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

Once we, Pikselnesia, first heard the pitch for Afterlove EP from one among Indonesia’s biggest narrative minds, Fahmi Hasni, we knew it might be one thing particular. However we by no means anticipated every part to unfold the way in which it did.

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

Then, simply as we have been entering into full manufacturing, Fahmi handed away. I keep in mind spending a variety of horrible months in my grief questioning what went fallacious – if something might have gone otherwise. Fahmi’s passing was sudden, tragic, and completely surprising.

When our crew and writer finally 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 hell.

Because the crew hurled itself into persevering with manufacturing in the dead of night, I knew every of us struggled to fill the enormous gap Fahmi had left. Our producer, Ivor, had identified Fahmi since earlier than his days as a gaming journalist. Now, he needed to shoulder the unattainable – main a studio with out its coronary heart. He managed Pikselnesia, coordinated with our writer Fellow Traveler, and saved Fahmi’s household up to date. I knew he was expert – his years within the AAA cell sport business proved that – however guiding a grieving crew whereas mourning a buddy will need to have been gut-wrenching.

Our different co-lead, Damas, was a pillar of the Indonesian gaming business. His Bandung-based studio – Rolling Glory Jam – had been our spine after 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 Seeing him once more as Lead Programmer for Afterlove EP felt like reuniting with an outdated ally. Our different programmer, Dany, took on much more – entering into the position of Inventive Director whereas nonetheless managing the back-end 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 absolutely grasp the depth of their grief, I might 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 guide the artwork course. I keep in mind being in awe – Soyatu’s unmistakable type, in an suave sport about demise? 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 vigorous characters. Collectively, their work felt seamless. And when Maxi joined the crew, every part clicked into place. Watching Soyatu’s characters come to life – really strolling, really 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 crew 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 hole-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 mission so early. The shoegaze band has a novel, distinctive sound that’s considerably cinematic, distinctive lyrics written in Bahasa Indonesia which might be melancholic with out being maudlin, the kind of songs that acknowledged ache however by no means let it devour you. It was every part Fahmi needed Afterlove EP to specific.

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 load of her absence is already overwhelming – sorrow, trauma, and guilt twist collectively in a relentless storm. However what makes it even more durable is that Cinta’s voice by no means really leaves him. She lingers in his thoughts, talking to him, questioning him, making shifting on really feel unattainable.

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 often 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 someway manages to make issues worse. Anybody who has tried to start out a band with pals in a storage will perceive – typically it’s tangled in private drama, different instances it’s clashing ambitions. However in each indie band, there’s all the time that second when every part feels prefer it might 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 type – not simply in character sprites you’re controlling and interacting with, but in addition in superbly crafted comics woven all through the sport.

You’ll additionally be capable of management how nicely Rama performs with the band in each observe classes and dwell performances, as you jam out to L’Alphalpha’s unimaginable shoegaze post-rock soundtrack.

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

There’s a lot extra to find, however I don’t wish 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 in a position to convey Fahmi’s remaining masterpiece to life. Till later after we meet once more, pals.