and presented them to Evan. Suddenly, we were all on board!
So it comes down to two small indie studios, game and animation, meeting at GDC Shanghai with some good ideas and good timing to realize this project. As far as can be divulged for now, it will be featuring 3 characters from the game, an Orc, a Draug, and a female Goblin (thanks for the poll guys). The very concept that has been written removes itself from the norm of this genre. So we think you’ll all enjoy it and have some laughs. We’ll be posting more information as we continue on with this exciting project. Look forward to more on how we’re going about this, character backgrounds, concept art and mock-up videos.
Thanks go out to Evan and the Big American Films staff who are working on these animated shorts bringing to life characters from City of Steam! We really appreciate the cooperation and shared vision. What started as a near joke at GDC grew into a great shared vision and we can’t wait to show it off to the community in a few weeks.
Thanks also to all the early supporters: for your patience in waiting for the game, for your input and for all the stuff you’ve done to support us so far! We think this will be a great treat for all.
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