Greetings r/NintendoSwitch
Join Rabbit & Bear Studios in this thread now as we delve into the world of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, launching on April 23 on Nintendo Switch. I am Stephen Takowsky, Community Manager for the Eiyuden Chronicle franchise, and I am honored to share this AMA thread and introduce the team who will take part in this AMA.
Rabbit & Bear team members participating in the AMA under u/EiyudenChronicleRB:
· Junko Kawano – Character Designer and Studio Head
· Osamu Komuta – Director and System Designer
· Junichi Murakami – Art Director and Producer
Rabbit & Bear Studios here to shed light on our journey, our role as game developers, the creation of our expansive world, and more interesting questions. Eiyuden Chronicle celebrates the genre’s roots while weaving a narrative rich with lore, complex characters, and strategic gameplay.
As we count down the days to launch, we’re thrilled to share insights and answer burning questions you may have about the game. Thank you for taking the time to join us today.
Mark your calendars for the launch, and in the meantime, explore our updated website at [https://EiyudenChronicle.com](https://EiyudenChronicle.com) and visit [https://linktr.ee/eiyudenchronicle](https://linktr.ee/eiyudenchronicle) to connect with us on our social platforms and pre-order Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.
We are looking forward to this AMA. Please feel free to begin asking your questions!
by MrGameTheory505
48 Comments
I’m new to this series so, tbh, I’m not sure what to expect from it, so I guess I have two questions:
1) What framerate are you targeting from the switch version
2) Considering how many units you can recruit, is there any sort of postgame content that allows you, and gives you a reason to, build and utilize all of them in difficult content?
Thank you for your hard work! Is there a release window in mind for dlc 1-3?
Are there missable characters?
To everyone: Did the game turn out how you envisioned it?
Who is the favourite character of each creator?
What’s each of the Rabbit and Bear teams favourite characters?
I picked up a Little Red Riding Hood script, which gives me hope that a version of Suikoden 3’s theater is in the game. If so, would you consider adding in a script based on Eiyuden Chronicle Rising as an extra save import feature? This would be similar to how players got Suikoden 1 and 2 theater scenes if they imported saves into 3.
Thank you for doing this! Really looking forward to the game. I was just wondering if the characters were designed based on their function or if it was the other way around? Thank you for this AMA and to all of the team for the hard work you put into making this game happen!
What new games were you inspired by during the development of Eiyuden Chronicles?
Suikoden fan since ’96 here. I’m trying not to read anything about the new game, I don’t want any part of it spoiled. I just dropped in to say THANK YOU for everything you’ve done and I’m looking forward to playing!!!
Fans asked really loud for an Hard Mode, did you have fun making it challenging? Will future R&B titles feature it where possible?
Considering the success of the kickstarter. Is there going to be a direct sequel to this entry or timeline wise there’s huge gaps per entry in this world?
I apologize in advance if it might seem insensitive. I would like to ask what were late Murayama’s thoughts, hopes and wishes with regards to Eiyuden’s upcoming release now that we are one week away from it’s official release.
It was a great loss for all how we lost such a respected figure but I hope that his work on Eiyuden would be appreciated by all
1. Will there be any roadmap information about future updates / patches / dlc for 2024 to 2026 ?
2. May i ask about the release date for backer dlc such as the golden cat and backer buildings ?
Regards and Thank you R&B dev team
P.S i really love character designs from Kawano san
Rising was a really nice prequel game for hundred heroes. If you do a sequel to 100 heroes, will you consider a Rising 2 as a lead-in for that?
Will there be a text speed option implemented in the future?
I’ve been a longtime fan of Suikoden. I love the lore, the world, the characters—all the relationships and interactions with side characters especially made the world so full—I haven’t played Eiyuden (got early physical copy but waiting for patching etc), and I understand there are IP issues with big companies, but what are the chances of a sequel down the line taking place in the same world as Suikoden? Is that absolutely a no go? Or dependent on how well sales with Eiyuden do? Especially with the recent passing of one of the core creators… I just want to see this series thrive.
Thank you so much!
I just want to say thank you! I’m so excited to get my backer copy for Xbox soon! I truly wish Mr. Murayama were here to see this. Much love to all of you who worked on this game which is sure to be a masterpiece. Thank you and congratulations on a job well done!
When can I play my physical PS5 copy? I have downloaded a large patch and have the game in hand but apparently there’s another patch? When is that patch coming?
Thank you for taking the time to do this.
1. With the sad passing of Murayama-sensei, rest his soul, how will the production of the planned DLC be affected? Can you say how much of it was written, if any?
2. The project heads are all 20-30 year veterans. How did work on on Eiyuden differ from past titles (mainly Suikoden)? What expectations did you have about working on a modern HD JRPG, and did the development of Eiyuden Chronicle differ from your expectations in any significant way? What major lessons have you taken from the project that you would apply to any potential future titles?
3. How would you say the game design of Eiyuden has evolved from past JRPG titles, mainly Suikoden? What kind of inspiration has been taken from games, esp. RPGs, made in the past 10+ years? Aside from the HD2D graphical style of Octopath Traveler and similar titles.
How many hours did it take to draw all heroes? Which heroes were the most fun to design?
If you don’t use any guides but try your best to do absolutely EVERYTHING in the game, around how long is the playtime gonna be?
Long-time Suikoden fan and early Eiyuden backer here, thank you for all your work! I’ve been excited to see all the updates!
