Why did we make Tiny Shadows Interwoven Hearts?
We started with a small, low-budget game to work through the production process and discover its pitfalls for ourselves.
Hehe~ Hello again, everyone on HeyBox!
Today is a special feature! Yours truly interviewed our studio’s lead and turned it into this little chat. Hehe, aren’t I impressive~?
“Please welcome today’s guest! Clap, clap~”
Hello everyone. I’m Potato Blossom, the lead of Potato Blossom Studio.
“I’ve wanted to ask this for ages: why is the studio called Potato Blossom Studio? Is it because you really like eating potatoes?”
Not really. I just mixed and matched the names of various fruits and vegetables while trying to come up with a name. (runs away)
“Whaaat? I thought there would be some deep meaning! Hmph! All right, let’s start the proper interview. First question: why did you decide to release this game for free?”
It certainly was not a matter of trying to run on passion alone. We know that we need to earn money if we want to keep doing this for a long time.
“You mean… you want everyone at the studio to make visual novels for the rest of their lives?”
That’s a rather heavy way of putting it! (laughs) But we will try to keep going for as long as we can.
The project actually began in early June, right in the shadow of five successive flops in the Chinese visual novel scene… We were frightened straight into making it free! (laughs)
“Eh~?”
Seriously, we did not know how receptive players would be to this kind of story, so we were reluctant to commit to a huge project. We started with a small, low-budget game to work through the production process and discover its pitfalls. That way, even if we fell into one, it would be easier to climb out.
Celebratory illustration by 千冥灵
“So… what pitfalls did you run into?”
Two particularly important ones:
First, wait until the main promotional illustration is ready before commissioning the UI, so the designs can work well together.
Second, submit the Steam store page for review as early as possible! One review round takes a week, and a few rounds of back-and-forth can easily use up a month…
“It sounds like things went fairly smoothly, though?”
We owe a huge thank-you to all our staff! Everyone was very experienced, and working together went wonderfully.
“Oh! Here’s a very important question: why choose adult loli heroines?”
Possibly, perhaps, maybe because I’m a lolicon. Haha.
“Wow… you just admitted it!”
As for choosing the theme, of course it was personal preference! If we are making Chinese visual novels anyway, why not make something we like?
“That’s… kind of heartfelt, actually~ Have you considered an after-story DLC?”
We will make one! But we will only start planning it after the new game is finished.
“Huh?! You’re already working on a new game?”
Yes! The Steam page for Eternity, Stars, and Everyday Life is already live, and we will begin promoting it soon.
“Does it have adult loli heroines too?”
Of course! That is what our studio set out to make, and we will keep bringing you games with that theme.
“Right, next question! In a reply under the promotional video, the studio said you would add Japanese voices if the game became a hit. Was that true? Does it count as a hit now?”
First, yes, it was true! We were half joking at the time, though. How could a little team’s very first game possibly become a hit? But after release, it exceeded our expectations by so, so much!
Concurrent player numbers on SteamDB
A brief appearance among Steam’s new release recommendations
491 reviews in the first week
We are not sure whether to call it a breakout hit, but it certainly is not a flop!
So we have decided to keep our promise: we will add Japanese voice acting and Japanese localisation!
“Whoa! Right now? Is it really all right to keep investing in a free game?”
We also want to use a free game to learn about the cost and schedule of Japanese localisation. We are still considering how to do it. If it goes well, we will consider Japanese voices for future projects too!
“You really are thinking ahead~ Last question! Is there anything you want to say to everyone?”
A huge thank-you to every player for your support!
We have seen so many wonderful fan creations, and we are thrilled that you like the game!
We have also received plenty of feedback and suggestions. We will listen carefully and work to improve in our next games.
We will do our best to make more visual novels about romance with adult loli heroines, and we hope to be part of your lives for a long time!
Celebratory illustration by ula卷心菜
Clap, clap! That brings our interview to an end!
Phew, I can finally take a break. Hehe~
Next time, I’ll be back to introduce the lovely heroines of our new game!