Why Canadian Studio Coldblood Inc. Is Targeting Japan with Its Indie Game Neverway

The upcoming indie game Neverway has been making waves with its unique blend of horror and lifestyle RPG elements, all presented in a stunning pixel art style. The game's developer, Coldblood Inc., has chosen to focus on the Japanese market, and in a recent interview, the team explained the reasoning behind this decision. According to Pedro Medeiros, the game's director, the idea for Neverway did not come fully formed, but rather evolved over time through experimentation and testing. The team drew inspiration from games like Harvest Moon and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and aimed to create a game that would stand out in a crowded market. Securing funding for the game was a challenge, but the team eventually found a partner in Outersloth, the new publishing label from Among Us developer Innersloth. Outersloth's hands-off approach allowed the team to maintain creative control, and the partnership has been beneficial for the game's development. The team chose to showcase Neverway at Bitsummit in Tokyo, Japan, which allowed them to connect with a new audience and gain valuable feedback. The Japanese market is distinct, with a strong focus on magazines and websites, and the team found that showcasing their game in this market helped to boost its profile. The team's experience in Japan has been positive, with feedback from players feeling more specific and supportive. The team believes that showing attention to a region and its players can make a difference, and they advise other developers to consider which countries and regions are interested in their game and to give them attention. With a successful showcase and a chance to connect with players, the Neverway team is now hard at work on ensuring the game can make it to market next year.