SYSTEM F.A.Q. DIRECTORY
[ GENERAL INFO ]
[ What is Device Program? ]
It is a dedicated hub for animated stories and roleplays, acting as a creative space for projects, discussions, and community interactions.
[ What platforms will AU Journey be available on? ]
It will initially be available on Windows PC. Support for other operating systems might be explored in the future depending on the
Kristal engine's limitations.
[ AU JOURNEY - PROJECT NOTES ]
[ When is the demo coming out? ]
I don’t have a set release date yet. The project is still early (around 5% done), and I want to make sure Chapter 1 feels right before releasing anything into the wild. Updates will come as development progresses.
[ How big will the demo be? ]
It will mostly focus on Chapter 1. It won’t be super long, but it should give a very solid feel for the game’s custom style, gameplay mechanics, and the overall narrative tone.
[ How long will Chapter 1 take to beat? ]
I estimate it will take around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete a standard playthrough of Chapter 1, depending on how much you explore and interact with the world.
[ Will this be a full game? ]
Yes! Au Journey is planned as a massive multi-chapter experience. Right now, the idea is around 5 chapters… maybe? This could change as the story develops and expands outward.
[ Will the game be free? ]
Yes! Au Journey is completely a passion project and will be 100% free to play for everyone.
[ Is this a Deltarune 2 or official DLC? ]
No. This is not official content, DLC, or connected to Toby Fox’s plans in any way whatsoever.
[ Is this a Deltarune fan game? ]
Yes! Au Journey is a Deltarune fan game. It takes place in the Deltarune universe, but it is vastly different. There will be new characters and familiar Deltarune characters appearing, and the story, settings, and gameplay are unique to this specific AU.
[ Will the story be canon? ]
No. This is completely fan-made, so it is not part of the official Deltarune canon. However, it is deeply inspired by the universe and strictly respects its established themes and rules.
[ When does this take place relative to Deltarune? ]
The story takes place after Chapter 1 in terms of inspiration, but the timeline branches off into this game’s specific AU rather than strictly following the official timeline of events.
[ What is the connection to Aftermath? ]
It is not Aftermath itself, but some thematic ideas might feel familiar. Aftermath will still come later when I have gained more experience building and managing large-scale projects.
[ PRODUCTION & BEHIND THE SCENES ]
[ What engine or tools are you using? ]
The game is being built using
Kristal as a base engine. This gives me a solid starting point for RPG mechanics and helps speed up development while I focus on writing the story, designing encounters, and creating custom features.
[ What programming language is used for the game? ]
Since the project runs on Kristal, all of the custom scripting, cutscenes, and unique mechanics are coded using
Lua. It allows for a lot of flexibility when building custom spells and complex boss behaviors.
[ What is the hardest part of development so far? ]
Balancing the custom bullet patterns and making sure the Lua scripts run smoothly without crashing the engine. Creating unique enemy mechanics takes a lot of trial, error, and debugging!
[ Is there voice acting? ]
Mostly standard text grunts like in Deltarune, but there might be a few compressed, synthesized vocal lines for specific encounters to fit the strange digital server vibe.
[ Can I help with the project? ]
Right now, this is mostly a solo project coding-wise. I am handling the programming myself so I can learn and grow as a developer. That said, I do have friends helping with music and some specialized assets.
I appreciate the offers to help, but I am keeping development focused so things remain organized and coherent. If you want to support, giving feedback or just following along means the world to me.
[ How long will development take? ]
I do not have a fixed timeline. Since I am learning as I go, tackling new Lua scripts, and building carefully to prevent bugs, it may take a while. But there will be playable demos along the way to keep the momentum going!
[ Will the game get better over time? ]
Definitely. Development is a learning process. Once I reach Chapter 4, I plan to loop back and heavily polish Chapters 1–3 so the whole game feels cohesive, smooth, and up to the quality standard of the later chapters.
[ Who is composing the music? ]
I am receiving help from some talented friends for the soundtrack. Some Deltarune songs will make an appearance, but mostly they will be remixed or reimagined so they do not sound exactly the same. We want familiar vibes that fit the unique tone of AU Journey.
[ GAMEPLAY MECHANICS ]
[ What kind of gameplay will there be? ]
Expect classic RPG elements: turn-based combat, bullet-hell dodging, puzzles, world exploration, and character-driven story moments. I am trying to balance it so the difficulty curve isn't overwhelming right at the start.
