Reviving the JRPG Golden Age: A Conversation with Studio Camelia's CEO Emma Delage

Studio Camelia, a new game development studio, has launched a Kickstarter campaign for their first title, Alzara Radiant Echoes, a Mediterranean-inspired JRPG featuring acclaimed composer Motoi Sakuraba and artist Yoshiro Ambe. CEO Emma Delage, formerly of Ubisoft, discusses her vision for the studio, the importance of community, and the challenges of securing funding in the gaming industry. With a team of 14, Delage emphasizes the studio's commitment to modern values, empathy, and kindness, as well as its focus on specializing in JRPGs. The studio's journey began with a market study that garnered thousands of responses, leading to connections with industry professionals and initial funding. However, finding investors in France proved difficult, leading the studio to turn to Kickstarter as a viable alternative. With a target goal of €100,000, the campaign aims to not only fund the game but also demonstrate the project's potential to attract further investors. Delage hopes to encourage more women to start their own studios and create games that share meaningful messages with the world.