Dragon Song Tavern, the latest project from Etherous Games Limited, invites players into a heartwarming adventure centered around two siblings, Gracie and Elio. After purchasing a seaside tavern, the duo discovers a baby dragon and embarks on a journey to manage the tavern while forming bonds with the townspeople. The game mixes cozy elements like farming and crafting with an adventurous twist, including monster battles. Etherous Games, under the guidance of Executive Producer Miyako Cheng, presented their work at gamescom 2024, where they shared insights into the development process and their creative vision.

According to Miyako Cheng, the idea for Dragon Song Tavern emerged from a personal love for cozy games and the desire to create something that families could enjoy together. "I'm a big fan of cozy games myself, and my daughter Grace has been playing Animal Crossing since she was three," Cheng explained. The adventure elements were inspired by the manga Delicious in Dungeon, blending exploration and food, which Miyako found captivating. The game is also shaped by a long-running TRPG campaign that Cheng's team has been playing for over two years, integrating their passion for tabletop role-playing into the game's world.

Character development plays a key role in the game, as each companion offers a unique story that impacts gameplay and deepens the narrative. Miyako emphasized the importance of companion stories: "We've carried that tradition into Dragon Song Tavern. Each companion has a unique story that reflects their personality and background, and these personal stories shape how players view and interact with each character." This focus on characters ensures players become invested not only in the world but also in the people they meet along the way.

Despite being a newly founded indie studio, Etherous Games has a team with over a decade of experience working together, which has helped streamline the development process. "The real challenge," Miyako noted, "lies in introducing the game to a global audience. Our previous games primarily targeted the Chinese market, but with Dragon Song Tavern, we want to reach a much wider, global audience." Attending Gamescom and receiving international feedback were crucial steps in expanding their outreach.

When asked about the game's release and future plans, Miyako shared the studio's goals for the launch. While the game doesn’t yet have an official release date, they are targeting an April 2025 launch on Steam, with plans to expand to consoles and mobile platforms. Cheng expressed confidence in the team’s ability to meet these deadlines: "Our team has extensive development experience, so we're confident in executing this plan effectively."

Post-launch, Etherous Games has ambitious plans for additional content. "We plan to introduce updates and expansions, adding more customizable furniture, outfits, and other features to keep the game fresh and engaging." The studio is also preparing a Kickstarter campaign in October to raise funds, with the hope of accelerating the development of multiplayer features.

As for sales expectations, Miyako hopes to reach 200,000 copies globally, which would enable the studio to expand the game further. "We'd love to have multiplayer available at launch, but it requires more resources. Without external funding, it's hard to achieve this upfront," Cheng remarked, highlighting the importance of the upcoming Kickstarter campaign.

Through a blend of cozy and adventurous elements, Dragon Song Tavern aims to capture players’ hearts, offering a rich world filled with vibrant characters and a deep, evolving narrative. With Miyako and her team’s passion driving the project, the game promises to be a standout title in the cozy genre, while also reaching new heights with its adventure-driven gameplay.