Dev Update # 2

Hello Everyone,

Today, I'll be showing you the early 3D concepts of one of the many enemy classes being designed for the Black Falcon Saga. For those of you who missed it, please view the link to catch up on the last update: http://goo.gl/PEIa2O

Development has been progressing nicely in spite of financial & hardware shortcomings, and since the last update, the following has been set in stone:

1) Story & Art Elements: I have decided that the Black Falcon Saga will be an incomplete experience without strong story elements to give meaning and substance to the Khoa-lan (tentative) universe. For that reason, human characters will be featured in the game. One of these characters is Captain Anka, who will pilot of one of the Falcon Jets. Captain Anka will be modelled in the likeness of a real human being.

Provided I can raise money for a competent development system, the story behind the Black Falcon Saga will rely on 3D Renders and in-game cutscenes to convey the story across with an emphasis on good voice acting and plot twists. 

2) The Falcons: 3 Falcons have been shown so far with their gradual upgrades from MK01 models to MK04 models. These are a work in progress and not the final Falcon designs (3D AO Renders). I can confirm that there are a total of 5 Falcons, 2 of which have not been disclosed (yet). Work is being carried out on the Falcon in game branding (logos and outfits for the human characters).

3) Legitimacy: It has now come to my attention that many KickStarter and IndieGoGo campaigns have left funders in an unfortunate position regarding the product they thought they supported. In some cases, no product is delivered even up to 2 years after being funded. I can in all honesty tell you that my decision to go down the crowd funding route is not based on any money hungry antics (I've been at this non-stop for over 2 years now in spite of fluctuating financial conditions and I don't Intend to stop). For verification, please view all my previous works. Please bear in mind this is all from a 1 man development studio.

4) Enemies: I will be paying a lot of attention to the enemies in the BFS to ensure they are engaging in their design and behaviours. Gamers will be happy to know that there are many enemy classes in the game, and each enemy class is specialised with regards to offence, defence and in-game behaviours.

Below are AO Renders of the Optical Drone (O.D.) enemy class, which so far has the following sub-classes:


- Mono Optical Assault Drone.
- Globule Optical Assault Drone.
- Globule Optical Seeker Drone.
- Globule Optical Retriever Drone.

These are a W.I.P. btw.

Each Drone Sub-class will have its own distinct and shared abilities, seeing as the drone design is modular in nature, thereby allowing for spare parts to be interchanged to implement features and amplify abilities (Inheritance characteristics & cross compatibility).

For example the Globule Optical Seeker Drone model is not an offensive sub-class, and was designed to provide and almost 360 degree surveillance and to alert other enemy craft in the surrounding area. However, the G.O.S.D is extremely lethal in large numbers, as they are able to generate a collaborative E.M.P. (electromagnetic pulse) that can disable the Falcons flight controls for a short period of time, thereby making it easier for other offensive drone models to strike.

What this means is that you will need to avoid G.O.S.D clusters.

Rest assured, there are more exciting drone sub-classes in the works :-)

Last week, I made a discovery that bodes extremely well for this project. In fact it has me a little bit excited :-)

Last year, I was creating assets for a 2D game titled " The NightShade Chronicles ". This was a game based around my cat, and has since been halted due to other project priorities.

During the time I spent making the NightShade Chronicles, I designed quite a lot of 2D concepts of Robots and Mechs that were meant to be in the game.

Today, I can confirm that those 2D concepts are now being translated to 3D models, and they will feature in the Black Falcon Saga. There will also be noticeable upgrades too.

Here are a few 2D concepts that will make the cross over to the Black Falcon Saga:

1) MAJ-MK02 (Mobile Assault Juggernaut).
2) MA-BFA-MK02 (Mobile Assault Juggernaut Bipedal Feline Annihilator). 

Once again, Thanks for your time, and please support us at http://rkthb.co/53488

Mr O. Shonibare
InnerSanctum Games Ltd (2014)

Enter The Falcon . . .

