Septerra Core Legacy of the Game Part 10: For the fans
Septerra Core was a labor of love by a dedicated, small team of developers who bucked the odds and development hell to deliver an epic RPG in late 1999. 20+ years later the game stands as a mostly forgotten relic with a complicated legacy. But screw it, this was for the fans!
I’m writing this final retrospective in late 2021—exactly 22 years since the release of Septerra Core. It’s been a bittersweet journey of both the highs and lows of the game’s development. Some people might ask, “Why? Why spend so much time writing about a game that is, to be generous, a mostly forgotten cult classic?”
I’ll tell you why.
The trenches of game development are an unsung place, where massive teams of developers work behind the scenes, veiled by a corporate veneer that strictly wants to promote the end product. Unlike film, which attracts “making of” features by the very nature of the star power involved, game history is almost always lost, undocumented—except for the biggest, most popular games.
Maybe Septerra Core doesn’t deserve all this energy. But it was a big part of my life, and certainly no one but me was ever going to write its history.
So, let’s close it out with my final thoughts and some fun stuff.
These inks were commissioned by a fan as a gift in 2020. It was a lot of fun to revisit characters (Maya, Selina, & Araym) that I haven’t drawn since the early 2000s.
1999: Post Game Syndrome
I could barely look at Septerra Core after its release.
Here’s the thing about game development: you can spend so much time working on a project that by the time you’re done, you’re sick of it. You see all the flaws, and this thing that has consumed your working life for what seems forever. In Septerra’s case it was nearly five years of development, some of it “development hell.” And that was a lot of time to sink into one game back then; most of my previous titles had been completed in under a year.
So I couldn’t actually stomach the idea of playing Septerra Core. It would be a full year before I sat down and experienced the final product from start to finish.
But I’m glad that I finally did.
Yes, all those flaws were there, but I still enjoyed the game. With a year’s distance I was able to approach it fresh, having forgotten many of the smaller details, the extra bits, touches, scenes, and lore the team had added with the freedom of all those scripting tools. I even had to check the guidebook to get past a part I got stuck on (my own puzzle had stumped me, lol).
I moved past seeing the game as a sum of its flaws and remembered its unique charm. That’s a wonderful thing for a designer to be able to do—see your game with fresh eyes and enjoy it for what it is, not what you hoped it would be.
Back to the Future
Twenty two years later I definitely look back on the game with rose-colored glasses.
I know the game is deeply flawed. But my feelings about Septerra Core are colored by the memories of the people I made it with, of the fun we had, of the good times we shared. Even with all the setbacks, the studio fire, the missed opportunities, the cash-flow embezzlers, Septerra Core stands as the era of my career I hold the most fondness for, the product I’m most proud of creating, and my favorite group of people I’ve ever worked with. Did other games turn out better? You bet. But there’s something special about Septerra Core. Its world and characters and their stories, sure, but also the memories that surround it, of bucking the odds and keeping it alive, of pursuing a creative vision instead of letting it die, and doing that with talented people I consider life-long friends.
So, I’m just gonna sprinkle Septerra Core fan art galleries throughout this post! Click each image to get more info and links to the original artists (when available).
The oldest piece of Septerra Core fan art that I’m aware of circa 1999. This was sent to the Valkyrie offices from a Japanese fan. Unfortunately, the original is pretty small (blown up here) and 20+ years later I have no artist to attribute it to.
The oldest piece of Septerra Core fan art that I’m aware of circa 1999. This was sent to the Valkyrie offices from a Japanese fan. Unfortunately, the original is pretty small (blown up here) and 20+ years later I have no artist to attribute it to.
Now here’s another one that I think goes way back (I’ve enlarged it from the tiny version floating around the web). For many years I’ve assumed that this was fanart, but it’s possible this was commissioned by Monolith for promotion back in the late 90s…
Now here’s another one that I think goes way back (I’ve enlarged it from the tiny version floating around the web). For many years I’ve assumed that this was fanart, but it’s possible this was commissioned by Monolith for promotion back in the late 90s…
This one’s been floating around for years-someone made Led with the extensive Gaia Online avatar creator, complete with an armillary sphere in the Wind City library—and they did a great job!
This one’s been floating around for years-someone made Led with the extensive Gaia Online avatar creator, complete with an armillary sphere in the Wind City library—and they did a great job!
There are fans out there that find something special about the game as well. This whole series of posts has been for them, a chance to celebrate a game that isn’t going to get any love anywhere else.
