Hello everyone, The Black Cube series followed its path during 8 years. It all started in 2012 with the creation of ASA: A Space Adventure, then its arrival for the first time on Steam with ASA: Remastered Edition! Year after year, I worked hard and often alone at home, and here you could discover Catyph: The Kunci Experiment, Myha: Return to the Lost Island in cooperation with Denis Martin, and this year Bonihi: The K'i Codex. This series allowed me to meet great people, both gamers from all over the world and developers, and some of them became real friends. The road has been punctuated with sorrows and difficulties, but also with joys, such as the success of the Kickstarter in 2017, or discovering the reviews in some magazines. 4/5 in Adventure Gamers for all these games, and even better: 4.5/5 for Myha with a 'Silver Aggie' last year! I want to continue, I have the scenario for a 5th episode and I'm motivated. I'm also learning Unity so that I can make even more ambitious projects. But unfortunately it's getting very complicated for me to make a new Black Cube game in the current conditions. In 8 years the series has had a hard time finding its audience, I have never hidden it. I've never been very good at marketing it, I worked hard on that, but despite all my efforts and all the advice I was given, it didn't work and the major influencers ignored the series. I haven't been able to make my work pay off. The 4 games together were activated and played by less than 3000 people (if I interpret the statistics correctly), and on average once the taxes and royalties were removed, I had to live with 300 per month in total for all these years. Each new episode, created with passion but without budget, was made for the fans, but also for the newcomers (each game can be played separately, without having played the previous ones). Alas, I have to admit that only the fans of the first hour (ASA) really continued the series. Bonihi, which I consider the most accessible episode, and which received good reviews, was the worst launch to date. I don't blame anyone, there's no one to blame. However, the covid crisis is not helping. I am therefore putting the production of any new episode on hold indefinitely. The Black Cube is no longer part of my main production schedule. The series is not totally abandoned and will obviously not be deleted, you can continue to play it, to put the games in your wishlist and buy the episodes you don't have yet. The Black Cube Bundle at -15% all year long will remain available: https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/617/The_Black_Cube_series/ I will continue to participate in the Steam sales, so don't miss the Christmas sales! You can always write to me with questions, or let me know if you encounter a problem that prevents you from completing your adventure. You can do this on the official website https://www.theblackcube.fr/ in the Contacts page. All this may not be definitive, I don't know how my situation will evolve in the months and years to come, nor what opportunities will present themselves. I'm also studying the possibility of porting existing games to other platforms, and I don't rule out the idea of reviving some unfinished Black Cube games with the external help of other creators (ATOS, Kel Leda...). I remain motivated and passionate, and I won't stop working as an independent developer for the moment, but I will try in 2021 to focus on lighter or more mainstream games. Don't hesitate to follow me on social networks (https://twitter.com/Simon_ASA) to stay informed about what I'm doing next, and to encourage me! Before I leave you, I really want to thank all the people who played these games, who loved them, and who supported me during all these years, knowing very well that I was struggling with all my strength to release each new episode. It was with a heavy heart that I made this decision, because the Black Cube series really represents a whole page in my life. Those who have completed all 4 episodes know that, put together, these hundred hours of gameplay bring their share of poetry, varied settings, texts and touching moments, while rewarding their intelligence and logic. It is with them in mind that I write these last lines <3 <3 <3 Also don't miss this free Digital Artbook (7 years of the Black Cube series) that I have recently published for everyone to download and enjoy: https://bit.ly/3nmC7Sn Thank you for reading, and see you soon I hope! Simon
[ 2020-11-14 11:06:44 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hi everyone!
A new episode in the Black Cube series (ASA, Catyph, Myha) is here!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1298050/Bonihi_The_Ki_Codex/
Scifi adventure game Boinihi is finally released after 4 years of hard work on my own at home!
This game is reminiscent of the Myst series but also point and click games like Syberia, The Longest Journey...
"An astronaut has been wandering through space for 4 years, and finally landed on an uncharted moon, where a mysterious hermit used to live alone. Bonihi was his name, and he was one of the rare survivors of a terrible event known as "Day Zero", which happened long, long ago..."
Created with the help of Yazorius (music), Klemens Koehring (English voice), Rmy Ltang (French voice), and all of my friends at the Icehouse collective.
[previewyoutube=_iDOSmYmzG8;leftthumb][/previewyoutube]
Available in English and French for Windows, $19.99 (save -10% if you choose the Black Cube bundle).
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/617/The_Black_Cube_series/
Don't miss the Bonus files in the game's folder (mp3, video, comic book...).
If you like to play the Black Cube games, don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to be updated of the latest releases, and receive a few surprises on some occasions.
http://eepurl.com/dM3VFg
I really hope you like Boinihi! Thanks for your support during all these years!
