Jade Black
@jadeblack21.bsky.social
Game Dev, Artist and Composer. Writer of The Determined Ones Compendium at Shadow Spark Publishing - Mister Nakagami out now! Lover of goats
Current WIP: Are You Awake Yet? (2D Narrative Sim)
Current WIP: Are You Awake Yet? (2D Narrative Sim)
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Full set of UI sprites done
- That’s action icons and meters
- Started on a first version of the main gameplay backdrop
- Sprite layers on top concepted
Next steps
- Almost ready to start in Unreal
- Could really do with some audio work
- Full set of UI sprites done
- That’s action icons and meters
- Started on a first version of the main gameplay backdrop
- Sprite layers on top concepted
Next steps
- Almost ready to start in Unreal
- Could really do with some audio work
October 22, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Full set of UI sprites done
- That’s action icons and meters
- Started on a first version of the main gameplay backdrop
- Sprite layers on top concepted
Next steps
- Almost ready to start in Unreal
- Could really do with some audio work
- Full set of UI sprites done
- That’s action icons and meters
- Started on a first version of the main gameplay backdrop
- Sprite layers on top concepted
Next steps
- Almost ready to start in Unreal
- Could really do with some audio work
Back from holiday after exam prepping and doing :) (crushed it btw)
Had a really good, really silly game idea while I was away 👀
I’ll be keeping on devving Are You Awake Yet? until that’s done, but I now know what’s next :)
Anybody keen on Epic Shower Anthemzz? 👀🤣
Had a really good, really silly game idea while I was away 👀
I’ll be keeping on devving Are You Awake Yet? until that’s done, but I now know what’s next :)
Anybody keen on Epic Shower Anthemzz? 👀🤣
October 13, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Back from holiday after exam prepping and doing :) (crushed it btw)
Had a really good, really silly game idea while I was away 👀
I’ll be keeping on devving Are You Awake Yet? until that’s done, but I now know what’s next :)
Anybody keen on Epic Shower Anthemzz? 👀🤣
Had a really good, really silly game idea while I was away 👀
I’ll be keeping on devving Are You Awake Yet? until that’s done, but I now know what’s next :)
Anybody keen on Epic Shower Anthemzz? 👀🤣
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Made concept death screens
- Made concept gameplay UI sprites
- Concepted VFX
- I have existing assets I can use!
Next steps:
- Sound design
- Might be time to start putting things together in engine, to see if designs and concepts work
- Made concept death screens
- Made concept gameplay UI sprites
- Concepted VFX
- I have existing assets I can use!
Next steps:
- Sound design
- Might be time to start putting things together in engine, to see if designs and concepts work
September 17, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Made concept death screens
- Made concept gameplay UI sprites
- Concepted VFX
- I have existing assets I can use!
Next steps:
- Sound design
- Might be time to start putting things together in engine, to see if designs and concepts work
- Made concept death screens
- Made concept gameplay UI sprites
- Concepted VFX
- I have existing assets I can use!
Next steps:
- Sound design
- Might be time to start putting things together in engine, to see if designs and concepts work
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- I figured out how time works!
- Each “level” is split in two, so it can be really precise
- Happy accident :)
- Also put numbers to variables and their influences
- These graphs are part of that too
Next steps:
- Sprite design
- VFX design
- Sound design
- I figured out how time works!
- Each “level” is split in two, so it can be really precise
- Happy accident :)
- Also put numbers to variables and their influences
- These graphs are part of that too
Next steps:
- Sprite design
- VFX design
- Sound design
September 16, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- I figured out how time works!
- Each “level” is split in two, so it can be really precise
- Happy accident :)
- Also put numbers to variables and their influences
- These graphs are part of that too
Next steps:
- Sprite design
- VFX design
- Sound design
- I figured out how time works!
