[Reprint] Developer Interview 1: "Art Director Tori" (Patreon)

This article has been published as content for supporters until now, but it has been published for the general public because time has passed.

The content has not changed from the content for supporters.

Our project, "ASCOT ~ Demon's Waltz", is being worked on right now, with good progress.

Up until now, all the texts you've read have been written by two people, a Xai representative and a scenario writer. Obviously, we have more people at work than that.

That's why I would like to interview each of our members, so you can know who is doing what with your support!

Introductions may be overdue, but I'm called Martin and I work at TeamKRAMA. But we'll talk about me at a later time! Let's start our first interview with our first interviewee: Our art director, Tori!

Martin: "What work have you done prior to joining TeamKRAMA?"

Tori: "I have done Film, TV, CM, game and pamphlet production. I also worked on web designs and presentation."

M: "What are your hobbies?"

T: "I like photographing, cycling and travelling and camping, but eating and sleeping are one of my guilty pleasures.

From time to time, I also DIY."

M: "What's your favourite game or games?"

T: "There's a bunch, so it's hard which one is my favourite but I loved the following games: 

Dragon Quest, Armored Core, Nintendo All Star! Super smash bros, Pokemon and recently, mobile legend."

M: "Do you have a mantra?"

T: "You can't fight on an empty stomach.

The only problem in life, is death."

M: "I have known about you before you joined TeamKRAMA, but everyone has more than one hobby and skill. At one point, you had multiple jobs, right?"

T: "I agree. I work hard on my job as an art director, but I still have multiple jobs."

M: "Did you never think about committing to just one line of work?"

T: "There are just too many things I want to do *laughs*

In the past, when I outsourced work there were times when deadlines weren't kept and the quality of the product wasn't up to par. Some stuff way too bad to be shown to the public.

I thought to myself, that I just had no choice but to do it myself! Sometimes, I get into a flow and work all night.

Studying is also something I enjoy!

I always keep my deadlines! *laughs*"

M: "It's not just a hobby, its good work. You may "just do it", but not everyone can do what you can do.

Which reminds me, you don't sleep a lot, do you?"

T: "As much as Id like to sleep, I only sleep around 3 to 4 hours. Sometimes I concentrate too much on my work, and then I see the time and notice that it's already 2 AM. I have a lot to do and sometimes forget the time.

I usually have to snooze my alarm 5 times to get myself to stand up. *laughs*"

M: "I've heard that you can go to sleep just like a tired cat, it sounds impressive. But don't forget that your body and your wellbeing is the most important thing. No one wants you to burn out, so please, take a break once in a while.

Next, your favourite game. You said it's mobile legends? Why?"

T: *laughs* Its fun and easy to play when you have some time at home. I even got ranked 9th place in Japan!"

M: "Mobile Legend is a DOTA-like game similar to League of Legends, its fun to play and games only take up to 20 minutes. You introduced me to it and I've started playing with the Xai representative!"

T: "You can't sleep until you win a game or two!"

M: "Considering you only sleep for 3 hours, let's hope you'll do good! *laughs*"

M:" Anyway, let's get to the main part of our interview. The things people want to know.

Can you tell me when and why you joined TeamKRAMA?"

T: "I think it was around this February. I met the Xai representative at GGJ* in Sapporo [in January 2019] and we made a game together."

GGJ = Global Game Jam. Hackathon (event) to develop the world's largest game.

ggj.igda.jp  

M: "You made a game with Xai together? What kind of game was it? Maybe it was..."

T: "*laughs* It wasn't an adult game.

There were some other people at our venue and we made a game called 'CyberPunkRamen'

M: "*laughs* Alright, now I'm interested. What kind of game was it?"

T: "I think you'll just have to see the game. Xai must have posted a video on Twitter..."

'CyberPunkRamen' 

https://twitter.com/TeamKrama/status/1089606507161825280 

M: "*watches the video and laughs*

Ra-men kudasa-i” [=Ramen please]"

T: "Did you see the last scene?"

M: "Yes, it was a story you couldn't read without tears. 

Can you tell me about Xai at the time of the GGJ?"

T: "I did not know him well, but I made an erotic game with coterie activities and received a small fortune *laughs*

But when I heard about TeamKRAMA, I realized that working on an actual serious project is really interesting.

I talked with Xai from time to time and eventually received an offer as the art director. I modeled other female characters before modeling Ascot. Modeling makes paperwork boring."

M: "So, what do you exactly do, as an art director?"

T: "My main goal are the visuals. Things like the designs of the characters and the overall general appearance. I have to make them look pretty and believable.

The art team uses UE4 to work on the appearance of the final 3D visual."

M: "What are you working on right now?"

T: "Right now, I'm working on illustrations and directing our 3D modeling. Speaking of which, may I introduce our completed Ascot illustrations?"

M: "Wow. You're doing a great job over there. We will probably have a separate interview for our illustrations. I want you to tell me about your commitment and the problems you face while working."

T: "I'm sorry I can't talk about them right now, but I'm already getting sleepy talking so much. *laughs*"

M: "Don't worry, we're almost done! 

What do you enjoy about being an art director and are there obstacles?"

T: "This is actually my first time working as an art director! Our discussions and working together are one of the most fun things! Especially so when there is no clear goal, we just have to do a good job. It feels very rewarding to look at your completed work and think to yourself: 'We did a good job.'

Some people say that you should 'make your character look like this and that character in that franchise', but our current art goal is to have good looking models, we don't have a clear set objective.

If there is one, then that's probably only in Xais head, but then there's also probably one that not even he knows of. 

And even if we find one, completing it doesn't mean we're done. We always have more to do, because we want to make a good game.

Sometimes this makes work very difficult. We would hit a brick wall and don't know how to keep going, but we would always find a way through eventually. But that's why I find it fun and rewarding.

The hard part is predicting what Xai wants. I can't read his mind and we always make changes on even the basic designs of the characters, so I always try to keep in touch with Xai as much as possible.

I also want to add that sometimes I'm more of a director than an artist because I have to check the quality of illustrations and 3d models. And sometimes I have to be hard on my colleagues. I'm sorry about that, but I hope that they never take it personal!"

M: "I see *laughs*

Tell me, what do you appreciate the most when you work on the project?

T: "It's the fact that I have to pull out the attractiveness of the world and the characters.

We always have to ask ourselves: "How can we make Ascot look attractive?"

M: "Alright! Next time, we'll talk about your illustrations, including the adult ones. Is there anything you want to tell the supporters?"

T: "We are the captain and crew who are heading towards the goal that Xai is aiming for. We all work our hardest on this game and honestly want to make a good game. I try my best every night, so I appreciate all of your support and hope you will continue to support us to the end!"

M: "Thank you, Tori! I'll also do my best. As you said, there are no problems but death!"