Saturday, December 31, 2016

State of the Kaiju: A Year in Review



Hello monster fans! Happy New Year! As 2016 comes to a close, I'd like to take a look back on how things have fared in the world of Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy.

What is this Thing?

For newcomers, Fighto Fantasy is an SNES-style RPG using characters from Kaiju Big Battel, a live monster wrestling show. It's powered by the OHRRPGCE engine, and will be available on PC, Mac, Linux, and Android. Future platforms are up in the air right now, but I'd like to see as many people able to play as possible! It will be sold on Steam (we'll be launching a Steam Greenlight page soon) and Google Play for $10. The base game will be around 10 hours long, with future updates and expansions provided for free.

Fighto Fantasy is a project I started planning in late 2014, though development didn't really kick off until a year later, as 2015 came to an end. Since then, I've met with the talent behind Kaiju, spoke on a panel at PAX East 2016 where I demonstrated an early build live, and dedicated a great deal of time to making a game that will appeal to both Kaiju fans and old-school RPG fans alike.


Who Are We?

The team behind Fighto Fantasy is Super Walrus Games. We're just a tiny handful of dudes making games and having a good time. Let's learn about each other!

Paul Harrington - http://superwalrusland.com/

My name's Paul and I'm the writer, director, and designer of Fighto Fantasy. I run this blog and the Super Walrus Games Facebook page. I've been working on games as a hobby since 1998, when I started making Walthros. When I'm not working on games, I write film and game reviews and criticism on Wobble Reviews. I'm a film and fish tank enthusiast with a love of gaudy neon. In 1992, I drew a goofy comic about a hungry, grouchy fish named Bob Surlaw who has since gone on to star in his own video games, court-room drama, and political campaign. Bob even wrote his own autobiography!


Soda Piggy (W. James Pandelis) - https://sodapiggymusic.com/

Fighto Fantasy's pixel artist, Soda Piggy also helps come up with game design ideas and provides coding assistance. He is primarily a freelance graphic artist and composer and has a fire for working on retro-style games, like this one, and has a good knowledge of old gaming systems’ art. When he’s not working on games, he is playing them, and always looking for new inspiration. He maintains the game's Twitter account.

Glock & mr8bit - https://glockandmr8bit.bandcamp.com/

The musicians behind Fighto Fantasy and other Super Walrus Games titles. Glock and mr8bit first found fame busking outside of the graveyard in the small town of Union, Connecticut. Through a series of increasingly-unlikely events, they embarked on a whirlwind tour of America, culminating in a police chase through the winding hills of San Francisco. While serving time in federal prison, Glock spent his days power lifting weights while mr8bit spent his days mostly crying and eating paper towels. Upon their release, the pair used their new cache of street cred to rise through the ranks of the Mullido Diablos cartel, ultimately transforming the organization from a ruthless drug syndicate into a profitable textile distributor. Satisfied with their accomplishments and not wanting for money, they returned to their first love: music. They have produced several wildly successful soundtracks for several wildly successful games that have since become household names for people who aren't squares. They continue to be true titans of the industry, yet have somehow managed to remain humble despite all of their awesome achievements that will never be duplicated by anyone ever throughout the entire history of the universe.

James Paige and Ralph Versteegen - https://rpg.hamsterrepublic.com/ohrrpgce/Main_Page

James & Ralph are the developers of the OHRRPGCE (Official Hamster Republic Role Playing Game Construction Engine), along with Mike, Simon, Jay, Yuriy and yet more contributors.

James lurks in California with his lovely family. He enjoys making games just a tiny bit more than he enjoys playing them, and he enjoys fixing bugs just a tiny bit more than he enjoys creating new
ones.

Ralph spends much too much time chasing escapee sheep back into their paddocks and growing exotics on a small farm in New Zealand. When he's not farming or working on the OHRRPGCE or a dozen other projects simultaneously he's meant to be completing his graduate studies in pattern recognition.

What's Next?

Once the current area of Fighto Fantasy is completed, we'll be sending out play test copies to select associates. There will be a wider play test once the game's closer to completion.

Keep checking back here and on Facebook for weekly updates! You can follow the game's development bit by bit as we reveal new characters, songs, locations, and more. Once the game's up for voting on Steam Greenlight, we'd appreciate your support! Have a good New Year's, and watch out for monsters.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Creepy Christmas!

Have a nice Christmas, everyone! Hope you party well. Did you know that even monsters enjoy a good party? For proof, I recommend the 1989 NES title Monster Party. It tells you what you're getting into, even if it's not your kind of party. That's OK. We all celebrate differently and that's beautiful.

