2 years of Shades!
Yesterday, Shades turned two years old.
Hard to believe it’s already been that long — feels like just yesterday we had the beta test, the very first steps, that first fight with Lynx, the Hermit’s lightning bolts, and Talaikh’s gentle sunbeams!
Just like last year, we want to personally share our thoughts, plans, and hopes with you — and maybe even show you something completely new.
I’m Grimbago, narrative designer and writer on Shades, and today we’re chatting with the team!
Game Design
E.T. (Core Gameplay): This year we’ve kept busy — lots of duels, polishing and improving familiar events and mechanics, releasing new Shades (I hope they’ve spiced up your meta nicely), and of course, the Summer Fest event, which we’re really proud of.
Huge thanks to the whole team for making that event happen, and to all the players in the community for the kind words!
We’ve still got a couple of unreleased aces up our sleeve waiting for their moment, but yeah, I get it if some of you feel like content has slowed down lately. That’s because right now there’s one major task that has every department working flat out.
And I’ll admit — I probably know what you’re thinking, but nope, that’s not it.
Still, once we’re done, the series is going to get even more features, events, and all kinds of content. We’ve got ideas and enthusiasm to spare — it’s just time that’s missing.
I see E.T. already voiced what most of you are probably thinking. I won’t keep you any longer.
Art
We’ve got a new member on the team! Dasha, how’s your time on Shades so far?
Daria: I joined the Shades team not long ago and so far I’ve only drawn characters — that was actually my very first task. The game’s art style was completely new to me, which made it all the more interesting. What really surprised me — in the best way — was the passion and energy everyone brings to their work. It’s super inspiring when your ideas are valued and others help you make them even better.
I can’t wait to see my art in the game, and I really hope you’ll like it too!
Here are a few of my pieces and sketches:
Evgeny, head of the art department
Unfortunately, this past year we had fewer Shades tasks than we’d have liked. Hopefully that’ll change next year!
Development
Hey, Kostya, our dear project manager — there you are! Thought you could slip away?
Kostya: We’ve implemented many features and events…
Kostya:…working at the limits of our abilities…
Stop! I know you’re shy, but please, use your own words. People want to hear you, not a campaign speech written by ChatGPT. Open your soul to us!
Kostya: But these are my words! I just asked an AI to make them sound nice!
Kostya: Anyway! We want Shades to be a project that doesn’t just expand the story of the main series, but stands on its own — with its own charm, its own unique traits that players love.
We want people to play Shades because they want to, to keep coming back, and to celebrate this anniversary with us year after year…
Is it just me, or did someone from the Assassin’s Order start chopping onions nearby?
Kostya:…and love and happiness to all your homes! May the proud eagle soar high!.. (At this point, the interviewer quietly slipped away — Ed.)
Narrative
And finally, it’s me — your friendly neighborhood Grimbago.
I know exactly what’s on your mind, friends — because, believe it or not, it’s on mine too, in my head, my heart, and my soul. Nobody wants to finish and release Act V more than I do — but we’ll have to wait just a bit longer.
I think the sharp-eyed among you (which is, let’s face it, all of you) have long figured out that it’s not because we don’t want to, or because we’re lazy. It’s because everyone’s busy working on something entirely different.
The secret will be revealed in December, and next year we plan to really dive back into Shades. We promised you an “act-free” meta — meaning all items are available in all acts, just like in Shadow Fight 2 — and once that’s done, we’ll move on to Act V.
Even so, we still have plenty to be proud of this year: the Ally System, the nonlinear Summer Fest event — Shades has always been, and will remain, a game that strives to surprise you and bring something to the series that’s never been done before.
That’s also one of the reasons we launched the Character Contest — we received 91 entries!
I can’t even imagine how long judging will take, but I do know I’m immensely proud to be part of such a passionate, creative community.
From the very beginning of development, we’ve relied on you and built a constructive dialogue with the community. We always try to listen to your ideas and feedback — and I have no doubt that’s exactly how we’ll make a game we can all be proud of.
See you in the next dev diary —
and happy birthday to all of us!
P.S. Talaikh’s rework is in progress — I swear, it really is!
Stay tuned!
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/SF2_Shades
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shadowfight2shades
Discord: https://discord.gg/shadowfight