And boy do I get contacted by players who love the game. For 20+ years I’ve gotten letters, met fans at conventions, or been befriended on social media. Some played the game when they were young, and tell me it ignited their imagination and made them want to play more RPGs, or to even become storytellers or game developers themselves. Some want to know more about the characters and world. I’ve had a student use Septerra Core to write a term paper on mythological symbolism in modern entertainment. And there have been fans who want to make their own fan fiction, fan games, or fan art.
Fan art of Maya. Click each image for larger versions and artist links.
Here’s one that I unfortunately have no info on. It’s a neat rendering of Maya that might be from 2014 (squinting at the text)?
Here’s one that I unfortunately have no info on. It’s a neat rendering of Maya that might be from 2014 (squinting at the text)?
And lo, let me tell you how many have told me they cried at the end of Septerra Core, both players from back in the day and new players just picking it up two decades later.
No one writes to ask how to defeat a tricky boss, or complain about the pace of combat. It’s the connection to the characters and world that draw them in. They want to know more about the world, celebrate a character, or tell me how much the game affected their lives.
And I love them for loving this thing I tried so hard to make.
Fan art from GemmaQW. Click each image for larger versions and artist link to many, many more images.
A special shout out to this talented artist, GemmaQW, who has created a ton of beautiful Septerra Core images. Here’s a group shot of the cast, but you can find most of these as individual pieces on GemmaQW’s
A special shout out to this talented artist, GemmaQW, who has created a ton of beautiful Septerra Core images. Here’s a group shot of the cast, but you can find most of these as individual pieces on GemmaQW’s
I couldn’t include just one of GemmaQW’s images – they’re all so good. Here’s a great take on Corgan ( I love the action and movement in this one!) from their
I couldn’t include just one of GemmaQW’s images – they’re all so good. Here’s a great take on Corgan ( I love the action and movement in this one!) from their
GemmaQW’s take on Araym is notable for imagining him when he was a demolitions expert in the war. Tons more Septerra Core images from this artist on their
GemmaQW’s take on Araym is notable for imagining him when he was a demolitions expert in the war. Tons more Septerra Core images from this artist on their
Another GemmaQW image. Led and Grubb are two of my favorite characters, and seeing them together like this is awesome. See more Septerra Core images from GemmaQW on their
Another GemmaQW image. Led and Grubb are two of my favorite characters, and seeing them together like this is awesome. See more Septerra Core images from GemmaQW on their
GemmaQW also has a bunch of color Septerra Core art as well, and quite a few of them depict the card fates. Here’s a mighty rendition of Marduk from GemmaQW’s
GemmaQW also has a bunch of color Septerra Core art as well, and quite a few of them depict the card fates. Here’s a mighty rendition of Marduk from GemmaQW’s
Septerra Core was the first project I ever brought to market that contained original characters and story. My previous games had all been based on licensed properties. But Septerra Core was a chance to make something of my own, starring a motely bunch of fighters, cyborgs, mechanics, mercenaries, scavengers, and robots.
Fan art of Maya as a 3D printed Chibi! Click each image for larger versions and artist links.
A talented artist named Heriberto sent me this adorable Chibi Maya. Heriberto makes awesome 3D printed chibis and many of the fan-art inspired ones are free downloads. Check out his free Maya at his
A talented artist named Heriberto sent me this adorable Chibi Maya. Heriberto makes awesome 3D printed chibis and many of the fan-art inspired ones are free downloads. Check out his free Maya at his
I’m still proud of those characters. Not just because I love the way they turned out, but because of the love the fans have shown them.
And the first time I realized they were clicking with players was actually way, way before the game was released. In fact, it was when the game was first announced.
I remember walking down the street back in the late 90s wearing a homemade Led shirt. This was only a few days after the game had been first announced in gaming magazines, but some stranger recognized the character, pointing out to his buddy that I was wearing a “kickass Led shirt.”
The shirt didn’t say Septerra Core or name the character. But he knew who she was, had already made a connection to her.
Fan art of Led. Click each image for larger versions and artist links.
Another piece that’s been around for a while (2000), the original site is long gone. I did find an archive of the image
More than twenty years later I’m continually delighted to find people making connections to these characters, shocked when I find new fan art online. And every time I think the game has surely been forgotten, some new art actually shows up, or some new fan contacts me.
More fan art! Click each image for larger versions and artist links.
