cygnette

[cygnette]

#prepare yourselves #beautiful friends #upcoming game #(incoherent excited yelping)

[cygnette]

It's Griffin's birthday today!~🎉

❤️ Reminder: Griffin uses only he/she pronouns at this time. ❤️

✧Read about the Characters

✧Play the early alpha demo

✧Watch CG cutscenes on Youtube

✧Support me on Ko-Fi

#omg happy belated birthday to my beloved griffin T^T <3 <3 <3 <3 #otome game #visual novel #character art #game recommendations #herotome #beautiful friends

[cygnette]

Hey folks, I need to cover some medical expenses this month, so I’m opening my comms! I need to raise $210CAD to cover the costs!

I’m offering stylized chibis and emotes in my style! If I can fill up all available slots, I’d be able to manage it! You can also use the link below to support through Kofi! Every little bit helps!

https://ko-fi.com/ririkutai

#beautiful friends #please share and reblog #art #art commissions

[cygnette]

The Hesitant Fiancée Auguste Toulmouche, 1866

#inspirations #covenant

[cygnette]

*peeks in*

I love you guys! I am still at it and getting closer to the finish line! More on that later- but to celebrate, here’s the new and updated trailer for The Closet Door!

#game recommendations #beautiful friends #MY HEART AHH MY HEART

[cygnette]

Gottfried Benn, ‘Threat’, tr. Michael Hofmann

#nick #n. #covenant #inspirations

[cygnette]

Artist: Ashley Mackenzie

#inspirations #covenant

[cygnette]

DEV LOG 19.5.2021

Let’s talk about the nasty ‘E’ word—editing.

I think one of the most terrifying moments for a writer or artist is the moment of hitting ‘publish.’ Art is never finished, only abandoned, and boy do I have plenty of abandonment issues. This last month, I decided—again—to rewrite some pivotal moments in early chapters. The editing process has been particularly brutal for me, especially with trying to keep in mind all the different variables and branches. This is less of a tendency for perfectionism and more like the consequences of an indecisive author. I constantly ask myself during editing, “Could this be better? More punchy? What if I added more variations?” And often, I end up changing it, leading to rewrites and adding even more branches. My only hope that this would lead to a better story in the end...

This is why I tend to like sequels, or the middle part of a story. Once you’re there, the process of establishing the setting, the cast, and the lore is mostly done. And that’s when the real fun begins. 

For example, spot the differences between the flowcharts of chapters one and three~

Funniest part is that these are not even up to date with my most recent edits. 🙈

So the good news is I’m partway through writing Chapter 4. Bad news is that I’m still editing and rewriting Chapters 1-3. 🤡

That’s all I have for you beautiful, patient people for now. I’ll leave you with this photo of my co-worker Trixie basking in the sun with my other cohorts. 

As always, take care of yourself out there~

Love, Cygnette ✦

#upcoming game #indie otome #visual novel #devlog #covenant #cygnette rambles #interactive fiction

[cygnette]

Helen Lundeberg  -  The Veil   (oil on board, 1947)

#inspirations #covenant

[cygnette]

Happy Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

To celebrate this month we wanted to put together a feature on Asian and Pacific Islander authors. This month, you’ll see interviews from these authors about their inspiration for their projects, what they’re most excited about for readers, and how their identities influence their work.

If you yourself are of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage and would like your story featured, let us know! We will be putting together a separate rec list post including these stories and any new ones we get!

This Month’s Featured Authors

Parkerlyn, author of The Nameless

Legend goes when the world was formed, the mortal races, mortalis, were created with the gift of magic. But as time passed their hubris grew, and the sheevra were created to curb their pride.

When it comes to these chaotic and malevolent beings, the lands are full of cautionary tales. Though some would tell you that the stories are just that. To them, names have no power. There are no mysterious deals to fear, and the figure who seduces you into an alley at midnight is certainly no malicious spirit.

Which luckily for you means easy prey.

Read more about The Nameless [here]

Demo | Author’s Ko-fi | Discord

Tags: 16+, Fey-inspired, Fantasy

Cer, author of Snakeroot

There is something wrong beyond the trees. A curse infects these lands. They call it the Rot, a curse that distorts the lands and creatures around it. For years, its tide has been stemmed by magical barriers, dutifully enforced by hunters. For years, the strategy has worked… until now. Today is not your lucky day.

The barrier has cracked. Something slithers through.

Why now?

