WELCOME!
If you're reading this, you've arrived at the first ever D-Pad Studio Newsletter! The start of a new chapter, and hopefully something to look forward to in the times ahead!
Moving forward, we'll bring you updates on our upcoming titles and everything we've been doing every 4th month. It's always strange to start something new - but you have to start SOMEWHERE!
Let's jump in and look at what's going on in the world of D-Pad Studio!
Moving forward, we'll bring you updates on our upcoming titles and everything we've been doing every 4th month. It's always strange to start something new - but you have to start SOMEWHERE!
Let's jump in and look at what's going on in the world of D-Pad Studio!
ANNIVERSARY TIME
It's time for our annual celebration!
Every year on November 1st we put together a big celebration to commemorate the launch of Owlboy! This year marks the 9th anniversary and we're still going strong!
Every year on November 1st we put together a big celebration to commemorate the launch of Owlboy! This year marks the 9th anniversary and we're still going strong!
What's happening?
Hosts Simon and Jo-Remi gather up fan questions ahead of the broadcast to give them a lengthy answer during the live-stream.
This year we're also completing our full play-though of Owlboy. It only took us 9 years to get there! Whatever will we do for the 10th anniversary!?
This year we're also completing our full play-though of Owlboy. It only took us 9 years to get there! Whatever will we do for the 10th anniversary!?
Every QA session lets us discuss important topics!
Forexample: "Can Otus taste spice?". "What if other bird people existed?" and of course "What if characters were over-caffinated?"
Forexample: "Can Otus taste spice?". "What if other bird people existed?" and of course "What if characters were over-caffinated?"
MERCH AHOY
NEW MERCH!
Yes, you're reading that correctly!
We finally put out our own themed Owlboy T-Shirts! Some designs will only be up for a limited time, and new designs will be added with each newsletter!
We finally put out our own themed Owlboy T-Shirts! Some designs will only be up for a limited time, and new designs will be added with each newsletter!
BOUNCE INTO ACTION
Meet the Vikings!
Our next major title is already shaping up to be a massive brawl! Get to know the colorful cast of Vikings on Trampolines.
An absolute knucklehead of the highest order imaginable.
He would rather smash through a whole door with his head if simply opening it didn't cross his mind.
He would rather smash through a whole door with his head if simply opening it didn't cross his mind.
Fiesty and revels in mayhem. Has broken out of prison several times for fun.
There's rumor about her mysterious family history, but she's too busy getting into trouble to tell anyone about it.
There's rumor about her mysterious family history, but she's too busy getting into trouble to tell anyone about it.
Bumbling and over-prepared, he wears his full ski-trek equipment, even when the weather doesn't call for it, just in case.
His pet sea-gull actually found HIM. He feels obligated to take care of it, despite suffering its hot temper at times.
His pet sea-gull actually found HIM. He feels obligated to take care of it, despite suffering its hot temper at times.
The embodiment of wild and care-free. She does what she feels like at any given second. Not like anyone can stop her.
The beast on her back is her best friend. They have developed a kind of symbiotic relationship, to the point where you will never see them apart.
The beast on her back is her best friend. They have developed a kind of symbiotic relationship, to the point where you will never see them apart.
These guys still need proper names. Got any bright ideas? Send your suggestions to us at mailbox@dpadstudio.com
Bosses galore!
For the past year, we've been busy working on the game's Adventure mode. You can play single player, or co-op with your friends as you try to fight back the Balloon horde taking over the land.
And of course, no adventure would be complete without some truly bizarre bosses!
Let's meet a couple of them below:
Let's meet a couple of them below:
YEE HAW!
You might have caught this masked bandit in our first trailer! As we started the new year, we put finishing touches on this rollercoaster duel.
We had to somehow get him to stop showing his placeholder face every time he laughs at you failures... Though to be fair, he is quite expressive.
You might have caught this masked bandit in our first trailer! As we started the new year, we put finishing touches on this rollercoaster duel.
We had to somehow get him to stop showing his placeholder face every time he laughs at you failures... Though to be fair, he is quite expressive.
He rides the rails with his spurs...
Our next boss is her highness, the bat queen
Well... she THINKS she's the queen at any rate. She's made her home inside a great tower and is protected by her loyal knights. Or rather, her children she calls her knights.
She's very proud of them and will applaud if they successfully take out those pesky Vikings.
Well... she THINKS she's the queen at any rate. She's made her home inside a great tower and is protected by her loyal knights. Or rather, her children she calls her knights.
She's very proud of them and will applaud if they successfully take out those pesky Vikings.
They're doing their best
LET'S CELEBRATE
ANNIVERSARY SALE!
