Welcome back to the second installment of our devlog series! This time, we spoke with Jose, one of the developers working behind the scenes on 100 Lives. He’s responsible for the GameBook engine, the system that powers the branching stories, evolving choices, and unpredictable outcomes at the heart of the game.
Jose’s work focuses on building the tools that support our narrative design, from localization systems to the engine that makes Kingstown’s many storylines come to life. In this devlog, he shares what he’s been working on, what challenges the team has faced, and what players might discover if they look a little closer.
What did you work on last week, and what's next?
Last week, I focused on updating the game engine that powers GameBook, specifically optimizing the narrative creation processes and enhancing our localization tools for multi-language support. This involved streamlining workflows for our creative team and improving the efficiency of our translation pipeline to ensure consistent quality across different languages.
What's a new feature, mechanic, or piece of content you're excited about?
I'm fascinated by how a character's past life can affect subsequent playthroughs—not just cosmetically, but in meaningful ways that impact the environment and the people around you. It's a mechanic that truly embodies the "part roguelike, part sandbox, part 'how did I get here?'" ethos. I'm particularly excited to see how this evolution unfolds after 100 lives and what unexpected combinations emerge. I'm also a huge fan of the game's soundtrack and the cartoonish art style—they really bring Kingstown's chaotic charm to life.
What's been the most interesting design or technical challenge recently?
The most interesting challenge has been seeing how the dev team improves the camera movement across the different devices where the game will be available. Each platform—whether mobile, PC, or console—has unique input methods and screen constraints, so creating a camera system that feels intuitive and responsive across all of them while maintaining the same gameplay experience has required significant technical iteration and testing.
Is there anything players might miss if they don't look closely?
Always check the corner maps! You'll consistently find interesting events that can evolve your character in unexpected ways. And yes, there will definitely be easter eggs hidden throughout Kingstown for those who pay attention to the details.
How is your work helping bring the "100 Lives" concept to life?
My work centers on the narrative foundation and multi-language support that makes the "100 Lives" concept accessible to players worldwide. I provide the creative team with the best possible tools for content creation, ensuring they can craft interconnected stories that work seamlessly across different languages and cultures. By optimizing these core systems, I'm helping ensure that every player, regardless of their language, can experience the full depth and complexity of their 100 journeys through Kingstown.
We’ll be back soon with more updates from the team. In the meantime, don’t forget to wishlist 100 Lives on Steam and follow us for more behind-the-scenes content. There’s a lot more to discover, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
See you in Kingstown.