- Each “level” is split in two, so it can be really precise
- Happy accident :)
- Also put numbers to variables and their influences
- These graphs are part of that too
Next steps:
- Sprite design
- VFX design
- Sound design
Been a hot minute…
I finally have time to dev again today 🥹
Going to get deeper into gameplay sections - it’s the most unrefined part so far and will dictate a lot
This isn’t something I’ve had to do before 👀
I have a feeling it’s going to be really hard 😅
I finally have time to dev again today 🥹
Going to get deeper into gameplay sections - it’s the most unrefined part so far and will dictate a lot
This isn’t something I’ve had to do before 👀
I have a feeling it’s going to be really hard 😅
September 15, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Been a hot minute…
I finally have time to dev again today 🥹
Going to get deeper into gameplay sections - it’s the most unrefined part so far and will dictate a lot
This isn’t something I’ve had to do before 👀
I have a feeling it’s going to be really hard 😅
I finally have time to dev again today 🥹
Going to get deeper into gameplay sections - it’s the most unrefined part so far and will dictate a lot
This isn’t something I’ve had to do before 👀
I have a feeling it’s going to be really hard 😅
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Visual templating is done!
- From that I’ve realised I need a couple more sprites
- And also that the way I’ve been writing the text is fine, if not ideal
- Huge relief!
Next steps:
- Sprite design
- Gameplay section length concept
- Visual templating is done!
- From that I’ve realised I need a couple more sprites
- And also that the way I’ve been writing the text is fine, if not ideal
- Huge relief!
Next steps:
- Sprite design
- Gameplay section length concept
September 4, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Visual templating is done!
- From that I’ve realised I need a couple more sprites
- And also that the way I’ve been writing the text is fine, if not ideal
- Huge relief!
Next steps:
- Sprite design
- Gameplay section length concept
- Visual templating is done!
- From that I’ve realised I need a couple more sprites
- And also that the way I’ve been writing the text is fine, if not ideal
- Huge relief!
Next steps:
- Sprite design
- Gameplay section length concept
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- First concept art in for player character
Next steps:
- Visual Templating
- Sprite Design
- Gameplay section length concept
- First concept art in for player character
Next steps:
- Visual Templating
- Sprite Design
- Gameplay section length concept
September 3, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- First concept art in for player character
Next steps:
- Visual Templating
- Sprite Design
- Gameplay section length concept
- First concept art in for player character
Next steps:
- Visual Templating
- Sprite Design
- Gameplay section length concept
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Decided on fonts and how they’ll be used
- I can do cool stylised dialogue now :)
- Key progression title card test worked
Next Steps:
- Visual templating
- Sprite design & concept art
- Concepting gameplay section lengths
- Decided on fonts and how they’ll be used
- I can do cool stylised dialogue now :)
- Key progression title card test worked
Next Steps:
- Visual templating
- Sprite design & concept art
- Concepting gameplay section lengths
September 1, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Decided on fonts and how they’ll be used
- I can do cool stylised dialogue now :)
- Key progression title card test worked
Next Steps:
- Visual templating
- Sprite design & concept art
- Concepting gameplay section lengths
- Decided on fonts and how they’ll be used
- I can do cool stylised dialogue now :)
- Key progression title card test worked
Next Steps:
- Visual templating
- Sprite design & concept art
- Concepting gameplay section lengths
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Test music piece worked!
- Soundfont patches are done
- Daytime concept test worked
- Needs finesse but hey early days
Next steps:
- Concept art for other MC
- Sprite design
- Visual templating
- Test music piece worked!
- Soundfont patches are done
- Daytime concept test worked
- Needs finesse but hey early days
Next steps:
- Concept art for other MC
- Sprite design
- Visual templating
August 31, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Test music piece worked!
- Soundfont patches are done
- Daytime concept test worked
- Needs finesse but hey early days
Next steps:
- Concept art for other MC
- Sprite design
- Visual templating
- Test music piece worked!
