Alskarian Damascus is the most complex and ambitious game I have worked on. Work began in September of 2024, but by December it was nowhere near where I wanted it to be, and had hit over 5,000 lines and reached the maximum file size of 200 KB. Already it the most advanced customization yet, with plans to advance it further. Familiar sights from Jet 350 were also present, such as the Maple aircraft or the devastating carrier ships. Unlike its predecessor, Alskarian Damascus features a much more complex but intuitive ability/weapon system. However, the game had to be transferred to a desktop app to continue work, and the game was started from scratch. Some features have been scrapped or added, and there is a good chance the game will be entirely silent despite the browser version having some of the best audio I've made - yes, the game was to feature entirely synthesized audio instead of a collage of sampled audio like previous games. Read further below to learn some about Alskarian Damascus.
Alskarian Damascus features some of the most advanced movement I've made, surpassing games like The Prototype or Grappling With Death. In Alskarian Damascus, you must fly, and drift, a fighter jet equipped with a 4-speed manual.Â
Drifting your jet builds a warp charge. The faster you go, the less you need to turn and the faster the charge builds. When you straighten out again, the charge releases by revving up your engine to higher speeds and generates power.
Your jet is equipped with an engine that revs up to 7,000 RPM (upgrade dependent) and a 4-speed manual transmission. Lower gears can build more torque and accelerate you faster, but higher gears vastly increase your speed. When you shift, be sure to find your clutch button and make sure you don't have your afterburners on, or it will be a nasty shock to your jet.
Your aircraft will also be equipped with 16 weapons on board. These weapons fit into four categories: low-caliber machine guns, high-caliber cannons, explosive payloads, and gunner seats (simply called "hotseats" in-game). Each category features four similar but unique weapons, and each category is tuned to one of four new enemy types: machine guns vs Cruisers, cannons vs Destroyers, explosives vs Sailors, and hotseats for the Dragon.
Low-caliber machine guns have low damage but a very high rate of fire.Â
High-caliber cannons have a slow rate of fire but very high damage rating.Â
Pulse weapons are centered on the player, and spread outwards.
The hotseats allow your autopilot to take control while you handle enemies on your tail.Â
The 16 weapons can be dialed with a two-digit code. Each code corresponds to a numeric value that identifies one of the weapons. Learning the codes of your favorite armament can be the difference between life and death.
While fighting for Alskar, you will need to contend with five status effects: Bespoke, Fire, Irradiation, Recalibration, and Trending.
Bespoke is constantly applied by having an aircraft above your average upgrade level. The effect stops when that aircraft is no longer equipped or is out-ranked. The exact effect depends on the aircraft equipped.
Fire is a simple effect. It is caused by either dragon breath or atomic blasts. While the effect is active, you quickly take damage, with a slight energy gain, and leave a smoke trail.
Irradiation is a little more complex. The effect can cause damage, energy gain, fire, or recalibration. The effect gets more intense the longer the effect will last, weakening over time. It is caused by being near the dragon, getting hit by the dragon's breath, or being too close to an atomic weapon.
Recalibration is a harsh effect. It can be caused either by colliding with a Sailor or by the Irradiation effect. It removes the RPM rev limiter, but if you exceed the RPM limit your weapons are scrambled and overload damage is increased. You must break the RPM limit to diminish the effect.
Trending is a bonus perk. You can make money while it is active. Killing an enemy awards this effect and doubles what you have left.
Alskarian Damascus will feature a short prologue story. You must complete your lessons under your legendary wingman, General Aurum Gyllene. With his custom-built Aspen, he achieved a record of 350 wins and 0 losses... You must fight for Alskar to keep your people free and safe from the invading forces of Kadia. "Fly for Alskar!"
Alskar is a world relatively near Earth, at first thought to be inhospitable, though tough colonists quickly gave life to the desolate rock after arriving in 2125. Alskar gained independence from Earth as a single-planet state in 2149, but through diplomacy quickly spread to encompass most of humanity by 2204, including Earth. Those not part of the state are still usually close allies. Due to Alskar's close proximity to its star, Alskar has been terraformed and the strip around the world's equator is made up of mostly flat fields hiding wind-breaking pylons that use plant matter to filter greenhouse gasses, this is where the game takes place in 2325.
