Off The Record
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Hey, Marvin here.
Today, I wanna talk to you in a more relaxed tone.
The Frozen March News might be coming soon, but before that, there's something I wanna share. So here I am.
About the FFN Team
As some of you might have guessed, our team is small. Just three members: Designer AJ, Yume, and me. In reality, AJ develops almost everything alone, while Yume handles Japanese localization. Both Yume and I help with testing and customer support.
But right now, things ain't going so well. Yume had to return home to care for her sick sister, which requires a lot of attention. (Japanese localization is still on track. This is 2025, after all.)
And then, there's AJ.
What's Going on with AJ?
It's hard to talk about this openly because it's sensitive, and AJ might talk about it in a few years. But here's what I can say.
For the past eight years, AJ's work on the FFN Universe has been interrupted by a major external obstacle. A few years ago, it led to an economic crisis, which, fortunately, has been overcome. But a deeper, fundamental problem remained.
AJ thought this issue was completely resolved three years ago, but it wasn't. Like an incurable cancer, it grew back rapidly, returning like Voldemort three months ago. To be exact, a man discovered it and told AJ. Now, AJ has no choice but to face it head-on, along with AJ’s neighbors.
Right now, AJ is away, working to "debug" this real-life fatal bug with some "friendly neighbors." AJ's like "Life has basically turned into a huge noir open-world game, and the massive, dramatic historical event happening now. That'll be the final story of the FFN Universe."
Actually, AJ has been up every day, too pumped to rest. Even though it's a serious crisis, AJ sees it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that's priceless in its own way. That said, AJ's immunity has dropped from lack of sleep this winter, and AJ's health ain't great.
The good news? This “main quest” in AJ's life is expected to be completed within two weeks or a month. Once it's over, AJ can finally create all the FFN Universe projects as planned, and at a much faster pace than before. (Because this time, the huge obstacle will be completely gone.)
In the meantime, it's just me left running things. Feels like Tom Hanks on an island, talking to Wilson every day. That's why I'm really glad whenever I receive a review, email, or message from y'all.
About the Difficulty
AJ knows. AJ's heard it several times: the game's too difficult.
The last time we talked about it was three months ago. AJ's stance is firm: FFN: Eve is a horror game at its core, and the villains won't be nerfed into buffoons just to make things easier (even if that brings thumbs-down reviews).
AJ may want survivors to feel indescribable catharsis when they finally defeat the enemies, like pushing through that one last rep in a brutal workout. (Maybe "Motherfxxker," a line from Rose, captures that feeling.)
If you're struggling, there are some guide vids on YouTube by veteran survivors. Worth checking out.
That said, difficulty is AJ's personal design choice. As someone who tests the games, I was really annoyed.
I once asked, "Why do I die in just one hit?"
AJ's like, "If you get shot or stabbed once or twice in real life, you'd die too."
So I fired back, "Then why the hell doesn't Santa die easily?"
And completely serious, AJ replied, "He's wearing state-of-the-art tactical body armor. Or maybe his suit is bulletproof, like John Wick's."
I had no comeback.
Honestly, AJ always does this. The Way Home, our second game, was just insane. Wouldn't necessarily recommend it unless you're really curious. Back then, Yume literally sobbed while playing it, and AJ was just like "The subject of this game is about total irrationality."
I have nothing more to say. AJ's brain works in ways I can't explain, and I mean that in the best way possible.
About the FFN Lineup
We sometimes get inquiries from fans and visitors about Flaming Friday Night, FFN: Eve updates, and upcoming projects.
There are 14 planned FFN works that I know of. AJ will reveal specific details soon, but for now, I can say this:
Every story is already fully outlined. Many elements haven't even been revealed yet. The only thing AJ needs is time to create the world. One thing is certain: AJ will spend the rest of AJ's life making games, unless something threatens that goal.
Keep your fingers crossed for AJ and AJ's "friendly neighbors." Everyone's waiting for their return.
I'm bored as hell these days and want things back on track ASAP.
Can't say "We'll be back" or even "We'll be right back" this time. But what I can say is:
We hope all of you stay happy and healthy, wherever you are. And yeah, this might sound like boomer talk, but love yourself, your neighbors, your friends, your family, and your home.
And I truly mean that.
