History VideoGame / RivalsOfAether

* ''VideoGame/{{Fraymakers}}'': Orcane is a playable character

The character of Orcane would go on to represent ''Rivals'' in {{crossover}} {{Mascot Fighter}}s such as ''VideoGame/IndiePogo'' and ''VideoGame/{{Fraymakers}}''.

* ''Rivals 2'' (2024) -- a fighting game using 3D models, and the first title to be developed under the "Aether Studios" banner. Distinguishes itself from the first game by adding some mechanics from ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', such as shields, grabs, and ledges. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdeE-SJJOYg Teaser here.]]

Following the game's success, the development team has sought to expand upon the game's universe, and as of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzZeDx-Fwts the April 2021 Rivals Direct]], the larger ''Aether'' series consists of these spin-offs and follow-ups:

* AprilFoolsDay:

** For 2018, the devteam threw together a WebVideo/NintendoDirect-[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8FyRoiYgmY style video]]. Among other things announced were a photorealistic texture pack DLC, the replacement of all ''VideoGame/IndiePogo'' characters with Orcane, the reveal of the LethalJokeCharacter Sandbert, and the reveal of the non-JokeCharacter Elliana.
** 2019 featured a trailer for ''[[https://youtu.be/mM0tGVRe4i8 Lovers of Aether]]'', a HighSchoolAU DatingSim featuring the entire cast of the game. The kicker is that the game itself [[https://store.steampowered.com/app/1043180/Lovers_of_Aether/ is real]], and released on the same day.
** 2020 had a "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7o_cf-sTjs Rivals Direct]]" making several announcements:
*** A "Rivals of Tether" mode that turns the game into tetherball.
*** The Milestone System, which can unlock new content and is free. Despite [[OverlyLongGag having three separate trailers]], the system isn't explained in detail outside of "it's free" and "it unlocks things".
*** That everyone who owns the game will get the [[UpdatedRerelease Definitive Edition]] for free, complete with all DLC, and anyone who purchased DLC prior to that will get "Infamous Skins" that can never be obtained again once Definitive Edition launches.
*** [[TheMerch New plushies and controller skins]].
*** ''Creatures of Aether'', a card game spinoff for mobile devices.
*** Multiple new works set in the same universe, including a comic book scheduled for 2021, an RPG scheduled for 2022, and a game using 3D models scheduled for 2023.
*** Finally, the announcement that [[SubvertedTrope every announcement made was real]] (although given the detail and polish shown, that was already obvious).
** 2021 ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItI1i6xzWNQ "bad" version]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzZeDx-Fwts "good" version]]) had Dan Fornace tell Adam Carra that there will be no Direct this year. Adam then puts on a VR headset and finds himself in the world of ''Lovers of Aether'' as a capybara and tries to obtain Clairen's folder containing information on ''3D Rivals''. The presentation takes the form of a VisualNovel, controlled by voting in Twitch chat, where Adam visits five classes, each containing one announcement and a DialogueTree with two possible resolutions, the good one revealing the answer to one question for a quiz at the end. There were also segments where the chat had to play ''Rivals'' and ''Creatures'' or draw a picture by typing letters in chat. The announcements were:
*** More information on the comic ''Tales of Aether'' and the {{roguelike}} ''Dungeons of Aether''.
*** A Steam release for ''Creatures of Aether'' and the addition of Fleet from ''Dungeons'' as a playable Rival in that game.
*** A documentary movie titled ''Grassroots Elements'', focusing on the development of ''Rivals'' and its competitive scene.
*** Rollback netcode.
*** Four Workshop characters being added to the official game: Hodan, Mollo, Olympia, and Pomme.
*** Finally, a brief look at the 3D ''Rivals'' sequel.
** 2022 made its presentation as a "[[PuppetShows Puppets of Aether]]".
** 2023 used AI to generate some of the script and narration, parodying the popularity and controversy of UsefulNotes/AIGeneratedArtwork. [[spoiler:The AI [[AIIsACrapshoot turns out to be more than just a tool for generating descriptions.]]]]

* YouWannaGetSued: In Rivals Direct 4, after Adam interrupts the Puppets of Aether crew's introductory song (an obvious parody of ''Franchise/TheMuppets''), he has some words for Dan regarding it:
-->'''Adam:''' ''(on the phone with Dan)'' Dan, we can't do this. We're gonna get sued.
-->'''Dan:''' Nah, we're cool with [[Creator/{{Nintendo}} them]]. [[ComicallyMissingThePoint We already got our game on the Switch and everything]].
-->'''Adam:''' That's not what I was talking about.
-->'''Dan:''' Alrighty, it sounds like you've met the team. Remember, I'm counting on you, okay? Bye!
-->'''Adam:''' No, Dan, wait! ''(Dan hangs up)''

** The four Workshop characters set to be added to the official roster also have sub-elemental powers: Mollo's is fire-based ([[MadBomber explosives]]), Hodan's is water-based ([[HotSpringsEpisode warm water]]), Pomme's is air-based ([[MusicalAssassin music]]/[[MakeMeWannaShout sound]]) and Olympia's is earth-based ([[GemstoneAssault amethyst]]).

* NewNeoCity: Clairen's home stage is distinguished from its older counterpart by being called Neo Fire Capitol.

** Absa plays very similarly to ''Project M''[='=]s [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Zelda]], focusing on a careful zoning game to provoke and punish her opponent's missteps, especially with her devastating lightning kick sweetspots. She also shares the double-jump cancel mechanics used by characters like [[VideoGame/{{Earthbound}} Ness]] or [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Mewtwo]]. She also has an up special and a couple of Strong Attacks that are nearly a carbon-copy of [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Pikachu's]].