One thing I’m especially curious about is the Rune-Lenses; it seems that they will work quite differently to the Runes of the Suikoden series. What kind of gameplay experiences did you design the Rune-Lens system to create, and is there a rune you’re especially excited for players to use?
When inputting command during battle there’s a slight delay between turns, is that wanted or will it be fixed? Some of us are really fast and want to play the game as fluid as it can be!
Have you thought of making further merchandise like figures or posters/art prints for fans later? I’ve always wanted some for suikoden as the art is amazing and still stands up and this games art looks even better
Do you have a favorite memory related to the development of the game?
How did you determine which characters are battle vs. support vs. hybrid? There are some characters who appear battle ready that are not able to join combat (>! Hogan, Pastole !<)
Is it possible that we might see some characters patched into a combat or hybrid role in the future?
I’m usually never around for these things! If you had to choose one of the hundred heroes to sit down, chat, and eat a meal with, who would you choose?
For the Kickstarter backers exclusive decorations, like the Rare Golden Haired Cat or the exclusive backer buildings, when should we expect the redemption codes for those?
The main continent is Allraan. Allraan is the main continent featured in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. Where does the term ‘Allraan’ originate from, and what is the historical background behind its usage? Does it come from some kind of family origin name or something? Umm, I’ve heard of ‘please do tell me’ instead of ‘please tell me’. ^^
Your last Kickstarter update warns of bugs that can keep you from completing the game without a patch.
How big are chances you encounter these bugs?
Especially for people who like physical games it’s important to know if it will be possible to play through the game with our discs still once someday maybe we can not access patches anymore or if it is so bad that it is not possible at all to finish the game with the version without patching.
What was a game mechanic that you loved, but had to scrap or drastically change for the final release?
Which of the characters have become favorites for the staff?
Have you been surprised by reactions to any of the characters?
I am so thankful that Murayama was able to bring one last game into the world.
Thank you all so much for your hard work.
I want to ask which character design particularly stood out for the R&B team?
2 questions!
1) Are there any fun examples of additions/changes made later into development, which made you have to alter earlier parts of the game?
2) Were there any new technological developments during development which reinvigorated the project and got the team excited?
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is the first game of a brand new studio. In terms of the game development process, what are some things you feel went well, and what are some lessons you plan to carry over to future projects?
As industry veterans what are some of your favorite games released in the last 15 years?
By the way I’m a long time Suikoden fan. Thank you so much for giving me some of my favorite gaming memories. I’m looking forward to making more with my kickstarted copy of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes!
As a fellow game developer of almost 20 years and long-time fan of the early Suikoden games, I couldn’t be more excited about this release.
With developers as part of this AMA and one of the few opportunities I may have to communicate more directly with fellow developers in Japan–I know a great deal of game developer colleagues who hold Suikoden II in such high regard and have a great deal of respect for the entire team working on Eiyuden Chronicle.
As such, many of us were extremely sad to hear of Yoshitaka Murayama’s passing and I would like to extend our greatest sympathy to those of you that worked with him so much. It is sad that he was not able to see this passion project release after so much hard work, but it will still be great to experience it with his memory in mind.
Hope your release goes very smoothly!
I really enjoyed Tadashi Satomi’s writing in Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, and it warmed my heart to learn that he and Murayama were old friends. Can we expect Tadashi Satomi to work on more projects with the Rabbit & Bear team in the future, Eiyuden or otherwise?
Hello team!! So happy to see all of you here. I’ve been in the discord a long time now and I’m a backer – so I apologize in advance for bothering you all the time!! Hahaha
The beta was fantastic and it is apparent that a lot of love went into the game. I hope that the fans return all of that love to you tenfold!
Could you share which aspect of the game you’re most excited to showcase to fans? I’m personally very excited about the castle town content and would love to know what gets the team excited!
(PS Please post a picture of your cat, Komuta-san! I haven’t been on Twitter in a long time so I haven’t seen any lately T_T)
Are you real rabbits and bears?
Wanted to know what convinced/inspired you to go for the 3D + pixel art approach rather than full pixel or full 3d.
How important is building up the headquarters? I love that aspect when it is included in games.
My favorite thing about this game so far is the variety of non-human characters in the game. I adore when I can play as characters that have tails!
How many tailed characters are playable in the game total? And is it possible to have an entire party of just the non-human tailed characters?
And which non-human character would you all say is your favorites?
First of all, I can’t thank you enough for finally giving us a spiritual successor to Suikoden, which is one of my favorite JRPG franchises. I can’t wait to play this game, which will actually launch on my birthday.
Also, I’m sure Murayama-san will be watching the release from above. 🙏✨
1. How long can we expect the campaign to be?
2. Are all recruitable characters useable in battle or it works like Suikoden where some of them will offer non-combat services (vendors, crafters, etc.)?
3. Are there any post-game content we can expect? (Secret dungeons, bosses)
4. Will the game have any sort of replay value in the form of New Game+?
First off, thank you for all you’ve done with the creation/development of the title. It’s a wonderful thing to see the spirit of Suikoden live on.
Secondly, what were some of the real-world cultural influences the team drew from in creating the characters, locations, and music (aside from, of course, Japanese culture)? And while questions have already been answered about favorite characters, what were some of the team’s favorite locations/dungeons and music tracks?
Hello. Thank you for your hard work!
What comes next for the studio?
Is there a chance for a Eiyuden Chronicles II in the far off future?
I don’t have any questions for you – I just wanted to say I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on the game next month.
Congrats on the release!