[yaaqu3]

The Arcana Prologue Preservation Project

This is just a little something to help sum up and introduce the PPP. In short, it is a catalogue of all the old Arcana prologues, which you can find HERE!

And to be more lengthy, well...

What is it? The PPP is my own attempt to document the previous prologues of the mobile game The Arcana by Nix Hydra. There have been several iterations with quite a lot of variation, and this is my attempt to preserve what might otherwise be lost. To newcomers of the game - yes, these were all official, available in-game prologues at one point in time. Canon content that was removed but which we refuse to forget.

Who runs it? I do. This is a fan project by the owner or this blog, and not in any way affiliated with Nix Hydra. I have also had submissions of content from several lovely people, but the drive and this blog is maintained solely by me.

Where can I find it? All the game content goes up on THIS Google Drive, but all the news surrounding the PPP will be announced on this blog right here.

How can I get in contact? Anyway you want! You can always send me an ask or start a chat, or if you prefer, send me an email at [email protected]. My aim is always to respond within 24 hours, and if I haven’t, please feel free to reach out again.

... and why would I want to get in contact? Any reason at all! Maybe you have suggestions on improvements? Noticed something I’ve missed or messed up? Content you would like to share with me? Questions about something? Even if it is just correcting a spelling error, I always welcome your input!

Plans for the future? It is my intention to keep this active indefinitely, even as the game itself is no longer updated. A Google Drive doesn't need much maintenance, nor do I expect the prologue to keep changing once the routes are finished, so I don't think it is an unreasonable task I've taken upon myself. On that account, if the prologue is ever changed again, I will screenshot that too.

[yaaqu3]

Hi! I've found a transcript of what seems to be the old, OLD prologue, though I can't remember who gave it to me; would you like a copy?

I'd love a copy, thank you!

[yaaqu3]

Hey this account is probably dead LMAO but wouldnt downloading older versions of the arcana work to get the old prologues?

More dormant than dead, haha!

Downloading an older, modded version would in theory work. It has for me, back when I tried it like… 2-3 years ago? Just keep in mind that modded apps, just like any other pirated programs from the internet, carries some risk of malware and shit. It's not my area of expertise though.

(minor personal tangent below the cut)

The reason why I haven't done it myself is simply because it is a lot of work. Screenshotting every single frame and every single choice and then making sure they're all organized is a rather herculean task, made just the more challenging because the oldest prologue is uncharted territory for me. It is also a lot bigger than the newer ones, with more choices and changes to capture.

The first prologue I documented was done in a flurry of adrenaline and the single-minded focus of a new fan. The second one I had a lot of help with. And both happened during peak lock down when I was out of work and the whole world was pretty much shut down. Free time in abundance.

Now I've got a job. In an archive. So not only do I have a lot less free time, when I do get home I've already spent the whole day organizing things and those brain functions are pretty worn out.

That being said, I would still very much like to get the oldest/final prologue screenshotted at some point. But that point is gonna have to be when I've got the time, energy and mental bandwidth to do so.

[yaaqu3]

Hi, there! I just started playing The Arcana a few days ago and I love it. But I read that there were changes to the prologue (yes, I'm still there actually lol) and I wanted to get this Asra bit from The Emperor prologue part but I'm confused about if it's still in there or was removed. It's when MC goes to Lucio's room, and sees him and it's all like a dream, and after that MC also watches Asra drinking from a fountain... It's that Asra's art where he has water droplets on his hair and face

Hi!

So yeah, there have been several changes to the prologue - some of it minor, some rather major. None of the art has ever been removed though, so the CG with Asra that you are referring to is still there! And it is also free, so you don't need to pay coins for any additional dialogue to unlock it.

As for the scene itself... Well, the last few prologue changes have retained all the major elements of the story, but shuffled around somewhat. The current one - version 4 - does include MC visiting Lucio's room, and meeting Asra by the fountain, and some weird dream shenanigans. But if I was to wager a bet, it sounds like you're referring to version 3, which was replaced.