Why you?

Read more about Snakeroot [here]

The demo is currently going through processing from CScript to Twine!

CScript Demo | Author’s Ko-fi | Discord

Tags: Modern Fantasy, Horror

Bubs, author of To The Whistling Winds

You’re a pretty normal young adult living in the 21st century: you have exceeding amounts of student loan debt, a housemate, and a job that pays just above minimum wage. You didn’t exactly dream of being a tour guide for the historical Chester Theme Park, but you’ve grown used to your every day life.

You thought you knew the park better than anyone, but as the friendly surface begins to crack and unexplainable events begin happening, you’ll need help dealing with the vengeful Fae, who seem to have a bone to pick with you in particular. Fortunately—or maybe unfortunately—there seem to be a Covey of fae seekers that might be inclined to help you…

Read more about To The Whistling Winds [here]

Demo | Author’s Ko-fi | Discord

Tags: Modern Fantasy, Magical Realism, Supernatural Elements

Deers, author of Roots

You’re just a regular joe-schmoe who works at a diner in Hawaii trying to rub two cents together trying to make ends meet. When a mysterious pearl falls into your hands one rainy night, your life is changed forever.

Read more about Roots [here]

Demo | Discord

Tags: Mythology, Supernatural

Jess, author of A Bard’s Tale

It takes place on the fictional continent of Amaran, a high fantasy setting based on Asian and Pacific Islander cultures as opposed to traditional Eurocentric high fantasy.

In the wake of a terrible war, you are a young bard just starting your journey. Will you answer the call to adventure and embark to rouse the sleeping gods?

Read more about A Bard’s Tale [here]

Demo

Tags: High Fantasy, Adventure

Nines, author of Orthall Bay

[…]The name always stuck, regardless of how many foster families you fell under. It should be comforting that at least one aspect of you will always stay the same, but it’s a stark reminder of how isolated you are. A name with nothing to belong to, nothing to trace back to. Then again, you’ve managed to get this far just on your own.

In Orthall Bay, an in-development interactive fiction, you play as a young adult who grew up as an orphan. You have no knowledge about your parents, or any form of family. That is, until you get a phone call about a recently-passed man claiming to be your grandfather. Two things are certain when you arrive in the maritime town. One, Orthall Bay is seemingly idyllic. And two, there’s no such thing as perfect towns.

The question is, how deep does its roots go?

Read more about Orthall Bay [here]

The demo is currently under development!

Author’s Ko-fi

Tags: Supernatural, Horror

God of the Red Mountain

Mei, author of God of the Red Mountain

You are a spirit born of the Red Mountain–though you’ve run away from it long ago. You’d be content to stay away, too, if not for the mountain god who suddenly comes looking for you. But what purpose do they have? And what exactly is your end goal?

Based on East Asian myths and folklore, you play as a powerful, nameless spirit in a shifting world. As a being caught between death and life, you are connected to a stream of limitless power, and the more you are known, the more powerful you become.

However, your journey will not be so smooth. You have been cursed by powerful, malignant beings known as Foxes, and it’s only a matter of time before you fall from sanity yourself.

Read more about God of the Red Mountain [here]

Demo | Author’s Ko-fi | Discord

Tags: Mythology, Folklore

Salty, author of Love & Friendship

Do contracted nuptial arrangements fire up your loins? Have you ever wanted to experience the high-highs and low-lows of a lady in the prime of her marriage market days? Have you ever lain awake at night lamenting your birth in a time where divorce is readily available and women no longer need to marry as their only economic means of survival?

Why not come find your happiness in the Regency world of balls, debauchery, and a surprising amount of paperwork. Become an accomplished lady of many talents and impress gentle society or use your feminine wiles and wicked wit to flirt your way into scandal and, perhaps even, ruin. Play matchmaker and decide the fate of the ladies in your acquaintance. Pursue your choice of suitor; a dear childhood friend, a lord of dubious reputation, a wealthy widow with a heart of stone, or even, the coveted gentleman with 15,000 pound a year. After all, if you can’t find love, you may as well marry rich.

Read more about Love & Friendship [here]

Demo | Author’s Ko-fi

Tags: Historical, Comedy, Romance

Aster, author of Nevermoore

They say that curiosity killed the cat, but it won’t be satisfaction that’ll be bringing you back. Again. And again. And again.

The simple act of visiting your parents turns into something much more than what you were expecting when your car suddenly breaks down in the middle of nowhere, and you find yourself right beside a small town that’s engulfed by the trees.

