Extended hiatus and news

Hello everyone!

First of all a huge apology for the lack of updates these past few months and the fact Spero: The Ocean Divers wasn't released on time.

A number of things has contributed to our lack of progress. Placement work is one of them, it's not long hours but I do end up taking a nap as soon as I get home and then most of the day has gone ^_^; Secondly is my room redecoration which is the original reason for the hiatus... Although my room is painted it's still not finished. I plan to finish that by the end of the year at least.

Secondly is a change in plans. To start Spero will undergo a major change in format next year. A beta of this format will hopefully be released in May 2014. As for a Noble Curse I'm lacking in some materials, but Chapter 1-3 is completed! I won't release it yet since I'm on limited free time to draw more chapters and it's not pleasant waiting months for another chapter!

Once again I apologise for the waiting. Early warning that my final year of university is fast approaching and we will be making less progress during that period as well.

Thank you all for your support up until now and I hope you continue to support us! It really means a lot!

-Yoyoli

Happy 2nd anniversary!

That's right! It's now been 2 years since I started Azure Tales!

Although we've made no progress on the surface we have learnt and developed within Azure Tales (As you've seen with the update posts).

Thanks again to everyone who continues to support Azure Tales as it grows and for your encouragement to keep progressing!

-Yoyoli

Updates (5th August 2013)

Hey everyone! I'm just going to announce that Azure Tales will be taking a temporary hiatus due to personal reasons.

The reasons themselves aren't major so don't worry. In short: my room walls and ceiling had reached a state which couldn't be ignored anymore so I'll have to repair and redecorate it entirely. I'm also using the opportunity to sort through the contents of my room (If you imagine many stacks of paper, that's basically what I have to sort through :') )

I'll still be working when I find the time, but there won't be a blogpost for a while. (Save for one more this month in 1 week)

I still intend to release Spero: The Forest Dwellers and Spero: The Ocean Divers before the end of the year. The manga (A Noble Curse) I'm not sure about yet.

Thank you all for your understanding. I'll blog again when Spero is near release, the Twitter account will still be updating when I get the time so keep an eye out!

-Yoyoli

Updates (5th July 2013)

*Phew* Thought I wouldn't make today's blogpost because we had internet issues ^_^; but here we are! And today I give you a preview of how Spero will now look:

Spero: The Forest Dwellers - Interface

It's actually just something I whipped up in Photoshop but that's how it should look. Oh and I've also included the boys new design. He looks much healthier now XD (Still a bit on the girlish side but he's still young). That's also an old background, I need some tree references.

Also rewriting the script, the old one felt really repetitive. Look forward to it!

-Yoyoli

Updates (20th June 2013)

It's time for another update!

A Noble Curse - Gil and Al

Decided to talk more about A Noble Curse today. As you can see I've changed Gil's hat (Since he looked too much like Apollo in Spero) and his colour scheme is green rather than red. Al had the most changes though including his uniform and hairstyle.

I made a colour sketch to get a better idea of how they'd appear if they were in an anime (I wish!) It's only a basic, unfinished sketch but I hope this reassures you I'm still working on the manga series :D

There's not much to say today, Spero is still undergoing art and script changes.

Thanks!

-Yoyoli

Updates (5th June 2013)

It's June! That means it's been over a year since I first released Spero and I still feel the nerves each time I think about the moment I uploaded it.

Without further ado, today's character is Conrad! The new hero in Spero: The Ocean Divers. The game will be played from his perspective:

Conrad - Spero: The Ocean Divers

That's his normal expression. Unlike Miyu who is generally cheery and surprised by every development, Conrad is very calm and serious. He's older than Miyu by two years as well (Age: 16) and the game takes place probably a few months after the original.

The game setting is further away from the Forest and, as hinted if you unlocked the 'True Ending', it's set on a remote island.

One more piece of news: I've changed the appearance of both Albert and Gilbert in A Noble Curse. Again the hair was annoying me to no end ^_^;

That's all today!

-Yoyoli

Updates (20th May 2013)

Edit: I had this blogpost written early... then forgot to upload it :')

Hey all! It's time for Heidi's new look! Again I've posted the original for comparison :3

Spero: Original Heidi > New Heidi

Not much to say, been rather busy with requests. Some bad news: Again, Spero will have NO MUSIC or SOUND. It's going to be silent again because the people that have offered unfortunately have personal circumstances resulting in being unable to spare time to compose something. Sorry! Also I've tried the voice acting option again but I don't have the software or hardware to record properly T_T

I hope this doesn't put people off too much! On the bright side: I plan to release Spero: The Ocean Divers one week after Spero: The Forest Dwellers re-release.

Thank you all for your patience. It's taking me a while to get everything done but I will eventually get there!