Oh, and here's how Dr. Cube celebrates: Putting a couple of ornaments on Marutambo, his creepy coniferous creature. He shows up as a mid-boss in Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Name That Kaiju!



Name That Kaiju! This grouchy guy should be in a festive mood, but you shouldn't expect too much celebration from a monstrous member of Cube's Posse.

Graphics by Soda_piggy - http://kaijubigbattelgame.blogspot.com/ for archives and updates

Friday, December 16, 2016

Bouldly Go


He's rude, he's huge, he's the Steam Powered Tentacle Boulder! Like the good Boulder himself, Kaiju Big Battel: Figtho Fantasy will be powered by Steam when it launches on the platform in 2017.

Once a beloved Kaiju hero, Boulder has GONE ROGUE and left to find his own fortune and glory. The events of Fighto Fantasy will reflect this, with Boulder showing up as an optional boss encounter. What could have turned this hero? Did he read a political manifesto by a failed presidential candidate? Did he find a new favorite class in D&D? Or did he just really like the title of the new Star Wars movie?

Graphics by Soda_piggy - http://kaijubigbattelgame.blogspot.com/ for archives and updates

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Name That Kaiju!


Name That Kaiju! Is this week's Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy monster friend or foe? What does he really want? Fame? Fortune? A really good burger? Find out on Friday!

Graphics by Soda_piggy - http://kaijubigbattelgame.blogspot.com/ for archives and updates

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Fight Music!

A fight's not a fight without good music backing it up. Let's melt into our seats a while and listen to Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy's Mid Boss Battle theme, composed by Glock & mr8bit!

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Stay warm, friends!



How's your weather lately? I don't know about you guys, but it's pretty cold where I am. Likewise, our Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy heroes are stuck in a Russian city full of monsters in the middle of winter. Dusto Bunny's probably pretty comfortable, but this isn't Pedro Plantain's kind of climate at all!

Why not take it easy and stay inside? Well, sometimes things are scary inside too. Here our heroes find themselves in a mansion that's seen better days.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Friday, November 25, 2016

Pixel Art Video: The Slo Feng Strut



Pixel art fun time episode 4: Slo Feng struts his stuff! Kaiju Big Battel's hairy hero's ready to fight. Here you'll see his frames of animation used in battle.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving from Super Walrus Games!



Even turkeys can help save the world. What's this great big gobbler doing in Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy? Only time will tell! Happy Thanksgiving, friends.


Graphics by Soda_piggy

Friday, November 18, 2016

Pixel Art Video: Creature Feature

Pixel art fun time episode 3: Here's how Russia's creepy creatures were made! A speedy look at each of the basic enemies in the next Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy zone.



Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Ice Cold Creatures

 
It's a monster party up in here! Let's have a look at six creatures that will stink up the dance floor in this week's Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy update. Come back Friday for a video showing the process behind creating these sprites!

Minions: As in all of the game's zones, Dr. Cube's Minions have run amok. Here, they appropriate Russia's hammer and sickle symbols as deadly weapons. The hammer bros hit hard, while the sickle dudes are speedy.

Seedizen: A regular human being turned into a plant monster by a horrible infection. This plague has spread throughout the city! Where is it coming from?!

Fun Guy: There are all sorts of funky mushrooms in this world. Sometimes, they get big enough to become sentient beings. Fun Guys love to party, but more than that, they love poisoning heroes.

Abominabro: A sloppy snow monster who just wants to have a good time. Unfortunately, that good time usually means hitting people upside the head with blocks of ice. These things underestimate their own strength.

Pajitnoid: Named for Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov, these blocky robots attack by flinging pieces of their own bodies at unsuspecting heroes.

There's a classic Cube monster behind all of the mayhem in Russia, but which one could it be?

Graphics by Soda_piggy

 

Friday, November 11, 2016

From Russia With Love


Welcome to Russia! A place we should all become very familiar with if we're not already. Our Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy heroes find themselves in a city locked down by weather and something worse. What caused the streets to empty out? What has Dr. Cube done? Is there anyone left to save?

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Pixel Art Video: Where are our Heroes Now?

Ever wondered what Soda Piggy's pixel art process is like? See for yourself, in these time-lapse videos! This art is being used for the game's next major area, currently in development. Where is it? Find out tomorrow!


Monday, October 31, 2016

Happy Halloween!




👻👻 Happy Halloween! 👻👻 How about a parade of Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy Monsters? Oh yeah, and Hell Monkey's here now too. He's not the kind of guy to miss out on a party.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Still Rome-ing Around Town



Today's glimpse at Fighto Fantasy shows our heroes visiting the mansion of an esteemed member of the Roman Senate. Where did he get those paintings? What other terrible secrets lurk in this house?

