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July

Arcadian Atlas - Gameplay

by Hiddenx, Saturday - July 29, 2023 08:22

Wanderbots checked out Arcadian Atlas:

Art Noveau Tactical RPG! - Arcadian Atlas

Arcadian Atlas - Reviews

by Hiddenx, Friday - July 28, 2023 06:37

Couchpotato spotted two reviews for Arcadian Atlas on RPGFan and RPG Site:

RPGFan: 

A fulfilling RPG experience that doesn’t require a 50+ hour time commitment is always welcome for those of us with busy schedules. The 13 or so hours I spent on a single playthrough Arcadian Atlas was time wonderfully spent. With its expressive sprites, fun gameplay, robust writing, and jazzy music, it is clear that Arcadian Atlas was crafted with lots of heart and is definitely worth a look.

Score: 81/100

RPG Site:

Aside from several gameplay design decisions that irked me and a mediocre story didn’t do anything for me, my time with Arcadian Atlas was pleasant and admittedly insignificant. I don’t have any strong feelings for what I played. It took me roughly 12 hours to finish with all the sidequests done. The music had a nice jazz-infused flavor that made it more memorable than I expected. If you’re looking for a new strategy RPG and are willing to give a new independent studio’s first shot a genuine chance, this one is alright.

Score: 5/10

 

Arcadian Atlas - Released

by Hiddenx, Friday - July 28, 2023 06:30

The tactical J-RPG Arcadian Atlas has been released:

Arcadian Atlas

Description:
Arcadian Atlas is a 2D isometric tactical RPG set in the richly detailed pixel art world of Arcadia. Watch your footing & mind the elevations as you traverse the maps -- A turned back or tumble on the battlefield could cost you a friend’s life. Let the moody jazz soundtrack carry you through a thought provoking & ruthless story of love, deceit, murder, companionship & war. Meant to be a modern go at the Tactics Ogre / Final Fantasy Tactics game style, Arcadian Atlas was designed from the ground up to incorporate more challenging battle strategies, new & balanced job classes, and darker subject matter for a more mature audience.
 
Featuring innovative job classes, character driven narratives that leave you invested & intrigued, strategic grid-based battles and a jazz infused soundtrack, Arcadian Atlas is a lushly handcrafted 2D isometric tactical RPG that takes the rich history of the genre and makes it modern.

History:
Twin Otter Studios is an independent game developer started in 2015 by siblings Taylor & Becca Bair. After ranking in various game jams, creating their 5 hour indie RPG "Genesis" together & working professionally in the gaming industry as a writer & freelance artist (respectively), the brother/sister duo decided to make their work official with an LLC & logo.

Our goal is to craft lovingly handmade games with a fusion of modern elements & classic aesthetics that we ourselves would want to play. We have brought together some of the freshest & most innovative talent in the industry to bring you unforgettable gaming experiences.

Features:

  • Hand-painted character art & a pixel perfect world designed by artist Becca Bair (Vidar, Dreamblazers). A labor of love!
  • Detailed battle system provides limitless strategy & challenges.
  • Epic storyline and 3-dimensional characters fleshed out by writer Taylor Bair (Business of Indie, Planet Destiny) will leave you intrigued & attached. 
  • Grid-based tactics play style hits all the right nostalgia chords
  • Retro-style sound effects & modern, chilled out jazz tunes by Moritz P.G. Katz (Fort Meow, German
  • Wahnsinn) bridge the gap between yesterday & today.
  • Innovative job classes with zero filler skills will keep you chasing that AP.
  • Marries tried & tested classic tactical RPG gameplay with new customizations & exciting mechanics that help innovate the genre.

Arcadian Atlas - Interview @ Game Rant

by Hiddenx, Tuesday - July 25, 2023 16:08

Game Rant interviewed an Arcadian Atlas developer:

Interview: How Arcadian Atlas Charts Its Own Course in the TRPG Renaissance

One Arcadian Atlas dev talks to Game Rant about the resurgence of tactical RPGs, inspiration from genre classics, and how the new TRPG stands out.

With recent releases like Diofield Chronicles and Persona 5 Tactica on the horizon, tactical RPGs are in the middle of a new golden era. One of the games making up this modern trend is the upcoming Arcadian Atlas from developer Twin Otter and publisher Serenity Forge.

