Hello everyone, I'm Gtc, producer of The Bell Echoes.
It's been almost three weeks since our full release.
Thank you so much for all your support and feedback during this time. We've also been working to adjust and improve different parts of the game.
I also have some good news: with the full release, our studio can finally support itself with this game.
(Yes, you read that right. With our previous game, The Book of Warriors, even being able to support ourselves was a distant dream.)
So...
It's time to announce our upcoming update plans for The Bell Echoes!!
(Confetti! Applause!)
Target Version: The Bell Echoes v1.1 Estimated Timeline: 2+ months (updates will be released in batches) All content in the v1.1 update will be completely FREE!
Phase 1: Continuing to Improve the Game
Udreax Contamination system adjustments, combat improvements, English localization improvements, and more. (Completed in the October 9 update)
You'll be able to carry over and synthesize equipment obtained in each chapter of Story Mode. The Equipment Dismantle function will also be removed from Story Mode and become exclusive to Contaminated Zones. (Coming in a future update)
Memory Shards will be easier to obtain. Instead of being obtained by defeating bosses, they'll be obtained through events while exploring Contaminated Zones. (Coming in a future update)
...More improvements and balance adjustments will continue to be released along the way.
Phase 2: Controller and Steam Deck Support
We won't just tack on controller support. We'll carefully consider and adapt every screen and every interaction.
But our testing resources are limited, so please bear with us. If you run into any issues, please keep sending us your suggestions and feedback. We'll make fixes and improvements as quickly as we can!
(Expected to release in November)
Phase 3: Duo Bond Talents
Each character will get 3 unique Talents that can appear only when a specific teammate is deployed alongside them.
(When the required teammate is in the party, the unique Talent can appear among that character's level-up Talent choices.)
Take Mu Ge as an example:
(The effects below are tentative. Please refer to the final in-game version.)
Mu Ge's current 3 Talent branches are: Blade Edge, Combustion, and Embers.
New Blade Talent: \[Blade and Body as One] (requires Yah in the party)
Yah can use \[Throw Art · Telekinesis] to hurl a \[Blazing Greatsword] at Mu Ge. This deals no damage, and the \[Blazing Greatsword] is immediately destroyed.
Mu Ge gains the \[Blade and Body as One] state: after attacking or being attacked, he automatically triggers \[Blazing Burst] centered on himself. The state lasts for as many turns as that \[Blazing Greatsword] had remaining.
New Blast Talent: \[Fire Dragon Empowerment] (requires Chris in the party)
While Chris's \[Fire Dragon] is on the field, Mu Ge's Fire DMG gains +50% CRIT Rate and +35% CRIT DMG.
New Embers Talent: \[Wind-Fire Fusion] (requires Mu Shi in the party)
While Mu Shi is on the field, if Mu Ge has \[Fire Power] and passes through a \[Wind Wall], 1 stack of \[Fire Power] is consumed, and the \[Wind Wall] becomes a \[Blazing Greatsword], inheriting the \[Wind Wall]'s remaining turns.
3 × 8 = 24 new special Talents in total.
Phase 4: New Skins for All Eight Characters & Post-Ending Story
(A new story segment will be added after the ending so every character can dress up in beautiful new outfits. The new skins will include battle animations, which means you'll be able to use them in combat.)
Skins we can reveal for now: Yah (Starry Night Reverie) and Vivian (Deep Violet Moon Banquet)
(The current quality does not represent the final release quality.)
Production process: we first settle on a direction, then use AI to generate reference character portraits like the ones shown above. After that, each character's new 2D pixel-art skin animations are drawn entirely by hand.
Phase 5: The Big One—A New Character
At long last, Ling is finally coming!
We'll be adding Ling to the rewards for the second \[Memory Shard], "When Stars Fall and Moons Wane", in "Temporal Labyrinth" (the Lake Stellarfall Contaminated Zone).
Once this content goes live, players who have already obtained the second \[Memory Shard] and viewed its story will automatically receive Ling.
(All \[Memory Shard] rewards are granted only after viewing the shard's content.)
Well, that's everything planned for The Bell Echoes v1.1. What do you all think?
One more thing: piracy of The Bell Echoes is currently rampant. Please help report it and support legitimate copies of the game, so indie games can continue to grow in a healthy, sustainable way.
And a reminder for anyone who hasn't picked it up yet: The Bell Echoes will return to its regular price of US$15.99 on October 28. Don't miss the current discount!
