THEMES & SETTING
What is Akaneiro: Demon Hunters?
Akaneiro is an Action Role-playing Game with mechanics in the vein of Diablo, Titan Quest and Torchlight. It’s being developed for initial release onPC, Mac, Web, and Android Tablets. It will be free to play, with micro-transactions for customization/convenience items and DLC-style expansions.
Why make it an ARPG?
The “Red Riding Hood hunts in Japan” concept has been floating around the studio for some time. We wanted to experiment with some RPG systems, but not abandon the action game mechanics that had originally been tied to the high concept. So an Action RPG was also the most compatible choice. Also, we like playing them and always wanted to try making one!
What does “Akaneiro” mean and why did you choose this name?
It’s derived from Japanese language. “Akane” refers to a specific type of plant. “Iro” means color (of). The roots of this plant, called “Madder” in English, can be used to produce a specific hue of red dye. It’s a name heavy with symbolism, too – roots of blood red, a “madder” color could be interpreted as the color of anger. Thus - “Angry Red”.
In the game world, Akaneiro is the Japanese name given to a famed demon-hunter believed to have been the actual young girl of the Red Riding Hood tale. She founded the Order of Akane.
How exactly does the game reference Red Riding Hood?
As mentioned above, the Order of Akane is rumored to have been founded by the “real” Red Riding Hood. The disciplines and beliefs of the Order are built around the three primary human character archetypes featured in the Red Riding Hood – The Red Girl, The Quiet Huntsman and The Forest Mother.Respectively these are based upon Red, The Huntsman and Red’s Mother/Grandmother.
We also feature a fair number of wolves and werewolf enemies in our initial areas.They pose the first major organized demon threat in the game. They’re led by the ultimate big bad wolf…
What is the Order of Akane?
The Order is a templar-like group of demon hunters who fight to maintain the balance between humanity and demon-kind. It fights this battle globally, on many fronts – though our game initially focuses around the Japan-based chapter. Order members are commonly referred to as “Red Hunters”.
So who is my character?
The player character is a young Red Hunter, dispatched as a scout to ascertain the true threat posed to Yomi Island by the rising Yokai numbers and aggression. If the danger is real, then leave has been given to eliminate the threat by striking at Yokai leaders.
What makes these hunters special?
In Akaneiro: Demon Hunters, the Red Hunters fight against Yokai(Japanese folk monsters/demons). The blood of slain Yokai crystallizes, forming glowing red Karma Shards. The power stored within Karma Shards allows Red Hunters to master almost super-human combat techniques necessary when facing Yokai.
Apart from this augmented performance, they receive a high level of training intactics, survival and natural magic.
So they kill Yokai on sight?
Recently, human encroachment and conflict has provoked the more aggressive Yokai. The incidences of violence escalate, and some Yokai have begun to organize and prepare for war under the leadership of powerful Demon Kings. Officially, it is this type of demon threat that the Order is sanctioned to prevent.
Do they kill “good” Yokai?
There are many Yokai who pose no threat to the balance between humanand demon. On the contrary, some are quite harmless - even helpful. Those that are dangerous often stay far from human settlements. In these cases, the Order will not act against Yokai.
There are some dissenting voices within in the Order, however. These splinter groups would prefer to simply exterminate Yokai altogether.
Besides traditional Yokai, what other enemies are featured?
Some wild animals have become corrupted by demonic influence and very hostile as a result. Later expansions will introduce some human enemies, representing as yet unannounced factions.
Where and when is the game set?
Our setting is mid to late 19th century Japan. The game takes place on the fictional Yomi Island, north of Hokkaido. Yomi Island is inhabited by a mixture of the indigenous Ainu, Japanese and a whole bunch of angry Yokai.
What role do the Ainu people play?
We tap into some Ainu mythology, and the totemic aspects of the culture. Several NPCs are Ainu, and we use some specifically Ainu yokai and folklore too. We also try to use some of that motif in the general design of graphic elements and patterns in the UI and world. The Ainu culture has a quite distinct visual presence. It was interesting to explore and integrate it.
Why the Japanese setting and influence?
While the western high fantasy setting functions perfectly well formost ARPGs, we really wanted to depart from that theme. The folklore of Japan and neighboring regions is rich and inspiring, and we were also able to marry our art style to it.
The reason we chose that particular time in Japanese history was that it was when Japan properly re-opened itself to relations and trade with western nations.This was a major culture clash, and inspired great change (not all of it positive). Since we’re introducing some western themes into an eastern setting,it seemed like an appropriate time period.
