Black (Patreon)

While Jonas is working on the sprites for black, I thought it would be worthwhile talking about who "Black" is and what he's supposed to be doing. Please also enjoy this early concept art for Black from 2 years ago. 

Black has an ESTP Myers-Briggs personality type, he's a "doer" according to the psychology. Apart from Red (the main character) Black and Violet are the only extroverts on the ship. This is intentional, because the player's relationship with them is not a romancing one, they also both happen to be straight after all. 

Black is a house cat who has stowed away on the vessel. He is a fighter and a scrapper. He doesn’t like dogs at all (typical cat trait) and sees red as just a kind of dog. 

Black’s arc is a dark one (as his name would suggest). He’s escaping some quite dire situation back on the home planet to motivate him to jump on board the ship. He may have a more sinister motive, which I haven't yet worked out. 

I wanted black to start out fiercely angry and independent but end up in a vulnerable position. The original plan was for Black to end up in the brig and for red to rescue him. The reality is, as his character has developed, I have come to realise that he has always been vulnerable: grew up in a world that discriminated against his species, grew up in a broken family, lived on the streets. 

I am very sensitive to the fact that his backstory reads as a cliche. I wrote it all in one go when I was on the plane to go see my father who had suffered a serious injury and I channeled all my fear of loss and daddy issues into his story. I hope to make his back story less of a cliche and more relateable as I refine him.

Haven't met black in the game yet? well you're missing out! Comment on this post for hints as to how to find him!