Production Column: Part 4

Steam post imageA gamebook is a type of book where the story unfolds differently depending on the reader’s choices. *The Witch of the Dark Castle* also offers many choices. There are even scenes where a single choice can turn a successful future into a failed one—or even lead to death.

Life is a series of choices, isn’t it? What will I do tomorrow? What will I eat? What will I wear? Which school should I attend? What career should I pursue? Where should I live? Who will be my life partner? From simple choices to difficult ones. I can’t help but feel that this continuous series of choices is “all I can do.”

For example, when I raise my arm or take a step, I don’t consciously think about tensing my biceps and deltoids to angle my elbow at a certain degree, or about maintaining my balance while engaging my rectus femoris to shift my center of gravity smoothly. I simply think, “I’ll grab that thing on the shelf” or “I’ll go to the bathroom,” and my body moves on its own—and with precision. The only things I can clearly say I “did” are the “choices” I made—like deciding to reach for something on the shelf or deciding to go to the bathroom. I believe that this vast accumulation of choices is what defines my “current state.” That is why I believe that “what you choose is very important.”

I believe that even the casual, everyday choices we make, when accumulated over time, lead to significant results.

This game intentionally includes “choices that alter your fate” and “choices that seem like they wouldn't make a difference.” While you can technically choose either option for these “seemingly inconsequential” choices, the results will eventually change as your choices accumulate.

This might sound a bit scary, but even a tiny bit of something unpleasant (poison)—something that seems harmless at first glance and causes no immediate physical harm—will eventually lead to unhappiness (or even death from that poison) if you keep consuming it every day for decades… Conversely, I believe that even a simple “little bit of happiness” that’s easy to choose can eventually become immense happiness if you repeat it every year, every day, every minute, and every second.

I love drawing. I also love making games. I’ve been drawing and making (or thinking up) games since I was in elementary school.

I sincerely hope for a world where everyone can always “choose” to be doing the things they love and the things that make them happy.

Digitalis Publishing Yoshio Nishimura