Here’s a fun comic by Golden Dragon Girl from a very specific part of the game—where Maya changes into her “slave girl” outfit. See Maya in said outfit in another fan art at Golden Dragon Girl’s
Here’s a fun comic by Golden Dragon Girl from a very specific part of the game—where Maya changes into her “slave girl” outfit. See Maya in said outfit in another fan art at Golden Dragon Girl’s
This was one of a couple fan fiction pieces sent to me by an artist many years ago. Unfortunately, I don’t have a name or contact info for them anymore.
This was one of a couple fan fiction pieces sent to me by an artist many years ago. Unfortunately, I don’t have a name or contact info for them anymore.
So here’s a neat “Toy Lobo” by Mudbearer. This one was found
Septerra has also had a few fanfiction pieces over the years. Unfortunately, most of the ones from back in the day are long gone from the web, but I found an excerpt from one that’s pretty fun:
“Lord Doskias is on the lookout for a band of reckless rouges.” Replied one of the Chosen guards looking down at a clipboard. “I’m afraid that I’m going to have to search you before you can pass.”
“I’m afraid that I’m going to have to kill you then,” calmly remarked Aryam. The guard could only give a surprised look before two projectiles from each of Aryam’s metallic arms ripped the organic armor and body of the guard sending the guard crashing to the canyon’s dirt floor…in three pieces. The projectiles continued on, embedding themselves in the canyon wall, inches from a second guard. The action was so sudden that no one moved for a whole second. That second seemed like an eternity as a small cloud of dust rose from around the fallen guard. The particles of dust moved in slow motion, dancing in the air as the onlookers sat frozen in time. Suddenly the second ended and action erupted, as if to make up for the lost time.
“For the love of Marduk, Aryam! Why the hell did you have to do that?” Corgan cried, unsheathing his rune carved corite long sword.
“Shut up and kill something Corgan!”
–Fanfiction (Author unknown – if it’s you, let me know!)
But there’s more recent stuff out there, like this one and this one. Plus, there’s Pascal, a German fan who’s working on his own fanfiction retelling of the story, but adding back in content that was cut from the story, like Kassandra and the Chosen being affected by the higher gravity of the lower Shells. If he publishes it online, I’ll come back and add a link here! Here’s an excerpt:
“I could not help but overhear your conversation with your loved one,” Kassandra began, when she knew Selina was out of earshot.
“So you’ve been listening again?”, Doskias asked slightly reproachfully.
“I’m sorry – it wasn’t intended,” Kassandra lied. “But I cannot avoid expressing my concern. Are you really certain she will stay by your side until the bitter end?”
–Fanfiction by Pascal
Septerra has had a few fan made and homebrew games as well. Click each image for larger versions and artist links.
Title screen for a fan made game called “Dream About the Past” created by NEKO.
A Polish fan and student recently worked on this recreation of Oasis for a class, creating a 3D environment for Mozilla Hubs.
A Polish fan and student recently worked on this recreation of Oasis for a class, creating a 3D environment for Mozilla Hubs.
Here’s a render by an artist who was recreating Oasis (and other Septerra Core locations) for fun. You can find more Septerra Core remake stuff at Dennys Brazil’s
Here’s a render by an artist who was recreating Oasis (and other Septerra Core locations) for fun. You can find more Septerra Core remake stuff at Dennys Brazil’s
Marius Simionica has re-created a few props from Septerra, including Marduk’s twin Daemon swords, Dogo’s scythe, Gemma’s blade, the Core Keys, and a globe. You can check them out (including some 3D files you can play with in your browser) at his
Marius Simionica has re-created a few props from Septerra, including Marduk’s twin Daemon swords, Dogo’s scythe, Gemma’s blade, the Core Keys, and a globe. You can check them out (including some 3D files you can play with in your browser) at his
Back when we were ramping up Septerra Core for release the publishers decided to explore the idea of merchandising. Somehow, Led was chosen as a prime candidate for being turned into an action figure—no doubt based on her sex appeal—and they moved forward surprisingly fast with plans. (Never mind that figures of Maya, Grubb, and Runner would have made more sense…)
A prototype of a possible figure was sent to the Valkyrie office, but nothing ever came of it. It’s been in storage for most of the last 22 years. In fact, it took me some time to track it down. Surely something so precious must be stored safely, cradled in bubble wrap, right? Nope, I found it in a plastic bag at the bottom of an old box full of broken model kits.
But I’ve glued her back together and am happy to share pics! I’m also including some pics of figures that Kye made, just for fun, back in the early days of development. He gave a few of them to me as gifts, and very few people outside of Valkyrie have even seen them!
