Dragonroll Studio, a Brazilian indie studio known for developing "cute but subversive" games, is participating in Steam's Made in Brazil Sale, an event running until March 4. The promotion highlights national titles, including Pivot of Hearts, a visual novel set in contemporary São Paulo. The game blends deep storytelling, tarot-inspired mechanics, and meaningful player choices, following a Taiwanese-Brazilian protagonist on his journey of exploring love, identity, and non-monogamous relationships.

The studio emphasizes the importance of bringing authentic Brazilian cultural elements into games. Wilson Kazuo Mizutani, Lead Developer, highlights how representing Paulista experiences enriches the narrative: "We have incorporated numerous aspects of our lives as Paulistas and Brazilians into the game, from bar snacks like fried polenta to June Festival stalls – staying true to the promotion’s 'street fair' theme." For him, beyond cultural appreciation, the story addresses universal issues of diversity and relationship challenges.

Lívia Santos, Art Director, reinforces the studio’s commitment to creating characters and settings that feel familiar to players. "We thought it would be cool if something Brazilian like the June Festival had the same prominence as a matsuri or school cultural festival typically does in Japanese media," she explains. This attention to detail is reflected in the game’s world-building, which incorporates nostalgic references, fictional metal bands, and richly detailed urban settings.

With four chapters, five endings, and over 100,000 words of dialogue, the story explores themes such as diverse relationship structures, gender identity, and ethnicity. The tarot-influenced choice system adds depth to the experience, allowing players to interactively navigate the protagonist's emotional development.

The studio also prioritizes accessibility, ensuring that the game is welcoming to a broad audience, regardless of their experience with visual novels. The title particularly resonates with those seeking authentic narratives about personal growth, love, and identity.

In addition to the Made in Brazil Sale, the title will be featured in Steam’s Visual Novel Fest, taking place from March 3 to 10. During the event, Dragonroll Studio will release an updated demo featuring visual improvements, refined sound effects, and finalized dialogues available in both English and Portuguese. A brand-new exclusive scene will also be added to the demo’s ending, giving players a unique glimpse into the full game’s content.

With its full release scheduled for this semester, Steam’s events provide an ideal opportunity for new players to discover the story and immerse themselves in the captivating universe that Dragonroll Studio has been crafting since 2019.