The Tale of the Heike, or Heike monogatari, is an epic poem recounting a power struggle that changed the course of Japanese history. In the late 12th century B.C.E., tensions between the powerful Minamoto clan—also known as the Genji clan—and the Taira clan—also known as the Heike clan—came to a head. The poem chronicles the …
In the world of gaming, one of the most compelling aspects for players is the ability to influence the narrative through their in-game actions and choices. Utilizing interactive storytelling elements immerse players deeper into the game, but it also empowers them to shape the outcomes based on their decisions. This is something we are aiming …
Player Choices Matter: Branching Storylines and Consequences Read More »
Disability has accompanied humans for as long as humans have existed. Japanese history is filled with tales of disabled historical figures, spirits, and kami. In early Japan, blindness caused by disease, farming accidents, or poor nutrition was especially common. The history of blind people in Japan is long and fascinating. As early as the 8th …
The burakumin are a large group of people who were historically discriminated against in Japan. They are not an ethnic minority; the discrimination against them is based on caste and descent. Considered “outcaste” and “untouchable,” the burakumin occupied the lowest rung in the traditional Japanese social structure. During the early Edo period, those who worked …
Burakumin: The Untouchable Caste of Feudal Japan Read More »
Noh theater is a traditional Japanese performance art that has been practiced for centuries. It remains almost unchanged from its beginnings in the 14th century, even today. The masked performers, intense emotions, and slow pacing of Noh make it a unique experience. The roots of Noh lie in dance drama and festival drama performed at …
In two previous blog posts, we showcased our narrative design tool Rashomon and explained some of its technical capabilities. However, when it comes to Tale of Ronin, our team’s process starts long before the creation of dialogs or graphs. Today, we will guide you through some of the more detailed steps our designers take when …
Narrative Design: Crafting Quests in Tale of Ronin Read More »
For centuries, Japan upheld a strict taboo against consuming meat, particularly beef, driven by both religious and practical considerations. Guided by Buddhist principles of respect for life and the avoidance of waste, as well as Shinto beliefs surrounding purity related to blood and death, the Japanese largely avoided meat consumption for over 12 centuries. It …
From Taboo to Table: Tracing Japan’s Meat Prohibition History Read More »
Video games, with their ability to immerse players in captivating virtual worlds, owe a portion of their magic to the artistry of sound. Within ‘Tale of Ronin,’ we have aimed to bring the rich environment of Edo period Japan to life through sound, from the swing of a samurai’s blade to the rustle of cherry …
Today, we are thrilled to unveil an upcoming collaboration between Dead Mage Studio and EarReality! EarReality specializes in assisting creators build and publish interactive audio stories, creating unique and immersive experiences. We will be working together to bring you engaging stories based on “Tale of Ronin”, providing insight into the games locations, characters, and era. …
Japan’s Edo period (1603–1867) was a time of peace and significant cultural shift. Religion and spirituality had been deeply affected by the Warring States period, a century of near-constant civil war. When the Tokugawa clan took power, the family raised a new dominant philosophy to help keep the land stable: Neo-Confucianism. Neo-Confucianism was introduced to …