Each aircraft, manufactured by Alskarian Engineering Corps (AEC), Old Unification (OU), or Earth Modding Guild (EMG), has its own story listed below.
AEC has been based on Alskar since 2162, but no records remain of AEC's founding. Originally named Riley Engineering Corps (REC), AEC took on it's current name in 2174. Between 2253 and 2271, AEC faced little competition in the personal aircraft market. AEC kicked off a trend of styling aircraft after vintage 20th and 21st century vehicles in the early 2260's. AEC tries to create simpler designs for cheaper production.
OU started off as an ambitious project, and at first received technical aid from AEC from OU's founding in 2265 until 2270. OU quickly became popular as the first company in nearly 20 years to directly challenge AEC, and OU's popularity launched a shift towards more boxy aircraft. OU has been based in the Trappist system since 2272 after leaving Alskar. Later, OU began specializing in aircraft styled to look like older models.
EMG was founded in 2087 as an automotive aftermarket brand. Upon personal aircraft becoming popular when humanity ventured the stars, EMG began making aftermarket aircraft kits in 2106. Seeing OU's success, they entered the market as an independent manufacturer in 2274. EMG has remained solidly based on Earth since its founding. EMG typically focuses on sporty styling.
Alskarian Damascus will have two games modes, integrating the concepts of Jet 350 and The Prototype into one game. As such, there will be time-attack and survival game modes once the story-driven tutorial is complete. Note: time-attack sessions cannot be started during a survival session. Survival mode will have a difficulty setting. Higher difficulties can slow healing, increase received damage, and increase enemy populations. The highest difficulty increases endlessly.
The game will feature the most robust customization system ever developed by me. There will be a plethora of jets to choose from, each inspired by real-world aircraft and cars. Each one can then be painted however you wish. If the existing jets don't suit you, you may even design your very own aircraft from scratch. Below is the current roster of aircraft, this is subject to change.
Each aircraft follows common upgrades, but each aircraft also comes with different levels as standard. Each upgrade starts at a base price of J1,000, and each level costs 1% more each level. The upgrades are healing speed, damage, handling, and rev limiters. The upgrades are very slight and barely noticeable. By keeping an aircraft above your average upgrade level, you unlock the "Bespoke Edition" perk for the specific jet If the jet dips below the average, the perk locks again.
New jets and upgrades cost in-game currency, called Jeykrons. These are noted by a 'J' in front of a number. The player can sell aircraft to get a return, which locks the aircraft and resets all upgrades. Upgrades do not factor into the price. Maple cannot be sold. Prices can fluctuate around the listed price.
The Maple has been an everlasting symbol of Alskar's might. It catalyzed a new design philosophy Alskar has stuck to since, and has offered the platform for many other aircraft. The aircraft was famously modified and nicknamed the "Charged Maple" by Lady Oro Ojo.
First flight: September 2262
Manufacturer: AEC
Northrop Grumman YF-23 Black Widow
2022 Apollo Evo
1969 Pontiac GTO
Price: N/A
Healing: 1
Damage: 1
Handling: 1
RPM: 1
10% chance to heal two points instead of one.
Following the success of the Maple, the Sequoia was quickly built as a sturdy counterpart. Some even come from the factory with a reinforcement package.
First flight: October 2264
Manufacturer: AEC
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
1967 Pontiac Firebird
2020 Dodge Challenger
Price: J10,500
Healing: 2
Damage: 1
Handling: 1
RPM: 1
Max health raised to 110%.
An experiment into a much different design, the Oak has maintained a niche but dedicated following. In an effort to increase popularity, AEC offered a version with an automatic 4-speed, to little success.
First flight: August 2266
Manufacturer: AEC
Sukhoi SU-47
2016 Cadillac CTS-V
2005 Ford GT
Price: J10,500
Healing: 1
Damage: 1
Handling: 2
RPM: 1
Your aircraft has an automatic transmission.
The Pine was quickly forgotten after its release, and rumors suggest that AEC even forgot to discontinue it. Years later, a tougher version was released, called the "Hardpoint Pine," which gained popularity for young pilots.
