Black State is an interesting new shooter that is currently in development for PC. The game will feature intense, tactical combat, as well as a unique portal mechanic where doors can very easily lead players into wildly different parts of the world. Along with this, Black State has also impressed us quite a bit with its visuals so far. Studio director at Motion Blur, Omer Faruk Gungor, was kind enough to answer a few of our questions about the upcoming game.
What prompted the decision to have visual fidelity and photo-realism as such a big factor of the game?
We believe that when a game feels realistic, it enhances the player’s immersion and emotional connection with both the gameplay and the story. Our goal is to create a strong bond between Black State and the players, making every moment feel authentic and impactful.
Of course, the real challenge lies in achieving high visual fidelity without sacrificing performance. This is something we are deeply ambitious about. We strive to deliver a game that is stunningly realistic yet highly optimized, ensuring that players experience the best possible quality.
Most importantly, we have always been committed to showing only what players can actually experience—no gimmicks, no misleading visuals. What you see is what you will truly play.
Can you give us some idea of what kind of insane tech you used to make the door transitions seamless?
We’ve spent extensive R&D refining the real-time portal door, requiring deep engine-level modifications. It enables instant transitions between multiple levels, and the real challenge—allowing players to move back and forth seamlessly with no limits, all while maintaining top performance.
"No gimmicks, no misleading visuals. What you see is what you will truly play"
What kind of PC hardware are you expecting Black State to be playable on? And how scalable will the visuals be in order to run Black State on lower-end hardware?
Some people might assume that Black State will only run on the latest high-end hardware, but that’s not the case. If you’ve seen Digital Foundry’s post-CES review, they’ve highlighted exactly what we’re aiming for—high visual fidelity, cutting-edge optimization, and great performance across a range of systems.
Our goal is to ensure that even on minimum specs, you get a visually impressive and smooth gameplay experience. We can’t provide the final system requirements just yet, as it would be misleading before we’ve completed all our optimization tests.
However, one thing we can confidently say is that when we do announce the minimum and recommended requirements, it won’t mean just barely running the game—it will mean experiencing a beautiful and well-optimized version of Black State, no matter the hardware.
While realistic combat is a big part of Black State, how often will we get to see stranger non-human enemy types?
Black State features a diverse range of enemies, each with unique abilities, behaviors, and attack styles. Players will encounter a variety of challenges, ensuring every encounter feels dynamic, unpredictable, and engaging.
How big of a role will gadgets play in combat?
Black State offers versatile gadgets, each with unique abilities for different enemy types. Whether you prefer all-out action or a stealthy approach, these tools adapt to your playstyle. How much they influence the game is entirely up to you.
Are there any plans to bring Black State to consoles?
We want to bring this stunning experience to all gamers, but right now, our focus is on the PC version.
"Black State features a diverse range of enemies, each with unique abilities, behaviors, and attack styles."
How many bosses can we expect to see in the full release?
While I can’t reveal the exact number, I can confidently say that for a single-player game, we have more than enough boss fights to deliver an exciting and satisfying experience.
Do you think you will improve the visuals further when the final game releases?
I certainly hope so! We’re constantly working on better graphics with even greater performance. But one thing I can assure gamers—we will never showcase something they can’t actually play.
Are you targeting a release this year?
I shouldn’t say anything about this but, we’ll announce the date only when we’re confident that Black State delivers a complete experience—fully polished and ready for gamers from day one.
The game seems like a great combination of MGS5 and Splinter Cell. What kind of inspirations did you take from those games?
It’s an honor for us to be mentioned alongside MGS and Splinter Cell, but Black State has its own unique gameplay style. While these classics, along with Uncharted, The Last of Us, Inception, The Matrix, and many other movies and games, have been sources of inspiration, Black State stands on its own vision.
What kind of progression or customization we can expect from the game?
Our biggest leap is stunning graphics with incredible optimization, thanks to our custom pipeline. But beyond visuals, we’re committed to delivering a deep and engaging gameplay experience in every way.
- Diverse Levels & Exploration – With a stunning variety of locations and constant evolution through portal doors, exploration stays exciting and unpredictable. Creating so many unique environments in a single game has been a massive challenge, but we believe it heightens the thrill of discovery and keeps gameplay fresh.
- Diverse Enemy Spectrum – Enemies aren’t just reskinned—they have unique logic, abilities, and tactics, making combat more challenging and dynamic.
- Varied Guns & Gadgets – Players can shape their own playstyle with a wide selection of weapons and tools, designed for different strategies and encounters.
- Unique Boss Fights – Each boss has a distinct style, backstory, and skillset, forcing players to adapt and rethink their approach. Not every weapon or gadget works in every fight, ensuring that every battle feels fresh and rewarding rather than predictable.
We believe these elements push Black State to new heights, delivering a thrilling, ever-evolving experience where players will truly feel how we’ve pushed the limits in every aspect of the game.
"Our biggest leap is stunning graphics with incredible optimization, thanks to our custom pipeline."
What can you tell us about the game’s story?
Not much different from the synopsis at this point, but before launch, gamers will learn more details about the story—what’s going on and what these doors really are.
Are you guys working on making the enemy AI better?
We’re putting special focus on enhancing enemy AI to make them feel like trained tactical soldiers. They won’t just stand around—they’ll resist, call for reinforcements based on the situation, and attempt to flank you.
You won’t be able to simply hide behind cover and pick them off—they’ll do everything they can to flush you out and keep you on the move.
