20260830 A Word From Everyone Else in Ason (Patreon)

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Click here for a word from our producer.

キラハネ (Kirahane)
Character Design / UI Design / Map Design / Live 2D Artist / Visual Effects / Sound Effects

This is キラハネ. I mainly worked on the special effects, UIs and most of the Live2D animations.
I want to thank all my friends in Ason along the development, and every player playing our game.

Some of you might get to know us through our special Live2D animations.
This has also been a good starting point for me, giving me a chance to go from a rookie only understanding the basics, to someone who can work on the animations and special effects for a whole Boss.
In many ways, this project has shattered my expectations for myself, and changed the direction I am going towards in my life.

If you look closely, you might find that the effects for Cursed Blacksmith goes harder and harder as you progress, especially for the Bosses.
Looking back, the first Boss doesn't seem so terrifying anymore, huh? I think this right here is the proof of my growth in experience.
Also, thanks to the particle plugin that came out just as this project started, we were able to create effects that were mostly difficult to realize.

With the TRP_Particle plugin, we were able to add more animations when developing the battle with Clarisse, even when we reached the upper limit of animations for RPGMaker. Well, it actually fought back by crashing and DELETING 3 MONTHS OF PROGRESS, but that's another story for another day.

Aside from Live2D, the actual scale of the game eventually became so big, that I had to quit my dayjob in a game company so I can fully contribute on this project.
It is all thanks to your support that I could muster my courage to make such life-changing decision.

This journey, to me, is not just about finishing a game. It's about finding my path and sticking to it.
If even one of those animations, those scenes, will remind you of the Safehouse we all went in, then it would be my greatest pleasure.

深雪零 (Miyuki Rei)
Character Design / Pixel Art Artist

This is 深雪零, the designer for Doroelle, Shanoa, Noxel, and the main illustrator. I also designed most of the items and weapons.
It has been a long road, but I can finally say that my characters are in a finished game.
This must be the longest I have been with my own original characters.
Looking back to the early designs of these girls, so many thoughts flow through my mind.
The comments I had from fans and members have been all really helpful and precious.
A lot have happened, but what I've learned and received is definitely worth it.

A big thank you to all the staff, and to all of you supporting us.

イブリース (Iblis)
Scenario / Voice Director / Localization

5 years ago, a game center near where I lived was shut down as the whole building is getting reconstructed.
Every time I walked across the street, I saw this sign saying: "Construction Until November 2025."
"lol, I bet our game would be out and this building still won't be done"
Oh young man. You sweet summer child you.

Anyways, Hi! I'm Iblis. I'm the localization guy, the voice acting guy, part-of-the-cutscene-and-scenario guy.
You like maid outfits? That's good. Don't expect me to wear that crap anymore. I hope.

A sincere thanks to everyone who have been following Cursed Blacksmith's development.
At the time I'm writing this letter, (which is November 2025) we're still dealing with bugfixes and not-so-good reviews, so we can't really say that we're our of the woods yet.
Even so, reading your reviews, watching your streams, it feels me with this bizarre feeling.
This is the first time I sitck to the end of a game's development. However, with all my personal crap, I don't really feel that I can call myself a game creator.
Still, every time I see someone react to the smallest thing I almost killed (METAPHORICALLY) my friends to put it in the game, I can't help but jump in delight.
This also goes with the main theme of the game. At first I was like "C'mon, write a draft for me and I'll go from there!" But eventually I worked on the lyrics from scratch. Knowing it is relatable to someone is very meaningful to me.

On the other hand, I think I am mostly responsible for all the delays we've been experiencing throughout these years.
For that, I hope you accept my deepest apology.
This game has been in development for so long, one can go from a freshman at school to a white collar; one's drawing style can change so drastically.
For me, during this time I had changed my job, created my own company, get kicked out by said company, been a loser and worried about what holds in the future. Hey, I still am!
But my personal issue shouldn't justify the slow pace of the development any one bit.
If fate intertwines again, I will try to learn from all my mistakes, not to be a burden to either all my fellow developers, or all the fantastic voice actresses we had the honor to work with.

When I first joined this project, I was like "Translation? Hell yeah let's do it!"
And the next you know, I was writing stories, scheduling voice acting and stuff, all out of my comfort zone and expectations.
I will admit, I thought RPGMaker is not that eye-appealing. I still kinda do.
The people in Ason are just so kind that they tolerate this mindset of mine and let me do my best and improve.
Now, I am flattered and proud to be a part of this game, a mere footprint that will eventually be forgotten in this grand ocean we call digital entertainment.
Alright, maybe I'm not proud just yet with all the pressure right now, but I will! Someday!

I especially want to thank my friends who were kind enough to provide the music and illustrations during the development.
If you like the main theme or any song that plays during the final moments of the game, go follow them! They can sing, they can make songs, they are handsome, it's basically cheating if you think about it.
I'd also like to thank everyone who get dragged to help me with creating the game, and last but not least, all fans for supporting us along the way.
We still have a log of bugfixes and adjustments to go, but hopefully, we can meet again. Hopefully by then, I can hold my head up high, and introduce myself as a game creator.

Oh yeah, that building? Totally still in progress. Take that, construction workers!

DCode
Pixel Art Artist / Map Design / Live 2D Design

To all players:

This is DCode, the pixel artist.
Every disgusting attack you see in the game is drawn by me.

The variety of monsters should make your adventure in the Labyrinth vibrant ever so.
All thanks to our producer Hanji. We hope you are satisfied by these interesting fellows.

For the final battle, I poured out all I have to create special pixel animations, resulting in something that should look cool.
What do you think? Does it make you pumped up?

We've been through a lot, but none of us ever gave up and made it to the finish line.
This might not sound that impressive, but to us, this is definitely not an easy task, not by a long shot.

That said, all of this won't come into fruition without the supporters and the players.
If not for your support, for your playtests, for your sharing with others, Cursed Blacksmith would not see the light of day.

For that, I am very grateful. And I hope you enjoy.

Juhua
Map Design / Pixel Art Artist

Hey! This is Juhua. I draw maps.
Yep, those big-ass maps? All me! I bet you have swore a lot in those maps, huh?
Hopefully you would have the luxury to stop and enjoy the scenery. While getting beaten up by monsters, I mean.

But think of it this way: You worked your butt, spending tons of hours running across these maps. I worked my butt, spending tons of hours making these maps.
Doesn't that make us comrades? That must be it.

Although, I did want to make the deat- I mean landscape more interesting, but with the jumping and breaking walls, those ideas had to stay in my brain. I guess the more flexible way to di- I mean create maps will have to wait some other time. Mmhmm.

If you ever thought "Wow, this is quite beautiful. I want to screenshot this!" then all the footprints I left on this game will be worth it. Even though you're probably going to die on it.

That's all from me! I'm glad I get to connect with you through Cursed Blacksmith.
May the Horizon Light guide you along the way.