Arcadian Atlas follows two lovers in an era of political intrigue, civil war, and powerful magical artifacts. The familiar notes from genre-defining games are where Twin Otter’s owner, Taylor Bair, found the inspiration and grounding of this new game. Though, as he told Game Rant in an interview, Arcadian Atlas charts its own path. The following transcript has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Q: TRPGs are enjoying something of a renaissance lately. What do you think is driving that?

A: The resurgence often seems to correspond with age–those of us who grew up playing some of the classics of the genre like Tactics Ogre and Final Fantasy Tactics are now adults, seeking out a creative way to express ourselves. So you see those influences start to seep in as those who were once players are now developers and have the chance to pay homage while crafting something new and adding their own special mark on a genre they fell in love with.

Q: What inspired Arcadian Atlas?

A: While the inspirations are too numerous to list here, much of them hearken back to the SNES and PS1 era when pixel art really came into its golden age, not just in the absolute sprawling beauty of still images and seamless tilemaps in games like Secret of Mana, but in animation work expressing itself so potently in Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI. These worlds were limited by the hardware at the time, but those constraints gave birth to revolutionary techniques with light, movement, and character emotion. Our love for those characters inhabiting those worlds really drove our passion for Arcadian Atlas–and we think that comes through in the animation work, the gorgeously rendered battlefields, and the rich story.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Arcadian Atlas - Interview

by Hiddenx, Thursday - July 13, 2023 17:48

Hey Poor Player interviewed Twin Otter Studios about their upcoming J-RPG Arcadian Atlas:

Get to know a little bit more about Arcadian Atlas—and the people behind it!

2D isometric SRPGs are an absolute treasure if you ask me. There’s something about games like Final Fantasy Tactics, Tactics Ogre, and the like that—between their engaging combat, endearing stories, and charming artwork—have always held a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, they’re also part of a bygone era… or so I had thought! Despite not being the most popular thing around anymore (were they ever, though?) the world of old-school SPRGs is very much alive and well—with the upcoming Arcadian Atlas being the most recent example (and a very exciting-looking one to boot!).

Maybe you’re wondering just what, exactly, Arcadian Atlas is about, though? Or perhaps you’d like to know a bit more about the development process? Well, you’re in luck, because we here at Hey Poor Player recently got to sit down and pick the brain of Taylor Blair—one half of the brother-sister duo sitting at the helm of the development studio behind Arcadian Atlas, Twin Otter Studios!

Hey Poor Player: To begin, could you briefly give us a synopsis of Arcadian Atlas in terms of both story and gameplay?

Twin Otter Studios: Arcadian Atlas is a tactical RPG in the spirit of Final Fantasy Tactics, Tactics Ogre, and more modern interpretations of the genre like XCOM and Fire Emblem. We wanted to craft interesting and powerful classes that have different strategic usage in our gorgeous isometric battle maps – using some of our favorite skill tree features from games like Ragnarok Online and Diablo II to make each class further differentiated through wild and powerful abilities.

On the story front, the land of Arcadia is embroiled in civil war when the eldest surviving heir to the throne, Lucretia Belneive, is declared illegitimate by her stepmother, Queen Venezia. Lucretia raises the peasantry – the destitute and downtrodden – to resist and reclaim her throne. The ensuing war, driven by these two cold, calculating tacticians, forces the entire continent to choose sides, including our heroes: Vashti Dahlman and Desmond Rhines. But as the world around them burns, our characters find the bonds of love and family fray and snap. Arcadian Atlas is the story of that burning – and of what can be saved from the ashes.

HPP: Based upon what we can see in the Release Date Reveal Trailer, Arcadian Atlas seems to have PS1-era retro-ness about it. Was that done on purpose? If so, were there any games in particular that you would say helped to inspire you during this game’s development process?

TOS: The retro-quality of Arcadian Atlas existed from the very beginning and was born from our love of the SNES/PS1 era. Growing up in the ‘90s, we lived during the golden age of pixel art, when Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy VI, and Chrono Trigger pushed the artistry of these tiny pixels to their most endearing. We fell in love with these 16-bit characters. We felt their pain and rejoiced in their triumphs, even though they were just a collection of dots. Because we saw ourselves in them. We wanted to bring that depth of visual storytelling to Arcadian Atlas, and the retro style let us do that as a small team.

[...]