-Yoyoli

Updates (5th May 2013)

After 15 odd edits we finally have an updated Miles! I decided to post the old one up for your comparison as well. (Miles shocked expression probably saying: "Woah! It took 15 tries for this?!")

Old Miles on the left with his... detached hair (It didn't feel like it was actually on his head) and the new Miles with a fresh face expression and nicer hair. His face is less dark as well and I deleted some colouring that went over the line art ^^;

I'm much happier with the new Miles. It looks more like the original that I designed on paper! How do you feel about the new Miles? Let me know!

Progress on the manga as well but nothing to show yet. I'm working on it though! Thanks as always!

-Yoyoli

Updates (20th April 2013)

We're back guys! ...Sort of, I still have an exam next week but once that's over I can assure you that Azure Tales will be steaming 100% with our projects! Because I haven't made much progress I've not much to show today but below is a modified Miyu portrait (Her happy face). It's less square and more pointy now.

Miyu - Happy (New!)

I also modified Miles' face expressions but not his hair yet. That picture will probably be in the next update. Until next month! Keep up with our Twitter account @AzureTales for any short post updates as usual!

-Yoyoli

Updates (20th February 2013)

Spero: The Forest Dwellers - Miyu

Miyu is finally done! And the new textbox which you can see is now a transparent dark green in contrast to the rather bright blue in the original version ^_^; The textbox will go back to blue in Ocean Divers though (Dark blue).

One more thing to note is her new sword! Took me a while to design it (it's not my strong point). The white decor on the top is actually a feather like material, the entire sword has changed (including the blade) but you'll have to wait till the game is remade to see it ;) I never mentioned the details but it's actually a one-handed weapon; Miyu uses it with both her hands though since she's still rather young and inexperienced.

Not much other progress to note at this point. For any of you who have yet to play Spero: The Forest Dwellers I'd recommend waiting for the remake as it's essentially the same game. Next character to be redesigned is Heidi!

Quick answers to some questions I've had over the weeks:
Q: Is there a release date yet for 'Spero: The Forest Dwellers' remake and 'Spero: The Ocean Divers'?
A: No, most likely this year though. I'm hoping April (again) for The Forest Dwellers but no promises. As for Ocean Divers... probably late Autumn this year

Q: Is there a release date for your manga: 'A Noble Curse'?
A: Nope. It's still in storyboard stages since I've increased the number of chapters from 9 to 15. I don't want to release it until it's completely finished... otherwise you'll end up reading 5 chapters and then waiting maybe two months for another!!

Q: I've seen visual novels available for my Android and i-Phone. Any plans?
A: There was yes, for Android. However I'd need more time to read up on that. No plans for iOS, I was surprised I could make Spero available for Mac users in the first place!

Q: I use Linux but Spero isn't available for it...
A: I can make a Linux version. It's untested though and I didn't want the users to face any risk. If you have a Linux and would be happy to test it then by all means let me know! Note that I won't be seeking a tester until the new games though.

Q: Will 'Spero: The Forest Dwellers' be any different to its current version?
A: Yes and no. The game will play out virtually the same but I've added some hidden plot devices that I had (for some reason) forgot to originally. It'll be worth playing again, and if you have played it then you'll already know it's a fairly short game.

That's all for today! Thanks as always!

-Yoyoli

Updates (5th February 2013)

Spero: The Ocean Divers - Miles

Final art for Miles done! Yes Spero: The Ocean Divers is back on artistic progress. The game WILL be 1024x768 in terms of dimensions. I don't know how well that will translate on smaller screens (such as netbooks)  but I will test it out. Most likely it'll have to run full screen for those devices.

You can see the art style since my first game has changed a fair bit. The remake of Spero: The Forest Dwellers will be more like this.

A Noble Curse is making steady progress in terms of storyboards.

Hopefully some of you have seen the updated website! I'll try to get the Ocean Divers section made soon (probably end of this month).

Thanks for reading!

-Yoyoli

Updates (20th January 2013)

??? - A Noble Curse

First off a Happy New Year! I know it's 20 days late but I didn't get a chance to make a blogpost on the 5th January.

More work on A Noble Curse over the past few weeks and a few changes to the website (Not uploaded yet though). Above is a mystery man; why a mystery you ask? Because I haven't made a name for him yet! I can tell you, however, his official description is along the lines:

"The youngest hero of Crylite, his magic is powerful enough to engulf a village in flames. Many dark rumours seem to surround this young man and his cold personality doesn't add to his popularity."

Better wording when I've given him a name but that should do for now. He's also still with the Royal Guards but doesn't care much for his position, in fact he's pretty eager to leave for some reason. Will he be a friend or foe?

