A rhythm-mystery hybrid game about uncovering the dark truth about a mysterious organization.

<aside> 🎵 - Role: Publishing Producer, Chart Designer

• Involvement: July 2022-Oct 2023
• Status: Early Access Released
• Engine: GameMaker Studio 2
• Developer: Hajimeli
• Publisher: SKY HOUR WORKS
• Overwhelmingly Positive (95%) Reviews on Steam

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I published the V1.0.0 Early Access release of vivid/stasis under the SKY HOUR WORKS label, bringing the title to new eyes on Steam. I also did level design for the rhythm gameplay, designing charts under the alias “CHI XU”.

vivid/stasis is part mystery visual novel, and part VSRG (vertical scrolling rhythm game), featuring a unique “bumper” gimmick.

TRAILER

Trailer edited by the game’s director, Cheryl Stelli.

Trailer edited by the game’s director, Cheryl Stelli.

PUBLISHING A TEAM’S VISION

vivid/stasis marks a interesting milestone in my career - it’s the first time I personally was involved with games as a “publisher”, helping ensure the team achieved its dream of bringing vivid/stasis to a wider audience and put themselves on the map in the indie rhythm space. I can’t claim sole credit for the high quality of the release and the rise of its fledgling community, but I am happy to have supported the game where needed.

vivid/stasis at a pop-up booth in 2023, helmed in-person by myself and the game’s director.

By late November, the game reached Overwhelmingly Positive (95%) reviews on Steam, making it the second game release (and first SKY HOUR WORKS release) that I’ve been a part of that’s achieved that accolade!

I provided design feedback, managed the Steam release + event promotion for the project (including demoing at MAGFest 2024 and MAGFest 2025), and supplied for the relevant fees, software, and equipment needed to bring the game to Early Access.

vivid/stasis remains a freeware, non-commercial release - but now, it has been played by a wider market and has interest from rhythm gamers across the world, with thousands of downloads across multiple regions on the day of E.A. launch.

CHART DESIGN

<aside> 💡 As with any other rhythm game, the layout of the notes for each song you play is a exciting design challenge to tackle - the levels that are formed from this process are known as “charts”.

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A snippet of my work on Tavgha’s “MIDDLE” chart.

I am occasionally tasked with creating the “lowers” charts for several songs using the team’s in-house chart editor. “Lowers” are a community term referring to versions of charts that allow less-experienced players to more easily pick up and learn the game. My charting style for this game can be described as “simple to sightread, fun to master”.

I am credited for these currently playable levels (credited in-game as “CHI XU”):

• Tavgha (OP / MD difficulty)
• INFiNiTE ENERZY -Overdoze- (OP / MD difficulty)
• Luminaria (OP / MD difficulty)
• Proper Rhythm (ENCORE difficulty)
• grode (Wyvren's Remix) (OP / MD difficulty)
• 3, 2, 1, Let’s Go! (Finale difficulty, w/ vivid/stasis chart team)
• Dear My Endsummer (OP / MD difficulty)
• Faux Real (VIVID REDUX) (All difficulties, Finale credited as “vivid/Kato”)
• Ops: Limone (OP / MD difficulty)

Playlist featuring released charts that I worked on.

Playlist featuring released charts that I worked on.