First flight: November 2268
Manufacturer: AEC
Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
1982 Chevrolet Camaro
2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8
Price: J10,500
Healing: 1
Damage: 2
Handling: 1
RPM: 1
Bounce of terrain 10% more and get a 10% crash damage reduction.
OU entered the market with a bang. The Aspen became immensely popular in the 2320's, being the choice aircraft of the legendary General Gyllene.
First flight: May 2270
Manufacturer: OU
Boeing F-47
2026 Hyundai N Vision 74
2022 The Batmobile
Price: J11,010
Healing: 2
Damage: 1
Handling: 1
RPM: 2
Ramming enemies deals damage and throws them off course.
Scrambling to recover, AEC struck back against the Aspen with the Spruce. However, the relative complexity of the Spruce resulted in less sales.
First flight: November 2272
Manufacturer: AEC
MacDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle
2024 Ford Mustang
1974 Lamborghini Countach
Price: J11,010
Healing: 1
Damage: 1
Handling: 2
RPM: 2
Cannons fire 10% faster.
As insult to injury for AEC, EMG entered the muscle market with their own aircraft, the Willow. The Willow saw comparable success to its fan-proclaimed twin, the Aspen.
First flight: January 2274
Manufacturer: EMG
Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey
1971 Plymouth Barracuda
1985 AM General Humvee
Price: J11,010
Healing: 1
Damage: 2
Handling: 1
RPM: 2
Hotseat weapons gain 10% range.
AEC struck back at EMG's classic styling by recreating one of their older models, even giving it a trim option named after it.
First flight: September 2276
Manufacturer: AEC
Rockwell B-1 Lancer
1945 Willy's CJ-2A
1966 The Batmobile
Price: J11,010
Healing: 2
Damage: 2
Handling: 1
RPM: 1
Machine guns have 50% bonus damage chance.
As a way to earn favor with high-society buyers, the Cedar was built as a luxury model. A stripped-out version nicknamed the Oxcart Cedar was a popular choice.
First flight: May 2278
Manufacturer: OU
Lockheed-Skunkworks SR-71 Blackbird
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor
1970 Dodge Challenger
Price: J11,010
Healing: 1
Damage: 1
Handling: 1
RPM: 3
Lose 50% less energy to movement.
After misattributing the success of the Cedar to its wide capacity, AEC created the Banyon. Unfortunately, the Banyon was made a laughing stock.
First flight: August 2280
Manufacturer: AEC
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
2022 Lucid Air
1999 Honda S2000
Price: J11,530
Healing: 2
Damage: 2
Handling: 2
RPM: 1
Instead of a gradual loss in functionality, have a sharp loss of functionality at 0% energy.
With AEC scrambling for ideas, OU looked to the past and began making classically styled aircraft. Their first attempt, the teak, earned the unfortunate nickname of a boat.
First flight: May 2282
Manufacturer: OU
North American P-51 Mustang
1950 Hudson Commodore
1965 Cadillac Deville
Price: J11,530
Healing: 2
Damage: 1
Handling: 3
RPM: 1
Lose 10% of RPM limit, but gain 20% torque.
AEC finally regained footing with the Basswood model. However, this success was largely due to how easy it was to modify.
First flight: December 2284
Manufacturer: AEC
Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning
1968 Chevrolet Chevelle
2019 Volvo S60
Price: J11,530
Healing: 1
Damage: 1
Handling: 1
RPM: 4
Explosive class weapons gain 10% blast radius.
After a 12 year wait, EMG finally made a new stand-alone model. The Mangrove was a fast phenomenon and was popular in racing.
First flight: February 2286
Manufacturer: EMG
North American F-82 Twin Mustang
2024 DeLorean Alpha 5
1977 Lincoln Continental
Price: J11,530
Healing: 1
Damage: 1
Handling: 2
RPM: 3
Gain a 5th gear.
Built on the platform of the Aspen, the Larch sought to be a revised version. Like its predecessor, the Larch was labelled a brother to its EMG rival.
First flight: December 2288
Manufacturer: OU
Boeing F-47
19XX Ford Mach 2B
2005 Ford Mustang
Price: J11,530
Healing: 1
Damage: 1
Handling: 3
RPM: 2
Gain 20% engine power when above 4,500 RPMs.
