After finishing the concept presentation for It Takes Two, the whole team started working efficiently.
Things like character designs and animations had already been done before the new year.
The main work now was on level design and story scenes.
The warehouse, the big tree in the yard, the corrupted garden, the snow globe of their first love, the medieval castle made of Lego…
Lucas explained the unique features of each themed scene to Anna and Rachel.
These scenes aren't just backgrounds; they represent the emotional journey of the two main characters, May and Cody.
"The cuckoo clock stage needs a sharp, metallic feel. All the special tools here relate to time, hinting that Cody and May can start over."
"The snow globe is a metaphor for their relationship. Their love used to burn like fire, but now it's frozen like the world inside the globe."
"At the end of the snow globe level, the ice cracks—that's a hint that the ice sealing their feelings is starting to break."
"And the magnet shows how their relationship changes from pushing away to pulling closer, becoming stronger and closer."
Lucas explained every scene in detail so Anna and Rachel would understand exactly what he wanted.
Once the scene requirements and story meanings were clear, there was no need to rack their brains or redo things over and over. They could just follow the draft and make small adjustments.
No need for second or third versions, or tearing everything down to start again.
Even though this wasn't their first time feeling this—they already experienced it during Dark Souls' development—the art team was still amazed.
With work like this, and good pay, even if Nebula Games paid a bit below average, there would be no reason to leave.
...
While It Takes Two kept moving forward in development, after the new year, players on forums and communities started feeling lost. They had hit a gaming drought.
Even though some game companies released new titles during this time, the taste of players had already been raised by Dark Souls before the new year and the two VR blockbusters from SkyNova and NetDragon.
"I'm so bored! Anyone got new game recommendations?"
"Nope, the few that came out recently don't look good at all!"
"Yeah, nothing we can do. Even though some studios under SkyNova and NetDragon put out new games, I think the quality is really bad."
"Right? Last year around this time at least we had Overcooked. This year, nothing."
"Don't even bring up Overcooked! Because of that game, I've been washing dishes all year!"
"By the way, it's already after the new year. Why is there still no news from Lucas?"
"Yeah, all the developers who showed up at the annual game event already released new game teasers. Lucas is the only one who hasn't said a word. Other than that new mode for Dark Souls, we've got nothing."
"I bet he's saving a big surprise. Maybe the Dark Souls sequel is coming!"
"Dark Souls was way too hard. I want something more family-friendly, like Fall Guys."
The discussion wasn't just on gaming forums. Lucas's official blog was getting tagged every day by players asking about upcoming Nebula Games projects.
A lot of them were hoping for a Dark Souls sequel.
Seeing all these tags, Lucas thought about it and decided to drop a teaser.
He posted a message on his official blog that said:
"A new game is in the works. It's a co-op game for couples, a warm and loving experience. Expect the latest news on Valentine's Day. Stay tuned."
He also shared a picture of a clay doll and a wooden doll holding a dandelion while floating in the air.
The post blew up instantly, with tons of players replying.
"Holy crap! Look what I just saw! A new game is coming!?"
"Wait! Co-op for couples? On Valentine's Day!? WTF! Lucas, do you know I just got a girlfriend? Are you trying to make me single again!?"
"From the picture, it looks very cute and friendly, but after the blood and tears of Overcooked, we know this is a trap!"
"Once a year, huh? You're back again this Valentine's Day, aren't you?"
"It's that time of year again for the old joke. Fill in the blank: Lucas's nickname is ?"
"Last year Overcooked made me wash every dish in the house. This year, what, you want me to do all the laundry!?"
Players were going crazy because last year, around this time, a game with similar marketing had left them with some unforgettable memories.
Jokes aside, though, gaming news sites were all hyping up Lucas's new game, and discussions kept trending higher.
The news was also spreading in the industry.
"Hey, did you hear? Lucas's new game is another co-op game."
"Not a Dark Souls sequel?"
"Probably like last year's Overcooked, just a small transition game."
"Wonder if this year's game—whatever it's called—can really surprise us."
"What are you thinking? Co-op mode? It'll just be like Overcooked again, different theme, different mechanics. How much can it really change?"
Both players and the industry were talking about Lucas's new game, but most people were still stuck on the memory of Overcooked.
After all, the timing and the wording made it hard to think otherwise.
But Lucas wasn't bothered. Once the game officially launched, all the 'misunderstandings' would be cleared up. Players would finally understand his true feelings—and why he's called: the Warrior of Love!
...
While players were buzzing with excitement, time flew by, and Valentine's Day finally arrived.
At noon that day, Lucas and Nebula Games both posted a message on their official blogs.
The message was very simple: "Trailer."
Just that one word, and below it, a video.
After a short black screen, the video showed a wooden door.
The door opened, and a book with a face appeared in front of the camera.
At the top, it said "book of love."
"This is a story about a magical world."
The book of love stretched out its arms as if welcoming the players watching the video. At the same time, the camera quickly zoomed out.
Lighthouses, clock towers, and a cartoon art style made the whole scene look like a dream.
"In this world, there are many wizards and warriors."
The camera moved into a room where two tiny dolls—one made of clay and the other of wood—wore wizard robes and armor, holding flaming greatswords as they battled a cartoon monster in what looked like an arena.
"This epic tale takes place across the ocean."
Little toy-like sailboats floated on the sea, dodging sharks with giant open jaws and the huge tentacles of a kraken.
"And it's also a journey through time."
A road made of countless gears looked as if it was inside a giant clock.
"Biubiubiu! It even has a winter dream, like riding a sled and all that."
On a snowy track, a sled raced forward at high speed.
In the next moment, fragments of different scenes flashed by — a train rushing through tunnels, dodging spiders in a forest, facing bats on a platform.
"Wait… did I mention there's also a big explosion?"
On a platform made of copper pipes, with a loud boom, a massive burst of fire erupted, sending two doll-like figures flying from the shockwave.
"Hold on, look at these dolls… I almost forgot they used to be human."
The camera froze on the two dolls being blown away, then a photo appeared.
A smiling bride and groom in a wedding dress and suit stood in front of a cake.
But the photo was torn in half, separating them.
"Alright… you want to know what this story is really about?"
"This is the story of Cody and May."
The camera cut to the two panicked dolls.
"Want to turn back? Then you'll have to fix your relationship first…"
"This is a story about passion…"
"This is a story about charm…"
"This is a story about teamwork…"
As a rapid montage of game scenes played, the Nebula Games logo appeared.
The game title popped up: It Takes Two
(End of The Chapter)
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