Macabre News

Today, we want to shine a light on the man behind the stunning and spine-chilling art of Macabre—industry veteran Jake Hempson. Jake has a long history with sci-fi horror, starting with his work on the "Aliens vs Predator" game. Inspired by films and games like Alien, Dead Space, and Event Horizon, Jake aims to evoke those same spine-tingling feelings through the design of creatures, costumes, and environments in our game.

Over to Jake:

Soooo… an industry veteran, eh? (Yes, yes, I have been around the block.) I'm a bit of a mixed bag. I originally studied graphic design in South Africa, then moved to the UK, aiming to get into comics illustration and concept art. I wound up teaching myself 3D animation, eventually working on the "Aliens vs Predator" game for Rebellion.

Several games later, I came to OZ and worked for Krome Studios in Brisbane. Eventually, I transitioned into a 3D generalist for VFX/TVC, working at Cutting Edge, where I first met Jay.

A few years and several films later, I reconnected with Jay and was excited to learn he'd been working on a multiplayer horror game (Macabre). I wanted in as I love horror and creature design, as well as some of the nerd-core sci-tech aesthetics we have in mind (more on that later). —Jake Hempson

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[h3]G'day fellow Rift Enthusiasts!![/h3]

[h3]We are thrilled to announce that our Kickstarter campaign has been fully funded in just 48 hours! 🎉 Your incredible support has made this possible, and we are beyond grateful. But this is just the beginning.

With your continued support, we have a plethora of exciting stretch goals lined up, including new maps, terrifying monsters, thrilling quests, and much more! These stretch goals will enhance your experience and bring even more depth and horror to the world of Macabre.[/h3]

[h3]Your support is crucial—not just in funding 'Macabre' but in shaping its future. So what are you waiting for? Come be a part of the community that's shaping Macabre. Head over to the Kickstarter, check out the rewards, and jump into the conversation on Discord[/h3]



[h3]Early Access:[/h3]
Be one of the first to plunge into the eerie world of Macabre. Gain exclusive Alpha Access and experience the game before its official release. Navigate through chilling environments and uncover dark secrets ahead of the general public.

[h3]Exclusive Kickstarter Rewards:[/h3]
Kickstarter backers have the unique opportunity to claim exclusive rewards that won’t be available on release. From bespoke character skins, Walking Trails, in-game titles, and even leaving your mark within the game world!

[h3]Support Creative Independence:[/h3]
Macabre is a testament to creative freedom and innovation in gaming. By backing this project, you are directly supporting indie game development and helping us bring unique, immersive experiences to life. Your support enables us to maintain creative control and ensure that Macabre is as terrifying and engaging as envisioned.

[h3]Become Part of the Community:[/h3]
Join a community of like-minded horror and gaming enthusiasts. As a backer, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback, participate in discussions, and even influence future developments of the game.

[h2]Head over to the Kickstarter and don't miss out! We can’t wait to see you in the Rift![/h2]

[h3]G'day fellow Rift Enthusiasts!! We're excited to announce the launch of our Kickstarter campaign 🎉 Be among the first to play Macabre with Alpha Access and help support Indie Development whilst exclusive skins and physical rewards that'll make you stand out in the Rift .[/h3]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
 
[h3]Your support is crucial—not just in funding 'Macabre' but in shaping its future. So what are you waiting for? Come be a part of the community that's shaping Macabre. Head over to to the Kickstarter check out the rewards and jump into the conversation on Discord[/h3]
 


[h3]Early Access: [/h3]
Be one of the first to plunge into the eerie world of Macabre. Gain exclusive Alpha Access and experience the game before its official release. Navigate through chilling environments and uncover dark secrets ahead of the general public.

[h3]Exclusive Kickstarter Rewards: [/h3]
Kickstarter backers have the unique opportunity to claim exclusive rewards that won’t be available on release. From bespoke character skins, Walking Trails, in-game titles, and even leaving your mark within the game world!
 
[h3]Support Creative Independence: [/h3]
Macabre is a testament to creative freedom and innovation in gaming. By backing this project, you are directly supporting indie game development and helping us bring unique, immersive experiences to life. Your support enables us to maintain creative control and ensure that Macabre is as terrifying and engaging as envisioned.
 
[h3]Become Part of the Community: [/h3]
Join a community of like-minded horror and gaming enthusiasts. As a backer, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback, participate in discussions, and even influence future developments of the game.


[h2]Head over to the Kickstarter and don't miss out! We can’t wait to see you in the Rift! [/h2]

Hello!

We're excited to bring you our very first Weforge Studio podcast episode! Join Jay and Jake, the creative forces behind Macabre and Co-Fonders of Weforge Studio, as they guide you through the inception, development, and vision of their debut game, Macabre.

🎧LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

[h2]Key Highlights:[/h2]

• Birth of Weforge Studio: Learn how Jay and Jake's shared passion for gaming and creativity blossomed into the establishment of Weforge Studio amidst extensive lockdowns of the pandemic.
  
• Crafting the World of Macabre: Delve into the creation of Banjo, a character intricately designed to balance mystery and guidance, and how he fits into the broader narrative of Macabre.
  
• Gameplay Dynamics and Vision: Explore the core gameplay of Macabre, focusing on player agency, stealth, and a multiplayer experience that fosters both teamwork and strategy.
  
• Overcoming Challenges: Gain insights into the initial challenges of founding a game studio, from establishing legal frameworks to assembling a dedicated team, and how perseverance and community support have been instrumental in our journey.
  
• Looking Ahead: Get a glimpse of our aspirations for Macabre as we discuss our ambition to evolve it from a game into a universe rich with diverse narratives and gameplay possibilities.
  

If you have questions you'd like us to answer next time, drop them in the comments.

Thank you all for your support. We hope you enjoy the first episode!

As a small indie team from Down Under, words can't describe the euphoria we felt when the Wishlist counter ticked over. We're eternally grateful for the incredible support of our community, and we want to thank each and every one of you for helping us reach this monumental milestone!


Wishlists help forecast our future player base, allowing us to tailor our launch strategy. They also shed light on the language preferences for localising Macabre. Beyond that, they affirm our direction and fuel our drive to continually refine Macabre. If you're new here, make sure you Wishlist and Follow Macabre on Steam.


In celebration of hitting 100K Wishlists, we're running a giveaway! Entries close soon, so head over to our giveaway page to discover how you can get your hands on some exclusive Macabre Merch!

[h3]TAKE ME TO THE GIVEAWAY![/h3]

Keep in touch
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Once again, we extend our deepest thanks for being the cornerstone of our journey. Your support and excitement for Macabre make every late night and every line of code utterly worthwhile. We're buzzing with anticipation for the year ahead and are eager to unveil more of what we've been crafting in Macabre.

Spread the word, share the love, and let's make this year unforgettable!

Cheers with immense gratitude,

Team Macabre.