{"id":74192,"date":"2026-10-23T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/?p=74192"},"modified":"2026-10-23T19:26:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T10:26:44","slug":"yume-nikki-creator-kikiyama-created-all-of-the-games-pixel-art-and-music-solo-drawing-inspiration-from-their-actual-dream-diary-according-to-rpg-maker-producer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/news\/yume-nikki-creator-kikiyama-created-all-of-the-games-pixel-art-and-music-solo-drawing-inspiration-from-their-actual-dream-diary-according-to-rpg-maker-producer\/","title":{"rendered":"Yume Nikki creator Kikiyama created all of the game\u2019s pixel art and music solo, drawing inspiration from their actual dream diary, according to RPG Maker producer\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This year, Japanese developer Gotcha Gotcha Game unveiled<\/a> RPG Maker U2U<\/strong>, 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.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, AUTOMATON had the opportunity to talk<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When asked about some of the RPG Maker titles that left the biggest impression on him, Ichinose cited 2004\u2019s Yume Nikki, created by Kikiyama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s personal website, and ended up gaining a cult following both domestically and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany 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,\u201d Ichinose said.  What he particularly praised Kikiyama for was that they didn\u2019t create Yume Nikki as a commercial product, but rather as a means of self-expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While little is known about the game\u2019s mysterious creator, Ichinose apparently had the opportunity to actually meet Kikiyama in person and speak to them. \u201cKikiyama told me that Yume Nikki was based on an actual dream they had. Turns out they really do keep a dream journal,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI 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\u2019t appear in the main game. That\u2019s what made me realize that they actually keep a dream journal. I was blown away,\u201d Ichinose added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe RPG Maker series boast many other titles, including overseas games like To the Moon, but I\u2019m really grateful to everyone who uses RPG Maker for \u201cexpression\u201d separate from commercial purposes.\u201d As hinted by Ichinose, the new RPG Maker series entry will also cherish that sensibility of being able to \u201cimmediately pour your feelings and ideas into games.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yume Nikki inspired dark fantasy exploration adventure Alice in Wonder Underland \u2013 AIWU \u2013 launches today on Switch and Steam<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japanese indie creator\u2019s \u201ccute but mind-eroding\u201d horror adventure Nightmare Journey 1135 challenges you to escape an endless twisted dream<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

RPG Maker producer Hiroyuki Ichinose talks about his encounter with Yume Nikki’s mysterious creator Kikiyama. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":79,"featured_media":74195,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","autoblue_enabled":true,"autoblue_custom_message":"","autoblue_shares":[{"did":"did:plc:uzrrhkfyjrfdsynj2voztcf2","date":"2026-10-23T13:00:11+00:00","uri":"at:\/\/did:plc:uzrrhkfyjrfdsynj2voztcf2\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3mykabqpseh2z","response":"{\"uri\":\"at:\/\/did:plc:uzrrhkfyjrfdsynj2voztcf2\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3mykabqpseh2z\",\"cid\":\"bafyreigrugwkouwvbh7dqm5uy6cjvugcwlplguufwh5u6cfphxbrsb63hm\",\"commit\":{\"cid\":\"bafyreihgs4y7zyusrlq56sjfb5rluvtk5czntolsklpkt5uvm4pgybh4ii\",\"rev\":\"3mykabqpy7x2z\"},\"validationStatus\":\"valid\"}"}],"autoblue_post_url":"","autoblue_publish_document":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,10,3],"tags":[39,17],"class_list":["post-74192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-indie-games","category-interviews","category-news","tag-indie-games","tag-japan-related-news"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"yoast_head":"\nYume Nikki creator Kikiyama created all of the game\u2019s pixel art and music solo, drawing inspiration from their actual dream diary, according to RPG Maker producer\u00a0 - 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