Some of the residents you met right away were welcoming enough, happy to try and lend a helping hand when they can. But their smiles seemed more apologetic than happy, and their eyes looked at you with regret.

You never really did understand why that was…

Until you died.

So now, you are an unwilling participant in an endless cycle of death and resurrection. And the more you learn about the bloodstained history of the town and the past of its people, the more you’ll get tangled up in a web of secrets that threatens to keep you there forever.

So welcome, newcomer… to Nevermoore.

Read more about Nevermoore [here]

Demo | Discord

Tags: Mystery, Supernatural

Additional featured authors! 

@bouncyballcitadel​​, author of Citadel - A Medical Romantic Drama

Play as a first-year surgery intern at Citadel Health. Will you become the star intern and curry the favor of the chief? Or will you uncover Citadel Health’s secrets and break a story or two? This will be the best and worst year of your life. Don’t forget to save lives and break some hearts along the way.“

@shai-manahan​​, author of Hollowed Minds

“You will play as a disgraced detective, entangled in webs of conspiracies and betrayal as your character engages in a suspicious probation - with a whole lot of enigmatic hallucinations and explosions to deal with. It will be up to you to shape your detective’s (or Ripper’s, if you prefer to call them that) perception and motivations. After all, Gaile City is a place full of secrets - some of them belonging to your own character’s family - and you’ll have the freedom how to act accordingly.”

@prettyboyhowl​, author of Venatici House

Two years ago your world fell apart. These days you’re… a bit of a mess. And, as it turns out, a soon-to-be criminal too- er, hang on let’s try that again.

In a 21st century world where abilities exist, attend university (for the 2nd time), fall in love (if you can), make new friends, and go on cute (potentially life-threatening), fun adventures with them (aww)!

@galengames, author of Dual Chroma

A thousand years ago dark magic destroyed half the world. Now the Ashen Lord rises again to destroy the rest.

As Prince Keldran’s adviser, your council will be indispensable in saving the world from ashen creatures that once again threaten his empire. But the Galens’s family’s past is more entwined with the Ashen than historians admit – and Keldran’s destiny is darker still. Will you help him save the world or allow it to be destroyed so that a new one can be reborn upon its ashes?

@herotome, author of Herotome

Your home base is Rhineway, a merciless metropolis where gentrification spreads like cold sores. Its wear and tear has been pushed to its outskirts, and the crime rate is higher than ever.

Meanwhile, the government-enforced superhero program draws mixed reactions among the populace.

While job-hunting, you’re unexpectedly recruited by a superhero. You accept the offer in hopes of an improved quality of life for you and your cat.

@mage-parivir​, author of A Mage Reborn

They speak in low whispers of the mage, of night terrors or a hero returned, a demon and a saint in the same breath. Heresy, said the priests; hearsay, said the lords. But the crown is silent even as the grapevines unfurl, and so the rumors swell and spread all the same.

Like wind passing through the trembling trees, certain as the coming of the dawn, the word travels through farmsteads and castles alike:

The mage lives again.

#happy to see fellow AAPI creators shining brightly #awesomeness #recommendations

[cygnette]

Super excited for Covenant!!! Also happy new housewarming :D

Thank you so much, anon!!! 💞 I’ve filled the house with plants and I may have a problem. 😅

#i can stop anytime i swear #asks #sweetness

[cygnette]

PLAYLIST FOR E.

✦ Listen on Spotify ✦

#interactive fiction #eden #e. #covenant #playlist #profile #game info #characterprofile

[cygnette]

Thanks so much for the rec! 🥰 What a great list~

do you have any horror recommendations?

‘Horror’ is a very broad topic! There are a lot of games out there in the horror genre but also games that don’t consider themselves horror but do contain horror elements.

Disclaimer: If we recommend your game on this list and you don’t consider your game horror, please let us know and we’d be happy to remove you from this list! :)

Note: Most, if not all of these, are WIP games

13 Laurel Road by @townofcrosshollow

A Limber Love by @copperspines

Bycatch by @VOWtogether on itch.io

Contrition by @nihilnovisubsole

Creatures' Cradle by @thecuriouseye

Crossroads by @whiterabbitgames

Event Horizon by @if-eventhorizon

From the Shadows by @pandorafiction

Greenwarden by @fiddles-ifs

Lake of Voices by @GBPatch on itch.io

Nevermoore by @asteristories

Sentinel by @nyehilismwriting

Smoke & Velvet: The Gnawing Chronicles by @roast-ifs

Snakeroot by @cerberus-writes

Sweet Home by @sweethomegame

The Northern Passage by @northern-passage

The Passenger by @the-passenger-if

The Remainder by @the-remainder

The Spirited: Origins by @yuveim

Virtue's End by @crimsiswrites

Just West of Autumn Boulevard by @westofautumnboulevard

Up & Coming (No demos yet!)

