Roadmap

Q4 2018: The Idea of Off the Grid / Project Escher

It all started in 2018—a quiet, hopeful spark in the mind of one passionate dreamer. The idea for Rare Castle took shape from a love of storytelling, cinematic worlds, and the immersive magic of video games. Back then, it was nothing more than a dream—one that often kept me awake at night, imagining the possibilities of creating meaningful, story-driven experiences. Little did I know, that simple idea would become the foundation for everything that followed. This was the beginning of Rare Castle, even though no one knew it yet.

Q4 2021: Making the Website

In 2021, Rare Castle officially took shape as a side project during my free hours after my full-time job. I began building the website, sharing my vision, and laying the groundwork for the story-driven experiences that would later become the heart of my first game. This was the year of dreaming big and starting small, building the castle brick by brick.

Q1 2023: Dedication to the startup

In 2023, I took the plunge—quitting my full-time job to dedicate myself entirely to this dream. With everything I had and my savings, I invested in making Rare Castle a reality. The journey officially began with game development in full swing. While the road ahead seemed daunting, I knew this was the right step to take.

Q2 2023: The Mechanical Vessels

In Q2 of 2023, I began programming the first core game mechanic: soul possession. The concept was simple yet powerful—souls could inhabit mechanical vessels, giving both player and enemies unique way to interact with the game world. This mechanic would become central to the experience, offering both gameplay depth and a rich narrative layer as the game began to take shape.

Q3 2023: Writing the Lore

By the third quarter of 2023, everything I had envisioned for the game was swirling in my head like a storm—ideas, characters, the game world, lore, story, environments, mechanics, music, style, and vibe, all floating around, interconnected yet fragmented. I knew I had something special, but to bring it to life, I had to get it out of my head and onto paper.

So, I began to write. I crafted countless documents to capture every aspect of the game, from the overarching story to the smallest gameplay mechanic. Alongside these words, I created concept art to help visualize the world, its characters, and its atmosphere. This was a crucial step: not only did I need to clarify my own vision, but I also needed something tangible to share with others—potential collaborators, artists, and anyone else who might be interested in joining me on this adventure.

It was a whirlwind of creative energy, but it allowed me to see what I had created in a new light. These documents and visuals became the foundation of what would eventually become the game, a roadmap that would guide the development and show others the world I was building.

Q3 2024: The Rise of the Castle

At first, I was obsessed with finding the perfect name—something that could sum up all my ideas in just a few words. For a while, I considered “Salama Productions,” but something didn’t feel right. Then I realized that it wasn’t about the name—it was about the experience I wanted to create. As the ideas evolved, I found it: Rare Castle. The name finally clicked, capturing the essence of the journey I wanted to take players on, and from that moment, the castle began to rise.

Q4 2024: Writing the Game Pitch / Presentation

In Q4 2024, I took the first step toward formalizing the vision for the game by writing the Game Pitch—the seed from which the full Game Design Document (GDD) would grow. This pitch was more than just a brief overview; it was the initial blueprint that captured the essence of the game—its mechanics, story, characters, and unique selling points. It was the foundation upon which the GDD would be built, a crucial tool for bringing others on board and clearly communicating the heart of the project.

Q4 2024: Pitching to Potenial Funders and Publishers

By Q4 2024, it was time to take the game beyond just the vision. I made The Guardian’s Call, reaching out to potential funders and publishers to present the project. This was not just a request for support, but a call to those who could stand as protectors of the vision, helping guide it toward realization. With the pitch in hand, I sought allies who would help nurture and safeguard the future of the game and its world.

Q1 2025: Ahmed Fawzy Joins Rare Castle as Advisor

By Q1 2025, my brother Ahmed Fawzy joined Rare Castle as an advisor. With his extensive expertise as a software engineer, game play developer, programmer, and Authorized Instructor partner for Epic Games, he will provide invaluable guidance and support throughout our project development journey.