Simon
[ 2020-06-05 16:14:34 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hi everyone! Catyph: Light Edition is finished and currently in private Beta Test. If everything goes well, this modified version will be available somewhere in July. You can still see the list of changes here: https://adventuregamers.com/forums/viewthread/10772/ Catyph LE will be free if you already purchased the original game and should be downloaded as an automatic update as soon as it is released. You may also be aware that we recently released a nice short game called Kitrinos: this free adventure is a prequel to the Black Cube series, and will be published on Steam around July 16th. Yes as I said it will be free! You can already check the page here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/890300/Kitrinos_Inside_the_Cube/ Last but not least, I have finally paid the submission fee for Myha: Return to the Lost Island (successful Kickstarter last year, thanks to everyone). The game makes good progress and we hope that you didn't miss the private playable demo if you had chosen this reward. Next I plan to finish my work on Boïnihi: The K'i Codex, the next game in the series. You can learn more about all these games on the official site of the series: www.theblackcube.fr All existing Black Cube games will thus be available together on Steam within a few months. They are all DRM-free, and you can currently benefit of -25% on ASA and Catyph during Steam Summer sales: https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/617/The_Black_Cube_series/ Thanks for your support during all these years!
[ 2018-07-02 13:13:40 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello everyone! The Black Cube series continues to expand: after ASA, Catyph, Boïnihi (soon), Blue Moon (in development), and the Anterran comics, now I am working on another project of 1st person adventure game named RealMyha. For the first time in the series, I am not creating it on my own, and moreover it will be in full3d. Powered with Unreal Engine, RealMyha is being actively developed with Denis Martin, who was behind a beautiful game named RoonSehv (a fan sequel to Myst).
About RealMyha:
RealMyha is the complete remake of Myha, a game that was originally created in 10 days during the Myst Game Jam on itch.io in january 2016 (link). Our team is composed of 3 people: I am working with the developer of RoonSehv with their music composer. We’re trying to take advantage of our different but complementary skills, in order to work together on this new project. I must say that it’s very exciting for me, and Denis is very motivated too. Concretely we’ll try to mix the gameplay of RoonSehv, with the puzzles and worlds of The Black Cube series, with improved and new puzzles, with a new soundtrack (and more), all together in order to create this new game.
Gameplay:
It will be more or less the same gameplay than in RoonSehv and most 1st person adventure games (Xing, Obduction, The Witness...). Yeah, exactly: it means that you won’t have to suffer anymore of the 2d gameplay of ASA and Catyph if you didn't like it!
Story:
The main storyline of RealMyha will be the same than in Myha (the original game), but we will rework it a little bit, and additionnally we plan to add a secondary quest. The cutscenes (opening and ending) will also be entirely remade for the occasion. Honestly, even with the same background than the original game, you will see a real difference in RealMyha!
Learn more about the project through the link below, and please consider to support us!
We would be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to discover our presentation. If you like it, please try to help us by spreading the word, even if you cannot afford to pledge. Discover RealMyha on Kickstarter We’re really counting on you to make it a reality! :)
[ 2017-10-19 20:12:14 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello everyone! The Black Cube series continues to expand: after ASA, Catyph, Bonihi (soon), Blue Moon (in development), and the Anterran comics, now I am working on another project of 1st person adventure game named RealMyha. For the first time in the series, I am not creating it on my own, and moreover it will be in full3d. Powered with Unreal Engine, RealMyha is being actively developed with Denis Martin, who was behind a beautiful game named RoonSehv (a fan sequel to Myst).
About RealMyha:
RealMyha is the complete remake of Myha, a game that was originally created in 10 days during the Myst Game Jam on itch.io in january 2016 (link). Our team is composed of 3 people: I am working with the developer of RoonSehv with their music composer. Were trying to take advantage of our different but complementary skills, in order to work together on this new project. I must say that its very exciting for me, and Denis is very motivated too. Concretely well try to mix the gameplay of RoonSehv, with the puzzles and worlds of The Black Cube series, with improved and new puzzles, with a new soundtrack (and more), all together in order to create this new game.
Gameplay:
It will be more or less the same gameplay than in RoonSehv and most 1st person adventure games (Xing, Obduction, The Witness...). Yeah, exactly: it means that you wont have to suffer anymore of the 2d gameplay of ASA and Catyph if you didn't like it!
Story:
The main storyline of RealMyha will be the same than in Myha (the original game), but we will rework it a little bit, and additionnally we plan to add a secondary quest. The cutscenes (opening and ending) will also be entirely remade for the occasion. Honestly, even with the same background than the original game, you will see a real difference in RealMyha!
Learn more about the project through the link below, and please consider to support us!
We would be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to discover our presentation. If you like it, please try to help us by spreading the word, even if you cannot afford to pledge. Discover RealMyha on Kickstarter Were really counting on you to make it a reality! :)
[ 2017-10-19 20:12:14 CET ] [ Original post ]
It is now possible to purchase the Space Adventure 1+2 bundle (ASA and Catyph together) with a price drop of -10%. You can also benefit of this offer if you already own one of the 2 games. For example if you purchased ASA on Steam in the past, you won't pay it again in this bundle, and you'll get Catyph with the small reduction applied.