 

June

Arcadian Atlas - Release Date: July 27

by Hiddenx, Thursday - June 29, 2023 15:33

The tactical RPG Arcadian Atlas will be released on July 27:

Arcadian Atlas - Release Date Reveal Trailer

Arcadian Atlas is a Tactical RPG about the choices people make in pursuit of power, love, and the havoc it wreaks on a kingdom.
Play as two lovers brought together by war, torn between the queen they’ve sworn fealty to and the charismatic illegitimate daughter who’s risen up to take back a throne denied her. As the war wages on, and powers more ancient than the soil resurface, watch the world burn or stand your ground and fight for the Arcadia you believe in.

Thanks Couchpotato!

Arcadian Atlas - New Trailer

by Hiddenx, Friday - June 17, 2022 18:06

A new gameplay trailer for the tactical RPG Arcadian Atlas has been released:

Arcadian Atlas - Gameplay Trailer

Who will survive the crucible of what is to come? The world of Arcadia is war-torn, crawling with dark and ancient forces. Execute battles against your enemies with tactical precision, build a powerful army, and customize your troops' classes and skills to best fit your playstyle. 

Battle foes on a wide variety of grid-based maps including ancient ruins, abandoned lighthouses, seaside villages, desert hideouts, snow-capped mountains, verdant forests, and thriving kingdoms. 

War has begun. To save Arcadia will require perfect strategy, the latest gear, and friends at your side. The time to gather your perfect team is now. The Atlas is about to awaken.

 

March

Arcadian Atlas - March Update

by Hiddenx, Wednesday - March 30, 2022 18:06

Learn more about the Sorcerer class in Arcadian Atlas:

Arcadian Updates, March 2022

Hey there, folks! Welcome to Arcadian Updates, where we share super cool updates for Arcadian Atlas that the Twin Otter team are working on, including new maps, classes, mechanics, and much more! We'll have more to share as time goes on, so follow along and check it out!

Sub-Class Spotlight: The Sorcerer

Today, we're sharing a very first look into one of the sub-classes of Arcadian Atlas: The Sorcerer
! Expect the unexpected. To be the ruler of true chaos.

The Sorcerer
is an agent of chaos, taking the practice of magic to dangerous extremes and reveling in the frontlines of war and all the unpredictability that entails. Those specialized in the Wild Magic
branch care nothing for their own safety, pulsing with energy so unhinged it withers their foes while risking their own lives. A Sorcerer trained in the Touch of Death
branch enjoys seeing the life drain from their enemies up-close, laying on hands infused with such concussive magic it obliterates them and leaves those alive utterly debilitated.

This class is perfect for players who like to dabble in chaos. Their ability to touch death and handle wild magic makes them a great choice for those who like to get up close and personal with their foes, or channel their magic from a further distance.

[...]

September

Arcadian Atlas - September Update

by Silver, Saturday - September 25, 2021 11:29

The September update for Arcadian Atlas talks about some sub-classes, new maps, and demo feedback.

Hey there, folks! Welcome to Arcadian Updates, where we share super cool updates to Arcadian Atlas the Twin Otter team are working on, including new maps, classes, mechanics, and more! We'll have more to share as time goes on, so follow along and check it out!

Indie Arena Booth Demo & Feedback

loading...

ICYMI: We were part of the Indie Arena Booth Steam event last month! There, we were able to share the Arcadian Atlas demo to players everywhere for the very first time, as well as a brand new trailer! We were really excited to see literally thousands of you play the demo and show off your tactical skills (while using Poncho, right? RIGHT????) as you squared up against some challenging encounters to overcome!

Your feedback has been incredibly helpful in figuring out design decisions the team is working on and considering, including class balancing, battle pacing, overall difficulty, control schemes, and more! We'll be working to implement some of the feedback we've received as we continue working on the game.

Sub-Class Spotlight: Reaver

Today, we're sharing a very first look into one of the sub-classes of Arcadian Atlas: The Reaver! Watch the shadows, because the shadows are watching you.

Reavers are known for their sudden and relentless strikes on their enemies, unleashing an unexpected onslaught before stealthily slipping away into a hidden state. Those that follow the path of the Dagger Arts are capable of delivering a flurry of blows using short blades, with each attack inflicting various status effects that cripple their enemies while Hired Assassins favor precision strikes, dealing massive amounts of damage in one fell swoop and even bending the shadows to serve them.