- Soundfont patches are done
- Daytime concept test worked
- Needs finesse but hey early days
Next steps:
- Concept art for other MC
- Sprite design
- Visual templating
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Music ref point analysis complete
- Solid composing convention ideas now
- Very cool idea for music progression between nights
- Hint: it’s sort of chromatic 👀
Next Steps:
- Test all this theoretical music stuff
- Daytime concept test
- Music ref point analysis complete
- Solid composing convention ideas now
- Very cool idea for music progression between nights
- Hint: it’s sort of chromatic 👀
Next Steps:
- Test all this theoretical music stuff
- Daytime concept test
August 30, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Music ref point analysis complete
- Solid composing convention ideas now
- Very cool idea for music progression between nights
- Hint: it’s sort of chromatic 👀
Next Steps:
- Test all this theoretical music stuff
- Daytime concept test
- Music ref point analysis complete
- Solid composing convention ideas now
- Very cool idea for music progression between nights
- Hint: it’s sort of chromatic 👀
Next Steps:
- Test all this theoretical music stuff
- Daytime concept test
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Main gameplay screen hard concepted
- Background drawing in progress
- Indicators have first official designs
- Found a really neat way to put them in the scene naturalistically
- Radio stations have thumbnail art
Next steps:
- Music concept test
- Day concept test
- Main gameplay screen hard concepted
- Background drawing in progress
- Indicators have first official designs
- Found a really neat way to put them in the scene naturalistically
- Radio stations have thumbnail art
Next steps:
- Music concept test
- Day concept test
August 29, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Main gameplay screen hard concepted
- Background drawing in progress
- Indicators have first official designs
- Found a really neat way to put them in the scene naturalistically
- Radio stations have thumbnail art
Next steps:
- Music concept test
- Day concept test
- Main gameplay screen hard concepted
- Background drawing in progress
- Indicators have first official designs
- Found a really neat way to put them in the scene naturalistically
- Radio stations have thumbnail art
Next steps:
- Music concept test
- Day concept test
That’s me!! 💚🖤
Today's SSP #author spotlight goes to @jadeblack21.bsky.social!
Jade had two short stories with us and one published book, Mister Nakagami of the Determined Ones Compendium.
🔗🔗 in bio to buy any and all works ☺️
Jade had two short stories with us and one published book, Mister Nakagami of the Determined Ones Compendium.
🔗🔗 in bio to buy any and all works ☺️
August 29, 2025 at 8:23 AM
That’s me!! 💚🖤
Are You Awake Yet? dev update:
- Charaters have names!
- Visuals are concepted
- First piece of concept art is done!
Have a speedpaint treat :)
- Charaters have names!
- Visuals are concepted
- First piece of concept art is done!
Have a speedpaint treat :)
August 28, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Are You Awake Yet? dev update:
- Charaters have names!
- Visuals are concepted
- First piece of concept art is done!
Have a speedpaint treat :)
- Charaters have names!
- Visuals are concepted
- First piece of concept art is done!
Have a speedpaint treat :)
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Story is done
- Soundfonts are pretty much done
- Visual style is decidedish
- Happy with UI icons (3rd version)
- Radio station playlists are done
- Having fun with naming things :)
- Snuck in a few references too
- Story is done
- Soundfonts are pretty much done
- Visual style is decidedish
- Happy with UI icons (3rd version)
- Radio station playlists are done
- Having fun with naming things :)
- Snuck in a few references too
August 27, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Are You Awake Yet? Dev Update:
- Story is done
- Soundfonts are pretty much done
- Visual style is decidedish
- Happy with UI icons (3rd version)
- Radio station playlists are done
- Having fun with naming things :)
- Snuck in a few references too
- Story is done
- Soundfonts are pretty much done
- Visual style is decidedish
- Happy with UI icons (3rd version)
- Radio station playlists are done
- Having fun with naming things :)
- Snuck in a few references too
Dev Update:
We have a working title!
Are You Awake?
The bulk of the story is done,
Daytime things are nearly done (needs detail),
Found the perfect soundtrack reference point,
The main thing to work out at this point is visuals.
