http://jamgames.co.uk

The term "New Days" originally was apseudonym for "Neudaiz", based on aplanetary setting from the game"Phantasy Star Universe". It was a veryserene setting with wonderful hues andunique backdrops, complete with anoriental motif.

The influence behind the track was theAsian clothing introduced to the NorthAmerican Home stores which aroundthat time I started on my very first

project. The purpose was to interject the said inspiration and appreciation for theitems and the history behind them into the production, from kimonos to animecostumes.

After the production of New Days wrapped I wanted to work on a sequel thatfeatured more oriental styles from other developers and clothing that didn't makeit into the first edition. The challenge was to do so via a story sequence, asopposed to pure exposition. What was concocted was something ratherinteresting, since my mind was going in two different directions.

What came about what a "what if"tale: a story that takes place in thesetting of "Afro Samurai" ­­ one of themost popular and influential animeIPs ever created ­­ wherein thenumber­two headband wasobtained by a fighter from the"Second Gate of Kimon."

Admittedly, not everything wasthoroughly planned out and while Ithought the final product was decent, I wasn't thrilled with the overall results.Elements were missing to flesh out some of the scenes in the sequel and giventhat there were only a few animations available in Home (see "lack of LMOs atthe time"), you could only use the "Get Ready" pose to convey a martial arts fightstance for so long.

Regardless of the results, I was compelled to at least revisit the tale of the fighters,clean up some of the confusion in the short machinima, and compose anelaborate perspective on the main characters: Chizu, and the Swordswoman,Kurumi Sukai.

New Days 3 is an epic martial arts concept that takes from the influences of theworks of such "Manhua" artists Ma Wing Shing (Storm Riders) and Andy Seto(Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Saint Legend) to recreate the artisticcharacter development and place it into thevirtual construct.

It will explain a bit on the events that lead upto the final confrontation of the two and willpurvey Kurumi's background. I desiredto tell this tale through two women due to aunique twist on each of the characters: whileChizu was once Kurumi's sensei and confidant,Kurumi was tasked to end Chizu's life beforeshe was to open the Gates of Kimon.Kurumi is known as "The Laido Assassin": deepwithin those dreamy eyes and natural beautylies a skill with a sword beyond deadly, thatno man (or woman) were able to stayalive long enough to wonder the origins ofthe style, or the location of the strike.

Kurumi, however, lives in a very unique world. Though it was depicted that sheand Chizu were once great friends, Kurumi doesn't have a voice; she is a mute.

Not many know of her existence because of this, and due to her art style andtechnique ("The 32 Limbs of the Sword Skill Tree") she chose to live a hermit's life,only relying upon nature's resources (water, food, and living).

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Overall, "Kurumi's Last Ballad" will be the final chapter of this journey of strife,betrayal, and greed. Questions will be answered, magic will be captured,and here's hoping that the results will be aesthetically appealing.But if martial arts, Manhua, and Playstation Home machinima pique yourinterests, then I recommend that you give New Days 3 a chance. It issomething I personally think you'll enjoy.

http://lockwoodpublishing.com

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