Now for some other news which may or may not affect Azure Tales. As you know I'm currently a student and I now have the chance to search for a Year in Industry/Year placement. There are 2 possibilities:
A) I find a local placement, in which case Azure Tales will not be affected
B) I find a placement which requires me to relocate. This will affect Azure Tales projects

If the placement is local, I'll be able to work on Azure Tales projects as normal and if not even more than I am now. The most probable situation sadly is B, and this would mean leaving my equipment and software behind. I can still do some basic things but I won't be able to work on any final art/sound development.

B Doesn't mean I'd stop development entirely. There's planning, art concepts and even coding that I can still do; you just wouldn't see a final product until late 2014 at earliest. Thinking about it now that's no different how my pace is currently, but just as an early warning: progress will become incredibly slow over this year and the next.

Thanks for reading as always!

-Yoyoli

Updates (20th December 2012)

A Noble Curse - Roland Stark

Ooh a new character introduction from A Noble Curse! This here is Roland Stark, the head officer of the royal guards and one of the five heroes of Crylite. Our lively trio will encounter him a lot in the manga (though he's not the first of the heroes they meet).

I've been working on A Noble Curse for the past few days. Probably because I bought some manga myself which inspires me again to draw.

Some changes: Our heroes are now called Albert Solaris and Gilbert Solaris (instead of Knight as their surname). Notably my friend pointed out that Gilberts design strongly resembles that of Apollo from Spero: The Forest Dwellers. Not to mention the colour scheme is also red and their hair colour is similar. One will change though XD

This is the last post for the year! From myself here at Azure Tales: I wish you a happy new year and will post up in January!

-Yoyoli

Updates (6th December 2012)

Miyu - Redesign

This blogpost was meant to be yesterday but I had an exam today so I held it off! Sorry about that, but we're finally back on progress! University has pretty much ended for the semester so that gives me some free time (Not a lot sadly since I still have work to do over the break)

Above is Miyu's redesign. She now has a ponytail in her hair rather than loose; it suits her better in my opinion since when she goes hunting her hair would get in the way flying around. I've also added a new pattern on her shirt (it's just sewn on) and there's more I want to add but you'll have to wait! Her face is a lot more mature than I intended though, so I'm still working on this which you can tell by the mistake of the waistcoat length ^_^;

I may redesign the signature sword as well at some point but for now this little teaser will have to do! More pictures coming up as the weeks go by, check out our twitter account! I might post some pictures there.

The script and general code for Spero: The Ocean Divers is done (so it's a visual novel... without the visuals). Hopefully a screenshot of the game in progress next January.

I cannot thank you enough for your patience!

-Yoyoli

Updates (20th October 2012)

First of all: I missed a blog post on the 5th October, sorry about that!

There's not much news to report except Miyu will be the only character to change a fair bit in the remake of Spero: The Forest Dwellers. This is because she looks exactly the same as two other characters I've designed in previous projects ^_^; The only thing that will change is her hairstyle really.

Secondly there won't be ANY blog updates next month. My studies take priority (since without them I'd never have gotten this far!). There's a lot of coursework and tests in the next month. I'll make more progress during the Christmas holidays.

Again thank you all for your patience!

-Yoyoli

Updates (20th September 2012)

(No picture today)

This is more of an announcement post than an update one.

Voice Acting
I'm sad to say that Spero will NOT have any voice acting. I've done some thinking and it takes a fair bit of effort (and not to mention quality) that I can't really 'afford' right now. Not only in a monetary sense but a considerable amount of time as well. The plans for voice acting may arise again someday but not for at least another 2 years.

-For VA's who volunteered originally I give a thank you for offering and a sorry that I had to change plans.

Music
There IS plans for music though. My big problem with Spero was a lack of sound. So I'll be trying to compose something in my free time (Even if it's just atmospheric sounds). I don't intend to release Spero: Ocean Divers until there's music composed for that as well.

-Musicians who would like to consider composing pieces please get in touch via our public email. The pieces you compose MUST be original. Again this is VOLUNTARY, so you would be doing this for FREE.

-There will be a contract made and will require signing. (Details to follow in the next update post)

Remake
Spero: The Forest Dwellers WILL receive a remake. Mostly on the art side and as mentioned above with added music. I also intend to change the download process into one where you install the game rather than save a zip file. The remake will be released around the same time as Spero: The Ocean Divers.

-Once the new version of Spero: The Forest Dwellers is released it is advised you delete the current version. We apologise for the inconvenience and loss of save data (If applicable)

Website
Just an early warning that the website will be undergoing some maintenance over the next month. Also I viewed the website on my brothers laptop and it appears incorrectly on the Projects page. If any of you have had the same issue then I apologise and will have it fixed soon!

Poll
It seems to be an even vote for Miyu, The Boy, Heidi and Wizard. Thanks to the 4 people who voted! Those 4 will be redrawn first as a result~ The next poll will be about purchases. This is an important one for me and your views would be greatly appreciated! Poll will go live tomorrow.

