Every creative journey has a spark—an initial ignition that sets everything into motion. For us at Cryorbis Studio, that spark was anime. Not just any anime, but those that left a deep emotional impact, the ones that made us feel something indescribable. Some stories were so powerful and inspiring that they lingered in our minds, giving us an itch to create something of our own. At the time, we didn't even know that game development was viable for a small team or individual. It seemed like an impossible dream, something only large studios with massive budgets could accomplish. So, instead of making games, we turned to music.
From Music to Game Development: A Journey of Passion
In 2016, we started as a small music composition service specializing in epic orchestral pieces. It wasn’t for commercial purposes—just a hobby, something we enjoyed doing. We wanted to create music that evoked the same emotions we felt when watching anime. Surprisingly, our music resonated with people. We received amazing feedback, and some of our compositions even became short films. We gave them away for free because, honestly, we never thought about making money from it. We simply loved the process of creating and sharing our work.
Of course, like any aspiring artists, we had our struggles. Sample libraries, the tools needed to create professional-quality music, were expensive. Since we had no budget, we *cough relied on "alternative" methods to acquire what we needed. It wasn’t ideal, but when passion drives you, you find ways to make things work.
The Moment We Realized Game Development Was Possible
While we were heavily invested in music, game development was slowly creeping into our lives. We started learning through online tutorials and courses. At first, we didn’t fully understand what we were doing—we just followed instructions blindly. It was very much a "fake it till you make it" approach. But even with just a basic understanding, the thrill of creating something interactive was enough to keep us going. Seeing our first functional game mechanics in action was like magic, and that motivation pushed us forward.
What truly solidified our belief that game development was within our reach was a close friend's project. Our founder saw his friend working on a 2D RPG adventure game for a university assignment. The game was simple yet impressive, and curiosity led to a conversation about the development process. That discussion was a turning point. It made us realize that making a game didn’t require a massive budget or a full-fledged studio. All we needed was dedication, time, and a willingness to learn. We decided to invest in ourselves, using our own savings and sometimes even family contributions to buy software and courses.
The first game engine we touched was Unreal Engine 4. The power and flexibility it offered amazed us, but at the same time, it was overwhelming. We had no idea what we were doing, yet we were excited. Everything felt like an open canvas, ready for us to bring our ideas to life.
What Triggered Our First Game Project?
So, what made us take the leap from just experimenting with game development to actually starting a full-fledged project? The answer lies in two titles: Owari no Seraph (anime) and The Walking Dead (Telltale Games).
These two works, though vastly different in setting and style, had one thing in common—their ability to tell a compelling, emotionally driven story. Owari no Seraph captivated us with its deep themes of loss, survival, and loyalty, while The Walking Dead showed us how powerful interactive storytelling could be. Playing The Walking Dead felt like experiencing an emotional rollercoaster, and we wanted to create something that could evoke similar feelings in players.
At the time, we were still university students, juggling coursework and personal commitments. Finding time for game development was tough, but the passion was there. It became our creative escape, something that pushed us beyond our comfort zones. Developing a game wasn’t just about coding or making assets—it was about storytelling, world-building, and crafting an experience that players could connect with.
Storytelling: The Heart of Our Creations
From the very beginning, we knew that storytelling would be our primary focus. We believe that everything in the world has a story—the trees, the buildings, the clothes people wear, and even the personalities of individuals. This fascination with storytelling made us obsessed with narrative-driven experiences. We wanted to create something meaningful, something that people could immerse themselves in. Our love for stories wasn’t just about entertainment; it was about creating something that resonated with others, just like the stories that once inspired us.
And so, our journey began—not just as game developers, but as storytellers. We were driven by a desire to craft experiences that would make players feel the same excitement, sorrow, and joy that we had felt from the stories that shaped us.
What’s Next?
This is just the beginning of our story. In the next part, we’ll dive deeper into the development of our first project, the challenges we faced, and the lessons we learned along the way. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into making an indie game, stick around—we have so much more to share.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
Stay tuned for Part 2!
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