BLACK STIGMA News

[p][/p][p]Hello, this is Kwon Dae-ho, Executive Producer.[/p][p][/p][p]The BLACK STIGMA project has undergone a total of eight testing phases so far, during which we’ve refined the game together with our players.
We’ve taken every piece of your feedback seriously, and through countless trials and adjustments, we’ve arrived at the current Early Access version.[/p][p][/p][h3]And finally, at 07:00 (UTC) on July 18, 2025, BLACK STIGMA will enter its Early Access phase.[/h3][p][/p][h3]\[ Purpose of Early Access ] [/h3][p]BLACK STIGMA is a hero shooter PvP game featuring a unique combat system that blends melee and shooting elements.[/p][p]
Players can select from Masters with various combat styles, seamlessly switching between ranged shooting and close combat to experience the thrill of a battlefield centered on strategy and teamwork.[/p][p][/p][p]However, we believe that developing such gameplay cannot be achieved by the developers alone.[/p][p]Your actual gameplay and feedback are the key to completing BLACK STIGMA.[/p][p] [/p][p]This Early Access is not just a pre-release, but it’s the starting point of a collaborative journey.[/p][p]Together, we’ll work on balance, system improvements, and content enhancement.[/p][p][/p][h3]\[ Key Content Overview ] [/h3][p] [/p][p]1) 15 Masters – Including 2 New Ones[/p][p]You can now play as a total of 15 Masters.[/p][p]In addition to the existing 13, the following 2 new Masters are introduced:[/p]

• [p]Micron: A slinger master specializing in the compound bow[/p]
• [p]Coordinator R: A Master who summons agents to support and disrupt[/p]

[p]These new Masters bring unique combat styles and tactical individuality through their distinct active skills.[/p][p]
Thanks to this, not only returning testers but also new players will be able to experience a battlefield rich with strategic diversity.[/p][p]  [/p][p]2) 15 Weapons – Including 6 New Ones[/p][p]The number of weapons has increased from 9 to 15. Highly requested types like shotguns and revolvers have been added.[/p][p]We focused on balancing performance and handling across weapons to accommodate various playstyles.[/p][p]  [/p][p]3) Battle Modes – Including New ‘Team Deathmatch’[/p]

• [p]Kill ‘em All (3v3): Elimination-focused survival mode[/p]
• [p]Get ‘em All (3v3v3): Objective mode based on strategic gold collection[/p]
• [p]Versus (1v1): Duel-style head-to-head mode[/p]
• [p]Team Deathmatch (6v6): New mode featuring dynamic large-scale real-time battles[/p]

[p]There are 5 exclusive maps for Team Deathmatch, and 1–2 new maps have been added to the existing modes.[/p][p]
4) Welcome Content & User Support[/p][p]Since BLACK STIGMA features a unique combat system that blends melee and shooting, it might feel unfamiliar at first. In this Early Access, one major goal is to ease this initial barrier.[/p]

• [p]Welcome Match[/p]
• [p]Beginner Missions[/p]
• [p]User Care Buffs[/p]

[p]We’ve prepared an onboarding experience that is both challenging and enjoyable.[/p][p] [/p][p]5) Reward System and Growth Structure[/p][p]Players can level up naturally through battles, and acquire various Masters, weapons, and generous in-game currency. In addition, we provide:[/p]

• [p]Daily Missions[/p]
• [p]Battle Pass Missions[/p]
• [p]Master-Specific Missions (New)[/p]
• [p]Event Rewards[/p]

[p]This structure allows gameplay itself to lead directly to growth and rewards.
Furthermore, we’ve prepared various events to ensure players feel rewarded for every minute they invest in the game.[/p][p]The earned currency can be used in the shop, recruitment, and exchange systems, and for customizing Masters.
Some items with premium design elements may be acquired through limited microtransactions. However, these are carefully designed not to disturb game balance and allow players to use them freely by choice.[/p][p]  [/p][p]6) System Improvements: UI/UX[/p][p]In this Early Access, we've improved the UI/UX with a focus on enhancing the intuitiveness and usability of the weapon customization system.[/p]

