We’re going to see one other one of many extra unconventional Thought Manufacturing facility Worldwide and Otomate otome video games exterior Japan quickly, as 9 RIP makes its debut in October 2024. On this entry, there are a number of storylines with totally different love pursuits who’re extra otherworldly and even probably harmful than regular. As we undergo it, it’s even divided into teams of tales telling totally different tales. To study extra about what makes this Swap otome stand out, gamerjive acquired an opportunity to talk with 9 RIP Director Amon and Artist Yuuya concerning the journey.
Jenni Lada: When did improvement on 9 RIP start?
Amon: We began planning the venture in 2021, and it formally started improvement in early 2022.
Yuuya: I consider the precise work started in 2022. I keep in mind being very enthusiastic about engaged on the venture from the start.
What design choices did you make to make sure 9 RIP felt totally different from different Otomate otome video games?
Amon: We had been targeted on the horror theme at first, however we realized that we needed greater than a easy darkish and grim design for this otome recreation. So we used brightly coloured, otherworldly flowers as motifs and integrated glitchy artwork to create a mysterious and unusual world in each design and presentation.
Yuuya: I feel a horror-themed otome recreation remains to be fairly uncommon.
Moderately than simply going for a darkish and scary ambiance, we targeted on incorporating trendy colours and designs. In doing this, we hoped to create one thing that stands out and leaves a robust first impression. We saved that objective in thoughts as we continued our design work.
When drawing from city legends, mythology, and the supernatural for 9 RIP’s characters and designs, which ideas did you prioritize? How did you choose what you’d embody?
Amon: From the early levels of the venture, we envisioned a recreation centered on conventional Japanese city legends, ghost tales, and supernatural phenomena. We perceive that not everybody enjoys the horror style, so we tried to draw extra gamers by incorporating well-known ghost tales and supernatural phenomena.
When it got here to the inventive route for 9 RIP, how did you method characters based mostly on supernatural entities and make them interesting otome love pursuits?
Yuuya: Whereas visible enchantment was actually necessary, we started by incorporating components from the tales into every character’s design. For instance, in Faculty Ghost Tales, we included the sword that impressed Kara Kara’s title and the rope across the boy within the mirror’s neck, which performs a key function within the story.
In Different Realm, we made the characters’ professions and roles instantly recognizable by utilizing designs paying homage to priest robes for one character, and garments that mirrored the chaotic nature of the opposite.
We additionally integrated conventional cultural components and numerous kimono types for the costumes of characters within the Spirit World route, and ensured the characters’ outfits had been each distinct and visually hanging.
As for the City Legendscharacters, we prioritized modernity over representing supernatural phenomena, so the characters don’t appear like ghosts.
I feel that method made the hidden issues in on a regular basis life extra plausible.
Given you already had expertise with otome recreation character designs for supernatural or otherworldly beings in Café Enchante and Cupid Parasite, how did that have an effect on artwork and choices for 9 RIP?
Yuuya: From my expertise in numerous nice initiatives, I’ve come to appreciate that every character has their very own life and story. I at all times really feel which you could’t, and shouldn’t, ignore this when designing characters. It’s not nearly creating visually interesting designs. By correctly reflecting every character’s background, I consider we will create extra convincing, compelling, and vigorous characters.
What did you get to realize in 9 RIP that you just haven’t been in a position to do in previous Otomate otome video games?
Amon: I’m not acquainted with all Otomate titles, however I consider structuring the sport as an omnibus with 4 chapters—Faculty Ghost Tales, City Legends, Different Realm, and Spirit World—was a really distinctive method. I don’t assume I’ve seen it in different titles.
Yuuya: Possibly getting the prospect to function some fairly frightening-looking characters. Personally, I’d like to create even scarier ones!
Is there something you want to say to abroad followers of otome video games and people who are anticipating the discharge of 9 RIP?
Amon: You may expertise unusual and considerably peculiar love tales on this recreation. Whereas numerous ghosts seem, I hope you’ll embrace them reasonably than be afraid of them. Additionally, if this recreation sparks any curiosity in conventional Japanese ghost tales and spirits, I’d personally be very joyful. I hope you proceed to take pleasure in and love 9 RIP.
Yuuya: Thanks to your fixed help of 9 RIP. I’m very joyful to carry this work to you in English. Each nation has its personal ghost tales, city legends, and folklore, however I hope this recreation offers you an opportunity to expertise and take an curiosity in Japan’s. I look ahead to your continued help.
9 RIP will come to the Nintendo Swap on October 15, 2024.
