Backstage Pass - Updates and Answers

If you've been following twitter, facebook, or tumblr, some of this will look familiar to you. We've been posting little snippets and teasers over the past month, but now it's time for a nice, proper, update with answers to our most frequently asked questions.
 

We've been getting a lot of questions along the lines of "How far along are you?" and "When do you think BP will be out?" Short answer: No idea. The longer (potentially useful, but hey maybe not) answer is that we're aiming to get it done this year, but you never know what could happen. In total, we've completed probably 15% of all our assets. As in, add up the writing, art, music, voices, etc. and that's the meter. However, that doesn't account for putting it all together in a coherent fashion, or handling that mythical beta testing stage.

Regarding beta testing, we'll be doing the same thing we did with Yousei, as that turned out to be very successful. When the demo is complete, we'll have an open beta for anyone to play around with. We'll then open up pre-orders for early access to the whole game.

Recording has begun for most of the main cast, but we'll be holding open auditions a few months down the road for supporting cast and extras. Remember, if you want to audition, add yourself to the mailing list here. We are not accepting pre-submissions, and all open roles will be handled at once.

Aaand, some quick (but important) updates:

- We've got a fantastic opening song in the works by Junko Fujiyama. Junko's a Japanese singer/songwriter, but she now lives and performs in the United States. We're very happy to have her on board with us.

- The final price for Backstage Pass is $30. It's more than our other games, but we're pricing this based on the size of the final product and the cost of other similar games. Pre-orders will be available at a discount.

- We'll also be releasing a special edition that includes a copy of the OST and Adam Eaton's first EP. Details to come later.

Fanart Contest Winners!

 

Congratulations to our fanart contest winner, nuikou!

And the three-way tie for second place (with several other pieces coming a veeery close third).

 By nranola.

 By arrenia.

 By erumi-n.

A huge thanks to everyone for all the great entries! You never fail to make me happy with your skill and creativity. Discount codes will be sent out to all participants sometime this week.

Fanart Contest 2013 - Entries

Whoa...there are a lot more entries than I was counting on. o.o So uh, hey, let's have two winners! Cool? Cool. Entries are below, voting panel is at the bottom.

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#030: By Nozomi B.

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Benito Zero Voice Sample

Fans of  Benito, we have not forgotten you! Ever wonder what a genius kid with green hair and a knack for magic sounds like? We wager it'll be something like this:


Benito - Voice Sample by soymilk

Backstage Pass - Final Four

Only four more major characters left to introduce, so let’s get them out in one go. Wooo! They’re all industry related, so it makes sense.

Name: Dale
Age: 25
Occupation: Photographer
A photographer who’s grown disillusioned with the entertainment industry. He continues his work because he’s good at it and it pays the bills, but he finds actors, directors, and everyone else in the “biz” to be annoying and self-absorbed.

 

Name: Nicole
Age: 17
Occupation: Model
A carefree model with a natural beauty and a keen sense of fashion. She and Matthew were hired to do a shoot together, and she’s been interested in him ever since. Extremely territorial.

Name: Allison
Age: 21
Occupation: Actress(?)
An aspiring actress trying to break into television on her own. Energetic, outgoing, and vibrant, but not terribly good at acting. She makes friends easily, and she’s a hard worker, but it might be difficult for her to advance on nothing but enthusiasm.

Name: Madeline
Age: 43
Occupation: Manager, Mother, Pretty Much Everything Else
Former model, and original poster girl for her own line of cosmetics. Madeline had an extremely successful career, and now she expects her son Matthew to do the same. She’ll do whatever it takes to give her son a competitive edge.

Lloyd Newton Voice Sample

Another voice sample! Not one of the four mains, but Lloyd’s a pretty integral character in several of the routes, so you’ll be hearing a lot of him. He’s super chill and likes to joke around a lot, which basically makes him my favorite character to write.

Lloyd Newton - Voice Sample by soymilk

Meet the Rest - Faculty

Even more profiles! Whoaaaa! Sian’s life isn’t just work and/or romance. She’s got school to worry about too, and college life is a lot more than just clicking the “study” button a few times a week on a stat chart. Here are the faculty members who help Sian through her first year of college.

Name: Professor Couvalt
Age: 53
Occupation: English Professor
A harsh teacher famously known for being unforgiving with his grading. Teaches several intro courses, so every incoming student has to make it through at least one of his classes. Also serves as Sian’s academic adviser.

Name: Professor Meridia
Age: 60
Occupation: Math Department Head
Freeform, relaxed, and encouraging. She spends most of her time with grad students, but teaches a single intro course so she can get an idea of who she might be working with in the future.

Name: Alvin
Age: 19
Occupation: Tutor, Teacher’s Aide
A professional tutor with a passion for computer science. The only time he’s not talking about programming is when he’s geeking out over his favorite TV series, Knight Errant.