We are back

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0300

So, we are back and here is a new portion of screenshots and Q&A.

Haven't seen you for quite a long time?

Yes, that is true. We had some vacations there after finishing the current milestone. You can see the results by checking out the screenshots, as usual. Company management has also spent a lot of time buried by tons of various papers as we are now in phase of active negotiations with some publishers.

What have you been working at for all that time?

A new location, rather brighter compared to what you’ve seen before, new weapons and enemies, plus some abilities. I can also say that the enemies became much smarter then they were previously and now the player should plan his actions more accurately and make some tactical decisions to stay alive.

Will you tell more about the tactics you mentioned?

Well, the world lives its own life and our characters are not the center of everything for everyone. Police fights bandits, bandits fight each other, mutants fight everyone and Resistance is trying to stay undercover fighting the bad guys with good efficiency. The player can use that fact to his advantage, or for example, you just SHOULD use the player abilities in right places and situations to win. Add use of covers, active environment and other small neat things we have prepared to your attention and you’ll realize that the tactical approach will yield a lot more advantages in the game then the rush-type play.

How many abilities you think of implementing?

About five basic and three more special ones per character. Each ability set shall represent some logical point like "genetics", "mechanics" and "psy".

How smart is AI?

We have adapted some of the Source mechanisms to effectively implement real SWAT and Spetznaz battle tactics for different conditions and have a lot of those tune parameters now to make our enemies’ behavior smart. Sometimes they are so smart that this can irritate you a lot, but we’ll cope with it by the next milestone.

Wouldn't it be too much hardcore?

There is always an easy mode for lame players!

New series of QA

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 +0300

After a long period of silence we introduce you a new portion of screenshots that shows the current progress of Salvation. Also check the short Q&A which answers most frequently asked questions we received since the last update.

Q: In what direction do you plan to enhance the current version of the game?

A: : After we get the stable prototype, we plan to go through a few stages of level detailing, finish the first main character's mechanics developing and show the final quality of graphics on this location. Next, we will introduce the second character. At the same time we're creating more game content including bosses, preliminary level design of other locations and preparations for the cut-scenes production.

Q: How the mechanics vs genetics theme will be developed? Is that some kind of Bruce Sterling stuff?

A: Not exactly, but pretty close. Genetically enhanced creatures of the Regime are opposed by cybernetically (harmful implants, etc) enhanced Resistance fighters. The Regime servants have completely different moral characteristics than other human beings, since they don't have the standard physics and chemical reactions. The Resistance members have passed the mark that separates a man from machine and they have no way back. It influences the gameplay as each fraction has completely unique skills and abilities.

Q: When will you show something else apart from the screenshots?

A: In two weeks we plan to show you the first teaser. In the nearest future we'll upload few soundtrack pieces, as well as video interviews and development reports.

Q: The game makes a strong emphasis on the storyline and you promised plenty of CG-movies. Tell us more please.

A: Yes, we do plan to include lots of different CG-movies. Most of them are engine-based cut-scenes. Some – 2D/3D composed comics-video, plus few full 3D movies. We're very serious about this aspect of our work (we're serious about all of them actually) and also can tell you that we invited a well-established Russian motion picture director to work on the cut-scenes and add more cinematographic feel to them.

Q: Recently there was the announcement that you participate in the development of Stalin vs Martians project.

A: Yeah, it's true. As you know, we promised to participate in various arthouse projects and that's the first one. More will be unveiled later.

Weekly update and Q&A

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0300

As we continue to upgrade the current game version, we are happy to give you quick reports in the form of screenshots, music and regular Q&A sessions.

Through the last week or so we have made considerable progress with adding a few graphics technologies, all to enrich the atmosphere of our in-game locations. Check out the latest screenshots, - here we concentrated on location landmarks and key scenes plus introduce you to some new main character functionality.

The following is our weekly brief Q&A for you.

What about multiplayer? Something new?

