The Game
Last updated 2010-08-05
Description
Blackened is an online, cooperative third person shooter. The game is a total conversion for Unreal, created with the UDK. Blackened will feature a unique cinematic style of gameplay. Each level will contain a different style of gameplay, environment, and cinema. While playing Blackened, a player will feel all of the same emotions that they feel as they watch their favorite action or horror movie. They will endure feelings of intensity, shock, and adrenaline. These compelling moods will be largely set by the design of the enviornment, and by the dynamic style of gameplay. In Blackened, no two games are exactly alike. The AI will be designed in such a way that the same creatures never attack in the same way or at the same place twice. The Game will feature artistic camera views upon player death and game observation. Blackened will also focus heavily on teamplay and causing players to work together in order to survive.
The Goal
The main purpose in producing Blackened is to bring to modding and game community a unique cinematic style of cooperative gameplay. It is to allow players to physically feel the passion that the world in the game is trying to deliver. Blackened also serves the purpose of giving its development team the opportunity to showcase their work, present their portfolios, and have a better opportunity to get a career in the game design industry.
Feature
This is a brief list, not comprehensive, of some of the features that Blackened will include. The listed features are:
• Cinematic Gameplay – Players will enjoy dynamic cinematics (meaning that the game doesn’t stop while the cinematic takes place). This effect and other similar effects will drive emotion into the player.
• Diverse Level Design – Each level will be designed different than the others. Each will include its own cinematic style and gameplay.
• Specialized Audio – Each level will include its own musical score, designed specifically for each environment and planned mood.
• Motion Capture – Many animations will be based off of advanced motion capture systems.
• Classes – Players will be able to choose from a variety of player classes when joining a game. Each class will have certain perks and benefits associated with it.
• Limited Items – A certain amount of diverse items will be available in each level, giving players a tactical advantage in the environment. i.e. Some players will utilize night vision goggles, while other players may have a rocket pack. These items will complement each other if used in a team work setting.
Blackened - The Story
…chhhrrrr…………….vreeeeurrr…. “Throw the ball dad…” ……………chhhrrrsss…………………. “Happy 40th Layne, I hope you-“ ……………cchhhrrsssss…………………………………… “But Layne…” “Kim, I told you there is nothing to worry about. Babe, I’m guessing it’s just another training exercise. I’m sure I’ll be back within..”
……………………………………………………………………………vreechrrrsssssssssss………………
“Medic, I need a medic! We need a D-Shot here..” “Bravo Station 2, Zander Company requesting immediate evac. We need a shuttle now. Again I repeat, Bravo Station 2, Zan..” “Aaaaarrggg….” “Nine o’clock, they’re coming from the left flank….” “They’re everywhere! Fall back!”
……………………………………………vvreechrrrrsssssss………………
Three, two, one, testing, testing. Okay. My name is Sergeant Major Parks, or simply Layne Parks. I had been assigned to Zander Company, Squadron 2, but they’re all dead now I think. I suppose that means that I am now Lieutenant Colonel Parks. Guess that probably doesn’t mean anything now though. I’ve been in hiding for five days now, in the US National Bank on the corner of 5th and Wellington in Los Angeles, Quarantine 7. I fear that my locator transmitter is no longer operational, and therefore I will now record all of the events that have transpired these past months, as well as my last will and testimony. It is my hope that if I don’t make it, that this knowledge might be of some use to someone. I apologize to my superior officers that I was not able to complete my mission. I feel that Quarantine 7 is lost, and I can’t hope to recover it myself.
It all began on April 17th, year 2045. That day has become known as D-Day, or Dark Day. KasterTech Inc., an American research and development company, for years had been in development on a project called Blackened. Because of United States government concern and regulations, design and implementation of Blackened began in a KasterTech research facility on the shores of Antarctica. The intent of this project was to create a simulation of a black hole, to market to astronomers to help them further understand the nature and science of black holes. After millions of dollars and many failed experiments, KasterTech made plans to shut down the project at the conclusion of test simulation #A37. As in the past, simulation #A37 was considered a failure, and the project was shut down.
At least, this is what the world was told. Lead engineer at KasterTech, Dr. Anthony Drevlin, Project lead for Blackened, had successfully engineered a black hole simulation. That project was #A37. But this was no simulation. Project Blackened in fact, had succeeded in creating a true black hole. Historic facts and theories about the nature of black holes were nowhere near truth. This black hole was instead, what scientists called, a worm hole. Fearing that government control and regulations would restrain the success of Project Blackened, KasterTech announced the project was a failure and that they were moving on to other ventures. The world was unaware that its doom was incubating inside the walls of KasterTech.