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Friday, October 21, 2016

Oh the Humanity!

 
Humans! Today's Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy reveal includes no monsters at all... or does it? Man is the real monster, after all.

These helpful dudes keep Kaiju Big Battle alive and it's only right to give them a piece of the spotlight. Who knows where in the twisted flow of time and space these guys will be lurking!
Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Name That Kaiju!

Name That Kaiju! Though actually, are any of these Kaiju at all? What makes someone a Kaiju? Gigantic size, disregard for city property, or simply a hearty, bellowing laugh? Argue the details all you want, but these guys are important.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Friday, October 14, 2016

Cat's The Way I Like It



In these troubling times, it's important to know about the issues facing our Kaiju Big Battel heroes.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Rome on the Range


 Here we see our Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy heroes just Rome-ing around. This area was the first we showed to the public back at PAX East! It's changed a lot since then and is now the game's third zone. Here we see some fancy architecture, a group of dummies, and some training decoys. What's that weird looking thing near the top...?

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Friday, October 7, 2016

Look Out for Lobstrosities!


Here comes Craw! This lumbering, water-logged lobstrosity is hiding out in a sewer waiting to punch the Kaiju Big Battel heroes in the brain. Craw has befriended the foul fiends that live in this murky zone, from skeletons to slimes to savage statues.

If he was a parent, perhaps his name would be Craw Dad instead. Is it possible that his legal name used to be Cray?

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Name That Kaiju!


 Name that Kaiju! This week's Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy foe lurks in the water in a filthy basement, waiting to spring a trip. How did he get here? Did Dr. Cube flush him down a toilet?

Graphics by Soda_piggy - http://kaijubigbattelgame.blogspot.com/ for archives and updates

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Jailhouse Rock



Today in Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy: The heroes go to jail. What did they do? Did Dusto Bunny throw litter on the highway? Did Silver Potato put metal in the microwave? Did American Beetle commit voter fraud? Only time will tell!

Also note the beefy muscle man next door. He's a good dude and very helpful. Muscle men throughout history will prove to be quite useful.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, September 21, 2016


The latest Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy track is up! This one was designed for the game's caves, but you might hear it in another major area too. Take a listen to it here: https://glockandmr8bit.bandcamp.com/track/cave-dweller

Music by Glock & mr8bit

Friday, September 16, 2016

The Squeaky Wheel




Our first major Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy boss is Dino Kang Jr.! For some reason, Dr. Cube decided it would be a good idea to leave this lazy dude in charge of his evil plans in an ancient Egyptian pyramid. Our followers may know that cats are important in this game. Well, Dino Kang Jr. has a lot in common with cats: He's adorable, but if you rub his belly when he doesn't want you to, he may bite.

 
Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Name That Kaiju!

For everyone who guessed (all one of you), the boss of the Pyramid in Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy is getting revealed this week! Here's a sneak peek. Who could it be?? I have no idea. Find out Friday!

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

The Puzzling Pyramid of Dr. Cube


Deadly dangers and peculiar puzzles await inside Egypt's pyramid! What sort of traps has Dr. Cube laid for our heroes? Which member of his posse awaits in its depths? Start your guessing and find out next week!

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

History Cubed

 
 
To no surprise, Dr. Cube does not respect history. He sticks his blocky head everywhere in his ego quest. Does he want to summon a dark power? Destroy all life? No. He wants everyone to know he's the coolest dude ever.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Moral Dilemma

We all have to make hard choices sometimes. Whether to get up and go to work in the morning, whether to get one slice of cheese or two, whether to tell a kid that monsters are real. Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy honors the hard choices faced by everyday people by incorporating hard moral choices. Choice matters: Once a rude liar, always a rude liar. Play it cool.

Graphics by Soda_piggy





Friday, August 19, 2016

Swedish Meatball Strolls In


 Our final (non secret) Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy playable hero reveal is Slo Feng! This slovenly superstar hails from Sweden and wields a heavy hammer. While other characters perform their attacks in one turn, Slo Feng's take some time to charge up. He can hit harder than anyone else, so sometimes it's worth the wait! Is he powering up, or is he just lazy?

Graphics by Soda_piggy - http://kaijubigbattelgame.blogspot.com/ for archives and updates

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Name That Kaiju!


This is it; one final playable Kaiju Big Battel hero to reveal. He's a big dude, a heavy hitter. Name that Kaiju!!

Of course, there will still be more characters to reveal in the future, from helpful assistants to horrible villains. I can hear some sort of villainous squeak in the distance. No one knows what that could be!

