Tian joined Lilith Games in 2013 and has played a crucial role in the development and production of their games. He shared that AFK Journey was inspired by feedback from players of their previous game, AFK Arena. Players expressed confusion about the purpose of continually progressing through levels and felt aimless in the late game. This feedback led the team to create AFK Journey with compelling storylines and rich character backgrounds to give the game a deeper meaning. They wanted to create a dynamic IP that would motivate players and infuse the world of Esperia with vitality.
When asked about the target audience for AFK Journey, Tian described them as passionate RPG players who enjoy the fantasy adventure genre. These players have a preference for collecting unique heroes with diverse personalities and engaging in strategic and tactical gameplay. To cater to this diverse audience, AFK Journey offers a variety of gameplay elements, including RPG storytelling, open-world exploration, social features, and strategic casual competitive mechanisms.
One interesting aspect of Lilith Games’ approach is their commitment to serving a global audience. They have discovered through data and conversations with players that their titles have a truly global fan base. To ensure they meet the needs of players worldwide, Lilith Games established Farlight Games as the global publishing brand for all their titles. This allows them to publish their games in over 200 countries and provide a localized experience for players around the world.
The art style of AFK Journey is another crucial aspect of the game’s appeal. Tian described it as the “Magical Storybook” style, which conveys a sense of casualness and leisure, matching the gameplay experience. The art team has put a lot of effort into refining the details and ensuring consistency between the visual style and the gameplay. They have also taken player feedback into account and continuously updated and optimized the art style based on their input.
Maintaining high quality is a priority for Lilith Games, and they employ several strategies to achieve this. First, they emphasize team collaboration and communication to ensure that every aspect of the game feels cohesive and unified. They also place great importance on player feedback, holding regular community meetings and involving players in discussions on high-interest topics. This co-creation approach helps them address player pain points and create innovative designs that meet the majority of players’ needs.
To keep the game fresh and engaging for the long term, Lilith Games has designed a unique seasonal update mechanism. Each season brings new maps, stories, characters, enemies, and goals for development and collection. Cross-server gameplay allows players to meet new friends and rivals and embark on a completely different journey each season. This commitment to continuous updates and improvements ensures that players always have something new to explore and enjoy.
When it comes to appealing to Western players, Tian believes that a blend of familiarity and novelty is key. By basing AFK Journey on a Western fantasy worldview and cartoon style while adding their own interpretations and innovations, Lilith Games has created a game that is familiar yet unique. This approach appeals to players worldwide, as it allows them to find something familiar and something new in the game.
Looking ahead, Tian highlighted the Song of Strife update as a pivotal feature in AFK Journey’s future updates. This seasonal update introduces new maps, stories, characters, enemies, and cross-server gameplay, providing players with a fresh and dynamic experience. However, Tian emphasized that what players see now is just the tip of the iceberg of their imagination. Lilith Games has big plans for the future, and they aim to surprise and delight players with even more engaging content in the coming seasons.
In conclusion, Lilith Games is a prime example of a Chinese game developer that has successfully created global games. With their focus on player feedback, team collaboration, and continuous updates, they are able to deliver high-quality games that resonate with players worldwide. AFK Journey is just the beginning of their journey, and players can look forward to a vibrant and ever-evolving gaming experience in the world of Esperia.
