Hi everyone,
The GRAND REVEAL is here! We kept our promise, we cooked and now is the time to unveil our 'new' project: the dreamlike big brother of BLACKSHARD. It is called:
HYPNOS is a first-person adventure and exploration game set within a new megastructure described in the Maze Chronicles, a Black Shard of Onyx, hidden beneath the roots of the Forest of Destiny. The Enclave is at work, supported by Redlock Studio and once again featuring the talents of ALT236 and AL9000.
“In the Dreamlands, all paths lead to the holy mountain of Kadath, where the gods dwell.
Shadowed by the mountain is the Nameless City, built on the ruins of those who came before. There, Choron, a vagabond burdened by his past, searches for a faceless boy who haunts his dreams. To find the boy and unravel the threads of his own destiny, Choron must solve the city's mysteries, face the Monarchs who rule the far reaches of the world and cross the veils that separate ignorance from truth.”
This time, you play as a man named Choron, an Other on his quest to the edges of Dream. Those who have not played BLACKSHARD need not worry, as you will be transported to a new world, allowing you to grasp the entire plot.
However, walkers of the Labyrinth will recognise the signs, concepts, some characters and intertwined patterns. After all, some of you are already walking the Path of the Eternal Return.
Enough of this mysterious talk! Here's the Steam page for you to discover:
More images, videos and trailers will be added over time, so stay tuned. Above all: if you're hyped, add the game to your WISHLIST! This is the best thing you can do right now to support the project, and that shall help us reach two major milestones at the same time.
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Well well, let's talk a bit about it. HYPNOS will be released on PC and consoles (PS5 and Xbox) in 2026. I'm not announcing the exact date because we're saving that card for later, but know that it will be... before summer.
Why launch a Kickstarter? Simply to secure the budget we need to finish the game in good conditions, to finance some great partners in press relationships and influencers, the console porting, etc., without having to eat rocks on our side. It won't be a crazy goal, but it will make a big difference. In a few days, we'll open the page so that those who wish to support us that way can subscribe, but the Kickstarter campagn itself won't start until the beginning of the NextFest, so we can throw all our energy into the battle for visibility.
I already successfully ran a Kickstarter with Redlock Studio for Shattered almost 10 years ago. I was young and naive, and it wasn't easy, but I now know the ropes and what can and cannot be achieved! The main advantage is that we're talking about a campaign at the end of the project rather than at the beginning, which fundamentally changes the approach. Basically, you won't have to wait long to receive all your rewards.
I won't say any more for now because it will be the subject of future news, but from the beginning we have played the card of transparency and closeness with our community. We will be just as responsive and involved with HYPNOS as we were with BLACKSHARD, and this new stage will allow us to continue with these stories, these interconnected worlds and... The rest.
The Chronicles of the Labyrinth are being written with you, and the Labyrinth itself will never stop growing.
Well, consoles porting is on the way! Also PS5/Xbox, with a great partner. No release date yet, but it is also coming this year, before the release of HYPNOS. And as you may know, we will return to the Labyrinthe soon enough.
On the matter of HYPNOS, I will answer your questions here as usual, while we wait for the next step, and will post a first comment below with the mention "KICKSTARTER ENJOYER" Feel free to like it if you think at the moment that you might be following us on this part of the adventure!
Enjoy your first glimpse, see you soon for more information, and of course, not too long from now for the DEMO!
Until then, take care.