Vilserio, Phoenixx! (Patreon)

TLDR:

- ALICE IN DISSONANCE is switching publishers from SEKAI PROJECT/SEKAI GAMES to PHOENIXX.
- Limited edition physical version of fault - milestone one's preorder from LRG will start sometime in July. The physical edition will include the OST for console versions and a full-fledged art book with a brand new mini-episode of MS1 called "さいこぱするーんちゃん／PSYCHOPATH RUNE-CHAN" written by Munisix and illustrated by Hare included in the artbook. (New content for MS1!? Something I didn't think I can do at this point in time)
- Mhakna Gramura and Fairy Bell and a visually upgraded "fault - milestone two side: above" with some new music are now officially planned for console release within 2020 for both Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4. This time they should both release at the same time.

So that's some substantial news. Wth is going on?

We're not sure how impactful this news will be to our Patrons since it's about a degree or two removed from the actual content we create but since it's a big deal to us, so we decided to write about it here and share some news that's happening over on the non-production side of things.

As the top bullet point in the TLDR addresses, we are officially switching publishers from Sekai Project/Games to a company called Phoenixx located here in Japan. Before anyone starts speculating the kind of fallout we had with SP, we didn't. In fact, the parting was so amicable that it almost didn't feel like a big deal. SP and AiD have had a healthy working relationship for six years now, so there's a lot we can talk about, but I'm just going to boil everything down to one sentiment: Sekai Project cares about their creators dearly. They have always taken a stance to defend the developers they work with even if they get shit from their customers. That's a pretty respectable stance in today's climate where online image dictates a large portion of your company's success. Trust me when I say this, they are great people. If you ever find yourself publishing with them, know that you are in good hands.

So why the transition?

AiD had been at this weird limbo point where the type of help we need is very particular for quite some time now. We don't just need mOaR MOneY, we need proper connections with people who are willing to take on long term projects like fault and at the same time try new things alongside us. Guns for hire are one thing, but pouring large amounts of resources into people who will eventually leave starts becoming exhausting. And here is where Phoenixx comes into play. I'm writing this article today, only because there's been substantial evidence that our working relationship with Phoenixx will result in success. Much like when Apple transitioned from PowerPC to Intel, we have been in contact with Phoenixx for some time now, testing out the waters for a beneficial leap, and I genuinely believe this is the right choice. They don't just want another portfolio piece for their company; they actually like fault and have faith in what we are doing as a team. 

With this passing of this baton, things like console versions of MS2a and Mhakna being both released within 2020 is now not only possible, it is probable. We can further focus on MS2b now to make sure it gets released within the year. We found a new programmer that's excited about working with us! We were introduced to some amazing musicians that are again, willing to try new things and push boundaries. We didn't have to sign over our IPs (or souls), and we are free to update our Patrons in whatever way we like. We know because we made sure. I just don't yet see any downsides.

This is one of those examples of not marrying the first partner you date; you just gotta try new things and see what's out there.

Istariana Vilserio, Phoenixx.

Any other news?

Yes! LRG physical edition preorders apparently start sometime in July. We can't be sure because we have no say whatsoever of when things are gonna happen. We only know that it's going to happen no later than August. We do know what the content of the package will include though! 

- Physical game
- Physical OST in ComPacT DiSc (or CD as they use to call it) format.
- Physical art book with a brand new mini-story from MS1 called "さいこぱするーんちゃん／PSYCHOPATH RUNE-CHAN"
- Spiffy package to encase the above.

We're working with a new designer for the artbook and I think this is going to be something very special, probably on the level of the Kickstarter Artbook. We'll show you more BtS stuff once we can!

More info as preorders draws closer.

In other news: Phoenixx will be participating in BitSummit online, and AiD will be showing off some MS2b news as well. We have a brand new opening theme that's been in the works for the past two months, and we should be able to do a premiere of the track here on Patreon.  Progress!

Anyways, folks... 2020 has been a fucking rollercoaster of a year to say the least and it's only halfway over. Please stay safe, stay vigilant, and extend a helping hand to those in need around you. These hard times test our characters as human beings, and this is one test we cannot afford to fail. There are great things on the horizon, we just have to get though this in one piece.

Thank you for reading through this long-ass post.

With much love,
-ALICE IN DISSONANCE / MUNISIX

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今回の記事はAiDが実際に制作している内容とは直接関係ないことですが、AiDにとっては大きな変化となった出来事であるため、このニュースをPatreonでご支援頂いている皆様にも共有することにしました。

これまでAiDはSekai Project/Gamesさんとともにfaultシリーズ作品のリリースを行ってきましたが、今後は日本国内パブリッシャーであるPhoenixx（フィーニックス）さんと一緒にfaultシリーズをリリースしていくことになりました。セカイさんとはもう6年もの付き合いになるので話はつきないのですが、今回パブリッシャーを変えることにあたって、友好的に対応して頂き、別れ自体もそう大したことではないと思える程すんなりと移行することができました。AiDはこれからセカイさんとは別の道を歩むことになりますが、セカイプロジェクトさんはクリエイターを大切にしてくれる企業であったということをここに記しておきます。

ではなぜセカイさんを離れ、Phoenixxさんに移行したのか？という疑問がわくと思います。

AiDとしては現状開発費が必要というよりは、AiDと新しいことに一緒に挑戦してくれる人達とのつながりを必要としています。これまでなかなか新作がリリースできない迷走状態に陥っていたのも、ゲーム制作チームなのに常に頼れる技術者が不在という状況が続いたのが大きな要因です。

faultは長いシリーズなので、最終的にはチームから抜けてしまう人に大量のリソースを費やするとモチベーション的にも疲弊してしまいます。また、例え新しい人と出会えたとしても、その度にゼロからfaultを理解してもらうために様々な対応や説明をする大変さを身をもって理解しました…。そういった状況のため、AiDの活動を理解してくれて、かつ長くお付き合いのできそうなクリエイターさんを求めていました。

そこでPhoenixxさんの出番です。

AiDはしばらく前からPhoenixxさんと話し合ってきて、次のワンステップを一緒に踏み出せるかどうかを検討していました。検討した結果、彼らと一緒に歩もうという結論に至ったのですが、その一番の理由は「faultに対してとても愛をもって協力してくれる会社さんである」ということです。

AiDの作品をPhoenixxのポートフォリオとして欲しがっているのではなく、faultが好きで一緒にやってくれるという姿勢がとても感じられました。

また、Phoenixxさんの人脈により、新しい人材とも巡り合うことができました。新しいことに挑戦する意志があって、AiDと一緒に仕事したいと思ってくれるプログラマーさん、ミュージシャンの方々と一緒に今は制作を進めています。

こういったヘルプのお陰で、なんとms2上とマクナ＝グラムラとフェアリー・ベルがNintendo Switch、PS4で年内にリリースできる見通しが立ちました！

そして今、私達はms2下の開発にさらに力をいれることができる状況が出来上がりつつあると感じています。

とはいえ、Munisixさんも私（小夏はれ）も目の前に次々と積み上げられていくタスクをこなすので精一杯な日々でもあります…

新作の情報はまとまったタイミングでお知らせできればと思います（色々できているものはあるんですがネタバレ的な意味で公開できないものが多くてごめんなさい）。

そして最後に。今年はコロナの影響で会場での開催がオンライン開催に変更されたBitSummit外伝ですが、こちらでms2下のニュースをお届け致します。

開催は6月27日〜28日で、ライブ配信や専用Discordサーバーなども用意されているそうなので、こちらも是非チェックしてみてくださいね！

BitSummit 公式ページ