Hey! I've been working on "Orenjin Pets 2" all summer, and the game is ready for release. But, if you've been following Orenjin Pets on social media, you might realize that I've just redesigned the Orenjins. So, you may be asking: "Why another re-design in less than a year?"
Re-designing the Orenjins in "Orenjin Pets Sticker Journal" was a necessary translation of the previous game, "Orenjin Pets," which went with a pixel art style, so the app won't be too heavy for submission to the Google Play Store. I liked the art style, but I didn't love it. Thus the need for, yet, another redesign of our favorite orange pets.
Why Two-legged
You may also notice that the Orenjins are now two-legged instead of four-legged. That's because there is potential for the types of game that I'd like to develop after "Orenjin Pets 2," including a possible online multiplayer game that I have in mind. (More on that in the future.)
In addition, having actual hands makes the Orenjins seem more capable in-universe. For example, eating, opening doors, using phones, etc. I can't put my finger on it, but the re-design has also made the Orenjins' walk cycles look better... if that makes sense.
The Inspirations
Truth be told, the inspiration behind the Orenjins' new re-design came from researching on the existing virtual pet market. That also includes looking at Tamagotchi, but also some of its competition such as "Pixtube."
But, there was also one more unlikely inspiration, and it's not a vpet, but a video game: "Bunderkin."
So, I was hooked with the character designs of all three IPs, and I decided to redesign the Orenjins based on the trend.
Also, there was once a time when I played with the idea of making Orenjins two-legged, but I trashed that idea... until now, of course.
About "Orenjin Pets 2"
"Orenjin Pets 2" is my follow-up to the previous "Orenjin Pets" game that will focus on vpet gameplay: feeding, bathing, playing games, going out, marrying off pets to suitors, etc.
But, there will also incentives to get players to collect stuff. In the game's case, unlock the types of Orenjins found in a photo album, as well as traveling to 13 cities around the world. There'll be an in-game coin system that plays out when playing games with your pets, in addition to the daily rewards. Of course, for it to not waste the players' time, I've reduced an Orenjin's year from one real-life week to just a day, just like Tamagotchi. Something you might notice that's different from "Orenjin Pets" or "Orenjin Pets Sticker Journal."
The game will be releasing on the Google Play Store for just $1.99. Probably will also be ported to PCs in the future.
* Of course, I'm testing the system on "Orenjin Pets 2," and since it turned out well, I will also be applying this to the multiplayer game as well.