Fahmi’s Swan Tune: Afterlove EP – Life, Love, and Music in Jakarta

After we, Pikselnesia, first heard the pitch for Afterlove EP from considered one of Indonesia’s best narrative minds, Fahmi Hasni, we knew it could be one thing particular. However we by no means anticipated all the pieces to unfold the way in which it did.

I first met Fahmi, funnily sufficient, by way of a courting app. After a really transient entangling, it rapidly grew to become clear that we have been meant to create one thing far higher than only a fleeting companionship. Even earlier than What Comes After took form, he was already dreaming about what at the moment was known as Mission Heartbreak. Again then, he didn’t actually have a story – only a feeling he needed to seize. The ache of making an attempt to maneuver on whereas the voice of misplaced love nonetheless lingers in your head.

Then, simply as we have been moving into full manufacturing, Fahmi handed away. I bear in mind spending a number of horrible months in my grief questioning what went flawed – if something may have gone otherwise. Fahmi’s passing was sudden, tragic, and totally stunning.

When our workforce and writer ultimately selected me to be the Narrative Lead, I knew precisely what to do. Our protagonist would really feel what I felt.

I used to be going to place him by way of hell.

Because the workforce hurled itself into persevering with manufacturing in the darkish, I knew every of us struggled to fill the enormous gap Fahmi had left. Our producer, Ivor, had recognized Fahmi since earlier than his days as a gaming journalist. Now, he needed to shoulder the not possible – main a studio with out its coronary heart. He managed Pikselnesia, coordinated with our writer Fellow Traveler, and stored Fahmi’s household up to date. I knew he was expert – his years in the AAA cellular sport business proved that – however guiding a grieving workforce whereas mourning a pal should have been intestine-wrenching.

Our different co-lead, Damas, was a pillar of the Indonesian gaming business. His Bandung-based mostly studio – Rolling Glory Jam – had been our spine once we launched What Comes After years earlier than. Then there was Giri, who I had labored with on What Comes After. Seeing him once more as Lead Programmer for Afterlove EP felt like reuniting with an previous ally. Our different programmer, Dany, took on much more – moving into the position of Inventive Director whereas nonetheless managing the again-finish of our PC and Nintendo Swap builds. I had seen all these males stand beside Fahmi earlier than. Although I maybe would by no means totally grasp the depth of their grief, I may really feel their dedication to finish Fahmi’s remaining masterpiece, the swan tune of his dying breath.

Even when Afterlove EP was only a dialog I had with Fahmi over espresso, Fahmi already knew he needed Soyatu to steer the artwork path. I bear in mind being in awe – Soyatu’s unmistakable model, in an clever sport about loss of life? It might absolutely be a head-turner. I used to be relieved when Fahmi additionally discovered Pinga to create background arts that completely complement Soyatu’s full of life characters. Collectively, their work felt seamless. And when Maxi joined the workforce, all the pieces clicked into place. Watching Soyatu’s characters come to life – truly strolling, truly speaking – was surreal. It made sense, although. Maxi had labored with Giri earlier than at Thinker Studio, and I by no means doubted his expertise for a second.

This all-star workforce was precisely what Fahmi’s imaginative and prescient wanted – something much less merely wouldn’t have sufficed. His love for Jakarta ran deep. The chaotic sprawl of the streets, the hidden gems tucked away in gap-in-the-wall eateries, town’s thriving music and artwork tradition – all of it formed him, and his hopeless romantic tendencies. That was why he introduced L’Alphalpha into the challenge so early. The shoegaze band has a singular, distinctive sound that’s considerably cinematic, distinctive lyrics written in Bahasa Indonesia which are melancholic with out being maudlin, the kind of songs that acknowledged ache however by no means let it devour you. It was all the pieces Fahmi needed Afterlove EP to precise.

In Afterlove EP, you step into the lifetime of Rama, a deadpan younger musician grieving the lack of his girlfriend, Cinta, who died from a deadly coronary heart illness. Dealing with the burden of her absence is already overwhelming – sorrow, trauma, and guilt twist collectively in a relentless storm. However what makes it even tougher is that Cinta’s voice by no means actually leaves him. She lingers in his thoughts, talking to him, questioning him, making shifting on really feel not possible.

As Rama stumbles towards a brand new chapter in his life, he faces selections that form his future – together with three potential love pursuits: Mira, Regina, and Satria. But, Cinta stays. She watches. She feedback on his selections. She even sometimes disagrees with how he tries to maneuver ahead, a presence that refuses to fade into reminiscence. In the meantime, his band, Sigmund Feud, is barely holding collectively. His absence throughout his deepest grief took its toll, and when he lastly returns, he by some means manages to make issues worse. Anybody who has tried to start out a band with mates in a storage will perceive – generally it’s tangled in private drama, different instances it’s clashing ambitions. However in each indie band, there’s at all times that second when all the pieces feels prefer it may crumble.

As you navigate Rama’s life in essentially the most eventful month of his new life, you’ll be immersed in Soyatu’s signature artwork model – not simply in character sprites you’re controlling and interacting with, but additionally in fantastically crafted comics woven all through the sport.

You’ll additionally have the ability to management how nicely Rama performs with the band in each observe periods and dwell performances, as you jam out to L’Alphalpha’s unimaginable shoegaze submit-rock soundtrack.

Jakarta itself performs an important position in Afterlove EP, with actual-life areas that meant the world to Fahmi and our workforce. Who is aware of? Possibly someday, you’ll end up wandering these similar streets, seeing town by way of his eyes, and understanding why he fell in love with it.

There’s a lot extra to find, however I don’t need to spoil the surprise of experiencing Afterlove EP for your self. So, I’ll finish right here – with my deepest gratitude to everybody who has supported us on this journey. We’re lastly on the end line, and it’s due to you that we have been capable of convey Fahmi’s remaining masterpiece to life. Till later once we meet once more, mates.