" ... An Aerial Combat Saga "

Hello Everyone,

I guess after all these developments on our social networking profiles, it's only right I officially introduce the Black Falcon Saga to the gaming world. 

.....Plus it's been a while the blog has been officially updated. I must admit, I really did miss it, and I wholeheartedly apologize for the incommunicado :-)

The concept of the Black Falcon Saga was born out of a 2D Blast em up named 'Pixolz', which I was developing as a RAD (Rapid Application Development) solution.

According to the official promotional description: 

" Pixolz is a 2D retro-styled fast paced indie blast 'em up developed by InnerSanctum Games Ltd. The game has adopted a unique and simple visual style which is reminiscent of the golden age of 2D gaming.

The protagonist is Pixol, a lonely Pixel warrior that must navigate the tunnels of Pixon and survive the trials of the JargonPixolz, who will stop at nothing to 'Pixolate' our brave and lonely warrior, Pixol.

Luckily, Pixol is armed with an automatic Pixolium Pixolator, a powerful weapon designed to Pixolate the 'JargonPixolz'.

Pixolz is in it's last phases of development and already runs at a steady 60 fps (Frames per Second) with a visually appealing style and intense gameplay.

Alternative power ups and abilities will be included in the final release of the title. "

Pixolz is currently in it's Alpha.

By no means which I can currently give account of, the concept of the Black Falcon Saga suddenly took over my creative work flow,  with a strong sense that Pixolz should be a 3D game.

I initially thought it was absurd (seeing as I hadn't done any serious 3D work for months). Furthermore, my current development system is a meagre Intel Celeron Processor N2840, Intel HD Graphics, 4 GB DDR3 L Memory. 

It didn't seem plausible...

However, creative minds tend to ponder, refine and work at what they love best regardless of the circumstances, and that is exactly what I did.   

Enter the Black Falcons

The Black Falcon Saga is a unique and visually appealing aerial combat game developed by InnerSanctum Games Ltd. Gamers will take control of the legendary Black Falcon Jet Fighters in an epic battle to defend planet Khoalan against waves over highly advanced extra-terrestrial invaders.

While there will be other factions that will feature in the game, the story is centred around the Black Falcons, and the pilots that command the different Falcon Phenotypes.

I've already designed the Falcon concepts up to a MK04 upgrade, and further refinements will lead to the final model which will be featured in the game. 

So where am I up to ?

As it stands, not only have I designed all the Black Falcon Phenotypes, I've also been able to design a few enemy Phenotypes that will be featured in the game.

I  have also began terrain design, as well as real-time atmospheric weather effects that will really set the mood for this ambitious and unique title. Real-time weather effects include; real-time fog, rain, reflections , 3D Clouds that receive light (Yes!) and real-time shadows. 

I am currently developing the 3D particle effects that will give this title a visual edge to complement already abstract visuals. 

The Black Falcon Saga will feature human characters (Captain/Pilots) that will play an integral role in the games storyline. One of these Characters is Captain Anka (pictured below) , who will be the face of one of the Black Falcon Captains. She will pilot her own specific vessel.

We would like to thank all the gamers and developers on Twitter and Facebook who have given this project an overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Your positive words are an encouragement and has motivated me to work harder, and at the same time feel confident about the project.

To Gamers around the world, I truly do need your help as the current development situation and all other development factors are proving to be a burden on this creative effort. At the moment, the highest FPS I get in-engine is 7fps (even with all effects turned off).

I have set up a funding campaign for a humble target of $10,000 on RocketHub. Please take time to view the media below and support this project at http://rkthb.co/53488

It is a genuine effort to bring a fresh aerial combat experience to the independent gaming scene.

For any questions, please feel free to use the contact box to the right of this page. More information can be found on the campaign page.

Thank you for your time, and look forward to showing you more of this project in the next couple of weeks.

Until then, enjoy the media ;-)

BTW: Check out the MK04 Nemesis.. It's the latest upgrade of the Black Falcons. 

To Gamers around the world  ? GAME ON!

Mr O. Shonibare

InnerSanctum Games Ltd (2014).