For fans of the sneaky-stabby methods, Reavers will be your bread and butter. Their high mobility make them the ideal class for closing distances, locking down a specific target to ensure they go down quickly while being able to evade any retaliation. They're not meant to stick around for a stand-up fight, so apply a lot of damage and effects, then get out fast!

Map sneak peek

More beautiful, luscious environments? Is that even possible? (Yes, yes it is.)

This month, we're showing off the Stronghold Outskirts! A seldom-used fortification, the area has fallen into disrepair and dereliction. As nature begins to overtake the ruined stone edifices, what new conflicts will arise on this once-dormant pathway? Where will this path lead, and most importantly, how will you pave the way forward?

Arcadia is a land full of conflict, and that conflict is born from a whole host of ambitions and personal desires. We're excited to continue showing off more as we go along, so stick around and find out just how you can build your party to survive the coming conflict! We'll see you next month!

[...]

April

Arcadian Atlas - Has a Publisher

by Silver, Wednesday - April 14, 2021 22:22

Arcadian Atlas has secured a publisher. Additionally a comment from the developer on the Kickstarter page suggests that the game maybe getting close to beta. You might want to check out the latest Kickstarter update from February to see some videos and general progress so far.

Becca BairCreator

Alrighty beta backers, we're about 1 month, give or take some change (might have feedback from the publisher next milestone turn-in we want to address) before we send yall your keys! Again, if you have not received your survey and you are in one of the $40+ pledge tiers, you should have received a Kickstarter survey from me. If you did not receive this survey, please shoot me a message here on Kickstarter and I'll get back to you ASAP!

[...]

What's Shakin'?

It's been an absolutely INSANE sprint of keeping our faces to our monitors, knocking out milestone after milestone with the publisher. We're on a very tight timeline, but I'm super pleased to say we are actually slightly AHEAD of schedule at the moment. Because of this, we are excited to share with y'all that we are jumping a bit forward in our milestones & starting the storyboarding for a new trailer!! It has been ages since we put out a video and we're pumped to show ya all the cool stuff we've been working on. 

     The trailer is going to be huge for us -- pitching to various consoles and major game events! The pitch is also a big time for us because it means it's almost time to reveal who we are working with (*cough* not Epic *cough*) via a big ol' announcement! So lot's of cool stuff coming down the pipeline there.

[...]

November

Arcadian Atlas - Development Update

by Hiddenx, Tuesday - November 01, 2016 08:50

Here's a development update for Arcadian Atlas:

Skill Development, UI Goodness, and More!

The past two months have seen a lot of the programming groundwork being laid for menus, mapping, and systems so everything works cohesively across the game. And while there's still lots to go, we've got some great screenshots to show off of the menus, UI, and some fun class skills information for you. So without further ado, here we go!

Menus Galore

Becca and Patrick have been hard at work getting art assets and programming logic all linked up for the various systems. While a lot of these will still see considerable changes over development as art assets are completed, we've got a sneak peak at the various menus in-game.

(Note: these are still in alpha, so fonts, layouts, etc are all subject to change - and likely to change :D)

[...]

Skill Development

As finishing touches on the mapping system are implemented, we'll begin focuses on cutscene development and the battle system - which means skill implementation is just around the corner! In light of this, Taylor and Becca have been planning unique skills for all the core classes. Each class currently has two skill trees including support, attack, passive, movement, and reaction skills. For a preview of total skills currently pre-planned for each class, see the graphic below.

Our goal is to have enough skills and skill points amongst them to make it impossible to get even half of the available skills before advanced classes open up - meaning lots of possibility for customization of classes. Have three different Rangers in your party? Make them all unique with their own specific play style and complementary skills.

Skill types include PASSIVE SKILLS like the Cavalier's One Handed Sword Training:

1 Handed Training - (3 skill lvls) - 10% increase to ATK per lvl while using 1 Handed weapons.

We're also excited about some ACTIVE SKILLS with special MODIFIER skills you can add, like these two with the Apothecary class:

Acid Flask - (1 skill lvl) - throw flask of acid, causing damage from a distance.

Corrosive Research (ACID FLASK MODIFIER) (2 skill lvls) - modifies Acid Flask to also burn enemy armor 15% (30% at lvl 2) of the time, giving Corrosion Status Effect. REQUIRES ACID FLASK.

And of course, we have MOVE SKILLS, SUPPORT SKILLS, and REACTION SKILLS you can equip to further customize how your classes work in battle. We'll reveal more on these as we begin to implement them into the battle system.