Being Owlboy's 9th Anniversary, let's uphold another tradition:
All our games are on sale across all regions. Now until November 3rd you can pick them up on a special discount on Steam and Nintendo!
All our games are on sale across all regions. Now until November 3rd you can pick them up on a special discount on Steam and Nintendo!
|
|
|
THE RAFFLE IS ON
SPECIAL
EDITION WINNER
EDITION WINNER
When we announced the newsletter, we also told you we'd do a raffle for a very special Limited Edition of Owlboy!
Well, the winner has been chosen:
Well, the winner has been chosen:
jerodar!
CONGRATULATIONS!
An Owlboy Limited Edition of your choosing is on it's way to you!
An Owlboy Limited Edition of your choosing is on it's way to you!
We plan to do more give-aways in the future. Subscribe to our newsletter and you'll automaticly join any future raffle. It's totally FREE, and we're spacing out these newsletters 4 months apart.
A FINAL WORD
Extra questions we didn't get a chance to address during the livestream!
Like we mentioned last year, the landmasses in Owlboy have an inherent floating property as a result of the Owl's backstory. Finding objects that float is relatively straight forward, provided you're able to gather material. Getting them to move is the main issue, especially with every resource being spread around the way it is.
The Owl cloaks however, are something different entirely. While its use and cultural ties might have changed over time, they are intricately crafted tools that don't function the same way as other material, which is why they're so sought after. Current day owls merely inherit cloaks, as the means to create them was lost long ago, along with the people that knew how to make them.
The Owl cloaks however, are something different entirely. While its use and cultural ties might have changed over time, they are intricately crafted tools that don't function the same way as other material, which is why they're so sought after. Current day owls merely inherit cloaks, as the means to create them was lost long ago, along with the people that knew how to make them.
- Simon
Lasy year you addressed how the Pirate ships stay afloat. If I remember correctly - it's that the ships have the same effect as the floating islands but just have engines to control movement. Is it the same thing for how the owl cloaks work, or is there some magic at play?
- Anonymous
Some of the dialogue for sure! The bantering Boguin scenes were hilarious to work on. But my fave are the final moments between Otus and Asio.
There's just something heart-wrenching about breaking down a character's hard exterior to deliver some really impactful scenes in the story.
As for least favorite - puzzle/platforming segments for sure. I'm more of a action kind of dev - which is put on full display when we worked on Savant - Ascent!
As for least favorite - puzzle/platforming segments for sure. I'm more of a action kind of dev - which is put on full display when we worked on Savant - Ascent!
- Jo-Remi
What was your favourite part of the game to develop? What was your least favourite?
- Owlion
It's a game that favours fast reflexes for sure! If it hadn't been for the giant claws, I'd put my bet on Twig.
- Jo-Remi
Who would have the highest score in Savant Ascent? I'd bet on Geddy.
- Flamin' Fawkes
The primary reason we didn't add windows was that it might be distracting during the various dialogue scenes. There are moments when characters illude to what is outside, and it would be better to see it yourself, as a surprise. Part of why the scene when you step outside for the first time is so impactful, is that you don't know what to expect when you walk out the front door.
We actually made a point to have windows in other buildings for the opposite reason. Once you get to Tropos, the day and night cycle is introduced, so depending on when you enter a building, you get to look outside and be reminded what's there. Buccanary's shop in particular has a lot of visual elements for this reason.
It should be noted though... You only get to see two walls of Otus's house in the game. Who knows. Maybe there's a hidden window somewhere?
We actually made a point to have windows in other buildings for the opposite reason. Once you get to Tropos, the day and night cycle is introduced, so depending on when you enter a building, you get to look outside and be reminded what's there. Buccanary's shop in particular has a lot of visual elements for this reason.
It should be noted though... You only get to see two walls of Otus's house in the game. Who knows. Maybe there's a hidden window somewhere?
- Simon
I realized after looking at all the houses in Vellie - Otus’ house has no windows! Was that intentional??
- Roseyhyena
Got more questions for us? Be sure to send them to:
UNTIL NEXT TIME
That's it for our very first newsletter! The next issue is scheduled for February 2026, and we'll be going into greater detail on Vikings On Trampolines as we prepare for the game's launch!
Any other subjects you'd like us to focus on? We're always looking for interesting topics to cover - so feel free to get in touch!
Don't wanna miss the next issue? Push the button below! See you next time! ♡
Any other subjects you'd like us to focus on? We're always looking for interesting topics to cover - so feel free to get in touch!
Don't wanna miss the next issue? Push the button below! See you next time! ♡
