# BETA TESTING! Below the Skyline: a quiet Hong Kong boxing story. (150k words) **URL:** \ **Category:** Hosted Games\ **Tags:** nonbinary-inclusive, gender-choice, modern-fantasy\ **Created:** [April 2, 2025, 5:11am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530 "2025-04-02T05:11:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 9:11am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/143 "2026-08-09T09:11:43Z")
> [@dozendietcokesaday](#): > > If you’ve played before and get an error message saying “eric\_fight cannot be loaded”, it means that your previous save is still cached. This version is incompatible with previous saves. If that happens, go [here](https://dozendietcokesaday.github.io/Below-the-Skyline-compiled/20251122_Below_the_Skyline.html), and click “Menu”, and “Restart the game.” Then you should be able to play this version. Updated the first post — If you’ve played before and get an error message saying “eric\_fight cannot be loaded”, it means that your previous save is still cached. This version is incompatible with previous saves. If that happens, go [here](https://dozendietcokesaday.github.io/Below-the-Skyline-compiled/20251122_Below_the_Skyline.html), and click “Menu”, and “Restart the game.” That should clear the cache and you should be able to play this version. ---
**Author:** ![BlackNick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/blacknick/32/251299_2.png) [@BlackNick](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/BlackNick)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/144 "2026-08-09T20:36:13Z")
These are the stats my Protagonist, Steve Parker has so far. ![Screenshot_20260809-223322~2](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/original/4X/c/9/e/c9ead3ddca81f3601ffee88e8906b6ea972d264b.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/145 "2026-08-09T22:31:06Z")
Thanks, those stats are pretty high! ---
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 4:41am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/146 "2026-08-13T04:41:49Z")
If you’ve played the latest version, please take a screenshot of the ending screen and paste it here. It should only take a minute (unless you’ve restarted) and it helps a lot with balancing the opponents! ---
**Author:** ![Yabg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ec9cab/32.png) [@Yabg](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Yabg)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/147 "2026-08-13T14:55:17Z")
I think the most prominent criticism I have is that the player character is boring. We experience the world through them, yet the way they perceive events seems distinctly flavorless. Not sure if that is subject to change, but otherwise your cast is amusing. Problem is that their conflicts are more interesting than my guy’s by a good margin, leading to a main character that is somehow overshadowed by the people they beat. Matches could use more buildup and recognizable characters. Maybe an announcer or something to ground the stakes or a fan that recognizes our fighting style and has been with us since the first step into the ring, but the setting could use a native that serves as the foil to our role as the rising star. Oh, and maybe this is already the case and I just missed it, but knowing the win ratio of the characters we fight would go a long way in making them more or less menacing. There’s a lot of implied history in a man who’s gone 13:0, but the guy who’s down 5:6 might seem a bit more tricky. What else… The gameplay is enjoyable, the monthly structure in place serves the narrative quite well. I’m very interested in learning the more advanced techniques; hopefully something akin to the core cast’s specialized abilities. It’d also be nice for those abilities to be acknowledged within the narrative, though not entirely necessary. Either way, I’d say the positives outweigh the flaws by a good margin. Oh, and here’s the stats you’ve mentioned wanting. Your stats at the end: Power 12 Techinque 35 Toughness 23 Mental 40 Energy 50 Boxing insights unspent 0 Boxing insights spent 4 Analysis 26 Composure 6 Empathy 15 Jab level 1 Flurry level 0 Combo level 0 Block level 0 Dodge level 1 Counter level 2 Eric friendship 5 Eric romance 0 Eric harmony 50 Eric partner false Katie friendship 12 Katie romance 0 Katie masking 58 Katie partner false Danny friendship 4 Danny investigation success true Chloe friendship 16 Chloe romance 3 Chloe trauma 0 Chloe loyalty 50 Chloe partner false Wins 5 Losses 0 Draws 0 ---
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 11:12pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/148 "2026-08-13T23:12:16Z")
Thanks a million for creating an account to give me your feedback! I really appreciate it. It made me realise a problem in the three early fights that aren’t in the later fights, which I will fix. Might take a few weeks, but I hope the protagonist’s voice and character comes across more clearly! At the moment the advanced boxing moves don’t yet have separate branches in the fights, but that will be added. Probably at the end, though, after I have the fights in the shape I want them. Again, thanks for your feedback! ---
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2026, 6:23am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/149 "2026-08-30T06:23:41Z")
Hello everyone! The game is finished and I’m working on the bonus content and new game+ content now. It will go into closed beta when that’s done. All the character storylines are done, and the main storyline is done, with a total of eight fights. At the moment, I’d like to ask for private alpha testers. I’m looking for four alpha testers total, and I’ll send the game to testers one at a time, consecutively. The requirement is to completely play through the game to the end, and tell me about any bugs or plot holes or inconsistencies that you encounter. **If you’re interested, please send me a DM that says “I would like to alpha test Below the Skyline” or similar.** Thank you to everyone’s support and getting this game over the line! ---
**Author:** ![ChanceOfFire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/chanceoffire/32/270002_2.png) [@ChanceOfFire](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/ChanceOfFire)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2026, 10:35am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/150 "2026-08-30T10:35:02Z")
I can take a slot if you still have one. ---
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2026, 10:21pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/151 "2026-08-30T22:21:04Z")
Added! Thank you! I will send to you after the current playtesting finishes. Still have one more slot open. ---
**Author:** ![ChanceOfFire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/chanceoffire/32/270002_2.png) [@ChanceOfFire](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/ChanceOfFire)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/152 "2026-08-30T23:49:18Z")
From my experience, people may drop out or not reply. I recommend preparing a round 2 or reserve round of testers if that happens. ---
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/153 "2026-08-31T03:00:31Z")