This is a goer folks! 💚🖤
We have a working title!
Are You Awake?
The bulk of the story is done,
Daytime things are nearly done (needs detail),
Found the perfect soundtrack reference point,
The main thing to work out at this point is visuals.
This is a goer folks! 💚🖤
August 26, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Dev Update:
We have a working title!
Are You Awake?
The bulk of the story is done,
Daytime things are nearly done (needs detail),
Found the perfect soundtrack reference point,
The main thing to work out at this point is visuals.
This is a goer folks! 💚🖤
We have a working title!
Are You Awake?
The bulk of the story is done,
Daytime things are nearly done (needs detail),
Found the perfect soundtrack reference point,
The main thing to work out at this point is visuals.
This is a goer folks! 💚🖤
It has a shape guys.
I actually really don’t think this would be too bad to solo dev.
Much of the narrative is written (rough but still), the mechanics are hard concepted, management indicators are hard concepted, basic visuals and difficulty settings are concepted…
I think this one is a goer!🖤
I actually really don’t think this would be too bad to solo dev.
Much of the narrative is written (rough but still), the mechanics are hard concepted, management indicators are hard concepted, basic visuals and difficulty settings are concepted…
I think this one is a goer!🖤
So I had a couple of random game dev ideas last night 👀👀
And it’s a bank holiday here in the UK, so I’m going to workshop the one today :)
It’s a horror game with sleep disorders, hard to distinguish nightmares, and a benevolent ghost 🖤🖤
Sleep deprivation will make you a million, anyone? 😅
And it’s a bank holiday here in the UK, so I’m going to workshop the one today :)
It’s a horror game with sleep disorders, hard to distinguish nightmares, and a benevolent ghost 🖤🖤
Sleep deprivation will make you a million, anyone? 😅
August 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
It has a shape guys.
I actually really don’t think this would be too bad to solo dev.
Much of the narrative is written (rough but still), the mechanics are hard concepted, management indicators are hard concepted, basic visuals and difficulty settings are concepted…
I think this one is a goer!🖤
I actually really don’t think this would be too bad to solo dev.
Much of the narrative is written (rough but still), the mechanics are hard concepted, management indicators are hard concepted, basic visuals and difficulty settings are concepted…
I think this one is a goer!🖤
So I had a couple of random game dev ideas last night 👀👀
And it’s a bank holiday here in the UK, so I’m going to workshop the one today :)
It’s a horror game with sleep disorders, hard to distinguish nightmares, and a benevolent ghost 🖤🖤
Sleep deprivation will make you a million, anyone? 😅
And it’s a bank holiday here in the UK, so I’m going to workshop the one today :)
It’s a horror game with sleep disorders, hard to distinguish nightmares, and a benevolent ghost 🖤🖤
Sleep deprivation will make you a million, anyone? 😅
August 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM
So I had a couple of random game dev ideas last night 👀👀
And it’s a bank holiday here in the UK, so I’m going to workshop the one today :)
It’s a horror game with sleep disorders, hard to distinguish nightmares, and a benevolent ghost 🖤🖤
Sleep deprivation will make you a million, anyone? 😅
And it’s a bank holiday here in the UK, so I’m going to workshop the one today :)
It’s a horror game with sleep disorders, hard to distinguish nightmares, and a benevolent ghost 🖤🖤
Sleep deprivation will make you a million, anyone? 😅
Just doing that thing where I pop in once a month with an annoucement :)
This time it’s a BIG one though 👀
🖤 My debut novel, Mister Nakagami, is on pre-order! 🖤
So if you’re looking for one last Indie April win, why not hit the 🔗⬇️?
After all, it’s less than a fiver 😁😁
This time it’s a BIG one though 👀
🖤 My debut novel, Mister Nakagami, is on pre-order! 🖤
So if you’re looking for one last Indie April win, why not hit the 🔗⬇️?