Growing desperate, AEC made one more sports aircraft before resorting to work aircraft.
First flight: October 2290
Manufacturer: AEC
Megatron (Transformers Prime)
1964 Ford Mustang
2013 SRT Viper
Price: J12,060
Healing: 1
Damage: 1
Handling: 1
RPM: 5
Gain 40% engine torque, but lose stability.
The Fir was built to be a solid little aircraft. It soared in safety ratings, leading to good sales. Being built on the Basswood, it was cheap to build.
First flight: November 2292
Manufacturer: AEC
Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning II
2020 Polestar 2
2025 Cadillac CT5
Price: J12,060
Healing: 3
Damage: 1
Handling: 3
RPM: 1
Gain 20% engine torque, but engine takes 10% more energy.
With a bold new design, EMG released the Ginkgo to reach new audiences. Unfortunetly, those audiences weren't very large.Â
First flight: January 2294
Manufacturer: EMG
Chengdu J-36
2020 Toyota GR Supra
1964 Toyota 1900
Price: J12,060
Healing: 1
Damage: 5
Handling: 1
RPM: 1
2x healing speed when above 50% HP.
OU made another attempt into commercial territory. This time, people loved it. An aftermarket version, the Savior, was a very popular aircraft with rescue teams, hence the name.
First flight: May 2296
Manufacturer: OU
Lockheed-Skunkworks SR-71 Blackbird
1959 Cadillac Broadmoor
1959 Chevrolet Impala
Price: J12,060
Healing: 2
Damage: 2
Handling: 2
RPM: 2
Max damage raised to 110%
EMG attempted to fix the failures of the Ginkgo with the Pagoda. The Pagoda saw much greater success and sold extremely well.
First flight: March 2298
Manufacturer: EMG
X-Wing (Star Wars)
2023 Cadillac V-Series.R
2013 Lamborghini Veneno
Price: J12,060
Healing: 1
Damage: 1
Handling: 4
RPM: 2
10% less drag.
AEC returned to making utility aircraft after the success of the Savior Yew. Instead, the Cypress became popular only on wealthy worlds due its high price tag.
First flight: September 2300
Manufacturer: AEC
Northrop-Grumman F-15 Eagle
2021 Ford F-150
1992 GMC Syclone
Price: J12,600
Healing: 4
Damage: 3
Handling: 1
RPM: 1
Trending effect has a 100% chance to give money.
OU wanted to have a new benchmark for a new century, and they set it.
First flight: May 2302
Manufacturer: OU
Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
1977 Pontiac Firebird
2013 W Motors Lykan Hypersport
Price: J12,600
Healing: 1
Damage: 1
Handling: 2
RPM: 5
Aircraft is immune to over-revving, power shifting, and energy overload damage.
AEC made yet another sports aircraft that was deemed to be generic, and people slandered the Rosewood as such, yet the aircraft maintained a dedicated fanbase.
First flight: September 2304
Manufacturer: AEC
McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
1979 Ford Mustang Cobra
1982 Chevrolet Camaro
Price: J12,600
Healing: 1
Damage: 1
Handling: 4
RPM: 3
Trending effect has a 100% chance to give money.
OU's popularity after the Juniper was stellar, but the Dogwood returned their reputation to being staid. The Dogwood Flint attempted to fix this by being reminiscent of Gyllene's Aspen.
First flight: May 2306
Manufacturer: OU
Boeing 737
1963 Chevrolet Nova
1963 Cadillac Fleetwood
Price: J12,600
Healing: 6
Damage: 1
Handling: 1
RPM: 1
Aircraft is briefly immune to damage after taking damage.
The Hickory was last aircraft built before the war slowed production.
First flight: December 2308
Manufacturer: AEC
Vought F4U Corsair
1970 Plymouth Roadrunner
2015 Dodge Barracuda
Price: J12,600
Healing: 2
Damage: 2
Handling: 2
RPM: 3
Gain 20% torque when below 6,000 RPMs.
"Alskarian" design is very similar to American design, with a distinct boxy appearance. Each of the 24 aircraft is based on one aircraft and two cars.