[img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//44312056/6bd9b75f1074a18b582587b4593e5d9ec661eacc.jpg[/img] Masters of the Book, Before we begin, we would like to thank all of you for the love and support we have received since the game’s release on April 02, 2024. Due to this overwhelming love and support, we were able to work on and release Season 2 of the game just this October 31! We hope that you continue to support us throughout this journey as we introduce more Knights and travel to more locations. Up until now, we’ve communicated with and responded to feedback from the community through various channels, such as Director’s Letters and Developer Notes. This time, we’d like to take a slightly different approach and share information from the update process with you. Here we’ve spoken with the people who participated in the development of Season 2 and unravel the behind-the-scenes stories that occurred throughout the process. In the previous season, many of our Masters of the Book showed great interest in when new stories would be available after clearing Chapter 7 of the Adventure Zone. We sat down for our first interview with the Assistant Team Leader of the Setting Design Team, Yuja, who can explain the newly unfolding Season 2 story and the Knights of Veda better than anyone else. [h3][b]Q. Hello, Please introduce yourself.[/b][/h3] [b]Yuja : [/b] Hello, this is Yuja from the Setting Design Team. We’re responsible for world-building, character development, and writing dialogue and narratives. [h3][b]Q. Could you briefly explain the plot and provide a view of the world of ASTRA: Knights of Veda?[/b][/h3] [b]Yuja : [/b] The world is thrown in chaos as the twelve Masters of the Book containing the power of the Goddess Veda become corrupted. At this moment of darkness, you, the thirteenth Master of the Book arrives. To fulfill your destiny, you must overcome countless trials and the darkness threatening to engulf the world. [h3][b]Q. Were there any parts of the story that you found particularly difficult to write about?[/b][/h3] [b]Yuja : [/b] I think the biggest challenge was that we have so many stories to tell and so little time to tell them! ASTRA: Knights of Veda has an expansive world that is closely connected to its predecessor, Dragon Blaze. So I was thinking about how to seamlessly weave stories from both games into one cohesive narrative. [h3][b]Q. In Season 2’s story, some Knights of Veda featured as Limited Call of the Stars appeared as new bosses. When creating the Knights, do you keep in mind the future story developments that will involve them down the line? [/b][/h3] [b]Yuja : [/b] That’s correct, we do keep these story beats in mind when thinking of Knights to include in the game. The various Knights of Veda all have different tasks and objectives while the Master of the Book was adventuring to Gigantfall in Season 1. However, as the Master of the Book continues to grow in power and fame, their fates eventually become entangled as their objectives intersect with those of the Master of the Book. In addition, the Knights that are to be introduced in Season 2, will also have their own goals that will converge with the Master of the Book. Facing off against these same Knights of Veda that are playable, will allow players to see another side of these characters, as well as the complex interplay between the world’s various factions. This adds another layer of fun to the experience. [h3][b]Q. Is there anything you would like our Masters of the Book to pay special attention to while playing Season 2?[/b][/h3] [b]Yuja : [/b] Building off my answer to the previous question,, not all of the Knights of Veda who appear as bosses are necessarily “evil” characters. As some of you may have already realized, in the world of ASTRA: Knights of Veda, there is no clear-cut distinction between what is “good” and what is “evil”. Each Knight of Veda is simply pursuing a goal in which they fiercely believe, based on the circumstances that they find themselves in. What I encourage our Masters of the Book to focus on then, is understanding each character’s goals, and just how far they are willing to go to achieve it, as I believe that this will make the story even more engaging. That aside, what I wish for the most is that our Masters of the Book enjoy the game freely, to play the game at their own pace and in whatever way they desire! [h3][b]Q. Do you have a Knight of Veda that you like the most? If so, please tell us more about them.[/b][/h3] [b]Yuja : [/b] My most beloved Knight of Veda is Nayan, the Walrus Messenger. As for why, Nayan is a character who has preserved the purity of childhood that most, as they grew older, have lost. She is, in many ways, the exact opposite of me. When I was younger, I had many dreams and believed I could accomplish anything I set my heart to, but as time goes by and reality continually sets in, I gradually lose sight of these dreams. That is why I believe Nayan’s “childlike innocence” is one of her greatest strengths. She overcomes countless trials and crises in her own way, and the source of that strength comes from her belief in herself and her courage. Just like her line, “I'm Nayan. I know how courageous and strong I am!” – she faces the world with a strong belief in herself and with an upbeat attitude. To maintain this childlike innocence amidst doubt and hardship is, I think, proof of having the strongest hearts. To me, Nayan is a small "regret" for the dreams I once had, and at the same time, a reminder of the cheerful "childlike innocence" that remains in a corner of my heart. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//44312056/1f05fbf64f39fa8a3b7f374a126b1c45049d96e9.png[/img] [h3][b]Q. Lastly, could you give us a small hint about how the continuation of the story will unfold.