Aeterno by @aeterno-if

Covenant by @cygnette

Metamorphosis by @metamorphvsis

Orthall Bay by @gamesfromtheagency

Quadrennial by @quadrennial-if

Stygian: The Abyssal Lighthouse by @salty-stories

The Nexus Trials by @thenexustrials

The Twilight Order by @exn0bisstudios

Welcome to Portsmouth by @whiterabbitgames

Wolfwater by @wolfwater-games

#recommendations #horror #interactive fiction

[cygnette]

Rovina Cai - ’Fake It ‘til You Make It’

#inspirations #covenant

[cygnette]

WOAAA!!! Welcome back!! Congratulations getting a new home, that's a very important and stressful step, but I am glad you made it! And we missed you as well, so take your time, breath and drink water ✨✨

AHH, thank you~ ✨💓 I’ll make sure to follow your advice (such great advice for anyone!). Take care of yourself as well! Hope you have a great week~ 🥰 

#❤️❤️❤️ #asks #seriously thank you this was so sweet

[cygnette]

DEV LOG 18.3.2021

Hello tumblr, my old friend!

I. Am. Back! Phew! First off, I hope everyone is doing well in this new year so far. 💖  I’ve missed being here and sharing the dev process with y’all! The first quarter is nearly over and it feels like I’m in a completely different place...

Well, that’s because I am! 😂 I am officially living in my first ever home, after months of uncertainty, incredible stress, and a sizable mountain of boxes. Sadly I had to put development on hold during that whole time, but I’m so happy to say that I’ve finally settled in. I’m in a new space physically and mentally, and I’m feeling so much more amped up and motivated to WORK. 

That said, I still feel like I need to get my ducks in a row (took me an embarrassingly long time to remember how to use Tumblr 😅 ). So this week I’m focused on catching up, doing some updating, and spring cleaning. New year, new house, new start! 

One of the very few things I actually did manage to work on were the LI playlists, which never ceases to give me inspiration. The last month has got me in the Alek mood, so much so that his ended up being twice as long as the others’. Oop, I sense Volume Two playlists in the future.

Fun coincidence, before I added the cover for Eden’s playlist, the album covers were all orange, her favorite color! Here’s a sneak peek~

👀 🔥

Quick tidbit: Nick’s favorite color is blue and Alek’s favorite color is fuchsia.

Plans for 2021 Quarter 2~

Writing, writing, writing

Snippet releases

More playlists 🎶

Starting coding (like, the realreal coding)

More writing lol

The last and final profile... 🩸

So excited to be back. As always, be kind to yourself and take care! ‘Til next week~

Love, Cygnette ✦

#upcoming game #indie otome #interactive fiction #visual novel #devlog #covenant #cygnette rambles #favorite colors

[cygnette]

I Don’t Know How to Make This Post...

Hey friends, I hate to do this, but my PC’s hard drive failed and I can’t afford all the repairs required. There’s a chance they can clone some of the data, but the process will cost $300CAD, and I can’t afford it. I’m about to lose years of creative work, I’ve poured my heart and soul into. I’ve spent the last two days devastated and heartbroken. Today’s my damn birthday, but it’s miserable because of this situation. I’m reaching out because I don’t know what else to do. I know this year and the last has been hard on everyone, but if there’s anyone who can help me, it’d mean the world to me. If I can reach this goal, it’s possible to save all the time, effort, and love I’ve put into my work. Otherwise it’s just…gone and I have to start over again. I have nothing to offer other than my creative talents. If you donate it’s possible I could draw something for you once my computer’s fixed, or send you a copy of the Otome game I’ve been working on in return. I’m really hoping I can fix this, and that there’s hope for me and my work. So please, if you can, consider donating. A kind soul has donated $50, so I need $300cad more to save my drive. You can donate to my Ko-Fi at https://ko-fi.com/ririkutai and my Paypal email is [email protected]