1. Black Skylands
  2. News

Black Skylands News

Release Date Announcement!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
The winds of Black Skylands are charting a new course. Our new launch date is August 15th! We know, it's a little longer to wait, but these extra few days are dedicated to further testing and improvements to ensure an even more enjoyable Day One experience. 🌤️


Read our latest announcement where we reveal our exclusive pre-order bonuses, along with our new release date - August 15th 2023! https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1143810/view/3686807969140038366

Play as Eva, a skilled and valiant young marshal, fighting to protect her people from the invading Falcons and Swarm. Take command of your own airship and embark on an expansive journey through a world of boundless skies. Gather resources to craft powerful weapons, upgrade your ship to new heights, unearth ancient secrets, and engage in thrilling battles beneath your ship’s sails.

From the depths of the unknown sky, a formidable threat looms. Follow Eva's journey as she ventures forth to uncover the hidden mysteries within the dark clouds.


[h3]FEATURES[/h3]

  • Fight in the skies and on land. Conquer enemies using an array of upgradable weapons in both aerial and ground combat.
  • Choose your airship. A maneuverable sloop, a spacious barge, or something in between — choose the airship that fits your playstyle.
  • Gather resources for powerful upgrades. Upgrade your weapons and ship to unleash devastating firepower against the invading forces.
  • Defend the floating islands. Liberate the floating islands of Aspya, restore the land, and defend the inhabitants against future threats.
  • Explore an expansive open world. Navigate through forests, farms, snowy landscapes, and uncover the unseen wonders of the skies.
  • Face the unknown. Unravel the secrets of the Swarm hidden within the mysterious depths of the dark clouds.
  • Embark on thrilling raid missions. Finished the main storyline? Push your skills to the limit, face diverse challenges, annihilate hordes of enemies, and earn unique rewards!


[hr][/hr]
Yours truly,



• • •

Join our community to discuss the upcoming launch and to chat with other captains:

Discord Reddit Twitter Facebook Instagram

New Features and Improvements

Greetings, Captains!

Get ready to fly high in the skies of Black Skylands! The launch of Black Skylands is just around the corner, and we can't wait for our community to experience all the incredible changes we've made to the game. From streamlined gameplay mechanics to a more immersive narrative, we've pulled out all the stops to ensure that this is the best version of the game yet!

Since Early Access launched in 2021, we've added a ton of new content and features to the game with a series of updates which introduced new weapons, abilities, and expanded areas to explore.


Treasure Seeker Update:
With our first update, we introduced a treasure-seeking feature, side quests, and rewards to Black Skylands. We also unleashed 6 new types of Swarm weapons, and 60 new weapon mods for players to enjoy. And that was just the beginning!

The Ice Kraken Update:
This update brought some serious firepower with the Ice Kraken aerial event boss. We also introduced random aerial encounters with big enemy ships to raid, opportunities to help civilians, and even a heart-pounding race to avoid an erupting volcano. Plus, we added new active abilities for Eva to keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.

The Raids Update:
With the addition of roguelike mechanic raids, this offered a new challenge to players who had already completed the main storyline. But we didn't stop there - additionally, after listening to player feedback, we made significant quality of life improvements, making it easier than ever to enjoy Black Skylands.

The Aerial Update:
Our latest update brought Black Skylands to new heights with the addition of new aerial enemies. The aerial combat system had undergone a major revamp, providing players with a more dynamic and engaging experience. And with a new damage model for enemy and friendly ships, every dogfight now felt like a life or death struggle!



[h2]New Features[/h2]
[hr][/hr]
[h3]Story[/h3]
Black Skylands has undergone some significant changes to its story and plot, and we couldn't be more excited to share them with our community! We've reworked the narrative to create a more immersive and memorable experience that we believe you'll love.

Eva is now a skilled and brave young marshal, fighting to protect her people from the invading Falcons and Swarm. With a wide range of new enemies and characters to encounter, as well as redesigned versions of classic foes, every battle will be a fresh and exciting challenge. And with new islands to explore, players will be able to delve even deeper into the rich and immersive world of Black Skylands.


[h3]Gameplay[/h3]
In Black Skylands, the skies are yours to conquer - without the distraction of factions brawling for power. This means you'll be able to focus on exploring the world, upgrading your ship, and taking on thrilling battles without any external interference from faction warfare.

A crew won't be joining you on your airship, but that's okay - you'll be the one calling the shots and making the tough decisions! You'll have to use all of your skills and cunning to succeed in the skies, but with a variety of upgradeable weapons and abilities, you'll be more than up to the task.



