reference material for a game

Trying to capture the spirit of being young and happy in Japan in a raising simulation game.

It’s time for the next update of Happy Memories: Azalea Town, devlog! I wanted to show some reference material we’re using to establish the atmosphere of this game. What would you expect to see in a raising simulation game set in modern Japan?

I would definitely expect a convenience store, game center, part time jobs where they tell you that egao (smiling face) is worker’s most important attribute, cute characters / mascots everywhere (hmmm… a relaxed bear would get us in legal trouble – perhaps a relaxed frog would do?) Read the rest of this entry »

(This review of Princess Maker 5 was originally published on March 22, 2008. The game is currently available from Playasia for PlayStation2 and PSP)

Raise a little girl from the age of 10 to 18! Again. (For those unfamiliar with the “Princess Maker” kind of raising simulation games, Wikipedia offers some basic info.)

I loved Princess Maker 2, but after being severely disappointed by installments 3 and 4, found myself increasingly skeptical of whether its charm can ever be replicated again – even by its original creators. But this time, they got it right! It is as close to gaming perfection (at least for me), as the legendary Princess Maker 2 was. The spirit is the same, but Princess Maker 5 is a much, much bigger game, and set in modern Japan. Read the rest of this entry »