• [p]We redesigned the process of selecting and equipping parts to be clearer and more intuitive,[/p]
• [p]and reorganized the information structure so players can easily understand each part’s effects and resulting combinations.[/p]

[p]In addition, we refined the UI of the main menu and settings screen for a smoother experience, and improved the visibility and clarity of the battle HUD so players can access essential information during gameplay.[/p][p]  [/p][h3]\[Tasks We Still Need to Address Together][/h3][p]There’s still a road ahead to full completion, but this Early Access is a vital phase where we inspect and refine the game together.[/p]

• [p]Ongoing polishing and balance stabilization[/p]
• [p]Game optimization[/p]
• [p]Enhancement of social features and convenience systems[/p]

[p]All these tasks will be addressed step by step with your valuable feedback.

[/p][h3]\[ We Welcome Your Feedback ][/h3][p]We deeply value all user feedback and aim to apply it as promptly as possible. Even a short comment like “Please fix this bug,” “This part feels inconvenient,” or “I wish we had this feature” greatly contributes to the game’s development. You can leave your opinions through:[/p]

• [p]Steam Community[/p]
• [p]Official Discord[/p]
• [p]Customer Center (for bugs and suggestions)[/p]

[p]Please feel free to use any channel to share your thoughts.[/p][p] [/p][p] [/p][h3]\[ Conclusion ][/h3][h3]Early Access marks the beginning of a journey to complete BLACK STIGMA together.[/h3][p]Every step you take, every match you play, will be a precious footprint shaping the direction and quality of this game. We hope for your continued interest and participation in future tests, events, and updates. We promise to stay true to our vision and carry the responsibility of delivering a better game to the end.

[/p][p]Thank you to everyone joining us on this first step of the journey.[/p][p] [/p][p]Sincerely,[/p][p] [/p][p]Kwon Dae-ho, Executive Producer[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Now Recruiting Amazing BS Partners to Grow Together with BLACK STIGMA, full of fierce and stylish killers![/h3][p][/p][p]After the Early Access launch, share gameplay videos of BLACK STIGMA![/p][p]Various rewards including in-game items will be provided![/p][p][/p][h3]BLACK STIGMA Partner Pre-registration Schedule![/h3][p][/p][p]- Additional Recruitment Period: July 18 (Fri) – July 31 (Thu)[/p][p]- Regular Recruitment Period: Starting August 1 (Fri) until closed[/p][p] Partner Selection:[/p][p]1) Those who apply by July 31 during the additional BS Partner recruitment period will be contacted individually via email or Discord DM by August 8, so feel free to continue your activities.[/p][p]2) If you applied by July 31 but do not receive a response by August 8 and still wish to join as a BS Partner, please reapply. We will review again and respond by the end of November.[/p][p]- Partner Activity Period: From the time of selection, continuously active[/p][p][/p][h3]- BS Partner Qualifications -[/h3][p]1. Someone who truly loves and supports BLACK STIGMA[/p][p]2. Passionate about creating game content and eager to grow[/p][p]3. Follower/subscriber count does not matter[/p][p][/p][h3]- Apply for BS Partnership -[/h3][p]Click to apply[/p][p]Selected BS Partners will be contacted individually [/p][p]Please make sure to check your registered contact method (email or Discord DM)![/p][h3][/h3][h3]- Super Pass Mission Guide -[/h3][p]Create a reaction video to the BLACK STIGMA Early Access Trailer while watching it and upload on your channel before 31 Jul, and you’ll be guaranteed selection as a BS Partner![/p][p]
[/p][p][/p]

[p]Hello, this is BLACK STIGMA.[/p][p][/p][p]We’re excited to reveal our brand-new official trailer![/p][p]The war between deadly assassin organizations is heating up and our masters are diving into explosive, high-stakes battles.[/p][p]Check out the intense action and get a glimpse of the chaos that awaits in BLACK STIGMA![/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]BLACK STIGMA Team[/p]

