Why Canadian Studio Behind Neverway is Focusing on Japan

The indie life-sim RPG Neverway was first unveiled during the Triple-i Initiative in April, followed by a new trailer at the recent Indie World showcase. The game features a unique and captivating pixel art style that is both unsettling and mesmerizing. In today's competitive gaming landscape, securing funding and standing out from the crowd are significant challenges. Neverway's developer, Coldblood Inc., has managed to overcome these hurdles by targeting the Japanese market and securing funding from Outersloth, the new publishing label from Among Us developer Innersloth. Neverway tells the story of its protagonist, Fiona, who is struggling to find meaning in her life. Her decision to leave her old life behind and start anew on a mysterious island sets the stage for a thrilling adventure that combines elements of horror and lifestyle RPG. According to Neverway's director, Pedro Medeiros, the game underwent significant changes during its development. "The idea did not come fully formed at all," Medeiros explains. "We started by testing the engine and experimenting with different concepts, eventually settling on a unique blend of farming, horror, and action." The team behind Neverway, including Medeiros and COO Heidy Motta, began brainstorming and experimenting with ideas while working at Extremely OK Games. As the concept took shape, the team expanded to manage the growing scope and playability of the title. Securing funding was a challenging task for Coldblood. In the current climate, publishers are cautious about investing in new titles, and the competition from talented small creators is fierce. Medeiros notes, "We bounced around for a while trying to get funding, and it was a weird time to do it, admittedly." The team eventually partnered with Outersloth, which provided a more hands-off arrangement that allowed the developers to maintain creative control. As Isadora Sophia, co-founder of Coldblood, puts it, "What I appreciate is that there's a lot of trust." Following Neverway's initial reveal, the team showcased the game at Bitsummit in Tokyo, Japan. The demo allowed players to experience the game's introduction, and the team received valuable feedback from the Japanese audience. Japan is a distinct market with different expectations, and the team wanted to capitalize on the opportunity to understand how things work in the country. Medeiros notes, "We really like Japanese games, and I'd never been to Japan, but it was also a good excuse for testing." The Japanese gaming media landscape is not as influencer-driven as the West, and the team recognized the importance of magazines and websites in reporting on new releases. Neverway received previews and interviews from prominent Japanese gaming outlets, including Famitsu and 4Gamer, which helped boost the game's profile. The team learned that showing attention to a specific region, especially one as receptive as Japan, can make a significant difference. Motta advises developers to "check which countries and regions are wishlisting your game, which communities are talking about your game, give them attention, and then decide." With a successful showcase and a unique visual style that blends genres and human growth, the Neverway team is now focused on ensuring the game can make it to market next year. The game's captivating atmosphere and substance make it an exciting project to look forward to.