shadow_portal
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How Shadow Portal was born - our story
🕑 Added 2025-05-11 20:00:05 +0000 UTCIt started with a walk.
My friend and I were chatting about life, games, dreams. It was an ordinary evening in my neighborhood, but it was then that a phrase was uttered that changed everything:
— Why don't we make our own game?
A pause. A shared look.
— Let’s do it.
We had no clue where to start. We didn't know how game development works, how game engines work, who the characters become, where to get artists, or why we needed a game design document. We had no team, no budget, no office. But we had a dream. And some stubborn inner determination - “if not now, then when?”
First steps
At the time, I had just returned from the army, and my friend just left his job at the passport office. We were unemployed, but our heads were busy thinking about creating, not about how to survive. We dreamed of our own game, and we made our first move.
We assigned roles: he took care of the scriptwriting, I took care of the code, organization, anything that demanded attention. A versatile approach. We covered up any holes in organization with ourselves. We came up with the plot, the characters, the universe. We were inspired by legends - especially the story of King Arthur. That's how the first idea was born: Camelot. It was supposed to be a strategy game inspired by Warcraft. We were Blizzard fans, and who could resist that?
First allies
Neither of us could draw. But it just so happened that my girlfriend was an artist. Her support became fateful. With the first sketches in our hands and an idea in our hearts, we started moving towards a demo. It was the first real step from daydreams to action.
First difficulties and first portal
It was clear to us that we would not get far without funding. We decided that we would not wait for approval from the top - instead, we turned to the people. Those who, like us, believe in the magic of games. We chose Patreon - it wasn't as popular yet, but it was already a great gateway to the whole wide world.
That's when our name came up. It was suggested by my friend: “I want something like Dark Portal from WoW... but ours.”
Thus, Shadow Portal was born - a name that symbolized the entrance to a world we created from scratch.
Twists of fate
Over time, my co-founder and I parted ways. It was a difficult but important moment. Life is not a straight line, and not everyone is ready to go all the way. I was left alone at the helm, but with each step it became clear: the project was alive, the idea was strong, and there were new people around who had faith.
Today
It’s been 7 years since that evening.
Shadow Portal has grown. From an idea. From a street. From paper and from the first couple lines of code.
Today, we're not just making a game - we're telling a story. A story about the importance of not giving up when everything around you is silent. How important it is to be ready to take one step at a time, even if no one is around.
A story in which everyone who supports us becomes part of the team. Because without you - without faith, without interest, without feedback - we would not have gotten to this point.
Thank you for being with us
This project has changed my life. And, I hope, it will change the lives of others - even if only for a couple of evenings spent in the magical world we are creating.
Thank you for being with us.
Thank you for believing.
Shadow Portal is not just a team. It's a journey.
Comments
Shadow Portal
Ooooh, thank you so much for such kind words! We are incredibly appreciative of your love.
Danny
Can't wait to see what the future will hold and what you will bring to it! love your work.