We are basically up to three MP modes, two of them are traditional (deathmatch and team deathmatch) and one is exclusive – “Opposition”. The last one is a 5 to 5 fraction versus fraction play with a strong tactical element. This mode special feature is what we prefer to call plan and resolve stages. Resolve stages usually begin with AI environment event occurring randomly. This mode requires players to have knowledge of location, team members’ strong and weak points and a number of good attacking, defensive and hit and run tactics in their sleeves.

Tell us more about the story!

You’ve already heard of big dystopia masterpieces like “Us”, “1984”, “Brave new world”. The task is quite challenging, since as you deliver something like this you have to concentrate not only on character dramas, but also to recreate the whole damn world with its own logic, backgrounds and history. Another great deal is to give all that info to the player without making him bored. We go quite experimental here and will present a number of smaller spin-offs prior to the project release to give you some hints on the universe. There will also be some hints hidden on the internet, published in magazines and other sources. The game itself, of course is a complete, good and stand-alone story to be told.

You’ve said there shall be other characters…

Yep, there is one other full-scale playable character, Narumi Amano and one you will get to play now and then – Alexander Geist. Narumi is a gene modified assassin who tries to turn back her humanity and Geist is a mysterious psyonic who takes his own investigation on the Regime. Each one surely has unique skills and abilities, so as gameplay tactics in different circumstances. We plan to demonstrate this on video feeds at later stages of development.

Your feedback: Web-site issues

Our thanks go to Jason Germino for advice on transfer between the web-site and forum.

Special thanks to David Laprad for proofreading the English texts.

Also, as you can see, the Russian version of the site is up and running. If you are up to other languages, let us know. We’ll do our best to help with at least the basic web-site texts and weekly updates.

Comments: Language filter

Also, special thanks to Nyarlanatep for an idea of language filter. That feature will be added to the game as optional to make sure that your wife or kids if you have any are not offended by the rude language the game may have.

That’s it for today. Also, if you are interested, this Friday we’ll add new materials, mostly concerning game OST. Next update will come as due in 7-10 days.

Best Regards,

Salvation team

New update and short QA

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0200

First of all, thank you for your interest and for all of the feedback -- both negative and positive -- you left on the numerous gaming Web sites and portals. Your opinions are helping us to see where we're falling short and to add stones to the concrete of the game to make it better and stronger. We're taking your suggestions and making decisions about whether or not they'll benefit the game. We're passionate about Salvation, and appreciate your passion for the game as well. In the end, our combined passion will help Black Wing Foundation to deliver the best product possible.

Now, a short Q&A in response to your feedback:

Q: Source seems to be rather old hat for a project that's going to be released in 2009.

A: That statement has some grounding; however, a development team's choice of game engines depends on the specific features it's planning to put in the game, the atmosphere they're hoping to achieve and the structure of the project itself. We evaluated a few different technologies, and after taking all of these factors into account, we went with Source. We also signed an exchange program with Emergent (Gamebryo 2.3.) for one of the Salvation spin-offs we're planning to develop, as Source wouldn't be the right engine for that game. I think you get our point here.

Q: It looks like a HL2 mod!

A: All we have to show are early in-game screenshots. If you want us to cheat by showing you fake screenshots, let us know. :) We prefer to show you our progress at every stage of the development process and to allow you to offer your input during the process of making the game. You can see several new screenshots in today's update. They're partially a result of your comments, btw.

Q: The story seems interesting, but it's kind of fuzzy, and the description on your Web site brings up questions than answers.

A: Guys, we have more than a year to go on developing the game, so rest assured we'll eventually shed more light on the story. For obvious reasons, we can't spoil the entire script. :)

Q: They've replicated Christ?! You'll burn in a hell for that game! Infidels!

A: The game's story is much more complicated that it appears to be, so have an open mind. :) We're not a bunch of Satan worshipers or something like that, we just want to tell a slightly daring science fiction story. The last thing we want to do is to hurt someone's feelings or make fun of what they believe.