Regards,
Marvin
Hey, Marvin here.
Today, I wanna talk to you in a more relaxed tone.
The Frozen March News might be coming soon, but before that, there's something I wanna share. So here I am.
About the FFN Team
As some of you might have guessed, our team is small. Just three members: Designer AJ, Yume, and me. In reality, AJ develops almost everything alone, while Yume handles Japanese localization. Both Yume and I help with testing and customer support.
But right now, things ain't going so well. Yume had to return home to care for her sick sister, which requires a lot of attention. (Japanese localization is still on track. This is 2025, after all.)
And then, there's AJ.
What's Going on with AJ?
It's hard to talk about this openly because it's sensitive, and AJ might talk about it in a few years. But here's what I can say.
For the past eight years, AJ's work on the FFN Universe has been interrupted by a major external obstacle. A few years ago, it led to an economic crisis, which, fortunately, has been overcome. But a deeper, fundamental problem remained.
AJ thought this issue was completely resolved three years ago, but it wasn't. Like an incurable cancer, it grew back rapidly, returning like Voldemort three months ago. To be exact, a man discovered it and told AJ. Now, AJ has no choice but to face it head-on, along with AJ’s neighbors.
Right now, AJ is away, working to "debug" this real-life fatal bug with some "friendly neighbors." AJ's like "Life has basically turned into a huge noir open-world game, and the massive, dramatic historical event happening now. That'll be the final story of the FFN Universe."
Actually, AJ has been up every day, too pumped to rest. Even though it's a serious crisis, AJ sees it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that's priceless in its own way. That said, AJ's immunity has dropped from lack of sleep this winter, and AJ's health ain't great.
The good news? This “main quest” in AJ's life is expected to be completed within two weeks or a month. Once it's over, AJ can finally create all the FFN Universe projects as planned, and at a much faster pace than before. (Because this time, the huge obstacle will be completely gone.)
In the meantime, it's just me left running things. Feels like Tom Hanks on an island, talking to Wilson every day. That's why I'm really glad whenever I receive a review, email, or message from y'all.
About the Difficulty
AJ knows. AJ's heard it several times: the game's too difficult.
The last time we talked about it was three months ago. AJ's stance is firm: FFN: Eve is a horror game at its core, and the villains won't be nerfed into buffoons just to make things easier (even if that brings thumbs-down reviews).
AJ may want survivors to feel indescribable catharsis when they finally defeat the enemies, like pushing through that one last rep in a brutal workout. (Maybe "Motherfxxker," a line from Rose, captures that feeling.)
If you're struggling, there are some guide vids on YouTube by veteran survivors. Worth checking out.
That said, difficulty is AJ's personal design choice. As someone who tests the games, I was really annoyed.
I once asked, "Why do I die in just one hit?"
AJ's like, "If you get shot or stabbed once or twice in real life, you'd die too."
So I fired back, "Then why the hell doesn't Santa die easily?"
And completely serious, AJ replied, "He's wearing state-of-the-art tactical body armor. Or maybe his suit is bulletproof, like John Wick's."
I had no comeback.
Honestly, AJ always does this. The Way Home, our second game, was just insane. Wouldn't necessarily recommend it unless you're really curious. Back then, Yume literally sobbed while playing it, and AJ was just like "The subject of this game is about total irrationality."
I have nothing more to say. AJ's brain works in ways I can't explain, and I mean that in the best way possible.
About the FFN LineupWe sometimes get inquiries from fans and visitors about Flaming Friday Night, FFN: Eve updates, and upcoming projects.
There are 14 planned FFN works that I know of. AJ will reveal specific details soon, but for now, I can say this:
Every story is already fully outlined. Many elements haven't even been revealed yet. The only thing AJ needs is time to create the world. One thing is certain: AJ will spend the rest of AJ's life making games, unless something threatens that goal.
Keep your fingers crossed for AJ and AJ's "friendly neighbors." Everyone's waiting for their return.
I'm bored as hell these days and want things back on track ASAP.
Can't say "We'll be back" or even "We'll be right back" this time. But what I can say is:
We hope all of you stay happy and healthy, wherever you are. And yeah, this might sound like boomer talk, but love yourself, your neighbors, your friends, your family, and your home.
And I truly mean that.
Regards,
Marvin