[ Is there a run button? ]
Yes! Standard running mechanics are in place, and there will likely be an auto-run toggle in the settings menu for players who want to navigate the server framework quickly.
[ How does saving work? ]
You will find physical save points scattered across the Dark World, similar to the original games. However, their appearance might reflect the digital, server-based nature of this specific AU.
[ Will there be overworld puzzles? ]
Yes. Between the bullet-hell combat encounters, you will need to solve overworld puzzles. Expect block pushing, sequence memorization, and terminal hacking minigames to progress through locked zones.
[ Are Dark and Light World mechanics the same? ]
Mostly, yes. The transition between worlds and how items function differently depending on where you are will remain, but there are new ideas and environmental twists added for this AU, so it won't feel like a 1:1 copy of the original rules.
[ Will we see Light World segments? ]
Yes! Exploring Hometown and interacting with the residents before and after jumping into the digital framework will still be a core part of the experience. The contrast between the two worlds is very important.
[ Will any boss fights be unique? ]
Yes. While some fights will feel familiar in their structure, I am using custom scripts to introduce brand new bullet patterns, party mechanics, and survival twists that are entirely unique to AU Journey's encounters.
[ Are there any secret bosses? ]
Yes! Like any good Deltarune fan game, there is a hidden superboss lurking in the depths of the server. You'll have to search hard to find the pieces to unlock them. Good luck!
[ Are there new items and equipment? ]
Absolutely. The digital nature of this world introduces plenty of new consumable items and distinct weapons/armor that provide unique stat bonuses and match the server aesthetic.
[ Will the UI look different? ]
The core battle UI will feel familiar to Deltarune players, but it features stylistic tweaks and color theme adjustments to better fit the atmosphere of AU Journey.
[ Will there be controller support? ]
Because the game utilizes the Kristal engine framework, standard keyboard controls are the primary focus, but basic gamepad/controller support is built-in and should function nicely for those who prefer to play that way!
[ How do Party dynamics work? ]
Just like in the source material, your party members are crucial. You will need to manage TP, use ACT commands synergistically, and keep your healers safe. However, new characters bring entirely new spells and ACT commands that change how you approach battles.
[ STORY, LORE & CHARACTERS ]
[ Are characters from other fandoms going to be in this game? ]
As a teaser, not exactly full-on crossovers, but there is a major cameo inspired by one other fandom. After all, it is called AU Journey.
[ Could you give us a hint about that important cameo character? ]
Originally I teased this with a poem, but due to the new update, it is now confirmed to be Pomni! She will be very important to the plot's direction.
[ Will other TADC characters appear? ]
Yes and no. No other characters besides Pomni from TADC will appear directly, just so it doesn't get confusing. But if you know TADC, there will definitely be references, dialogue nods, and easter eggs to them hidden throughout the game!
[ Why is Pomni here and only Pomni? ]
I cant really tell you that question besides the fact that the au journey terminal says "A hybrid dimension formed when a Dark Fountain was opened inside a digital server framework." I cant say much about this question since it would be spoilers. Sorry!
[ How does Pomni react to the Dark World? ]
Let's just say she handles it about as well as you would expect. Initially, she might believe this strange new server is just another cruel layer or abstraction of the Circus she is trapped in.
[ Will Pomni remember the Circus? ]
That is a major part of her arc. The digital server framework of this Dark World has strange effects on memory, trauma, and identity. You will have to play to see how she handles it.
[ Does Pomni have magic or ACTING? ]
Pomni is navigating a world very different from the Circus. Without spoiling too much, let's just say her defensive capabilities and erratic evasion skills are translated very uniquely into the bullet-board combat system.
[ What role does Kris play in this AU? ]
Kris is still the vessel you control, but the circumstances of their leadership are being heavily tested. The world they’ve stumbled into operates on rules that even they aren't fully prepared for.
[ Does Kris talk? ]
No. However, Kris is their own person just like in Deltarune, so they will sometimes act, just never speak..........for the most part.
[ Is Susie still the tough brawler? ]
Yes! Susie brings her signature aggression and high damage output. However, the unique environments of AU Journey might force her to rely on strategy just a little bit more than usual.