The prototype Led Action Figure. Click each pic for more info.
This was put together as reference for the studio that was going to put together the prototype for the Led action figure. The character model of the game is shown for reference with potential points of articulation.
This was put together as reference for the studio that was going to put together the prototype for the Led action figure. The character model of the game is shown for reference with potential points of articulation.
The figure stands about 11 inches tall (at the top of the pony tails). As a prototype, it was sculpted larger than the actual figure would have been produced (most likely half the size at 5 to 6 inches tall).
The figure stands about 11 inches tall (at the top of the pony tails). As a prototype, it was sculpted larger than the actual figure would have been produced (most likely half the size at 5 to 6 inches tall).
It’s quite a well-done sculpt, though I didn’t think it really captured the essence of the character, The figure’s proportions are almost Aeon-Flux like, rather than the teenaged anime girl she was was in the game.
It’s quite a well-done sculpt, though I didn’t think it really captured the essence of the character, The figure’s proportions are almost Aeon-Flux like, rather than the teenaged anime girl she was was in the game.
If we had continued work on the figure we hopefully would have been able to give feedback and help them find the character.
If we had continued work on the figure we hopefully would have been able to give feedback and help them find the character.
I had to glue her bangs back on and touch up a little paint here and there, mostly nicks and scratches on the skin and hair.
I had to glue her bangs back on and touch up a little paint here and there, mostly nicks and scratches on the skin and hair.
The head is articulated, as are the pony tails. However, because the front hair pieces hand down so far, it keeps her head from turning side to side too much.
The head is articulated, as are the pony tails. However, because the front hair pieces hand down so far, it keeps her head from turning side to side too much.
Her arms are articulated at the shoulders, but her legs don’t move at her hips. The wrench is a separate accessory that can be removed from the hands.
Her arms are articulated at the shoulders, but her legs don’t move at her hips. The wrench is a separate accessory that can be removed from the hands.
Her knees are articulated, but the pins that would have held them on at the knees were lost. Instead, I used small screws and nuts, which worked quite well with her mechanical legs.
Her knees are articulated, but the pins that would have held them on at the knees were lost. Instead, I used small screws and nuts, which worked quite well with her mechanical legs.
Detail of the legs and boots. The paint job here is quite cool – whoever painted her decided to make it look as if the paint has worn away to reveal metal.
Detail of the legs and boots. The paint job here is quite cool – whoever painted her decided to make it look as if the paint has worn away to reveal metal.
Detail of the side boot and hand. Her hands are modeled well, right down to the fingernails.
Detail of the side boot and hand. Her hands are modeled well, right down to the fingernails.
Detail of the laces.
Detail of the laces.
Feet shown with coins for scale reference.
Feet shown with coins for scale reference.
The backs of the knees, the pouches, and the straps of her belt are all very detailed.
The backs of the knees, the pouches, and the straps of her belt are all very detailed.
Close up detail of the hand.
Close up detail of the hand.
Even the bottom of the boots are super-detailed!
Even the bottom of the boots are super-detailed!
A bonus gallery of some of the home-made figures that Septerra Core team member Kye made in his spare time back in the late 90s. Click each pic for more info.
Kye was always interested in sculpting and kit making back in day, and he surprised us by making some Septerra Core statues in his free time for fun.
Kye was always interested in sculpting and kit making back in day, and he surprised us by making some Septerra Core statues in his free time for fun.
Kye gave me these three as a gift at the end of the project. Over the years they’ve held up pretty well, but had been sitting in a box since a move a few years ago.
Kye gave me these three as a gift at the end of the project. Over the years they’ve held up pretty well, but had been sitting in a box since a move a few years ago.
They took a little dusting and a few parts needed to be glued back on, but they still look pretty great.
They took a little dusting and a few parts needed to be glued back on, but they still look pretty great.
I always liked these proportions for Badu! It makes him a little more un-human. The wraps on his arm and legs were modeled with (I think) tape.
I always liked these proportions for Badu! It makes him a little more un-human. The wraps on his arm and legs were modeled with (I think) tape.
Top down view of the back of the group. Not the inside of Runner’s cab, which has a sheet metal “no slip” texture.
Top down view of the back of the group. Not the inside of Runner’s cab, which has a sheet metal “no slip” texture.
Kye put a lot a detail into Runner, including several decals that you would normally see on a Gundam or jet fighter model, (e.g. “No Step”, etc).
