rainspicestudios

[rainspicestudios]

Happy 2025! [RainSpice Studios plans & updates for the new year]

Hey everyone! Happy 2025 from RainSpice Studios. I hope this year will be kind to everyone and that many good things will be coming your way.

And speaking of good things, I'm cooking some projects that are just itching to be released and available for download. But before we get into that, let us talk a little about the games that were released in 2024.

This won't be a lengthy recap of 2024, as the games speak for themselves, but I am still proud of myself for releasing a full game, a chapter one, and a demo, during a very stressful year both in terms of world events and my personal life (I graduated college, I'm moving, all of that good stuff).

Stardust★Arcadis was my first ever release, and a game I struggled to finish. I lost all of my progress because of PC issues, I rewrote the story a few times, and I released it after working on it since 2019 (2022 if the moment when my PC broke doesn't count). However I love the characters, I love the setting, and despite the many hardships of game development, I had a fun time working on it.

I'm planning to release more games in this universe in the future, including a remastered version of St★Ar.

The Code of Crystals started as a novel collaboration with my best friend. Said collaboration never got finished, and I had a lot of inspiration for stories I could tell with these characters, most of these darker than the original project. Thus I used the characters I made for this former collaboration and started crafting this narrative, and the release of Stardust★Arcadis AND the 2024 edition of Phantasia Jam was a perfect opportunity to get started!

Chapter one will be re-release this January and Chapter two will be released in either late 2025 or early 2026. Stay tuned for more info!

Enter the Eternity, oddly enough, also started as a collaboration, but the idea of a dating simulator with magical girls was too good to let it collect dust and never get finished, especially since its inspiration board kept drawing me in.

With my best friend's blessing, I could re-use the idea, so I created a new cast of characters and got to work, and had to do even more work after I found out that the backgrounds I bought from someone on itch.io were made with an AI image generator, which disgusted me so much it powered me to redraw every single background by hand and I will keep doing so for the entire game. While it is more work to do on my part, RainSpice Studios will never endorse AI generation in any shape or form.

At first I worked on it while I worked on Stardust★Arcadis, which explains why the demo was done on such a short notice, but it has now became my primary project for 2025 and I am aiming to release it around November/December at best.

What's the plan for 2025 then?

My primary goal is to release Enter the Eternity and my secondary goal is to release The Code of Crystals chapter 2.

I aim to finish all first dates for Enter the Eternity AND re-release chapter 1 of The Code of Crystals in January. The dates are already written and coded in the script files, so my focus is to add in all the sprite expressions, draw CGs and backgrounds, and add all the necessary music. As for TCOC, I wanted to remake its menus and add a scene with Eranis that I did not have time to add before the end of the game jam. While the UI code I bought doesn't work, its images are pretty, and I am happy with the result.

2025 will be another busy year for me as I try to find a full-time job to sustain myself, launch some new projects more-or-less related to video games, move out again, among some other irl things. But here at RainSpice Studios, I love making games, and will keep making them for the foreseeable future.

If you read down to here, thank you so much!

There's a lot to do so I'm going back to work 💪 I'll update you guys when I reach a milestone or I find something interesting to share.

So stay tuned! And as said, I wish you guys a kind, good, exciting, fun, and game-filled 2025. Thank you for your continued support and here's to more projects this year 🥂

============================

[RainSpice Studios itch.io] [Stardust★Arcadis] [The Code of Crystals] [Enter The Eternity]

[rainspicestudios]

The Enter the Eternity Demo is available on itch.io!

Enter the Eternity is a dating simulator in which Michi (name customizable) signs up to study at the Matsubara Institute for a semester and lives in a shared house. The problem is: every single one of your roommates is a magical girl (or boy, or person)!

How will you survive abroad with magical girls? Will you be able to adapt to this new life and make friends? Better yet, will you end up dating one of them?

[rainspicestudios]

The demo to Enter the Eternity will be available for download tomorrow!!

--

Enter the Eternity is a dating simulator in which Michi (name customizable) signs up to study at the Matsubara Institute for a semester and lives in a shared house. The problem is: every single one of your roommates is a magical girl (or boy, or person)!

How will you survive abroad with magical girls? Will you be able to adapt to this new life and make friends? Better yet, will you end up dating one of them?

[rainspicestudios]

Enter the Eternity characters [6/6]

Last but not least, we have... Madigan! This messy and opinionated bundle of energy enjoys trespassing on abandoned property and anything related to the supernatural. Are you down to join her for some petty crime?