Coming Soon

And as with any large jump to a new system like Unity, we've hit a few programming and logistical snags, but the mapping system is nearing completion after finding ways to get large obstructions like buildings to play nicely, and we'll then turn our focus to cutscenes and skill implementation in the battle system next.

Moritz is also hard at work on some menu and map music to complement the work Patrick is completing on the menu systems. Check out his Twitter for some samples to wet your appetites!

We'll see you all soon, and if you pick up Skyrim for another 1000 hours of Viking Dragon goodness, please remember to treat yourselves to a little sunshine!

May

Arcadian Atlas - Reflects RPG Maker Progress

by Silver, Saturday - May 21, 2016 00:18

Arcadian Atlas is the type of game we need more of on PC according to PC Gamer. Its development reflects the rise of RPG Maker as a serious tool for development.

"I would say the current version is leaps and bounds ahead, and much cooler, than the old versions," Bair said. "The old versions were fun in that you could make a classic RPG-style game, but they weren't open-ended enough to where you could necessarily change the core mechanics of the game. Now with MV you can do Javascripting, so you can pretty much customize the game to whatever you want it to be, which is what allows us to do the tactical battle engine and the isometric X, Y and Z plane mapping that we have."

sprite sheet by becca bair

A work-in-progress sprite sheet tweeted by Becca Bair.

Bair draws and paints in Photoshop and does sprite animation in Pyxel, a young, still-in-development tool built for pixel art. "It can export directly into a sprite sheet or as an animated gif," Bair said. For the sprite sheet it will just do a frame-by-frame breakdown and you can import that directly into RPG Maker. I like that program specifically for spriting. Their animation features really lend themselves to that, and the layers that they offer. Photoshop is better for color and contrast tweaking and the finishing touches for sprite work."

Arcadian Atlas's programmer has already built an engine for creating the isometric battle maps they'll use in the game, which Bair pointed to as a possible avenue for future mod support. It's already user-friendly enough to allow for designing maps without the need for complex programming.

Even well-received RPG Maker games like To the Moon and Skyborn ultimately look very much like the top-down 2D Super Nintendo games that inspired them. Arcadian Atlas may draw just as heavily from isometric games like Tactics Ogre, but if it's a success, it'll show how far RPG Maker has come as a game development tool.

Arcadian Atlas - Last Kickstarter Day

by Hiddenx, Sunday - May 08, 2016 08:08

Arcadian Atlas is doing well on Kickstarter, but still needs $18.000 to reach the $90.000 goal:

Let's Fund This Thing!

We've got less than 48 hours left in the campaign, so let's make this happen! Get the word out, and let's push hard before 12PM CST on Monday to get Arcadian Atlas fully funded!

 

April

Arcadian Atlas - Kickstarter News

by Hiddenx, Saturday - April 30, 2016 09:06

Arcadian Atlas is 55% funded with 8 days to go:

55% Funded and New Press!

We're at 55% funding, and we've got some great new press to share and some other projects up on Kickstarter we're excited for on this Friday.

Oh, and did we mention we're just one achievement away from some video bloopers? Let the good times roll!

The Heart Behind Arcadian Atlas

Want to know what motivates us as we work on Arcadian Atlas? We gave a candid interview to Cliqist.com and Felix Wong did a gorgeous write up about the project and our family ties that inform so much of the game. [...]

Arcadian Atlas - Music Update

by Hiddenx, Sunday - April 17, 2016 08:39

The music of Arcadian Atlas is made in Germany:

Music Update From Germany! & Steam Greenlight

Almost 45% funded, and we've got a special musician update from our very own Moritz P.G. Katz today! That's new music, a special look at the studio, and an update about some of the things he's got cooking up for us.

New Song and Studio Tour

Moritz comes all the way from German Wahnsinn Studio in Hamburg, Germany with a special look at the studio and a recording session this week:

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[...]

RPGWatch Feature - Arcadian Atlas Interview

by Myrthos, Thursday - April 14, 2016 14:22

Aubrielle talked with Becca and Taylor Bair, the producers of the upcoming tactical RPG Arcadian Atlas, which is currently on Kickstarter and could still use more funds to reach their goal of $90K. Aubrielle also shares her personal views on what was mentioned.

Aubrielle: "What is your vision for AA?  What would you like it to accomplish?"