Thanks for reading! I can safely say that both Ocean Divers and A Noble Curse are once again making steady progress! Look forward to some website updates next month!

-Yoyoli

Updates (5th September 2012)

[Spero: The Ocean Divers - Conrad close-up]

Back in the UK! That means it's time to start the digital drawing of Spero: The Ocean Divers! As you can see I had a bit of practice earlier today of Conrad.

A Noble Curse hasn't made any progress since I last posted but Spero: The Ocean Divers script is now complete! So the next few weeks will be coding and drawing.

Now here's the bad news (Well good in a way) I'll be starting university again soon, meaning I won't have as much free time as I did over the summer holidays (I was expecting to start in October but they pushed the start date earlier this year). And I also have no idea how the translations are going for Spero: The Forest Dwellers.

Voice acting I'm still trying to write up some legal documents and stuff so that's still in progress.

On the bright side look forward to some Ocean Divers screenshots in the coming weeks and character art.

-Yoyoli

P.S. The poll is finally working! Vote for your favourite Spero: The Forest Dwellers character now!

Updates (20th August 2012)

No picture today sorry! Forward with the news!

A Noble Curse
I'm changing the process that applies to creating this. I'll be writing out the story first and yes... it takes more time. The reason being is that this method allows me to see the story flow better, rather than a flow chart of what I want to happen. With the changes that I made to the original... I'll need to write out how I want the story to flow.

For trivia: I never finished writing any books that I started when I was younger... but I DID draw out what I had written and more. That's where the method originates from! (And that's where I also found out I would be a terrible writer)

Spero: The Ocean Divers
This is still going as planned. I've not started the code work other than the template for the game (in Ren'Py). Using random images instead of what should be there is difficult and confusing so this will have to wait until I'm in the UK.

Speaking of which: By the next update post I'll be back in the UK! My holiday is ending soon (Well, my time overseas anyway).

As for the poll... again that will have to wait until I'm back in the UK. I'm assuming it's something to do with the browser or my netbook messing up.

That's all for today!

-Yoyoli

Happy 1st anniversary!

Azure Tales' 1st anniversary has come! Wow it really has been a year since I shouted "It'll be Azure Tales!" at the laptop (to my brother over a video call).

It may not seem like we've done much (Having only released a short visual novel) but Azure Tales was built from scratch and has made a lot of progress from being just an ambition in my head. I may still be a one-man team, but I have had plenty of support from my family and friends (and still do!). So a big thanks and cheers to them! If it weren't for you guys, I'd never have had the courage to even think of starting up Azure Tales.

With that I look forward to the future progress of Azure Tales and all my projects. A final thanks to all of YOU as well! Your encouragement and kind words mean a lot and I hope you will continue to enjoy the projects I release.

-Yoyoli

Updates (5th August 2012)

Spero: The Ocean Divers - Louis and Phoebe concept art

A few things to mention and announce today!

First of all A Noble Curse is on hold. I say that, but what I mean is I'm rewriting it again. But not changing the entire thing... it's going to take a while to work out in short.

Spero: The Ocean Divers however is now taking my full attention (As well as a few collaborations I'm working on... more on that another day). The script is pretty much done first draft wise! Louis is a merman soldier and Phoebe plays as a mermaid guide. Can I just add that Louis is the manliest character I've ever drawn (Besides Gil XD)

Voice actors! This post is mostly directed at you. I won't start holding auditions until I'm back in the UK because I can't really edit them here (Cut them line by line for example). There will be a few things you should take into account:

• I have little experience in editing anything vocal wise. So I will have to rely on the original quality of the work you send me. If there's too much background noise or static, I can't use it.
• You will have to sign some kind of Non-Disclosure agreement, as I may need your services again for future works of the same series.
• With that in mind. The work is VOLUNTARY if you don't think you can manage much along with your actual schedule then I advise you not to apply.
• I give deadlines. They're usually flexible though, depending on your circumstances. If you repeatedly break them, I will find someone else.
• You can use a pen-name (But I do recommend you leave me your real name for various reasons including dealing with people who claim to be you)

There's a lot more but that's the basics. I'm not overly fussy on quality since this is voluntary but think about if you play a game and all of a sudden you hear static when one character talks. It's not very good XD

Also we'll be running polls on the blog! Some for fun and some are genuinely for feedback. This time it's for fun. Who is your favourite character in Spero: The Forest Dwellers? I'll draw a picture of the winner (and runners up) for the update after next ;3 You can find the poll at the top right of the blog.

That's all for today!

Yoyoli

[Edit] The poll isn't letting me add more than 4 answers for some reason so please wait until another day!