[/b][/h3] [b]Yuja : [/b] There will be a variety of unexpected things that will come together to form the core of the next part of the story – things like frustration, overcoming challenges, growth, betrayal, secrets, and even romance. While Season 1 focused primarily on the story of the thirteenth Master of the Book, the next story will shift the spotlight to other characters as well, who will take center stage and unfold their narratives. Many of you have expressed curiosity about the upcoming Knights for Season 2, and as more characters are introduced, we hope you follow their journey as intently as you did the others before. For those of you who enjoyed Season 1’s story, we think you’ll appreciate the next chapter of the story! Have you checked any ASTRA: Knights of Veda concept art illustrations on the pre-registration page and community posts? [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//44312056/3562041b26c4fc3c44a77c4a04080f3ee652f69e.png[/img][img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//44312056/aef0202b51b2b91c3ac2ea1878f7d9493d60b5b6.png[/img] One of the key elements that the development team focused on during this update was creating illustrations that could instantly convey the atmosphere of Season 2. Since this is the first time we’re introducing new regions and important characters in the story to the Masters of the Book, a lot of effort went into making sure these illustrations truly captured the essence of the update. Next, we’d like to share the story of Yogurt King, the youngest member of the Character Team in the Concept Art Department, who beautifully created these illustrations. [h3][b]Q. Hello, Please introduce yourself.[/b][/h3] [b]Yogurt King : [/b] Hello, this is Yogurt King and I work in the Concept Art Department’s Character Team. We’re responsible for creating in-game resources such as character illustrations, weapons, icons, and other assets. [h3][b]Q. Did you work on all the illustrations by yourself? Could you explain the process you followed?[/b][/h3] [b]Yogurt King : [/b] I am responsible for the character design and background sketches for the illustrations. The background work then, based on the sketches I drew, would be refined and completed by our Team Leader. For the process, first I gather about 50-100 reference images. From these, I select the ones that will be more useful and relevant to the illustration I am to make. Afterward, I sketch out the general composition and mood that will showcase the character’s specific “charm”, and then create the initial concept. During the process of developing the concept, I exchange many ideas with the team and the department head. We constantly check to make sure that the atmosphere of the illustration matches our intent, and whether the character’s personality and movement feel consistent. Once the larger aspects are decided, I refine the details and work on polishing the illustration until it’s complete. [h3][b]Q. The two illustrations showcased each have very different atmospheres. Were there specific aspects you wanted to emphasize in each one?[/b][/h3] [b]Yogurt King : [/b] For the illustration with Rhynara as the main character, I focused on creating a cold, shimmering atmosphere and the feeling of tears, sparkling yet serene in a way that fits the title of the Season “Tears of the Goddess.” The composition, with a perspective looking up from below, along with the flowing hair and accessories, was meant to evoke a grand, new beginning, as the winds of the new Season blow in. Since previous illustrations often used warmer tones, I decided to try a more pale, blue-toned palette for a fresh and distinctive feel for Season 2. I hope this new approach will convey to our Masters of the Book a sense of uniqueness to our illustrations. For the illustration with Aurora as the focus, I wanted to capture the feeling of a Knight embarking on a journey. The sunset in this case would represent the end of Season 1, with the characters all looking towards and going to the Principality of Koren – a place commonly associated with the twilight. Aurora is a character loved by many Masters of the Book, so I tried to ensure her strong will was still subtly reflected alongside her beautiful visage. I also focused on the interactions and relationships of the Knights: Veleno, with her cheerful nature; Atterisee following her with a bright smile; and Ellen Farrell, observing from a distance. I concentrated on the Knights’ expressions and their interactions in this illustration. [h3][b]Q. As the youngest member of the character team, did you feel any pressure as you were taking on such important tasks? Were there any difficulties you encountered while working on them?[/b][/h3] [b]Yogurt King : [/b] When I first took on the task, I did feel some pressure, but looking back, it was a rewarding and enjoyable experience. During the process, my teammates were incredibly helpful, and I received a lot of support, encouraging me to freely explore ideas and directions as long as my intentions and vision were clear. It felt like we were creating the final product together, which made the work much easier and less burdensome. They trusted me and allowed me to concentrate on delivering high-quality results without worrying about anything else, an environment where I could focus solely on the work from start to finish. I'm grateful for that. The most challenging part was that the illustrations required a certain level of understanding of perspective theory and the ability to express specific situations. With the limited time, I had to study 3D tools, take perspective lessons, and practice drawing as much as possible to achieve the best possible result. But in the end, seeing the completed work, I felt proud of what I was able to accomplish. [h3][b]Q. Lastly, what are you currently working on, and could you describe a knight of Veda that the Masters of the Book will encounter in the future?[/b][/h3] [b]Yogurt King : [/b] Right now, I'm working on an illustration for an upcoming Knight of Veda. They’re a character who, I think, will be quite different from the ones we've seen before. I believe this new Knight will be one that the Masters of the Book will eagerly anticipate and enjoy. It's a character I like a lot, so I'm attached to it and enjoying the process. I can't wait for you all to meet them in-game! So, that was a conversation with two members who were in charge of the story and artwork for ASTRA: Knights of Veda. Through this interview with the developers, I hope you had fun discovering more details about Season 2 and the story of ASTRA: Knights of Veda while playing. In our next interview, we'll bring you more new stories from other developers, sharing insights into the November update. Once again, thank you for all the love you've shown ASTRA: Knights of Veda over the past six months. We look forward to your continued support for Season 2! Thank you.