[Game presentation] | [Itch.io page (will be created soon)]

[rainspicestudios]

Enter the Eternity characters [5/6]

The fifth character to be revealed is… Jae-In! This workaholic behaves very differently on-camera and off-camera and has a habit of focusing on their content and studies. When they do have free time, will you hang out with them?

[Game presentation] | [Itch.io page (will be created soon)]

[rainspicestudios]

so apparently last night / this morning beloved indie darling site itch.io went down for several hours because, uh, funko pops and AI slop

itch.io goes down almost once or twice a month now from bogus reports made to their registrar and such but this one takes the cake of ridiculousness.

the site is back up now so you can go play & see indie gems again.

[rainspicestudios]

Enter the Eternity characters [4/6]

The fourth character to be revealed is… Henry! Coming to the Matsubara Institute wasn't easy, but just the fact that he has this opportunity makes it all worth it, in his opinion. He is a mellow guy who prefers to stay in quiet spaces. Will you chill with him and get to know him?

[Game presentation] | [Itch.io page (will be created soon)]

[rainspicestudios]

Enter the Eternity characters [3/6]

The third character to be revealed is... Ameni! Placed under the care of their sister as they study, this anxious artist lives for their craft and their dreams. They're not very optimistic about the future, but maybe you can help them see things from another point of view?

[Game presentation] | [Itch.io page (will be created soon)]

[rainspicestudios]

Enter the Eternity characters [2/6]

The second character to be revealed is... Connor! Nothing is ever a big deal with him as this lover of games always looks at the bright side of things. He hopes that his time at the Matsubara Institute will never end as he loves his life at the shared house. Will you be a part of his life there as well?

[Game presentation] | [Itch.io page (will be created soon)]

[rainspicestudios]

Enter the Eternity characters [1/6]

The first character to be revealed is... Aiko! She's a bit bossy, she's always busy, but lacks direction. Maybe you two can hang out and help her figure out what she really wants, or just take a break?

[Game presentation] | [Itch.io page (will be created soon)]

[rainspicestudios]

Enter the Eternity is a dating simulator in which Michi (name customizable) signs up to study at the Matsubara Institute for a semester and lives in a shared house. The problem is: every single one of your roommates is a magical girl (or boy, or person)!

How will you survive abroad with magical girls? Will you be able to adapt to this new life and make friends? Better yet, will you end up dating one of them?

Demo release on itch.io: December 18th!

[rainspicestudios]

LATE 2024 UPDATE (+ back from break)

Hello everyone! It’s Rain from RainSpice Studios and I’m back from my break. To be completely transparent with you, I was exhausted after the game jam, but I still worked a little on side projects during this month, as I can’t be left without a creative outlet for too long. But we are not here to talk about me, we are here to talk about my games, sooooo...

1. THERE WILL BE A PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW!

And if you think that it will be "Project Eternity's" announcement, you're correct. You will get its final title, logo, and potentially title screen, as well as more information about the game itself and a demo coming soon !

2. THE CODE OF CRYSTALS UPDATE!

I am insanely proud of what I have accomplished by myself in under three months, but TCOC’s chapter one can definitely be better. It is not my primary project, but I want to release all five chapters, maybe additional content too. I am planning a re-release in January 2025, with:

Additional CGs

Re-drawings of older CGs

An additional scene with Eranis

A brand new user interface

Timed puzzles and choices, if I manage to make them work

I hope you’re as excited for it as I am !

3. PROJECTS AFTER THAT?

I plan to make more games after Project: Eternity and The Code of Crystals are done. I have more « longer format » games like Stardust Arcadis, and shorter titles using RPG Maker, which is a software I’ve wanted to try out for a while. Maybe for a game jam? Maybe on my own time if my day job allows it? Who knows.

4. OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA?

I thought about spreading the good word of RainSpice Studios on other platforms. Which would be better, bluesky, artfol, or threads?

5. FINAL WORDS

In the upcoming weeks, while I still try to find a day job, I will be finishing Project Eternity's demo and posting character profiles on tumblr. There is a lot of art to draw and I’m glad to be working on games and taking them seriously again.

You guys will also have a preview of my planned schedule for next year, which will undeniably change as life happens in 2025.

As of right now I’m hoping to release Project Eternity and chapter 2 of the Code of Crystals in late 2025, but I need to be realistic and give myself a deadline that will be fair to you guys and to my mental and physical health. You guys will still be updated along the way.

If you read down to here, thank you very much, and have the loveliest of days

[rainspicestudios]

The Code of Crystals (Chapter 1) is now available on itch.io!

