Kyle Sharpe - January 4, 2025
Batty Zabella 2 XOXO XMAS FAQs
As of January 1st, 2025, Batty Zabella 2 XOXO XMAS is finally available to play on Itch. There have been a few frequently asked questions since release, so I decided to make a section on this site dedicated to addressing at least a few of them as they come up.
Q: Will there be a phyiscal version?
Yes - there will absolutely be a physical cartridge announced eventually. The original plan was to attempt a simultaneous release of both the digital and physical versions, but even getting the digital version out on time ended up being more of a challenge than anticipated, and my goal with the Ice Cold Blood brand is to never release a product on physical media that isn't ready. As of now, I cannot answer when exactly the physical version will be arriving, but I will be partnering with The Retro Room Games once again for its publication.
Q: Will the Batty Zabella series be releasing on Steam?
Currently it's not a priority, but I am considering the best way to launch the series on Steam at some point during 2025.
Q: Will Batty Zabella be coming to consoles, such as the Switch?
This has been a request since the first game, but it's still something I'd have to look into more for understanding the logistics of it. The short answer is, "Don't expect any news on that anytime soon."
Q: Why did the title change from "Naughty or Nice?"
XOXO XMAS was actually my original idea for the title, but I thought it might be annoying for
people to say, so I committed to the alternate title of "Naughty or Nice." In what might be considered a poor marketing move, even after running ads for the game as Naughty or Nice in GB Studio magazine, I realized that I preferred "XOXO XMAS" and decided to rebrand the game. Ultimately, I'm much happier with how the logo design turned out under that title.
Q: Will there be a Batty Zabella 3?
A third chapter is planned, but won't be announced for quite a while. Writing and concept art was being worked on during the production of XOXO XMAS, but development has not yet started. The continuation of Batty Zabella has always been dependent on the success of each title, so the reception/sales of XOXO XMAS will likely have a direct impact on when or if the third game will happen.
Q: When will there be Batty Zabella merch?
Naturally I've had ideas for merchandise of the series, but I've been focused mainly on
establishing the character and building her fanbase before peddling anything. When both games are available physically, I will likely begin plans for some merch, as I plan to eventually attend conventions to sell Batty Zabella stuff.