Yume Nikki creator Kikiyama created all of the game’s pixel art and music solo, drawing inspiration from their actual dream diary, according to RPG Maker producer
RPG Maker producer Hiroyuki Ichinose talks about his encounter with Yume Nikki's mysterious creator Kikiyama.
This year, Japanese developer Gotcha Gotcha Game unveiled RPG Maker U2U, their new Unity-based game making tool in the long-running RPG Maker series. The distinct new feature of the program is that, unlike previous entries in the series, it supports HD-2D-style graphics, popularized by works like DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake and Octopath Traveler.
Recently, AUTOMATON had the opportunity to talk to multiple creators of no-code game making tools, including Hiroyuki Ichinose, long time developer of the RPG Maker series, and the current producer of RPG Maker U2U.
When asked about some of the RPG Maker titles that left the biggest impression on him, Ichinose cited 2004’s Yume Nikki, created by Kikiyama.
Yume Nikki is an exploration game following protagonist Madotsuki, who ventures into the surrealist landscapes of her dreams. The game is renowned for its compelling worldview, as well as having no explicit plot, linear storyline, or combat. Developed in RPG Maker 2003, it was first distributed as freeware on Kikiyama’s personal website, and ended up gaining a cult following both domestically and internationally.
“Many RPG Maker users are driven by the desire to express their inner selves and weave their own stories, but Kikiyama, the creator of Yume Nikki, spent years working on the game, and created everything from the pixel art to the music by themselves,” Ichinose said. What he particularly praised Kikiyama for was that they didn’t create Yume Nikki as a commercial product, but rather as a means of self-expression.
While little is known about the game’s mysterious creator, Ichinose apparently had the opportunity to actually meet Kikiyama in person and speak to them. “Kikiyama told me that Yume Nikki was based on an actual dream they had. Turns out they really do keep a dream journal,” he explained.
“I had the opportunity to work on the Yume Nikki remake for the Nintendo Switch, which is when I was shown sketches of monsters that didn’t appear in the main game. That’s what made me realize that they actually keep a dream journal. I was blown away,” Ichinose added.
“The RPG Maker series boast many other titles, including overseas games like To the Moon, but I’m really grateful to everyone who uses RPG Maker for “expression” separate from commercial purposes.” As hinted by Ichinose, the new RPG Maker series entry will also cherish that sensibility of being able to “immediately pour your feelings and ideas into games.”
Related:
Đorđe P
Articles: 511Related Posts
