The Dev of Cult Hit Butterfly Soup Is Making a Queer Chinese Fantasy About Solving Murders While Riding a Giant Crane

Brianna Lei, creator of Butterfly Soup, has announced The Crane Rider’s Tale, a queer Chinese fantasy visual novel/adventure game.

Players solve a murder mystery while giving rides on a giant crane, blending exploration, dialogue, and a skill tree system.

The game is currently in alpha, has already surpassed its Kickstarter goal, and is targeting a PC launch in late 2028, possibly early 2029.

The project adds to growing demand for LGBTQ+ and Asian-inspired indie games, and positions Lei’s next release as a notable crowdfunded PC title.