Developer's Backyard
The Developer's Backyard (デベロッパーズバックヤード, Deberoppāzu Bakkuyādo?) is a blogpost project by Arc System Works. The intent behind it to create a conversation between the developers and players on the development of Guilty Gear -Strive-. Through these volumes, the developers respond to opinions by sharing developmental intent as well as new information about future plans.
Overview
Starting June 1, 2020, director Akira Katano started a project as a means to help respond concerns from players of the state and direction of the game. Each volume has him (as well as other staff, like General Director Daisuke Ishiwatari) addressing problems, with providing their own insights on what they had in mind. Volumes could also contain information as well such as survey results to character details.
There are currently twelve volumes released, with the latest one releasing on November 29. 2022.
Volumes
- First Volume (2020.06.01)
The first volume revealed the results from the Guilty Gear -Strive- Closed Beta Test survey. On "Everyone's Favorite Fighting Games", 95% responded that they played a Guilty Gear game before, and 54.1% responded that the Guilty Gear series was their favorite fighting game. On "Most Used Character", Sol won with 33%, followed by Ky with 24.5%, and May with 14%. On "Most Requested Character", the most requested characters across all four regions were Johnny, Baiken and Dizzy.
Akira Katano and Daisuke Ishiwatari also answered some concerns regarding the gameplay such as the high damage, fewer Gatling routes, 3D camera movement, user interface, online lobbies, etc.
- Second Volume (2020.07.03)
The second volume first begins with explaining the Roman Cancel system mechanic in -Strive- from example uses to advance techniques. Akira and Ishiwatari returned to answer more questions in regards to the direction of -Strive-.
- Third Volume (2020.08.28)
The third volume begins with the recent Japan Fighting Game Publishers Roundtable (as Leo and Nagoriyuki's shared trailer was shown there), and then gets back to more questions being answered.
- Fourth Volume (2020.11.11)
The fourth volume starts with providing information for -Strive- newcomers Giovanna and Nagoriyuki. This includes the following information about them: background, profile information, unique gameplay mechanics, etc. Katano answers questions regarding -Strive- this time by himself, rather than alongside Ishiwatari.
- Fifth Volume (2021.04.06)
The fifth volume kickstarts with showcasing the survey results from the first Open Beta Test surveys. They post the results for "Most Used Characters", which in all regions were Sol, Ky, Ramlethal, Nagoriyuki and Giovanna. The most liked modes were Versus and Training Mode, then Network's Mode Quick Match and Tutorial Mode, with the Online Lobbies drawing the most criticism. However, Online Battles (i.e. the netcode) were very well received in regard to comfort. Akira Katano then provides his insights regarding the results, and announces plans for a second Open Beta Test.
- Sixth Volume (2021.06.04)
The sixth volume has Katano addressing feedback from the second Open Beta Test surveys, with him talking about online lobby improvements and battle balance adjustments.
- Seventh Volume (2021.08.06)
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- Eighth Volume (2021.10.08)
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- Ninth Volume (2022.01.27)
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- Tenth Volume (2022.07.08)
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- Eleventh Volume (2022.09.14)
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- Twelfth Volume (2022.11.29)
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Gallery
Most liked modes during OBT #1 (fifth volume).
Most liked game aspects during OBT #1 (fifth volume).
External links
Guilty Gear -Strive- Developer’s Backyard volumes:
- Volume 1 (1 June 2020): English, Japanese
- Volume 2 (3 July 2020): English, Japanese
- Volume 3 (28 August 2020): English, Japanese
- Volume 4 (11 November 2020): English, Japanese
- Volume 5 (6 April 2021): English, Japanese
- Volume 6 (4 June 2021): English, Japanese
- Volume 7 (6 August 2021): English, Japanese
- Volume 8 (8 October 2021): English, Japanese
- Volume 9 (27 January 2022): English, Japanese
- Volume 10 (8 July 2022): English, Japanese
- Volume 11 (14 September 2022): English, Japanese
- Volume 12 (29 November 2022): English, Japanese
- Volume 13 (9 March 2023): English, Japanese
- Volume 14 (2 August 2023): English, Japanese
- Volume 15 (31 October 2023): English, Japanese
- Volume 16 (26 January 2024): English, Japanese