Hopefully that won't spoil your experience of the game, because in all honestly the prologue doesn't have all that much impact on the rest of the story. And hey, if you're curious about what was changed you can always read the old versions on my Google Drive!

[yaaqu3]

I'm gonna have to put the PPP on temporary hold for a little while.

I've mentioned it once before, but my computer is older than time and slower than a glacier. Even when I try to portion up the pics that need compressing into manageable chunks, it literally takes hours. Hours during which the CPU is so damn busy that I can barely open my browser. It was tedious AF, but manageable. It is no longer manageable. Covid have returned with a vengeance to my city, and while I am still healthy and thankful for that, I'm now working from home. Have been for a few weeks. Which means I'm no longer in a position where I can tie up my only computer with hobby projects for hours on end.

I'm sorry for the delay, but it is what it is. I'll make another post when things are clearing up again, but that will probably take a few weeks.

[yaaqu3]

Hello y’all. Another quick “behind the scenes” update

I’m still working on compressing and to some minor extent reorganizing a few bits of the google drive. It’s a slow go because y’know, offline life also happens, but I’m getting there.

I’m also still, as always, working on getting the original prologue. It has just been forced behind the “compressing files” thing on my to-do list.

I’ve posted an introduction/summary of sorts for the PPP that will stay pinned, to welcome any newcomers.

I’ve decided to mess around with my blog design to have it look a bit more... Arcana-y. Just seemed fitting.

And finally, I am working on a new thing to go along with the PPP! Stay tuned for updates on that!

[yaaqu3]

The Arcana Prologue Preservation Project - A minor issue

This is just an update on what is going on “behind the scenes”, I suppose. As I’ve promised, my main focus going forwards will be to acquire the original prologue. However...

There is a small issue to solve before that: Google Drive only offers 15 GB of storage for free, a limit I am fast approaching. At this point it is not certain that I’ll even have enough space left to add the original prologue, and definitely not enough if they change the prologue yet again.

To solve this I will be working on compressing many of the files I’ve uploaded so far. What that means for you all is that there may be short intervals when content is missing from the drive, as I’ll be deleting the old folders before reuploading the content in its new compressed format.

Just to clarify, if something appears to be missing, it is temporary. I promise that NOTHING will be permanently removed. Nor should it be unavailable for long. The files I’m actually working with are localized on my computer, not the drive itself, so I will not be messing with the drive directly until everything is converted and completed to my liking.

Since my computer is by now old enough to attend elementary school this will be somewhat of an uphill battle against my aging CPU, but c’est la vie. If I’m stubborn enough to shoot and sort all these prologues I’m stubborn enough to get this done too.

[yaaqu3]

Another update, since we are once again up to date with the PPP!

The new prologue has been added to the DRIVE and everything is now properly organized.

The new one (prologue number 4, for those keeping count) is practically identical to the second, save for a handful sentences and the inclusion of Portia’s and Muriel’s new CGs from the last one. I’m fairly certain the paid scenes are entirely identical. Nevertheless, because I’m a perfectionist with obsessive tendencies, I have gone through and screenshotted it all again. Yes, even the paid scenes.

It has been organized into folders exactly like second prologue, so if nothing else they are at least easy to compare I guess.

Oh, and I noticed I did indeed miss a reply choice in the second prologue (”Why do you never answer my questions?” in the Magician) which I’ve gone back and fixed.

As always, I can be reached through my mail [email protected] or this blog for any question, or if you wish to submit something to the drive!

[yaaqu3]

The Arcana PPP - UPDATE

Full NEW prologue + all paid content

NOW ONLINE ON THE DRIVE!

I am well aware that this isn’t the most exciting news, since this prologue is still available for play through the app itself and (as far as I’m aware) all the paid choices were unlocked for everyone who had the game installed when it was updated. Nevertheless, I am pleased with the progress made to the drive and secure in the knowledge that I will not be caught unaware if the prologue is changed yet again.

