Sakura-Con 2026 🌸
- Priscilla Firstenberg
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Sakura-Con has always held a special place in our hearts, but this year felt different.
It felt bigger. Warmer. More personal.
And in a lot of ways, it was exactly what we needed.
Getting Ready
Before the convention even began, there was a lot of love packed into this event.
Pri spent days preparing hundreds of tea jars and sample tins, carefully labeling each one by hand. Every little detail mattered because we wanted people to feel the care that goes into Forage Friends from the very first interaction.
Alyssa, our artist, and Steve, our game designer, flew in from California bright and early on Thursday.
They were greeted not just by the team, but by our studio mascot, Mocha, who welcomed them with an overwhelming number of kisses. We are still reviewing whether this qualifies as an HR violation.
From there, it was straight into Sakura-Con mode.
We loaded up the cars, headed into downtown Seattle, and spent hours setting up the booth.
It was a long day, but a fulfilling one. Afterward, we shared dinner, had a few drinks, and finally got some much needed rest before the big weekend ahead.
Friday
We started early. Heating water for tea, gathering our materials, and stepping into the convention with a mix of excitement and nerves.
What we didn’t expect was how many familiar faces would be waiting for us.
Fans from our Discord. People who remembered us from 2024. People who came up to us with smiles, stories, and genuine excitement to see us again.
It is hard to describe what that feels like, especially after the past couple of years.
While Chris served tea samples, Steve and Alyssa shared the heart of the game with new players and walked returning fans through everything we have been building. Pri spent a lot of time having deeper conversations, answering questions about where we are and what it has taken to get here.
Forage Friends has been completely self funded. And like many teams in this industry, we have been navigating a really difficult landscape. We are close to beta, but also facing the reality of limited time and resources.
Even so, the support we felt that day reminded us why we keep going.
If you want to help support Forage Friends, here are a few ways you can make a real difference:
Join our Patreon
Share the game with friends who love cozy, story driven experiences
Follow us on social media and help spread the word
Support our merch when available
Every bit of support truly matters.
We ended the day tired, a little sore from setup, but incredibly grateful. We celebrated with sushi and headed back to the hotel to rest.
Saturday, The Big Day
Saturday was everything you would expect from Sakura-Con. Busy, energetic, and full of life. We handed out countless tea samples and met so many people who connected deeply with what we are building. We spoke with players who love romance and visual novels, but want something more meaningful. Something that encourages them to take care of themselves in a gentle way. Something that does not rely on competition to feel rewarding.
Those conversations meant a lot to us.
We also connected with other developers who shared their own struggles in the current industry. There was a quiet understanding between all of us. A shared hope that we all make it through and get to keep creating.
Our characters were met with so much love. Miles, Malia, and Brooke quickly became fan favorites. And somehow, Braylon and Quinn completely dominated when it came to tea and lotion popularity.
Unfortunately, we had to make the call to pull our soaps from the booth after discovering they were damaged in storage. It was disappointing, but the rest of the weekend more than made up for it.
Throughout the day, we took turns exploring the convention. The artist alley was massive and filled with incredible work. The cosplayers brought so much creativity and joy into every corner of the space.
That night was especially meaningful.
It was our official team dinner, and for the first time ever, all of us were together in person.
After years of working remotely, we finally got to sit across from each other, share stories, laugh, and connect in a way that just cannot happen through a screen.
It felt like family. And honestly, it was something we all really needed.
Sunday
Sunday always carries a different kind of energy. A little quieter, a little more reflective.
But what surprised us most was how many people came back.
People returned to continue conversations that were cut short. To pick up merch they had been thinking about. To spend a little more time with us. And some came back just to support us.
We received donations from people who simply wanted to see Forage Friends succeed. There were moments where it was hard to hold back emotions.
To know that something we are building resonates with people on that level is both humbling and motivating.
Breakdown went much faster than setup, and once everything was wrapped, Pri and Chris headed back to rest while Alyssa and Steve set out to explore Seattle.
They went on a mission for oysters, including their very first oyster shooters. From what we heard, they packed quite a kick. Steve especially felt that one. 🔥🌶️
They continued exploring the city and ended the night in a cozy jazz lounge, soaking in as much of Seattle as they could.
Monday
With flights later in the evening, we made one last stop.
Pike Place Market. For Steve, it was a return to something familiar. For Alyssa, it was entirely new.
We wandered through the market, watched fish fly, explored the hidden corners and alleys, and enjoyed some of Seattle’s best food. Dumplings, noodles, apple cider, coffee, and pastries. And somehow, the sun stayed out all weekend.
Seattle surprised us. The Puget Sound sparkled. The air felt light. It was the kind of weather that makes everything feel a little more magical.
At the end of the day, we said our goodbyes. Mocha was devastated, but understanding.
From Our Hearts
This weekend reminded us why Forage Friends exists.
It is not just a game. It is something we have poured years of our lives into. It is something we believe can genuinely help people, even in small ways.
We are currently facing financial challenges that make the future uncertain. There is a real possibility that development may need to pause if we are unable to secure the support we need. But we want to be clear about one thing.
We are not giving up on Forage Friends.
If we ever have to pause, it will only be that. A pause. Not an ending.
Because of you, we know this world matters.
Thank you for showing up. For supporting us. For believing in what we are building.
We will keep going as long as we can.
And we hope to continue this journey with you. Love, The Forage Friends Team 💚
Comments