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Black Ice Studios, a team composed of industry veterans and ex-military professionals, has launched their highly anticipated Kickstarter campaign for Ashes of Mankind: Citadels, an innovative tactical FPS that promises to redefine the genre. Set to release exclusively on the Ultra.io platform, this ambitious project combines hardcore realism with immersive storytelling in a dystopian universe.
A New Vision for Tactical FPS
Ashes of Mankind (AOM) distinguishes itself through its unique blend of extraction-based gameplay, first-person immersion, and uncompromising realism. Players take on the role of Revenants, genetically enhanced warriors created from history's greatest fighters, each bringing unique abilities and backstories to the battlefield.
The game's setting, the war-torn planet of Ortus, serves as a brutal frontier where various factions compete for control. The narrative features intriguing elements such as E.M.A., a sentient virtual intelligence, and GRIM, the Citadel's malicious security system, adding layers of depth to the gameplay experience.
Impressive Development Team
The project is led by an exceptional team including:
- Adrien David (Co-Founder & CEO)
- Obinna Oparah (Co-Founder & CTO)
- Mustafa Top (Co-Founder & Director of Engineering)
- Joel Fashingbauer (COO)
- Doug Kennedy (CRO)
The game's artistic vision is crafted by industry veterans Sebastien Hue (Art Director) and Enrique Barahona (Animation Director), with team members bringing experience from major studios including Epic Games, EA, Activision, and Ubisoft.
Revolutionary Features
Advanced Customization Systems
The game offers unprecedented levels of customization, allowing players to modify their characters, weapons, and gear with tactical components and attachments. The innovative "open-ended class" system lets players configure loadouts based on mission requirements and play style preferences, mirroring real-world military planning.
Unique Character Roster
The game launches with several distinctive Revenants, each bringing their own abilities and backstories:
- Ajax "Kyros" Lysandros: A Spartan warrior with the Phalanx shield ability
- Evie "Sigr" Haldorsen: A Viking leader wielding the Frostveil ability
- Mounir "Djinn" Al-Bakkar: A desert warrior with the Echo detection ability
- Sadako "Kurai" Tanaka: A former Yakuza member with the Blackout ability
Strategic Partnerships
Black Ice Studios has secured a significant partnership with Razer, a collaboration that speaks to the game's potential and quality. This partnership will provide backers with exclusive in-game items and high-performance gear, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Commitment to Players
The studio has made several key promises to their community:
- A strict no pay-to-win policy
- Zero tolerance for cheaters, implemented through advanced anti-fraud solutions
- Complete transparency throughout development
- Fair monetization focusing on cosmetic items only
- Exclusive lifetime benefits for early backers
- High-quality, low-latency server infrastructure
Funding Allocation
The Kickstarter funds will be distributed across several key areas:
- Development: Primary focus on gameplay polishing and feature expansion
- Marketing: Global campaigns and community engagement
- Operations: Team salaries and infrastructure
- Legal: Compliance, trademarks, and licensing
- Services: Third-party partnerships and backend support
- Reserve: Buffer for unexpected challenges
Risk Management
Black Ice Studios has outlined clear strategies to address potential challenges:
- Technical optimization for various hardware configurations
- Comprehensive post-launch support planning
- Active community engagement and feedback integration
- Careful balance of PvE and PvP elements
Investment Opportunity
For investors and players alike, Ashes of Mankind offers a unique opportunity to support a promising project in the competitive FPS market. While the game won't be exclusive to Ultra.io, an Ultra account will be required to play, leveraging the platform's strengths alongside the team's industry experience and innovative features to position the game strongly in the tactical FPS genre.
The project's focus on sustainable development practices, including an all-digital distribution model and environmentally conscious marketing strategies, aligns with modern gaming industry trends and environmental responsibilities.
Exclusive Reward Tiers
The Kickstarter campaign offers a range of carefully crafted reward tiers, each designed to provide increasing value and exclusive benefits for backers. From affordable entry points to premium collector experiences, there's an option for every type of supporter:
Entry-Level Tiers
- Founder (€5): The essential starter pack with one component (Discord role)
- Watcher (€24): Enhanced starter experience with 5 components
- Defender of the Citadels (€38): Strategic entry point with 6 components
- Guardian of the Depths (€61): Premium starter pack with 10 components
Mid-Range Tiers
- Warden of the Gates (€118): A comprehensive package including:
- Exclusive Razer in-game asset
- Season 0-3 Battle Passes
- 8 exclusive cosmetics (1 legendary, 2 rare, 5 common)
- Closed Beta Phase 1 access
- Digital goodies (artbook, soundtrack, 4K wallpapers)
- Special Discord role and custom name highlights
Premium Tiers
- Protector of the Fallen (€473): 14 premium components
- Guardian of the Revenants (€946): An exceptional collection including:
- Lifetime Battle Pass access
- AOM Branded Razer Barracuda Headset
- 12 exclusive cosmetics (1 mythic, 3 legendary, 3 rare, 5 common)
- Opportunity to name an in-game weapon and armor
- Your name immortalized on an in-game memorial
- Exclusive Razer-branded in-game assets
- All previous digital rewards
Collector's Tiers
- Champion of the Emperor (€4,728): 19 exclusive components
- Eternal Keeper (€8,500): The ultimate supporter package featuring:
- Opportunity to co-create a Revenant with the development team
- Co-design custom skins and weapons
- Custom in-game poster featuring your character
- Exclusive hostage mission
- 13 premium cosmetics (1 mythic, 4 legendary, 3 rare, 5 common)
- Corporate license
- All previous rewards
Each tier has been thoughtfully designed to offer unique value, with higher tiers providing unprecedented access to the development process and exclusive opportunities to leave your mark on the game's universe. Whether you're a casual fan or a dedicated collector, these reward tiers offer compelling reasons to support Ashes of Mankind's development.
In addition, it has been announced that for holders of a High Revenant Pass (HRP) or a Revenant, every dollar spent on the Kickstarter will be returned as a 1:1 equivalent in $ASH token value!
There might also be an exception for those who have been part of the Ultra community for a long time. This would mean that even without holding a High Revenant Pass (HRP) or a Revenant, these users could benefit from the 1:1 conversion of dollars spent on Kickstarter into $ASH tokens. This exception could serve as a way to reward their loyalty and long-term commitment to the Ultra community, further strengthening their sense of belonging and appreciation (to be confirmed).
For example, if you backed the project to the tune of $5 and have a Revenant, you'll get the equivalent of $5 in $ASH! tokens. However, we're not sure whether the tokens will be valued at the TGE (Token Generation Event) price or the presale price.
Moreover, other rewards have been disclosed:
Conclusion
Ashes of Mankind's Kickstarter campaign represents more than just another gaming project; it's an opportunity to support a potentially groundbreaking addition to the tactical FPS genre. With its experienced development team, innovative features, and strategic partnerships, the project shows strong potential for both players and investors interested in the future of competitive gaming.
For more information about backing opportunities and detailed reward tiers, visit the official Kickstarter campaign page or join the discussion on the game's Discord server.
Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ashesofmankind/ashes-of-mankind
AoM’s official Discord server: https://discord.gg/4mmthXVJ