[ Where is Ralsei? ]
Ralsei is present and remains your reliable guide to the Dark Worlds. However, the presence of the "digital server framework" is confusing even to the Prince of the Dark.
[ Why isn't Ralsei in the poster art? ]
To sum it up, yes Ralsei is still here. The reason why he is not in the poster art is because he's not as important as Pomni in this specific story, and he will appear less often than Pomni.
[ Are there Original Characters (OCs)? ]
Yes! Alongside familiar faces, you'll meet brand new original characters who play major roles in the story, the world, and your party dynamics. Expect custom sprites and unique battle themes for them.
[ Will the writing style feel like Deltarune? ]
Yes, the core inspiration carries over. Au Journey has its own voice and tone, but the specific blend of absurd humor, deep mystery, and sudden emotional beats will feel familiar to fans of the original games.
[ Will choices matter in the game? ]
Choice is complicated. I will not say much yet, but if it were not for a single person in the whole game, most likely choices would not matter. I will not say who... take that as you will.
[ Is there a "Weird Route"? ]
No comment. But as stated above, player agency and choices are something I am putting a lot of thought into for this AU. Proceed carefully.
[ Will there be multiple endings? ]
Maybe. I want player decisions to feel meaningful and impactful, but I am still figuring out exactly how deep the branching paths will go.
[ Will the chapters change if you replay them? ]
Possibly. There may be small differences, altered dialogue, or different encounter resolutions if you replay with different choices. I do not want to spoil too much yet.
[ Who is the main antagonist? ]
That is highly classified data. The entity managing the server frameworks does not take kindly to unauthorized Lightners or rogue digital anomalies wandering their domain.
[ What is the overall tone of the game? ]
Expect a mix — lighthearted, mysterious, emotional, and sometimes intense. At the start, the game may feel light and fun, but as we progress through the chapters, it will likely get more serious, and the overarching plot will take center stage.
[ Can I use Au Journey assets in my own projects? ]
No. Please do not rip or use game assets, sprites, or scripts in your own projects without explicitly asking. Creating fan art, remixes, and references is completely okay (and encouraged!) if credited, but do not use the raw game files directly.
[ Can I stream or make videos of the demo? ]
Yes! Once the demo is released, you are highly encouraged to record Let's Plays, stream it, or make theory videos. Seeing real-time reactions is one of the best parts of game development.
[ Will fans get to see the plot twist early? ]
I will share cryptic teasers and screenshots eventually, but I want the actual narrative spoilers to stay hidden so the game remains fun to experience firsthand.
I love seeing people excited about this project. Comments, suggestions, or even just encouragement really help keep me motivated through the tough coding sessions.
This is a massive learning journey for me too, so while mechanics and art may evolve, every bit of your support counts.
Follow for Updates: Stick around. I will be sharing behind-the-scenes screenshots, sprite animations, progress updates, and more reveals as development continues!
< RETURN TO MAIN_OS
×
HP: ???
CLASS: Anomaly
WEAPON: None
STATUS: Stressed
A nervous jester ripped from a strange digital circus. How she manifested in a Dark World remains one of the central mysteries of the AU Journey timeline. She lacks traditional combat skills, relying instead on erratic evasion, panic, and sheer luck to survive the bullet board.
×
HP: 90
CLASS: Leader
WEAPON: Wood Blade
STATUS: Determined
The human leader of the party. Quiet, observant, and heavily reliant on SOUL manipulation to guide their team. In this strange new server framework, Kris's connection to the player might be pushed to its absolute limits.
×
HP: 110
CLASS: Brawler
WEAPON: Mane Ax
STATUS: Ready for a fight
The tough, no-nonsense monster of the group. Susie prefers solving puzzles with her axe rather than her brain. She is highly skeptical of the new digital anomalies appearing in the Dark World, but as long as she gets to smash things, she's willing to tag along.
×
HP: 70
CLASS: Healer
WEAPON: Red Scarf
STATUS: Concerned
The lonely prince from the Dark. Ralsei possesses vast knowledge of Dark Fountains and prophecies, but the bizarre nature of this digital dimension defies everything he knows. He focuses heavily on pacifying enemies and keeping the party healed.
×
HP: [CORRUPTED]
CLASS: Unknown
WEAPON: Data Streams
STATUS: Watching
Error. File cannot be fully read at this time. Unauthorized entities found within the server framework. Proceed with caution.