Kye put a lot a detail into Runner, including several decals that you would normally see on a Gundam or jet fighter model, (e.g. “No Step”, etc).
Detail of Runner with some of the decals.
Detail of Runner with some of the decals.
More of Kye’s creations. Click each pic for more info.
Some of the models Kye made for fun. I scanned these images from old photos.
Some of the models Kye made for fun. I scanned these images from old photos.
I think many of these eventually got proper bases, but I think Kye was using old floppy’s at temp bases.
I think many of these eventually got proper bases, but I think Kye was using old floppy’s at temp bases.
Kye’s Led figure was a lot of fun.
Kye’s Led figure was a lot of fun.
I think Kye had a lot of fun with posing Araym!
I think Kye had a lot of fun with posing Araym!
Araym was such a fun character to work with because his arms made him so different to pose and animate.
Araym was such a fun character to work with because his arms made him so different to pose and animate.
I really loved all of Kye’s takes on Lobo. Seeing him in real-life three dimensions was so cool.
I really loved all of Kye’s takes on Lobo. Seeing him in real-life three dimensions was so cool.
I would still love to have an articulated action figure of this character – Imagine the poses!
I would still love to have an articulated action figure of this character – Imagine the poses!
I made a few sculpts back then as well. Click each pic for more info.
I made a few models of the characters for fun as well. I wasn’t particularly good at it, but I had fun.
I made a few models of the characters for fun as well. I wasn’t particularly good at it, but I had fun.
This is a kit-bash of a figure I had bought somewhere in Toyko. I *believe* this was a Blue Seed resin kit that I modeled into Led.
This is a kit-bash of a figure I had bought somewhere in Toyko. I *believe* this was a Blue Seed resin kit that I modeled into Led.
This one also sat in a box and had to be glued back together.
This one also sat in a box and had to be glued back together.
I made a rather large Badu figure out of Sculpey. This was my first attempt at sculpting, and it turned out rather…lumpy? Lol.
I made a rather large Badu figure out of Sculpey. This was my first attempt at sculpting, and it turned out rather…lumpy? Lol.
Back view of the Badu statue. Everything was sculpted over a wire skeleton, so the “tail” has someone stayed relatively intact over the years of storage, even though it has broken in several places…
Back view of the Badu statue. Everything was sculpted over a wire skeleton, so the “tail” has someone stayed relatively intact over the years of storage, even though it has broken in several places…
The Legacy of Septerra Core
So yeah, maybe Septerra Core was always destined to be a cult classic, a PC game who’s anime style, voice over story, and console roots were too ahead of its time, too ambitious for a small developer to really get right. But I’m glad we tried, and proud of what we accomplished, even if the game that resulted was deeply flawed.
But it has its fans, and you know who you are. To you I’m eternally grateful, if for no other reason than helping to keep Septerra’s legacy alive. This blog series has certainly been for you, and I hope I’ve shared some interesting tidbits and relics from the vault.
I wanted to stuff these blogs with everything I thought fans might find interesting, cool, or fun, with looks behind the scenes and stories about not just the game, but also the people who made it. In the end, they’ve been more of a memoir of sorts, a collection of my own thoughts and reminiscences about my time on the project, aided and abetted by recollections and stories from the original team members.
And I have to give an extra big Thank You to the original team, all the people who worked on Septerra Core. You took a chance to come work on something that was my passion project and I’m eternally grateful for your creativity, your hard work, for putting up with me, but most of all, your friendship.
I also hope these posts have helped document a tiny sliver of the history of game development. In a lot of ways, Septerra Core’s saga to publication illuminates the end of an era. It was a time when small teams could still set up shop and take a shot at creating AAA games, before game development exploded into teams of hundreds or even thousands; when AAA games could take bigger swings at creative concepts of story and world building, before giant budgets necessitated safe, easily digestible products that would appeal to the largest possible audience in order to recoup investment.
Thankfully, that kind of game development is making a big comeback with the rise of smaller developers and “indies.” Be sure to support them.
And to everyone who read my rambling retrospective, THANK YOU!
Final Bonus: The Prequel and Sequels that Never Were
So, I wanted to include information about both the sequel and the prequel that were once proposed for Septerra Core in this final post. But, after diving into the archives and gathering it all up, it ended up being a little too long to include here.
But fear not. Fans who would like detailed synopses of both of these projects can find them in a separate post. In fact, it’s the first in a possible new series entitled, “Games I Didn’t Make!”
