Development Update Sep-Nov 2024

We’ve reached the end of 2024, and we can sum it up as a year of deep, focused work – some of which we’ll be showcasing in our next big milestone: our vertical slice. The vertical slice will feature a small portion of our game that reflects the final version.

With many of the core components now in place, we’re excited for what 2025 holds as we head into full-fledged production!

Another milestone this quarter is that Friends of BCC Media Inc., doing business as NextGen Bible Media —the nonprofit established to support fundraising for the Gate Zero project—has officially been granted 501(c)(3) status in the US. We’re well on our way with fundraising, having raised ~11% of our budget this year alone.

Our team has grown to 30 members, including the NextGen Bible Media admin team. Happy New Year from all of us! We’re incredible grateful for your continued support and patience as we work to create one of the world’s first high-quality Bible video games.

Keep reading for an update from the past months!

New Team Members

We’ve expanded our team this past year to include talented developers with experience at studios like Rockstar Games and Ubisoft, who have worked on iconic games such as GTA, Red Dead Redemption, and Assassin’s Creed, ensuring that Gate Zero continues to push the boundaries of quality. New additions include a producer, level designer, texture artist, game designers, game writers, and an art team.

“I am really looking forward to helping bring this fun and unique experience to everyone. I think that this is something really special.” – Liam, Senior Producer

“I’ve always loved history and truth be told, I am looking forward to the struggle of trying to present this historical/biblical past in a way that is fun to experience and explore.” – Race, Lead Game Designer

“I’m more than excited to join this amazing team of talented people and to help create this innovative Bible-based project that’s bigger than myself. I look forward to crafting memorable experiences for players all around the world!” – Gabriel, Level Designer

“Upon joining the team I see a group of incredibly passionate people all with one goal in mind, bringing the word of God to the gaming industry. I can honestly say that I’ve never been more excited than now to partake in something as big and important as this and I'm looking forward to helping contribute to this incredible project!” – Justin, Texture Artist

Art

Capernaum 3D Models

With a lot of the concept art for Capernaum completed, our artists have moved on to creating 3D models of the different locations.

Capernaum Dock

Interior of the dock

Watchtower

We’ve also been working on 3D models of dock area props.

And here’s a look at the progress of the synagogue in Capernaum. Any guesses what stories will take place here?

Capernaum Synagogue

Capernaum Synagogue

Capernaum Walkthrough

Check out an early look of the different components of Capernaum coming together in the game world!

Crowd Characters

This quarter, we’ve completed 15 high-resolution models of crowd types that can be made into countless different variations. We’re now working on technical implementation to give you an optimized experience of a lively, populated 1st century Capernaum.

Technical Art

In addition to constant performance testing and improvement, our technical artist has also been working on testing lighting.

Lighting Exploration in the Capernaum Synagogue

Lighting Exploration in the Capernaum Synagogue

Lighting Exploration in the Capernaum Synagogue

Materials & Textures

Lots of realistic textures are being added to the collection! Here is a small selection from the Capernaum area.

Capernaum Residential Area Textures

Capernaum Synagogue Textures

Ground Textures

Game Mechanics

Alongside refining the stealth and action elements of our game, we’ve been working on defining the moment-to-moment gameplay – systems like damage, health, stamina, upgrades, rewards and progression.

We’ve also been detailing the discovery elements, as well as the currency, skills, equipment and resources players can use to fully immerse themselves in the ancient world.

Story

Our game writers have wrapped up in-depth research of the Context, Message and Development for all Main Missions, filling our research database with rich, detailed profiles of characters, events and stories.

This lays the foundation for crafting immersive and impactful scripts that will bring the gospel stories to life in Gate Zero!

Reading Plan for the Dev Team

Last month, our team began an exciting journey together to read all the core biblical texts describing the events in Release 1 of Gate Zero.

Prepared with care by our game writers, the Gate Zero Daily Reading Plan contains stories packed with interesting narratives, monumental events, and growing tension as forces intent on resisting Jesus gain momentum.

To enrich the experience, each day’s reading includes a fascinating fact or insight that provides deeper context to the Bible passages, reflecting the script team’s depth of research.

We end off every week with a team game of Kahoot, and the winners get pride of place in our virtual office.

Fundraising

These past months, we have held two campaigns: the October Matching Gift Campaign and the Giving Tuesday Matching Campaign, both offering the opportunity for every dollar donated to be matched by an anonymous donor.

A project of this scale and quality demands a budget that reflects its excellence. With Christian projects traditionally suffering from low budgets and and thus quality, we are determined to turn the tide and create something the Christian community will be proud of, and in addition captures the attention of the wider gaming community.

Do you want to join us in making an impact in the lives of millions of youth worldwide with the gospel in the gaming space?

Click here to make a tax-deductible gift to NextGen Bible Media

Events

Backer Day at our office in Norway

Back in September, we hosted some special guests at our office in Moss, Norway – a reward promised to our high-tier backers.

The visitors got to meet the team, playtest our latest gameplay features (top secret!) and participate in an exclusive motion capture session where they saw themselves as NPCs within the game.

Click here for the writeup and video devlog from the day

Reach Conf

We were proud to be part of the first-ever Reach Conf in Orlando, FL in September showcasing Gate Zero.

The conference was a reward for the content creators who had organized Alpha groups to share the gospel prior to the event. Creators could invite their community to the conference, and it was a uniting time with lots of games, food and encouragement.

We loved meeting the familiar faces of Christian streamers who love and support our game, as well as new people enthusiastic for what we’re creating. Already looking forward to next year!

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