[rainspicestudios]

[RELEASE DATE] The Code of Crystals

You heard it here first! Chapter one of The Code of Crystals, my game for Phantasia Game Jam 2024, is done and ready to be released!

The Code of Crystals is releasing on October 30th at 2 PM CET!

[You can access the itch.io page here!]

A few words for what should be a final devlog?

As the game was finished yesterday, there isn't much to say, but I hope you all are as excited as I am to show this project to the world!

I'm very proud of this project. I learned a lot of new techniques in three months and I would love to keep expanding this skill set and make each chapter better than the previous one.

I would love to make more content about my games' worlds online. I do have some character sheets planned, as well as bonus writing.

Would it be better if I made a website or if I kept tumblr as my main platform? I'm not sure yet.

I am planning on releasing a planned calendar for November and December.

Why am I called RainSpice Studios when I'm a one-person development team and therefore only has one location? I do not have a permanent apartment or house yet, so every place I work in is my studio.

That's all I had to say today. See you on the 30th for the release of chapter 1!

[rainspicestudios]

Love seeing game dev progress posts on Tumblr cause half the time it's 'I've got a pivotal piece of my game working' and the other half its 'hehe I made a character in a cutscene say fuck'.

[rainspicestudios]

[DEVLOG] The Code of Crystals (Phantasia Game Jam 2024)

Hello everyone! It’s Rain, and thank you for reading this second-to-last devlog for the first chapter of The Code of Crystals, made for Phantasia Game Jam 2024.

A few words to open the devlog?

Only two weeks left before the end of the game jam! I hope you all are as excited as I am ☆

These two weeks will be busy, between trying to find another IRL job, this game jam, and more.

The price of this first chapter is 3€, as will be each chapter of TCOC, for a final game worth 15€ (VAT not included).

Asks are open, whether it’s for me or game characters!

Let’s start with this week’s in-progress... banner?

No in-progress screenshot this week, but the itch.io page is under construction and we now have a banner for it!

Game Art

Only two CGs to go and we're done! As well as a few character sprites to fix.

Audio

I only need to add in a couple of soundscapes and sound effects, as well as the main menu music.

UI & Menus

The menu art is done and the UI is on my list of priorities.

Final thoughts

October is almost over and I am very happy to soon be done with chapter 1 and have you guys experience it!

I'm aiming for a release on October 30th.

That is all I had to share! Thank you all for reading, have the loveliest of weeks, and be ready for the final update soon✨

The Code of Crystals is a is a fantasy puzzle game where two shapeshifters try to escape a cult and go back to their normal lives. According to the Phantasia Game Jam rules, chapter one will be released before October 31st and will be available for download on itch.io!

[rainspicestudios]

[DEVLOG] The Code of Crystals - Weeks 7/8/9 (Phantasia Game Jam 2024)

Hello everyone! It’s Rain, here again with another devlog for Project: Maselosia, my project for Phantasia Game Jam 2024.

A few words to open the devlog?

We have a logo and an official title!!

Devlogs will be every two-weeks until the end of the game jam.

My arm wasn't hurt, in the end.

Asks are open, whether it’s for me or game characters!

Let’s start with this week’s in-progress screenshot!

Might as well show off the second protagonist

Game Art

We're reaching the end, guys! All we need are a few CGs and one character sprite (not counting the main menu and game menu art) and the first chapter of The Code of Crystals will be done!

Writing

Writing is entirely done! I know it has to be edited and proofread, but the main bulk is finished.

Audio

Finding music and implementing it in the game is also done! All that's left are a couple sound effects.

Puzzles

The last puzzle is done! As well as two extra choice-based scenes, one of which can lead to a game over.

UI & Menus

At this rate these will be the last things I focus on, as it's purely cosmetic.

Final thoughts

My work for this game has been very inconsistent due to health issues and me leaving my parents apartment to go back home.

It won't be consistent for the two next weeks either, as I am traveling again, but if I am able to follow my plans only details will be left to fine tune when I come back. That and game/main menus.

I'm happy with how the game looks and feels so far!

If possible I would like this first chapter to be done and ready to be released in two weeks. This is not a hard deadline, like October 31st, but a soft deadline.

That is all I had to share! Thank you all for reading, have the loveliest of weeks, and be ready for the next update ✨

The Code of Crystals is a is a fantasy puzzle game where two shapeshifters try to escape a cult and go back to their normal lives. According to the Phantasia Game Jam rules, chapter one will be released before October 31st and will be available for download on itch.io!