Oh, okay! I’ll keep it open then. Thank you. I’m enthusiastically welcoming alpha testers! Please enjoy three more fights after Camille! ---
**Author:** ![Brandon\_Douglas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@Brandon\_Douglas](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Brandon_Douglas)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 1:03am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/154 "2026-09-13T01:03:32Z")
I’ll take a slot if ones available ---
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 7:13am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/155 "2026-09-13T07:13:04Z")
Excellent! I’ve DMed you, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 9:15am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/156 "2026-09-22T09:15:59Z")
> Three months ago, you started training at a Mong Kok boxing gym tucked above a small _char siu_ eatery. Now you’re leaving work early to punch accountants in warehouses and empty rooftop bars. > > Yesterday, you traded blows inside the half-abandoned Kwun Tong Ferry Pier. The crowd cheered for fighters whose names they didn’t know. You won a glutinous rice chicken in a thin plastic bag, and a lukewarm Vita lemon tea carton, its plastic straw missing. > > No money, no glory, just another night getting hit. But some fighters do things that shouldn’t be possible. Some say a man threw a fireball. It missed. > > There’s no final boss. Only basements, abandoned nightclubs, and a city disappearing at the edges. > > You’re not here to save the world. Just here to see what happens when you stop sitting it out. _Below the Skyline_ is a quiet story about an office worker who takes up boxing and enters Hong Kong’s underground fighting circuit. Fight unusual opponents, navigate office politics, train, and build friendships or romances with the people you meet along the way. There really is no final boss. The game is now in closed beta testing. It’s a closed beta instead of an open beta to maintain eligibility for some competitions. ## **MESSAGE ME FOR THE LINK TO THE FULL GAME.** ## **BETA TESTING IS OPEN TO EVERYONE. EVEN IF YOU JUST WANT TO PLAY IT, MESSAGE ME ANYWAY.** ## **Please post all feedback directly in this thread.** ### **Characters:** There are **four** characters that you can potentially befriend. **Eric “Blazefist” Jiang** is a karate practitioner who has energy projection abilities. **Katie “Pressure Point” Reynolds** is an enthusiastic kinesiology student. **Danny “The Dragon” Chan** is a self-taught Jeet Kune Do practitioner. _(Note: there is no romance content for this character.)_ **Chloe “Wildcard” Wong** is a young woman with an erratic Muay Thai style. ### If you’ve played before and get an error message saying “eric\_fight cannot be loaded”, it means that your previous save is still cached. This version is incompatible with previous saves. If that happens, go [here](https://dozendietcokesaday.github.io/Below-the-Skyline-compiled/20251122_Below_the_Skyline.html), and click “Menu”, and “Restart the game.” Then you should be able to play this version. ---
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 9:16am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/157 "2026-09-22T09:16:36Z")
Special thanks to @ChanceOfFire for assistance with artwork! ---
**Author:** ![Nexus\_Knight](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/nexus_knight/32/132395_2.png) [@Nexus\_Knight](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Nexus_Knight)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 5:06am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/158 "2026-09-23T05:06:46Z")
This is my first time giving feedback so I will try to be as honest and constructive as possible. My biggest criticism is the writing. Some parts of the dialogue and narration felt very AI generated to me. The wording can be overly polish in a way that makes the characters sound less natural. I do not think there is anything wrong with using AI as a tool to help with writing. I think it can be useful for improving or polishing th draft. However I would recommend not relying on it too heavily since it can sometimes produce writing that sounds generic or unnatural. I think the game would benefit from more human editing and a stronger focus on giving each character their own voice. The other thing I noticed was with the romance routes. I romanced both Katie and Chloe but there was no real interaction or conflict between the two RO. The game eventually mentions in the epilogue that the MC is together with both Katie and Chloe but there was not much development around that situation beforehand. I think this could be an interesting part of the story if the player chooses to romance both characters. It would be good to see their reactions to each other and have the MC deal with the situation rather than having it mostly acknowledged at the end. Even a few conversations or scenes where Katie and Chloe acknowledge the relationship would make the route feel more meaningful. Overall I think the game is good. My main suggestions would be to give the writing more human editing and make the romance routes react more directly to the player’s choices. ---
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 5:31am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/159 "2026-09-23T05:31:14Z")
Thank you for the feedback! All of the writing is written by me without any AI. ---
**Author:** ![dozendietcokesaday](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/dozendietcokesaday/32/249557_2.png) [@dozendietcokesaday](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/dozendietcokesaday)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 7:05am UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/160 "2026-09-23T07:05:52Z")
[@moderators](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/groups/moderators) Sorry to trouble you with the ping; would it be possible for this thread to be pinned for the duration of the beta testing period? ---
**Author:** ![Ramidel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Ramidel](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Ramidel)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/161 "2026-09-23T16:34:35Z")
Sorry, that’s only for the official games. ---
**Author:** ![Hamartia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/choiceofgames/user_avatar/forum.choiceofgames.com/hamartia/32/264056_2.png) [@Hamartia](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/u/Hamartia)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530/163 "2026-09-23T16:50:28Z")
Hi! [I think that the company are OK with this being done for HG games](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/pinning-wip-threads-for-hg-games-due-to-be-submitted-soon/178341/3?) for what it’s worth, so long as the author manages the beta process themselves as usual. > [@dozendietcokesaday](#): > > BETA TESTING IS OPEN TO EVERYONE Good luck with the beta too by the way!! [Previous page](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530.md?page=7) [Next page](https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/beta-testing-below-the-skyline-a-quiet-hong-kong-boxing-story-150k-words/167530.md?page=9)