MONSOON GAMES
CT:OS PRESS KIT
An intimate, contemplative visual novel about figuring out if home is what you built, or what you left behind.
After a break-up turns your world inside out, you return home for Christmas hoping the change in scenery will give you space to mend a broken heart.
Instead, a charged encounter with your estranged first love, an unexpected visit from your recent ex, and an undeniable connection with the musician-next-door leaves you more confused than ever.
As the clock counts down to midnight on New Year’s Eve, you'll need to choose: piece your life back together in America, or return to the life you left behind in Singapore?
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200,000+ words (at least 10 hours of playtime)
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Branching storytelling, multiple endings, and meaningful choices
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Beautiful hand-drawn art-style
KEY FEATURES
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Player customization. Pick your gender, sexual identity, relationship to your family, language proficiency, and many more
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Narrative branching, multiple endings. Each choice has far-ranging consequences, leading down different paths and unlocking special scenes
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Authentic, textured settings. Experience vivid memories and present-day moments that bring Singapore and New York to life
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Character-Driven. Every character has their own rich backstories and narrative arcs, including the secondary cast of family and friends.
CHARACTERS
Sam O'Connelly
Your goofy ride-or-die high school best friend.
Will you slowly drift apart now that you play for different college teams on opposite ends of the country? Or will absence make the heart grow fonder?
Rayyan Afiq
The gruff, hot-headed No. 1 player on the team
Surly, intense, and proud, Rayyan has ambitions to turn pro after college and will stop at nothing to make those dreams come true. Will sparks fly on and off the court?
Guillaume/ Genevieve Lavigne
The sardonic French exchange student
Guillaume/Genevieve is here for a fun time, not for a long time, and has no intentions of getting too attached... though they might end up surprising you (and themselves)
Side Characters
Tobin Harris
The warm, self-assured team captain
Calm and charismatic, Tobin goes out of their way to make everyone feel welcome, which makes it hard to tell if they're catching 'more-than-friend' feelings for you...
STORY OUTLINE
Prologue: The Departure (24th Dec)
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You are very late for your flight back home…
Chapter One: The Arrival (25th Dec)
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Arrive home at last—just in time for your family’s special Christmas tradition
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Christmas Dinner with your extended family takes a dramatic turn
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Call Nat, or accept Shay’s invite to a late-night music gig
Chapter Two: The Reunion (26th Dec)
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Meet Qiu at a class reunion after nearly a decade
Chapter Three: The Chance (27th Dec)
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Lunch at Qiu’s office, or make dumplings for dinner at their place
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Mountain bike with Shay in a nature preserve, or go boxing in a seedy gym
Chapter Four: The Dream (28th Dec)
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Did Nat just halfway round the world…??
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Visit a Christmas festival/market with someone special
Chapter Five: The Crisis (29th Dec)
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Spend a full day with Nat, Qiu, Shay, on an idyllic island…
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Disaster strikes.
Chapter Six: The Aftermath (30th Dec)
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All's well that ends well?
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Spend time with family at a Columbarium
Epilogue: The Beginning (31st Dec/1st Jan)
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Seven distinct ending variations, with detailed epilogues
JOIN THE CLUB
Demo
Text-based demo
Visual novel demo Dec 2025
Join our email list and be the first to know when there are game updates or key announcements
MEET THE TEAM
A diverse and talented team of writers/coders and artists are currently working on bringing Merry Crisis to life!
Allie
Game Director Writer/Programmer
I'm an urban planner and a game developer based in Singapore. As a queer woman of color, I am passionate about making games that center these experiences. I hope that people around the world will find a piece of home in my stories.
Silvia
Background Artist
When not drawing backgrounds she enjoys being outdoors and Plein air painting. When indoors 3D models are being made or pastries being baked.
Fie
Background Artist
Fie has a deep love for drawing, games and big fluffy blankets. When not perched at their desk, you can find her watching movies, or climbing nearby trees.
Naz
Character Artist
Naz loves to illustrate other people! When not drawing, she's probably trying new restaurants. Fondly dreams of getting a dog and naming it Peter Barker.
And more to come!
TIMELINE
2023-2025
Text-based game
Merry Crisis began as a beloved text-based demo (first 5 chapters written & play-tested). Slowly, a community of ~3,900 grew around the game.
Jan - Aug 2025
Beginnings
Character and Background artists hired to begin development of visual novel; initial coding for a playable demo is underway.
Sep - Dec 2025
Announce Trailer & Demo
Steam page, demo, and announce trailer to go live as part of "Choose Wisely" Festival in Dec 2025. Big marketing push to let the world know about Merry Crisis.
Jan - Apr 2025
Production
Riding the momentum from the demo launch, a big production push to write & code the prologue, and chapters 1-4. Extended demo to be prepped & polished.
May - Aug 2026
Complete draft, Steam Next Fest
1st draft of the full game with all character & background assets to be completed. Play-testing and polishing begins. Extended demo to be released as part of Jun Next Fest.
Sep - Dec 2025
Release, Winter Sales
Release updated trailer in October. Final editing & marketing push before release in End November! Game goes on sale as part of Steam Winter Sales.
Fan Art by @aya-m3k