 Graphics by Soda_piggy

Friday, August 5, 2016

¡Viva Los Plantanos!

 
Pedro Plantain is ready to rumble! Kaiju Big Battel's high-flying fruit man fights for freedom and is able to boost his allies' abilities while tearing down the enemy's defenses. Pedro may look like he's on his own, but he has the ability to call in other Plantain family members to back him up.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Name That Kaiju!


 Time to guess the new Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy hero! This freedom fighter never backs down from a fight he believes in. Find out the answer on Friday!

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

You Gotta Be Kitten Me


It wouldn't be an RPG without side quests and Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy has plenty. Sometimes you find shadowy beings beyond communication. Sometimes a muscle man needs you to defeat his cursed brother. Sometimes a cat needs a belly rub.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Friday, July 22, 2016

Soup's On!



Today's soup du jour is chicken noodle! Kung Fu Chicken Noodle, that is. This Kaiju Big Battel hero was once a dangerous rogue, and true to his roots, he's unpredictable. Soup can strike foes for brutally heavy damage but sometimes gets a little bit out of control, swinging his cleaver wildly and occasionally striking allies. Is it worth it? Is the extra muscle on your side enough to justify having a friend who sometimes punches you upside the head?

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Name That Kaiju!



Time to guess the new Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy hero! This guy's a bit of a loose cannon. Find out the answer on Friday!

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Let Us Make a Journey to The Cave of Monsters


There's a new art style in the works for the Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy heroes. Please let us know your thoughts!

You never know what kind of things you're going to find in a dark cave! Monsters, skeletons, treasure, maybe even a new friend. Sometimes our brightest hope is shrouded in darkness.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Kaiju Hits the Beach


Here's an early look at the Egypt zone in Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy! I included a comparison to the placeholder version as well. When designing these maps, it's incredibly helpful to have placeholders and guidelines layout the geography before building the game around them. Hope you enjoy this new area! Yes, there definitely are mummies to punch.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Friday, July 1, 2016

So Wrong, it's Got to be Right


Feel the funky rhythm, Super Wrong is stinking up the dance floor! This week's Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy reveal features a man of few words who can nonetheless speak volumes with his entrancing poses. Super Wrong will not fight in battle, but will nonetheless be an important ally, serving as Dusto Bunny's intern at Hero Headquarters. And who knows, he might just get a shot at a title fight later in the game!

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Name That Kaiju!



A new Kaiju Big Battel​: Fighto Fantasy monster's on his way! This is a support character, a man of few words.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Monday, June 27, 2016


A behind the scenes look! Here's what an early area of Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy looks like before graphics and mapping are complete. It's not pretty, but it's necessary for planning everything out!

Monday, June 20, 2016

Ask Dusto Bunny!

 
Do you love learning as much as the filthy, wise sage Dusto Bunny? In Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy, Dusto's computer in Hero Headquarters holds all kind of useful info, from battle stats to mission objectives to a place for him to answer important questions.

What's the world's coolest snack? How come there aren't any red whales? Where's the best place to vacation on a budget, in this post-giant monster world? It's UP TO YOU to ask the questions! They don't have to be Kaiju or bunny related at all. In fact, it's best if they aren't. Just keep it PG and fairly short, and your question may be featured in the game!

One question per person; feel free to make multiple submissions, but only the best one will be used. Ask RIGHT HERE, but your questions will NOT be answered here; you'll have to wait for Fighto Fantasy to learn the truth!

Submit your questions through the end of June, 2016 for an opportunity for them to appear in the game.

Friday, June 17, 2016

Robox Rolls Out

 
 
It's Robox! Kaiju Big Battel's cardboard champion is the latest addition to Fighto Fantasy.

Robox is a unique fighter, using his amazing new scanning technology to learn the marvelous moves of his enemies. Like all good boxes, you never know what sort of weird stuff you're going to find in here.

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Name That Kaiju!



We've got someone wobbly on the Kaiju Big Battel monster mystery this week! Who could this heroic heartthrob be? Find out Friday!

Graphics by Soda_piggy

Friday, June 10, 2016

It's Slime Time! Here Comes SDS-1!



Now entering the ring... it's the SDS-1! The Super Dimensional Slug has been used by Dr. Cube to go hog wild on history.

With the ability to tear open holes in time and space, the SDS-1 is Cube's ticket to time travel trickery. Luckily, slugs are really gooey and always leave behind a slime trail. The slimy holes left in space-time can be hijacked by our heroes to chase down Cube on his maniacal history tour.

Graphics by Soda_piggy - Kaiju Big Battel - ‪#‎NameThatKaiju‬