itch.io

I wanted to thank you for playing my game, and also providing some very strong constructive criticism. 

(Edit: I also wanted to thank you for voice acting the characters. That was great.)

I'll take this time to properly address everything that you mentioned!

Combat:

When it came to combat, I hadn't actually even started a system. I started the contest a week late, and when I started, I spent about two weeks developing the art and designing the characters. I am not an artist, and by that, I mean that I don't draw regularly. Most of my experience comes from my teens. It took a very long time to get each background done, and longer for the characters. I did everything with a mouse (no tablet) I'd estimate each piece at about five hours. When I had completed the art (mostly) I only had a week left.

This game takes place in the same universe as Aldrich Academy, it's a series I've been working on for about three years. I'd call this an origin story of a currently unknown character in that universe.

You can see more information on Aldrich Academy at the following link:

www.aldrichacademy.ca

You can also see the combat system developed for that universe in the course selections. All art in the website is drawn by @MakioKuta on twitter. She is an amazing artist, and dear friend. When Custodian is completed, most of the art will be redrawn by her in her style.

(Edit: I will likely continue drawing the backgrounds.)

Music:

As mentioned above, I've been working on a universe called Aldrich Academy for awhile. I already have an OST for Aldrich Academy, and sadly all the OSTs wouldn't be allowed in the contest. You can listen to the music in the link below. A lot of this music would be used in Custodian as well.

https://soundcloud.com/scythuz/sets/the-ghost-of-aldrich-academy-ost-remastered-tracks

I wanted to use the RTP, but by the time I felt confident enough to add music, I had about one day and ten hours left. I wanted to make sure people tested the game before the contest started, so should anyone discover any bugs- they could be solved before the games were locked. In hindsight, I regret not adding RTP. I could have done a quick hour rush job, and still had time to post the game and get it tested.

All the music for Aldrich Academy is designed by a wonderful friend, @Scythuz on twitter.

Crazy Eyes:

When it came to her 'crazy eyes', I sadly didn't have the time to explain things properly.

In my universe, there is a race called 'Ma'sfet'. These people are blessed by the goddess of the same name, and are granted unusual abilities. Some can summon weapons, others armour, while a very rare few have more support based abilities. These abilities don't usually manifest until a person is in their teens, usually around thirteen. In Nora's case, her abilities manifested around eighteen. They very rarely manifest that late, and when they do, It tends to be very dangerous. She, and the others around her were lucky to survive.

The glowing blue eyes are a symbol of Ma'sfet.  (Edit: Ma'sfet is the Goddess of Justice.)

Custodian (this game) is a story about Nora trying to come to terms with being Ma'sfet.

In my universe, there is an event called "The Enumeration Act" ongoing. (It'd be explained in full in the completed project) All Ma'sfet are being treated as though they're criminals serving a false god. Most who follow Ma'sfet are being carded, printed, and registered in the federal database as potential criminals. They're subjected to unlawful searches, and some arrested. Those who have abilities, are required to surrender themselves. The Enumeration Act is considered unconstitutional in this world, but it's taking a very long time to overturn it due to fearmongering in political circles. I won't say anymore due to spoilers.

Wrap Up:

I wanted to thank you once more for taking the time to enter my world. Your voice acting was amazing.

(Edit: Also, that scene at the end will  take place in the real world. She can't really show off her abilities in the game world, since they wouldn't somehow get transferred to it. At the time,  I didn't want to spoil Poppy's real life appearance, and now I regret it.)  The following is Poppy's IRL appearance. (Explains the boy with the ears, comment.)

(Edit 2: Also in regards to that 'someone making it look like she did something evil' Don't worry, she wasn't kicked out of the school due to being Ma'sfet. She completed school- her mandatory training, and rejected acceptance into the Custodian program. Professor Aldrich is very much the type of woman who protects her students. She wanted to train Nora so she could learn to use her abilities properly, and hide them due to the before mentioned Enumeration Act. Though she's also not the type to force someone to do something.) Anyways! No more spoilers. xD

I shall get down to uhm *clears throat* Brass Tacks, and make a large prototype. *ahem*