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Factsheet

Genre Turn-based tactics, JRPG, Metanarrative
Developer Studio Massimo Gauthier inc.
Platforms PC (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and Console Platforms (Nintendo, Playstation, and Xbox), exact consoles TBD
Demo Platforms Windows (and Linux, through WINE or Proton)
Engine Custom 2D engine built with Odin and SDL2
Release Date Demo Released April 7th 2026, full game 2029
Kickstarter Dates April 28th 2026 to May 29th 2026
Price TBA
Website https://www.dioramabreak.com
Steam Page https://store.steampowered.com/app/3932580/Diorama_Break
Demo Steam Page https://store.steampowered.com/app/4519970/Diorama_Break_Demo
Kickstarter Page https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/massimog/diorama-break
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9AzMGqSi2gY9NzlCGOlGHg
X https://x.com/studiomassimog
Discord https://discord.gg/4gVZXqVHmA
Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/studiomassimog.bsky.social

Description

The all-new special JRPG DIORAMA BREAK! Guide the Hero on a journey to Change the World! Listen to their thoughts, listen to their fears! Speak to them with kindness and they might not come to hate you. That’s right, this is the ONLY (tactics) JRPG where YOU can talk directly with the world below. Choose your words with care.

The Diorama Break Demo released on Steam in April 2026 after a month in open beta, and a Kickstarter for the full game is planned to run from April 28th 2026 to May 29th 2026.

Pitch

Diorama Break is a JRPG that focuses on two main pillars:

  • A science-fantasy narrative with meta elements woven into every facet, where the player interacts directly with the party and sees their attention and care towards them rewarded. “What would a serious RPG world look like if your presence in it was a fact of life for the inhabitants, and the protagonists talked directly to you?” Inspired by games like OneShot and fiction like Worth the Candle.
  • A unique tactical turn-based battle system that synthesizes elements of tactics games like Fire Emblem and (more specifically) Into the Breach, with mechanics inspired by fighting games such as frame advantage, footsies, and attack interruption.

Features

  • 8 planned chapters of main story. 15-30 hours for the main story, 40+ hours with optional story content.
  • Characters that speak with the player directly and react to their choices in conversation in ways that affect the long-term narrative. Multiple endings based on the player’s decisions, successes, failures, and… investment(?)
  • An planned alternate route that significantly changes how most of the story plays out.
  • A vibrant science-fantasy world of diverse landscapes filled with beauty and secrets, rendered in a painterly pixel-art style.
  • A fair-play mystery at the core of the plot and worldbuilding.
  • A unique progression system based around collecting new weapons and armor to obtain stronger actions in combat, as well as a skill tree perk-based leveling system.
  • A varied soundtrack (with genre inspirations including jazz fusion, electronic, and folk music) which reacts dynamically to gameplay.
  • Full gamepad support.
  • Built on top of a custom 2D game engine.

Videos

Key Art, Screenshots, and Logo Assets

Get them here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eHrSBETU60Y8__5QitbGzKxOxO1r-t5l?usp=sharing

Preview

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About the Developers

Diorama Break is an idea I (Massimo Gauthier) have had since 2018. As of late 2023, this had been an entirely solo project, but I began working with other artists then, and eventually recruited a full team of contractors and entered into full development for a vertical slice demo in December 2024. I currently serve primarily as the Director, Programmer, Game Designer, and Writer on the project and am heavily involved in all other aspects of development, on top of running the business side of things.

The game is developed using my own custom 2D engine created using the ODIN language and libraries/tools like SDL and FMOD.

Studio Massimo Gauthier inc. is the entity through which I (Massimo Gauthier) and my creative collaborators on the projects I direct organize and interact with institutions, but it is not a wider-public-facing entity.

You can learn more about the studio here: https://studio.massimogauthier.com

You can learn more about me here: https://portfolio.massimogauthier.com

In addition to me, the core team consists of the following talent:

  • SaKo - Character Art Lead, Initial Art Direction, Initial Team Coordination
  • mirrorfloria - Producer, Art Director, Environment Art, Level Design
  • Cyphersept - Environment Artist
  • hasu - HD Illustrator, Character Design/Concept Art, Environment Concept Art
  • Rowan Moy/bezeltorpe - Character Artist and Animator, UI Art and Design
  • 莉琉/Mariru - Character Animator
  • Tappyowo - Environment Artist, Level Design

  • SoapH - Environment Artist

  • dante gofar - Composer, Sound Designer

  • Tristan Hemsworth - Level Designer

Contact

You can contact me via the following:

  • Email: studio@massimogauthier.com
  • Discord: @Massimog