A Dream Come True
Hey everyone! I wanted to share something truly special with you all—our recent experience at Comic Fiesta 2025 in Malaysia. This wasn't just another event for us; it was a milestone that reminded us why we do what we do.
🎮 An Unexpected Opportunity
A couple of months back, we received news that completely caught us off guard. MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation) reached out to let us know that Lirai: Heir of Darkness had been selected to be showcased at Comic Fiesta 2025, one of the biggest pop culture events in Southeast Asia. Not only that, but we'd be getting a booth completely free of charge!
What made this even more surreal was learning that our game had to go through a rigorous evaluation process, and we were selected among the top six games locally. Six! Out of all the talented developers in Malaysia, we were chosen to represent our country's indie game scene.
The only catch? We were informed just two weeks before the event. We had to scramble to get our brochures printed, prepare merchandise for giveaways, and make sure everything was perfect. But it was absolutely worth every sleepless night and every frantic phone call to the printer.
🤝 Working with an Amazing Team
I have to give a massive shoutout to the MDEC team. These folks were nothing short of amazing—cooperative, supportive, and genuinely invested in making sure we had everything we needed to succeed. Working with them felt less like a professional obligation and more like collaborating with friends who genuinely cared about seeing us succeed.
⏰ The Big Day - Early Mornings and Electric Energy
Comic Fiesta is a two-day event, and those were two of the most exhausting yet exhilarating days of our lives. Our mornings started at 6:00 AM, and we headed to the venue by train around 7:30 AM. Even at that hour, there was already a long queue with cosplayers in stunning outfits and excited fans everywhere. Thankfully, our exhibitor passes let us bypass the line!
Once inside, the sheer scale of the venue hit us—this place was HUGE. Fortunately, the organizers had volunteers stationed everywhere, helping with directions and crowd control. They were absolute lifesavers in helping us find our booth and get set up.
🎭 Incredible Cosplays
Before I dive into our booth experience, I have to mention the cosplayers at Comic Fiesta were on another level entirely. Professional-grade costumes, incredible attention to detail, and performers who truly embodied their characters. The creativity on display was simply outstanding and really drove home just how passionate and talented the community is.
👥 The Good Kind of Chaos
Once the doors opened, people were genuinely curious about Lirai: Heir of Darkness. Before we knew it, we had to improvise a small queuing system right there at our booth! While people waited their turn, we'd chat with them about the game, about Cryorbis Studio, and our journey as indie developers. It was exhausting but incredibly fun and rewarding.
Over the two days, we had at least 150+ people play our demo—local Malaysian gamers and international visitors from different countries and backgrounds. Some couldn't speak English or Malay, but fortunately, we had someone on our team who could communicate in multiple languages. Being able to connect with players regardless of language barriers made the experience feel truly universal.
💚 Overwhelmingly Positive Feedback
After each person played the demo, we had them fill out a simple survey. We made it clear we wanted honest feedback, even if it hurt. The response was overwhelming—90% positive feedback! People genuinely enjoyed the game, loved the transformation mechanics, the combat system, and the haunting atmosphere. Many said they were looking forward to the full release and asked when they could buy it on Steam. Hearing that feedback in person validated years of hard work and late nights.
😔 The Tough Moments
Of course, not everything was perfect. We had one or two individuals who really didn't like the game and weren't shy about letting us know. What was strange was that despite all their criticism, they kept playing until they achieved 100% completion of the demo.
We're human, and hearing someone tear apart something you've poured your heart into hurts. But we kept our cool and listened. When we analyzed their feedback later, we realized most of it wasn't constructive—it felt more personal than professional. That said, we're grateful for the reminder that you can't please everyone, and that's okay.
💡 The Big Realization - This Is Real Now
When the event finally ended and we were packing up our booth, exhausted but happy, something clicked for us. This whole journey with Lirai: Heir of Darkness started as a passion project—something we made because we loved making games, because we had stories we wanted to tell. It was personal. It was a hobby that grew into something more.
But after Comic Fiesta, after meeting all those players, after seeing their genuine excitement and interest, we realized something important: this isn't just a personal project anymore. This isn't just a hobby. People are counting on us. They're looking forward to this game. They want to see Brian's journey through to the end. They want to experience the full story, explore every corner of the world we're building, and uncover all the secrets we've hidden.
This game has to be commercialized. It has to be taken seriously. Not in a corporate, soulless way—we'll never lose sight of why we started this—but in a way that respects the investment of time and emotion that our future players are ready to give us.
🎯 Our Philosophy at Cryorbis Studio
This experience reinforced something we've always believed in at Cryorbis Studio: we don't just make games and throw them at people hoping something sticks. That's never been who we are. We're genuinely interested in getting to know the people who play our games. We want you to be part of our journey, part of our community, and part of the creative process in whatever way feels right.
Meeting players face-to-face at Comic Fiesta drove this home. Those weren't just "potential customers"—they were real people with their own stories, their own struggles, their own reasons for being drawn to our game. Some told us they loved dark, emotional stories. Others said they were going through tough times and found solace in games with meaningful narratives. One person mentioned they'd lost someone close to them and appreciated stories that didn't shy away from exploring grief and loss.
These conversations matter to us. They shape how we think about the game, how we approach storytelling, and what we want to achieve with Lirai: Heir of Darkness.
🚀 Join Us on This Journey
Comic Fiesta 2025 was unforgettable. It energised us, validated our work, and reminded us why we fell in love with game development. But this is just one chapter in a much longer story.
We've got a long road ahead before Lirai: Heir of Darkness is ready for full release, but knowing people are waiting for this game makes every challenge feel surmountable.
If you'd like to be part of our journey, we'd love to have you. Follow us here on IndieDB, join our community, and share your thoughts. And if you really want to support us, please consider wishlisting Lirai: Heir of Darkness on Steam—it truly makes a massive difference for indie developers like us.
We're building something meaningful here, and we want you to be part of it. Not as spectators, but as active participants in this community we're creating together.
Until next time, take care of yourselves, and thank you for being part of this incredible journey with us.
- The Team at Cryorbis Studio
Want to support us? Wishlist Lirai: Heir of Darkness on Steam - It truly means the world to us.
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