[p]Hello, Masters![/p][p]The moment you've been waiting for is finally here. We’re excited to announce the official launch date for BLACK STIGMA’s Early Access![/p][p][/p][h3]🗓️ Early Access begins on July 18, 2025 (Fri) at 7:00 AM (UTC).[/h3][p][/p][h3]We truly appreciate your patience and the incredible support you've shown throughout this journey.[/h3][p][/p][p]Our team is working hard to deliver the best gameplay experience possible by the time Early Access goes live.[/p][p][/p][p]BLACK STIGMA Team[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Hello everyone, this is Kwon Dae-ho, Executive Producer. [/p][p][/p][p]In our previous developer note, we briefly shared the direction we're taking to complete Black Stigma. [/p][p]Today, I would like to introduce some of the new elements we’re preparing to enhance the sense of fun in the game. [/p][p][/p][h3]- Refining a Light and Fast Combat Feel -[/h3][p]Black Stigma is a game designed to express a killer-centric universe, with a strong emphasis on handgun shooting and close-quarters martial arts. 
That’s why we are always thinking about how to bring distinct and well-balanced enjoyment in both “handgun fire” and “melee combat techniques.” [/p][p]One key idea that emerged from this process was offering a lighter and faster responsive combat tempo. [/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p]To that end, we're currently adjusting handgun shooting to feel quicker and more accessible. 
By tuning factors like fire rate and shot grouping, we’re aiming to reduce the disharmony of gunplay and make battles feel more exhilarating and fluid. [/p][p]We’re also applying this approach to combat skills. 
In previous close-range encounters, many fights ended with a single skill exchange, often cutting the fun short and leaving players frustrated. We recognized this as a potential barrier to enjoyable combat. [/p][p]Our goal now is to bring the Time To Kill (TTK) from melee combat to a more appropriate level while making that time feel tense and rewarding. 
Players should feel free to engage in back-and-forth combat without the fear of being taken down instantly—battles should be about control, mind games, and intense exchanges. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]- Introducing Team Deathmatch Mode -[/h3][p]We’re introducing a new Team Deathmatch mode, where 12 players are split into two teams and compete for the most kills. [/p][p]Players can return to the battlefield even after being killed, enabling non-stop action until the timer runs out. 
This mode is the result of our aim to deliver a (1) Light, (2) fast-paced, and (3) straightforward experience—avoiding the pressure-heavy nature of Kill 'Em All and VS modes, and the complexity of Get 'Em All mode. [/p][p][/p][p]Because the mode minimizes rules and competitive pressure, we believe it will be especially welcoming for newcomers and players looking for a more relaxed, accessible gameplay option. [/p][p][/p][h3]- Micron: A New Character with Unique Combat Mechanics -[/h3][p][/p][p]A new character, Micron, will be joining the battlefield under the Gray Crows faction. [/p][p]Micron is Nano’s younger sister and began her journey as a killer within Gray Crows under Zero’s leadership. [/p][p][/p][p]Micron takes on the role of a slinger position, wielding a specially crafted compound bow. One of her signature abilities is precise sniping technique using this bow. [/p][h2][/h2][p]With Micron’s bow-based skillset, we’ve reinterpreted the joy of long-range sniping similar to military shooters’ game. [/p][p]Rather than simply hitting enemies from afar, her skills aim to convey the thrill of piercing through enemies from a distance. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]- Conclusion -[/h3][p]We’ve been reflecting deeply on all the feedback you've provided through various tests and incorporating those ideas into Black Stigma in a way that fits the game’s unique tone. [/p][p]As soon as this new build is ready, we’ll bring it to you with confidence—so we can all enjoy it together. [/p][p] [/p][p]Sincerely, 
 
Kwon Dae-ho, Executive Producer [/p][p][/p]