Wow, my first devlog! This is the sort of thing I’ll look back on in five years and think to myself, “Why the hell did I write it this way?” and feel the urge to wipe from the internet. Just like my Wattpad days!

Hello, “gamers.” My name is Dana and I’m a lead writer at Illusory World.

I say “lead writer” but Kev has been at the helm of this operation since Day 1, and for some reason hasn’t kicked me off the ride. I’m absolutely abysmal at following the schedule, and sometimes I just don’t respond when he asks me where I’m at with a project (usually because I have not started).  

If I had to guess why he hasn’t cut me off like his least favorite son, it’s probably because, when I actually do the work, it’s worth the grief. (It must be true because Kev hasn’t replaced me yet, right? Right?)

And sometimes I simply pull out the stops and actually dedicate myself; for example, Forged in Ice.

Forged in Ice is a month-long project from December 2023, a month famous for the free time that accompanies it. As a corporate slave by day and a game dev by night, the time crunch was admittedly rough. I never want to do another gamejam, and yet I know I will inevitably choose this folly again. Is this the human condition? Is it masochism? My own hubris?

Speaking of hubris: Aldebrand. This charismatic, clever, and ultimately overconfident character running from his own problems is my favorite archetype. One of the most important things about creating Aldebrand was to build up his image as an untouchable and infallible royal, then completely tear him down. We had to craft the perception that Alde is always in control, always scheming, always revered, so that when he’s suddenly out of his depth and incompetent, he’s humanized rather than unlikeable. Pathetic, I’ll grant you. A lot of his lines have double meanings that I would love to dive into, but that would require me to pull up the script and Ctrl + F. If you read through it a second time, keep an eye out for foreshadowing in his dialogue, because Aldebrand is a smug bastard who thinks he’s suuuuper clever when really he’s a sheltered noble with a knack for wordplay. 

And then, of course, there’s his love interest bodyguard, Herleva. Off the bat, Kev and I knew we wanted to have a lady escorting a dude with a fire motif. We wanted an “opposites attract” dynamic for a few reasons: 

1. It was a winter jam and ice/fire is the obvious imagery to use
2. Nothing says “easy conflict” like red- and blue-coded characters stuck together
3. Strong differences work to highlight their more subtle similarities

To that last point, I’m pretty satisfied with how well the two complimented each other. So often, characters like Aldebrand, who may as well be broadcasting their ulterior motives, are paired up with gullible neophytes who never realize they’re being used until it’s too late. Herleva’s characterization isn’t all that new a concept - blunt lady with a sharp sword - but I think it’s refreshing to see a schemer’s bullshit called out before our heroes even embark on their literary journey.

I don’t know about you guys, but I loooove characters that hide behind a smile, and I similarly love those who are unaffected by that charm. We’re introduced to Herleva, a woman uninterested in the town’s traditions, and then the prince of those traditions is introduced to her. In spite of all the praise for Aldebrand plaguing the town, Herleva spots the trouble he’s bringing her a mile away, even if she’s ultimately unable to stay uninvolved. His sanguine facade immediately fails to convince her, and he’s never really had to deal with that before. 

Once his false self is shoved aside, we actually see how similar the two are: level-headed, quick-witted, emotionally isolated, and paradoxically cynical and hopeful. Both characters end up represented by fire and ice: Aldebrand, with power over both elements, and Herleva, an icy woman said by Glacia to be similar to the late goddess of flame. 

You’ve heard me go on about Forged in Ice, but let’s talk about me! 

Because I am certainly very interesting and have many profound thoughts to add. 

As previously mentioned, I am Dana. My favorite supervillain is the Green Goblin. And so long as Kev proof-reads this blog, I must tell you how much I love writing! I have voluntarily been with Illusory World since 2017, and never once have I wished to be rid of it. 

Honestly though, I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with writing. I get to feel clever, and having a final product feels so good. I get to show my friends, Kev doesn’t blacklist me, and most of all I get to create. But actually putting words to paper? Like pulling teeth. I wish it were as simple as just “write whatever, call it a day” but even when I’m writing something I have no interest in, it’s like I just have to make it good. Not in a perfectionist way, but because it feels pointless otherwise. I don’t want my writing to be pointless. 

But at the end of a long and pointless day, I still have my cat, Lucrezia (or just Lulu, for short!). I stole her back in 2022 and named her after the villain of Girl Genius, a webcomic I’ve been reading since I was a wee lass. Lulu got surgery a couple months ago, and she’s still growing back all of her fur so she looks really silly these days. Her favorite visual novel is Unbearable Crush because she’s very supportive of my work.

(My roommate’s cat is Maurice, and his favorite visual novel is Hatoful Boyfriend because he thinks he’s a memelord.) 

I don’t currently have a favorite visual novel but it’ll probably be the Zero Escape series once I actually get around to playing it. I’m not above a good otome, though. Somehow those redheaded anime guys always get me. My favorite game of all time is easily NieR: Automata because at the end of the day, Yoko Taro has us all beat.

I think I’ll be signing off here. I could go on, but I’ve got to keep some material for future devlogs. Still, if you liked Forged in Ice, check out our games and tell us what you think, or what you’d like to see more of! There’s been talk of more Our Lost World Beneath the Skies so let us know if that’s of interest. Maybe next time I’ll write an essay dissecting Aldebrand’s traumatic childhood.