The Fathership is no longer stationary! To move the ship, you'll need to attack the enemy fleet of Falcons at specific locations marked on the map.



We've also streamlined base-building to create a simpler, more enjoyable experience. While you can still upgrade your base with new structures, none of them will produce resources. Instead, you'll gather resources as you explore the world and embark on adventures.




[h3]New Upgrade Systems[/h3]
The factory on the Fathership is now capable of turning ore into steel, which can be used to upgrade weapons and ships. However, certain upgrades are only available once you've upgraded your base buildings. By investing in your base and unlocking new upgrades, you'll be able to take on even tougher challenges and enemies.

We've also added a new feature that allows players to upgrade their weapons right from their inventory. By spending Steel or Gold, you can improve your weapons and make them even more effective in combat.




[h3]Amulets[/h3]
There are 30 different Amulets to discover. These unique items grant Eva a variety of passive and active abilities. Whether you find them hidden in the world or earn them as rewards for completing quests and liberating islands, Amulets offer a new way to enhance your gameplay experience and gain an edge in combat.




[h3]Plants[/h3]
To give Eva a boost in health, players will need to seek out and gather special plants scattered throughout the world. These plants can be found in various locations, from hidden corners of the floating islands to enemy-controlled territories.




[h3]New Enemies[/h3]
Players can expect to encounter a host of new enemies, each one more challenging than the last. From vicious new Swarm creatures to the heavily armed Falcons, players will need to stay on their toes to survive. And with new islands to explore, there's no shortage of new challenges to tackle!




[h3]Difficulty Level Options[/h3]
We've introduced four different difficulty settings in the game. So whether you're an experienced captain or a newcomer to the world of Black Skylands, there's a difficulty level that's just right for you. And best of all, you can change the difficulty at any time to suit your needs.




It's been an incredible journey getting to this point, and we're so grateful to our community for their support and feedback along the way. Keep an eye on our social media for the latest updates and an official release date announcement. Thanks for joining us on this adventure - we can't wait to see you in the skies of Black Skylands!

[hr][/hr]
Yours truly,



• • •

Join our community to discuss the upcoming launch and to chat with other captains:

Discord Reddit Twitter Facebook Instagram

Black Skylands Closed Playtest 4.0

[h3]Greetings, Captains![/h3]

The time has come to embark on another epic adventure, and we want YOU to be a part of it! Black Skylands is nearing completion, and we're looking for explorers to join our latest playtest.

The playtest will take place for one week, and we invite all interested players to participate. We encourage you to explore every aspect of the game, report any bugs you encounter, and provide feedback to help us improve everyone's gaming experience. Your input will be invaluable as we work to make Black Skylands the best it can be before its release this Summer!

Please note: You must already have the game in your Steam library to participate in the playtest.


[h3]HOW TO JOIN[/h3]
The playtest will start on March 27th (17:00 CET) and end on April 3rd (17:00).

To join the playtest, please go to our official Discord server and then open the #assign-role channel. Follow the channel instructions if you wish to participate. As soon as you do, you will be assigned a special Playtester 4.0 role on the server and gain access to private playtest channels where you can share observations, give feedback and report issues.

After playing, please take a moment to fill out the feedback form that will be available on Discord.


Fair winds, Captains!

[hr][/hr]
Yours truly,



• • •

Join our community to share feedback and chat with other captains:

Discord Reddit Twitter Facebook Instagram

Release & Console Announcement

[h3]Greetings, Captains![/h3]

Rev up your airship’s engine - Black Skylands is coming to all platforms in Summer 2023!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Since Early Access launched in 2021, we’ve released four major updates enhancing player experience, while also expanding the game's story:


Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing major gameplay developments, story changes and new features that will be available on release. Keep an eye on our socials for the official launch date!


Fair winds, Captains!




• • •

Join our community:

Discord Reddit Twitter Facebook Instagram

Black Skylands Closed Playtest 3.0

[h3]Greetings, Captains![/h3]

The Black Skylands Closed Playtest 3.0 has now ended.

Thank you to all the players that took part in the playtest and gave feedback to the developers so that we can improve everyone’s gaming experience!


Fair winds, Captains!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1143810/Black_Skylands/

[hr][/hr]
Yours truly,



• • •

Join our community to share feedback and chat with other captains:

Discord Reddit Twitter Facebook Instagram