With The Regret of Vitrerran demo in its final stages of completion, I think it’s time to talk about the two characters you’ll play as. It’s also just been awhile since I’ve written about the writing aspect to our no-longer-so-little game, and that needs to be fixed.

So. Marcus and James! I really like these characters. Their surprisingly comedic, which isn’t a direction I had thought either would take. But they have this amazing back-and-forth that’s one part sarcasm and one part sorrow. Both characters have lived less than ideal lives, and they cover their true feelings up with biting jokes and outright insults. They don’t like each other. At all. But they also have a begrudging respect for each other’s abilities, and they share a camaraderie in being outcasts.

Like all the characters I’ve worked on, I created Marcus and James only after I designed their home, in this case Mount Nefisigg. Mount Nefisigg (and Castle Alboiss) is the lofty dwelling of King Midus and the only knights of Vitrerran. It’s biting cold, corrupt, and filled with self importance. It’s also a place of high invention with a host of powerful mages.

So, let’s talk Marcus first.

I’m a huge fan of looking at video game concept art. Most of it is either a mix of beautiful or awesomely strange, and it’s a fun way to build hype for an upcoming video game or create feelings of “what could have been” for video games that are already out.

So. Here’s the thing: We don’t have any real concept art. I feel bad about that, truly, but our approach to doing the art for The Regret of Vitrerran hasn’t required any. As a two-man team, it’s been easier to just go, “Hey, so my idea for this character is…” and then talk about it until we are both happy. After that, Joe goes off and draws what needs drawing so we can put it directly into the game.

But, there have been a few times where discussion led to drawings...