As the gaming landscape evolves, 2025 looms large for fans of otome and romance-driven games, particularly due to the upcoming BUSTAFELLOWS Season 2 by Nippon Cultural Broadcasting eXtend Inc. This sequel promises to blend heartfelt drama and investigative thriller elements, following a heroine who has progressed into a relationship with a lead character from the first game. To explore the development journey of this sequel, Siliconera engaged with minetaka, the producer and scenario writer at eXtend, discussing both the original title and its successor.
Development Beginnings
Jenni Lada: When did you initiate the development of BUSTAFELLOWS Season 2?
minetaka: Initially, we had no intention of creating a sequel; we regarded the first game as a standalone narrative. However, the outpouring of affection from players after its release made us reconsider. I found myself immersed in the feedback, longing to revisit New Sieg and its beloved characters.
At that moment, there was no timeline or production plan in sight. I approached the original development team and expressed my desire to create a sequel. Thankfully, they shared my enthusiasm, and we decided to embark on this journey together.
Consequently, we announced BUSTAFELLOWS Season 2 on December 19, 2020, coinciding with the first anniversary of the original’s launch. However, when we made that announcement, we had no framework or scenario ready to go, which is atypical in visual novel development and posed its challenges.
Global Perspective on Creative Development
Jenni Lada: How did the global release of BUSTAFELLOWS Season 2 impact your approach?
minetaka: Creatively, the decision to release worldwide didn’t significantly alter our approach. The essence of the worldbuilding and storytelling remained intact. We acknowledge the various cultural elements, but the identity of New Sieg as a melting pot of races and beliefs was established from the start.
The rising accessibility of Japanese games to international players means that feedback often comes from a diverse audience, which expands our creative horizon rather than limits it. As a result, I find it essential to balance our storytelling with an awareness of this global audience.
As a creator from Japan, I am always curious about how my representation of an American city is perceived by actual residents. My aim is to convey my admiration for American culture without misrepresentation.
Designing a Sequel
Jenni Lada: What were your goals for the sequel to the original BUSTAFELLOWS?
minetaka: Approximately 90% of the players engaging with Season 2 will have experienced the first game. This emphasizes our need to meet players’ high expectations while steering clear of feeling repetitive. Conversely, going too far in a new direction could alienate fans. It’s a delicate balance, much like in TV drama sequels—maintaining the essence without stagnation.
We aimed not merely to craft a safe, “three-star” game. Instead, we aspired to create a narrative that resonates more deeply, even if it isn’t universally well-received. This creative risk, though daunting, offers the possibility for significant growth and evolution in our narrative style.
User Experience Enhancements
Jenni Lada: How will the new flowchart design improve gameplay experience in BUSTAFELLOWS Season 2?
minetaka: In our user interface (UI) design, I deliberately avoided making it conform to traditional game aesthetics. For instance, using the protagonist’s face icon next to dialogue adds emotional nuance and visual engagement. However, I believe this can hinder players’ imaginations, which is essential for narrative immersion.
Therefore, we opted against displaying the protagonist’s face icon constantly, as it could disrupt the player’s emotional connection to the narrative. Instead, I employ alternative methods to convey character emotions when necessary, while ensuring gameplay remains enjoyable. Integral features like the flowchart enhance story structure comprehension and facilitate easy passage to previous game segments.
Incorporating Player Feedback
Jenni Lada: How did fan feedback shape BUSTAFELLOWS Season 2?
minetaka: We prioritize usability feedback during development. Despite our best attempts to empathize with players, we can’t replicate their experiences. Input often shines a light on overlooked aspects, serving as critical insights for improvement.
While we value both positive and negative reactions to content, we remain steadfast in our original vision. Interpretations will vary among players, and I find this variability enriching. For Season 2, some plot developments may ruffle feathers; however, I believe in staying true to our narrative intent, showcasing characters’ imperfections that contribute to their liveliness.
Expanding Audience Appeal Beyond the Genre
Jenni Lada: What design strategies did you implement to appeal to a wider audience?
minetaka: My long-held conviction is that I didn’t intend to create a mere “otome game.” Players often arrive with preconceptions that can confine the genre’s broader potential. I prefer not to spoil the storytelling experience with too much information beforehand, allowing players to discover character nuances independently.
Creating BUSTAFELLOWS involved consciously defying conventions to provide a fresh, meaningful experience, one that transcends traditional expectations within the genre.
Playing Multiple Character Routes
Jenni Lada: The gameplay allows players to choose a character’s route at the start. What prompted this design decision?
minetaka: Given that BUSTAFELLOWS features multiple endings contingent on player choices, we wanted to accommodate diverse perspectives on continuation. This ethos follows through from the first season—offering players multiple paths facilitates a personal connection to the narrative.
The question, “What’s your cat’s name?” serves to enhance this personal connection and further enrich the storytelling. While we could have opted for a generalized prologue summarizing Season 1, we chose to delve directly into character arcs, resulting in five distinct narratives from the very outset. This choice imposed additional challenges but ultimately led to a richly layered gaming experience.
Reflections on Demos and Future Possibilities
Jenni Lada: How were the demo releases for BUSTAFELLOWS and its sequel received?
minetaka: Our goal with demos wasn’t merely to gauge interest but to truly engage players—inviting them to sample the experience we crafted. We hoped anyone who ventured into the demo would be compelled to explore the full narrative journey.
Looking forward, I find myself reflecting on potential future stories and character arcs. Much like after the original launch, I feel a pull to return to New Sieg. A prequel exploring characters’ backstories intrigues me—unraveling narratives before their paths intertwined could yield fascinating insights.
Adaptation Considerations
Jenni Lada: What are your thoughts on adapting BUSTAFELLOWS into other media forms like anime?
minetaka: Any adaptation would require a thoughtful reimagining specific to the medium. Each format offers a unique way to experience storytelling, and I would be thrilled to see the rich world of BUSTAFELLOWS explored through animation and other forms.
BUSTAFELLOWS and BUSTAFELLOWS Season 2 are currently available on Switch and PC worldwide.
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