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About In The Black
In The Black is an early‑access space combat simulator set 200 years in the future, where players act as mercenaries for warring megacorporations. The core loop revolves around completing contract missions and competing in BloodSport matches to rank up.
The game focuses on Saturn’s system—especially Titan, Enceladus, and the rings—and offers five ship classes that can be customized with a ShipFrame Editor and Paint Customizer. All play requires an online connection.
01 / THE GUIDE
Game Modes
In The Black provides both single‑player and multiplayer experiences. Single‑player missions are PvE contract runs, while multiplayer includes PvP BloodSport matches and co‑op scenarios.
Even solo or co‑op sessions connect to a shared online backend, meaning every match accesses the live database and cannot be played offline.
- Try a few contract missions to see how the ranking system responds to different scenario types.
- Observe latency during PvP matches; a stable connection can affect timing.
02 / THE GUIDE
Ship Classes
Five flyable ship classes are available: Shrike and Kolibri light fighters, Reus medium fighter, Pegasus combat transport, and Hyperion heavy fighter. Each class has variants and distinct base characteristics.
All ships are described as multi‑role capable, allowing players to adapt them to any scenario by changing the loadout through the ShipFrame Editor.
- Test each class in a short match to gauge speed versus firepower balance.
- Use the editor to create a loadout that matches the scenario’s demands.
03 / THE GUIDE
Customization Tools
The ShipFrame Editor lets players modify weapon configurations, while the Hardpoint Editor is used to modify the ship’s weapons configuration. Visual appearance is handled by the Ship Paint Customizer, offering a rich palette of options.
These tools together enable functional and aesthetic personalization, supporting a range of combat styles from casual to competitive.
- Balance weapon choices with ship speed to avoid over‑burdening a light fighter.
- Keep a visual record of successful paint schemes for quick identification in PvP.
04 / THE GUIDE
Input Support
In The Black supports mouse and keyboard, gamepads, Steam Deck, and HOTAS setups. The description emphasizes a robust input system that accommodates both casual and full‑pilot configurations.
Feature tags list Steam Input API Support and Partial Controller Support, confirming that gamepads function, while the description confirms mouse‑keyboard and HOTAS are also usable.
- If you own a HOTAS, try it for more precise throttle control.
- Gamepad users should verify that the controller is recognized via Steam Input.
05 / THE GUIDE
Online Requirement
The game requires an active Internet connection for all modes. Even solo or co‑op sessions interact with the shared backend and live database, making it an online‑first experience.
Developers note that an offline mode is not currently available but may be revisited in future updates.
- Check your network stability before starting a long session.
- Watch community announcements for any future offline‑mode plans.
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