Tests were run on the worm hole. Eventually KasterTech decided to send human subjects into the hole. Dr. Drevlin, fearing, what he called an “Abomination”, was unmanageable and dangerous, tried strenuously to convince KasterTech to destroy the hole. Drevlin was ignored and preparations for human entry were en-route. Out of fear and desperation, Drevlin informed the United States government of the true status of Project Blackened. The government immediately took action. An immediate intervention mission was organized and units of the United States Army were sent to the KasterTech facility in order to stop all operations until further government analysis could take place. Knowing that troops were on their way to the lab, KasterTech executives ordered the human subjects to enter the worm hole. The soldiers arrived at KasterTech, but it was too late, the human testing had begun. The human subjects were given orders to simply enter the hole, collect data, and return within ten minutes. Ten minutes passed, but they did not return. Hours passed by, then a day, and then two. On the second day after the subjects had entered the hole, to the surprise of many, one of the test subjects returned from the worm hole. As it is recorded, the last thing the subject said before dying on the cold, hard, floor was, “They’re coming….. What have we done?” And come they did.
The wormhole began to expand and what we now call Necros entered our world. Never had such a foe been witnessed on earth in its entire history. Hundreds upon thousands upon millions of these fiends poured out from an unknown world. The Necros began to quickly spread throughout the world like a plague. Towns and cities were lost within hours of the Necros entry. And when I say cities were lost, I don’t mean to say that epic battles were waged and that we were the losing side. What I mean to say is that we were hunted and slaughtered like animals. The Necros feed upon the souls of man. One cannot touch, even briefly, a Necros spirit without having only seconds to live. I suppose the Necros helped prove to the world and those “non-believer” folks that humans really do have a soul. It’s too bad we couldn’t have discovered this under better conditions. The Necros, literally eat and devour the soul. I dare not explain any further upon that matter, for even the memory of seeing such whoredoms is enough to make one sick to the stomach. We never had a chance. No standard weapon had any effect upon them. The world became a human slaughterhouse. Those beasts continue to enter our world even unto this day.
As they began to spread, darkness began to pour over the earth. The Necros seemed to have an impact on the climate. I can’t even remember the last time I saw the sun. Then the storms came. Rains, floods, snow, ice, you name it and we got it. Many of our crops were destroyed. Hope and despair were common emotions throughout the world. People throughout the world began to flee their cities of residence and spread through the countries in hiding. Government officials encouraged people to dissipate crowded populations and flee into the wildernesses. Armies amassed and deployed to combat the Necros threat. As human casualties began to become unbearable, the armies began to disassemble and disappear. The United States was the only remaining government to maintain an established force of defense. Top scientists were recruited to find a way to eliminate the enemy. Weeks went by as the scientist dove into research and experimentation, and a reality of the imminent eradication of humanity began to fill the minds of survivors. But when all hope had seemed lost, a breakthrough was accomplished by a man in the team of scientist. That man was Dr. Anthony Drevlin. A substance was devised that was able to make contact with a Necros body, and put an end to its life. It became known as Drevlin. New weapons and ammunition were developed to accommodate the presence of Drevlin. Its contents were derived from some of the same matter that caused the worm hole to open in the first place. Drevlin was the beacon of light in a dark storm that we had all been hoping and praying for. The remaining U.S. army began to fight back, and with success for the first time since the worm hole opened.
Battalions of troops are now being sent to large cities throughout the United States. Cities like New York City and Los Angeles where I am currently stationed, or for lack of better words, where I am awaiting my death. The struggle between man and beast has escalated from a slaughter to a battle, though it seems that we still might not make it. I have been sent with some of the first waves of soldiers to fight the Necros. Zander Company has failed their mission. The bastards were ready for us. They move so fast and adapt well to their environment. It’s the nighttime though, where the Necros really cause damage. Best advice I can give to whoever is hearing this, is stick together in the night hours. They can see you, they can smell you. Perhaps not all is lost though; I heard that the fellows stationed in quarantine 3 were able to completely secure the area. I can only hope that other battalions are getting an edge over the Necros. Will humanity survive? I honestly really can’t tell you that I believe that we will. We’ve been losing for so long now, it’s the 4th quarter and the ball is in our court. I suppose you never do know though. It always seems like people have a way of overcoming the odds while hope is hanging on a thread over a blazing fire. Hell, I even heard of plans to send troops into the heart of the lion’s den, the KasterTech facility itself!
Well, I’m signing out now. I, along with the rest of the world, am praying that humanity can push forward; that happy days might return. That fathers….can have the opportunity to watch their children grow up......Kim, Jake, and Cassie, wherever you are, I love you…and hope to see you sometime soon……My time is running short. The world’s time is running short. The skies grow darker every day. And the irony of it all, as the clouds grow blacker, and the sun becomes an obscure memory in the distant past, is that Project Blackened, the instigator and perpetrator of the calamity that humanity is currently in, has truly caused the earth and the soul of man, to become Blackened. This is Sergeant Major Parks of Zander Company, Signing out.
Game Info
Blackened is an Unreal/UDK mod set in the near future on Earth. Raveging phantom-like creatures called Necros have taken over the planet and are bringing downfall to the human race.
The game is a multiplayer co-op where teams must survive or work together to end the seemingly unstoppable Necros.
Full information here
Production Phase:
Production
Team Status:
Positions available
(more information)