Taylor: "Becca and I grew up kids of the 90s with our LEGO adventures, SNES classics like Mario RPG and Chrono Trigger, and old PC computers with game creation engines. So [now] we are building a microcosm of what we loved as children – a game inspired by the classics but with a fresh twist.  We have always had eclectic passions, and Arcadian Atlas is blend of those things with it’s trip-hoppy beats, meticulously pixelated maps, and complex battle classes.  So our vision is ultimately to create something that takes the classics of the tactical RPG genre and infuses a freshness to them."

Freshness, yes, but AA doesn't reinvent the wheel.  Twin Otter's aim has always been to create a tight, neatly-packaged experience where your class matters, and how you choose to progress through that class matters even more.  "Nothing is wasted" when it comes to leveling up; everything has a purpose.  Pointless skill trees are an absolute no.  Weapon mastery skills are the key to this formula.  "Want your Ranger to master the wider range and faster movement skills of a bow, or the sheer power and crippling attacks from a crossbow? Choose based on your style and watch as new branches open with more powerful and unique abilities to compliment that style," Taylor says.

Arcadian Atlas - Kickstarter Update #5

by Hiddenx, Tuesday - April 12, 2016 20:04

Arcadian Atlas is 35% funded now and has some new digital tiers:

Almost 35%, New Digital Rewards, and Fan Art!

Week one is down, and we're already almost 35% funded! That's absolutely incredible, and we've got some great announcements to celebrate!

New Digital Reward Tiers

You've spoken, so we listened! Those of you that want digital only rewards are in for a treat, because we've added two:

  • 40 $
    Early Beta Access
    Get early access to the game for beta testing to feed back bugs and help us with balance testing!
    Includes Digital Soundtrack & Making-Of Video tier
  • 50 $
    All Digital Tier! (Digital Art-Book & Manual)
    For those who want to go digital-only, this tier includes a pdf version of the art book and the digital instruction manual!
    Includes all of Early Beta Access tier

And the best news?! Everyone who has backed for $40 or more will now get access to an early beta of Arcadian Atlas to help with bug testing and skill balance! That's right, EVERYONE who backs for $40 or more gets that tier!

And for those that just want digital rewards, we've created the limited run of the digital art book and digital manual. This tier is not included in any of those following, but don't worry if you still want something here, as we have a surprise waiting down the road!

[...]

Arcadian Atlas - Good Start

by Hiddenx, Saturday - April 09, 2016 00:47

The Kickstarter campaign for Arcadian Atlas is running well. Over 20% is already funded:

20% Funded & Stretch Goals Unlocked!

We reached 20% funding last night, and we couldn't be happier!

Stretch Goal Unlock!

Oh wait, but we COULD be! Because you all unlocked a sneak peek at 2 of our stretch goals through the achievements! And we heard your feedback and made some of these achievements more attainable, because not going to lie, I want that Dark Vashti costume pretty bad.

[...]

Arcadian Atlas - live on Kickstarter

by Hiddenx, Tuesday - April 05, 2016 18:55

The Kickstarter campaign for Arcadian Atlas has started well:

Arcadian Atlas Kickstarter Promo

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Perfectly pixeled isometric SRPG featuring dynamic job classes, character driven plot, strategic grid battles & an eclectic jazz OST.

Arcadian Atlas - Interview @ Indiehangover

by Hiddenx, Monday - April 04, 2016 21:34

Indiehangover has interviewed the siblings Becca and Taylor Bair - the devs of Arcadian Atlas. The Kickstarter for this game starts tomorrow:

Arcadian Atlas appeared on my radar in early February when their first trailer dropped. Besides the fantastic, nostalgic art style and the intriguing hints we’ve seen of narrative, one of the things which initially attracted my attention is the fact that Twin Otter is made up of siblings Becca and Taylor Bair.  The idea of family working together on an indie development passion project like Arcadian Atlas brought a smile to my face and prompted me to reach out, ask about both siblings history in game development and how they came to work together on Arcadian Atlas:

Q – Introduce yourselves! Tell us a bit about your background as indie developers separately.

I’m Taylor, the one hunched over a keyboard or agonizing over a plot detail. As game developers, it’s difficult to separate our backgrounds, as we started developing together as children. We played games growing up, and it naturally progressed to making games, primarily with RPG creation engines as kids. Eventually I was drawn to the writing side of things, working on story development and doing journalism pieces for different game publications.