[ 2016-10-30 11:12:48 CET ] [ Original post ]
It is now possible to purchase the Space Adventure 1+2 bundle (ASA and Catyph together) with a price drop of -10%. You can also benefit of this offer if you already own one of the 2 games. For example if you purchased ASA on Steam in the past, you won't pay it again in this bundle, and you'll get Catyph with the small reduction applied.
[ 2016-10-30 11:12:48 CET ] [ Original post ]
Did you know? The little brother of ASA is now available on Steam! Have a look: http://store.steampowered.com//app/396870/
[ 2016-06-10 17:16:06 CET ] [ Original post ]
Did you know? The little brother of ASA is now available on Steam! Have a look: http://store.steampowered.com//app/396870/
[ 2016-06-10 17:16:06 CET ] [ Original post ]
The game has finally been updated for OSX and Linux and should now work fine for everyone on the 3 operating systems. See details and instructions here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/329980/discussions/0/620712364044280887/ Thanks for your patience!
[ 2015-05-14 09:38:58 CET ] [ Original post ]
The game has finally been updated for OSX and Linux and should now work fine for everyone on the 3 operating systems. See details and instructions here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/329980/discussions/0/620712364044280887/ Thanks for your patience!
[ 2015-05-14 09:38:58 CET ] [ Original post ]
Several people had an important issue with the save system, and specific buttons of the game were broken after loading. We have updated the Windows version of ASA. Please download this update which should fix: - the issue with the PC Forte keyboard (when button disabled) - the issue with the Kepler trees (when levers disabled) - other minor bugs Another important update should be available soon for Mac and Linux users. It should increase the compatibility of the game, and fix the above issues. Thanks for your patience! More details in this thread http://steamcommunity.com/app/329980/discussions/0/620712364044280887/
[ 2015-05-05 16:13:42 CET ] [ Original post ]
Several people had an important issue with the save system, and specific buttons of the game were broken after loading. We have updated the Windows version of ASA. Please download this update which should fix: - the issue with the PC Forte keyboard (when button disabled) - the issue with the Kepler trees (when levers disabled) - other minor bugs Another important update should be available soon for Mac and Linux users. It should increase the compatibility of the game, and fix the above issues. Thanks for your patience! More details in this thread http://steamcommunity.com/app/329980/discussions/0/620712364044280887/
[ 2015-05-05 16:13:42 CET ] [ Original post ]
- ASA: A Space Adventure - Remastered Edition Linux update3 [941.01 M]
- ASA: A Space Adventure - Bonus Content Pack
ASA: A Space Adventure was originally created with love by a single person, and now comes back in a HD remake thanks to the help of developer Andrea Rinaldi. ASA is a first-person slideshow adventure game (point & click) reminiscent of famous games such as the Myst and Rhem series. Visit a vast spaceship called The Ark, divided into several areas, and discover the truth behind the Cubes and their creators...
You'll probably need a pen and a paper to write down your notes in order to solve the challenging puzzles! This game can be very difficult for people who are not familiar with the genre.
In 2057, an astronaut finds a strange Black Cube in Space, and is teleported onto a mysterious spaceship called the Ark. You soon discover that he's not the first astronaut from planet Terra to arrive here: Philip Forte lived through the very same experience in 2011 and, fortunately, left a diary explaining his story. With this help, you visit the Ark, with one single goal in mind: getting back home!
ASA: Remastered Edition is an improved version of the game originally released in January 2013 by Simon Mesnard. It is part of the Black Cube series, a collection of Sci-Fi projects based on a book.
Original version features:
- 9 different environments (6 areas on the main spaceship, 2 planets, 1 satellite)
- 10 hours of gameplay
- a story illustrated with several CG movies for a better immersion
- rythmed with an original soundtrack by Stélian Derenne (Karreo).
- walk in the steps of a disapeared astronaut. Read his diary to find clues and recreate the full storyline.
- discover the first released game of the Black Cube series
New in this HD Remake:
ASA: Remastered Edition is the exact same than the original ASA game, except that we've been working on several new features specifically for the Steam release. Despite a lot of efforts in the past, the original version released in 2013 presented different issues that could not be solved, so we decided to restart from scratch with a new game engine! Here's the list of new features:
- Play in HD 1920x800 (1024x432 for the original game) - we have re-rendered all the backgrounds from the original 3D scenes (not a photoshop upscale!)
- Developed with Visonaire Studio, allowing more flexibility and stability
- We've added visual aids to identify the hotspots
- More translations, no need to patch anymore! (English, French, Italian, Spanish and German)
- Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
- OS: Linux x86_64
- Processor: 2.5 GHz Single Core Processor or 2 GHz Dual Core ProcessorMemory: 2 GB RAM
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 compatible with 256 MB RAM (Shared Memory is not recommended)
- Storage: 1 GB available space
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