Speaking of which - Yes, if the prologue is once again changed, I will be adding any future updates too.

While we’re on the topic of things to be added, with the new prologue now completed, my main focus will be on securing the original version. I regret to inform that I, once again, don’t have a timeframe for this. What I do have, however, is an actual plan to procure at least some bits of it. Maybe. More than I had before, at any rate. Wish me luck! (and please don’t let my maybe-plan stop you from reaching out!)

I would also like to take the time to sincerely thank the people who reached out to me with contributions, and especially the tireless individual who helped me screenshot the new prologue! I am also so grateful to everyone who has liked, reblogged or followed my blog/post. The exposure really does help to make this project available to more people in the fandom, which is all I wish for it to be.

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you all!

As before, if you have any contributions to submit, complaints or questions or commentary in general, please feel free to reach out to me! I can be contacted through my email [email protected] or through the now-activated ask function on this blog.

[yaaqu3]

As it turns out, yes, they did change the prologue. Again. At a first glance it seems to be most similar to the previous one, but rest assure, I will go back and screenshot it all. Again.

As of writing this, the drive has not yet been updated, not even the names of the folders. I’ll be tinkering with that in the coming days, but it might take until next weekend to get the new folders renamed and documents updated. Possible even longer until the new screenshots are up - I’m quite literally busy 24/7 in the coming few days, but this will be at the top of my priority list as soon as I get a moment over to breathe.

[yaaqu3]

The Arcana PPP - UPDATE

Full NEW prologue + all paid content

NOW ONLINE ON THE DRIVE!

I am well aware that this isn’t the most exciting news, since this prologue is still available for play through the app itself and (as far as I’m aware) all the paid choices were unlocked for everyone who had the game installed when it was updated. Nevertheless, I am pleased with the progress made to the drive and secure in the knowledge that I will not be caught unaware if the prologue is changed yet again.

Speaking of which - Yes, if the prologue is once again changed, I will be adding any future updates too.

While we’re on the topic of things to be added, with the new prologue now completed, my main focus will be on securing the original version. I regret to inform that I, once again, don’t have a timeframe for this. What I do have, however, is an actual plan to procure at least some bits of it. Maybe. More than I had before, at any rate. Wish me luck! (and please don’t let my maybe-plan stop you from reaching out!)

I would also like to take the time to sincerely thank the people who reached out to me with contributions, and especially the tireless individual who helped me screenshot the new prologue! I am also so grateful to everyone who has liked, reblogged or followed my blog/post. The exposure really does help to make this project available to more people in the fandom, which is all I wish for it to be.

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you all!

As before, if you have any contributions to submit, complaints or questions or commentary in general, please feel free to reach out to me! I can be contacted through my email [email protected] or through the now-activated ask function on this blog.

[yaaqu3]

The Arcana Prologue Preservation Project

Full old prologue + All paid content

The name really says it all.

This GOOGLE DRIVE will be an ongoing project of mine that I plan to keep updated and available, as an archive of sorts for all the fans of Nix Hydra’s the Arcana who don’t wish to lose out on removed content.

The current focus has been on securing the prologue which was recently (as of June 2020) removed from the game. This is the one known as “Prologue 2 - The Old One” on the drive.

I also aim to hunt down anything and everything that I can find regarding the original prologue, aka what was known as the “old prologue” until recently.

In addition, I will be adding the new prologue because, frankly, do anyone trust it won’t be changed again? However, I won’t give a timeline for this as I need some time to rest my hands. When the new prologue went live I rushed to screenshot the old one, and that was over 2 000 images shot and organized in less than half a week. I got dents in my fingers y’all.

Do you have any suggestions on improvements? Something I’ve missed or messed up? Content you want to share with me? Feel free to contact me! I can be reached through this blog or my email at [email protected]

This is NOT a commentary or critique on any of the prologues. I personally think they all have pros and cons, none of which I am inclined to discuss here. This is simply an effort to preserve what might otherwise be lost, and which many people love dearly.