I’m Becca, the one behind the art direction for the game. Originally in charge of the art side of things on our game projects as kids, I moved away from game development and pixel art for a few years to pursue other interests and eventually came back to it in the form of freelancing in my mid 20’s. I’ve been freelancing for several years now and while it is satisfying, the urge to pour myself completely into one passion project has always prevailed.

[...]

 

Arcadian Atlas - Kickstarter begins April 5

by Hiddenx, Sunday - April 03, 2016 00:00

Arcadian Atlas, the tactical RPG in the best traditions of Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre, launches its Kickstarter on April 5.  The sister-and-brother team have been working really hard to produce a quality RPG, and they're about to ask RPG fans for help:

Arcadian Atlas is a 2D isometric tactical RPG set in the richly detailed pixel art world of Arcadia. Watch your footing & mind the elevations as you traverse the maps - A turned back or tumble on the battlefield could cost you a friend’s life. Let the moody jazz soundtrack carry you through a thought provoking & ruthless story of love, deceit, murder, companionship & war. Meant to be a modern go at the Tactics Ogre / Final Fantasy Tactics game style, Arcadian Atlas was designed from the ground up to incorporate more challenging battle strategies, new & balanced job classes, and darker subject matter for a more mature audience.

Featuring innovative job classes, character driven narratives that leave you invested & intrigued, strategic grid-based battles and a jazz infused soundtrack, Arcadian Atlas is a lushly handcrafted 2D isometric tactical RPG that takes the rich history of the genre and makes it modern.

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November

Arcadian Atlas - New isometric tactical RPG in the making

by Hiddenx, Thursday - November 19, 2015 20:02

Twin Otter Studios is working on a new isometric tactical RPG: Arcadian Atlas

Description:

Arcadian Atlas is a 2D isometric tactical RPG set in the richly detailed pixel art world of Arcadia. Watch your footing & mind the elevations as you traverse the maps -- A turned back or tumble on the battlefield could cost you a friend's life. Let the moody jazz soundtrack carry you through a thought provoking & ruthless story of love, deceit, murder, companionship & war. Meant to be a modern go at the Tactics Ogre / Final Fantasy Tactics game style, Arcadian Atlas was designed from the ground up to incorporate more challenging battle strategies, new & balanced job classes, and darker subject matter for a more mature audience.
Featuring innovative job classes, character driven narratives that leave you invested & intrigued, strategic grid-based battles and a jazz infused soundtrack, Arcadian Atlas is a lushly handcrafted 2D isometric tactical RPG that takes the rich history of the genre and makes it modern.

History:

Twin Otter Studios is an independent game developer started in 2015 by siblings Taylor & Becca Bair. After ranking in various game jams, creating their 5 hour indie RPG "Genesis" together & working professionally in the gaming industry as a writer & freelance artist (respectively), the brother/sister duo decided to make their work official with an LLC & logo.
Our goal is to craft lovingly handmade games with a fusion of modern elements & classic aesthetics that we ourselves would want to play. We have brought together some of the freshest & most innovative talent in the industry to bring you unforgettable gaming experiences.

Features:

  • Hand-painted character art & a pixel perfect world designed by artist Becca Bair (Vidar, Dreamblazers). A labor of love!
  • Detailed battle system provides limitless strategy & challenges.
  • Epic storyline and 3-dimensional characters fleshed out by writer Taylor Bair (Business of Indie, Planet Destiny) will leave you intrigued & attached. 
  • Grid-based tactics play style hits all the right nostalgia chords
  • Retro-style sound effects & modern, chilled out jazz tunes by Moritz P.G. Katz (Fort Meow, German Wahnsinn) bridge the gap between yesterday & today.
  • Innovative job classes with zero filler skills will keep you chasing that AP.
  • Marries tried & tested classic tactical RPG gameplay with new customizations & exciting mechanics that help innovate the genre.

Story:

In the world of Arcadian Atlas, nothing is more brutal than love. And when a kingdom is at stake, love will rip itself to shreds. Now two people are finding themselves engulfed in a civil war they never wanted, and when sides must be chosen, will they find themselves still standing together - or will love leave anything standing at all?

Information about

Arcadian Atlas

Developer: Twin Otter Studios

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Strategy-RPG
Combat: Turn-based
Play-time: Unknown
Voice-acting: Unknown

Regions & platforms
Internet
· Homepage
· Platform: PC
· Released: 2023-07-27
· Publisher: Twin Otter Studios