Q: Argh... How about a Russian Web site?

A: Check the site on Monday!

So, today we bring you a batch of new screenshots from one of the Eastern European locations and one of the compositions from game's soundtrack: Magenta Dawn. Feel free to shoot your comments our way. We'll track them and discuss whether or not they'll benefit the game.

Best regards,

The Salvation Team

Black Wing Foundation announces Salvation project in development

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0200

The year is 2026. The world government has conspired to use stem cells and genetic engineering to stage Judgment Day. The ruling authorities deceived the global population by creating genetic replications of Christ and the Antichrist in order to produce a zealous fundamentalism on Earth - a fundamentalism supported by the idea of communicating with God via machines as well as cloned creatures called Angels...

The will of a handful of technocrats closely watching over super-servers "connected to heaven" controls every step of mankind, making their every decision the only one. Humans are kept in constant stagnation, technology is forbidden and everyone has to "repent" -- or submit to a brain scan -- once a week. If a person is harboring any "immoral" thoughts, he or she might be executed or sent to Hell, a cybernetic virtual environment that causes tremendous physical and psychological suffering. Humanity's only hope lies in a closely knit organization of dissidents, passionately independent people grouped into small resistance teams and scattered across the Earth in order to topple the tyrannical Regime.

The game's protagonists are people from various cultures, backgrounds and countries who share a common and terrifying present. A desire to overthrow the Regime and destroy the virtual reality systems of Hell and Paradise bind them together. They'll have to overcome many obstacles on their way to discovering the truth, which the new world government hides from the masses.

Throughout 14 missions grouped into seven episodes, the player will take the roles of Narumi Amano, a genetically modified assassin; Sergey Thor, captain of East European resistance cell; and Alexander Geist, a cynical psy-powered smuggler with his own reasons to hate the Regime.

Salvation is scheduled to be released in Q2 2009 on the PC and Xbox 360.

Key features

A detailed and oppressive futuristic atmosphere inspired by such masterpieces as "1984," "Brand New World" and "Us."
Diverse gameplay combining the best elements of stealth, action and role-playing in new and exiting ways.
About 20 bosses, each with a unique background story and his own tactics.
Seven episodes, from Tokyo to London, combined into a single dramatic story.
Highly cinematic gameplay and storyline.
Use of multi-functional futuristic weapons, some of which have never been seen in another shooter.
Use of advanced licensed technologies, realistic physics and 5.1 sound.
Detailed graphics technology using parallax and normal mapping, cinematic full-screen pixel shader effects, HDR lighting, dynamic light, shadows and more.
Inverse kinematics.
An awesome soundtrack featuring a live orchestra, licensed content and original compositions.
A multiplayer mode featuring new areas, new weapons and the ability to play as the game's enemies and NPCs. Supports eight to 32 players.

Black Wing press-announcement

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Founded in November 2006 by a team of professionals who came together to combine their experience in the video game, television and movie industries, Black Wing Foundation is comprised of 24 employees, with the video game experience of individual staff members ranging from three to ten years on more than 10 projects. Our headquarters are in Kiev, Ukraine. We also have a branch office in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine and recently opened a representative office in Beijing, China. We plan to expand our presence further within our country and throughout the world.

Our activities and services include:

1. Game development

2. Game production

2. Graphics outsourcing

3. Sound outsourcing

3. Public relations

Currently, we're developing our first project, a computer and video game called Salvation. We're also expanding our outsourcing network and have a few additional projects in pre-production.

Additional information about our company can be found in the "Company" section of this Web site.

Web-site launch

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Welcome to the launch of the official Black Wing Foundation Web site. And welcome to the world of Salvation! Featuring a dystopic world with virtually no space for another human being, there isn't much room for hope, either. You can access all of the available information about our company and game from the corresponding sections of this Web site. Be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed, too, in order to be the first to get the latest scoop on Salvation.