Deliver Us From Evil: Masquerade is out and with this  spooky tale come a few words from our writer (and Ace's VA), Ryan Hoyle.

There’s a television term I’ve always been fond of.  The Bottle Episode.  It’s a term for any episode of a long running series that uses as small a scope as possible (Few sets, small cast, little to no special effects).  These limitations almost always result in a tightly written script with a heavy focus on the emotional realities and interpersonal relationships of the main cast.  So imagine how giddy I was to receive the following directives for Galen’s Spooktober Jam entry!

1.  Focus on Ace and Keldran’s relationship.  

2.  Make it spooky, with a focus on vampires.  

3.  Try to keep the scope limited.

1 and 2 were easy.  I’d already written at length about Keldran and Ace’s relationship, which helped to serve as an inspiration for the upcoming poly DLC.  And vampires?  Right up my alley.  But keeping the scope limited?  That was the real spark of inspiration.  It allowed me to create a scenario in which, to speak of the not so subtle subtext of the VN, we are our own greatest enemies.  Where Keldran and Ace are faced not with a powerful enemy to fight in a glorious and eye popping battle, but with something that wears their faces and uses their own shortcomings as deep-cutting knives.

Visual novels, at least the ones that focus on romance, end after the happily ever after.  Very few look into the complexities and trevails that come afterwards.  To get to write for an established couple like Ace and Keldran, to explore the ways that two people who have cared for each other for so long, who are comfortable together, but still have to navigate the uncertainties, the pain, the tears of making a relationship work...that was both a pleasure and an honor.  And to get to write that kind of story focusing on the relationship between two men?  Icing on the cake.  

So sit back, grab your favorite pumpkin spice drink and a bowl of halloween candy, and enjoy Deliver Us From Evil:  Masquerade.