After all, it’s less than a fiver 😁😁
April 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Just doing that thing where I pop in once a month with an annoucement :)
This time it’s a BIG one though 👀
🖤 My debut novel, Mister Nakagami, is on pre-order! 🖤
So if you’re looking for one last Indie April win, why not hit the 🔗⬇️?
After all, it’s less than a fiver 😁😁
This time it’s a BIG one though 👀
🖤 My debut novel, Mister Nakagami, is on pre-order! 🖤
So if you’re looking for one last Indie April win, why not hit the 🔗⬇️?
After all, it’s less than a fiver 😁😁
Reposted by Jade Black
Looking for a book to pre-order????
@jadeblack21.bsky.social's Mister Nakagami is available for pre-orders now 😊
books2read.com/u/bxxR5l
"Change Will Come From Within"
@jadeblack21.bsky.social's Mister Nakagami is available for pre-orders now 😊
books2read.com/u/bxxR5l
"Change Will Come From Within"
April 27, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Looking for a book to pre-order????
@jadeblack21.bsky.social's Mister Nakagami is available for pre-orders now 😊
books2read.com/u/bxxR5l
"Change Will Come From Within"
@jadeblack21.bsky.social's Mister Nakagami is available for pre-orders now 😊
books2read.com/u/bxxR5l
"Change Will Come From Within"
…I forgot to set my render location
March 21, 2025 at 8:48 AM
…I forgot to set my render location
YOU JUST COMPILED THOSE SHADERS UNREAL
YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO IT AGAIN
YOU DO NOT
YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO IT AGAIN
YOU DO NOT
March 20, 2025 at 4:52 PM
YOU JUST COMPILED THOSE SHADERS UNREAL
YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO IT AGAIN
YOU DO NOT
YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO IT AGAIN
YOU DO NOT
Had a random game dev video essay idea yesterday
Anyhow besides a handful of drawings and recording a voiceover it’s done
Misinformation annoys me 🤣
Anyhow besides a handful of drawings and recording a voiceover it’s done
Misinformation annoys me 🤣
March 18, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Had a random game dev video essay idea yesterday
Anyhow besides a handful of drawings and recording a voiceover it’s done
Misinformation annoys me 🤣
Anyhow besides a handful of drawings and recording a voiceover it’s done
Misinformation annoys me 🤣
2/7 main points written for community 3 :) Also made a UI mockup for the new mechanic idea
I love when ideas established in the early game make a reappearance later on - I’m so glad I have that for Books&Buds 😁😁
Feels like slow progress, but hey all progress is good progress :)
I love when ideas established in the early game make a reappearance later on - I’m so glad I have that for Books&Buds 😁😁
Feels like slow progress, but hey all progress is good progress :)
March 17, 2025 at 8:53 AM
2/7 main points written for community 3 :) Also made a UI mockup for the new mechanic idea
I love when ideas established in the early game make a reappearance later on - I’m so glad I have that for Books&Buds 😁😁
Feels like slow progress, but hey all progress is good progress :)
I love when ideas established in the early game make a reappearance later on - I’m so glad I have that for Books&Buds 😁😁
Feels like slow progress, but hey all progress is good progress :)
I know I’ve been saying Wailord is my favourite pokemon… but given I’ve ordered something custom because I couldn’t find merch of a different mon… and I haven’t bought wailord merch…
March 12, 2025 at 8:57 AM
I know I’ve been saying Wailord is my favourite pokemon… but given I’ve ordered something custom because I couldn’t find merch of a different mon… and I haven’t bought wailord merch…
Two pages of script done yesterday - always tricky introducing new characters and storylines 😅
Had a big mechanic idea too - it should help break up the gameplay nicely 😁😁
Had a big mechanic idea too - it should help break up the gameplay nicely 😁😁
March 10, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Two pages of script done yesterday - always tricky introducing new characters and storylines 😅
Had a big mechanic idea too - it should help break up the gameplay nicely 😁😁
Had a big mechanic idea too - it should help break up the gameplay nicely 😁😁