Strap in, rookie. You’re not just entering another galaxy; you’re diving headfirst into an indie cosmos brimming with turbo lasers, taunting villains, and space battles so explosive they could make George Lucas blush. Jet Scalawag: The King of Shooters is not your typical space shooter; it’s a fever-dream fusion of retro-style bullet hell and next-gen visual bravado: all handcrafted by one very determined developer from the Philippines.
Not Just Another Star Fox Wannabe
It’s tempting to look at Jet Scalawag’s sleek ships and say, “Ah, Star Fox nostalgia.” But that only scratches the surface. In addition, this adrenaline-packed dogfighter takes inspiration from Freespace, Wing Commander, TIE Fighter, and even Descent; then throws in the violent rhythm of Quake III Arena and the cinematic ambition of Battlestar Galactica.
Created by Ultimedia Productions; which is essentially the one-man army known as Patrick Ian Peralta; this space epic is more than a love letter to boomer shooters. It’s a testament to what unrelenting passion, late nights, and a sprinkle of VDB-powered magic (we’ll get to that) can produce.
Solo Dev? More Like Solo Star Destroyer
Although Patrick started building Jet Scalawag in Godot, a noble choice; but one that soon bowed under the weight of galactic ambition. Moreover, he made the leap to Unreal Engine 4, and then again to UE5.3 when support for glorious, high-fidelity volumetric clouds (aka VDBs) became stable. As he puts it in the tech showcase, these clouds are the “sexiest in gaming.” And yes, they absolutely are.
But Jet Scalawag’s journey wasn’t completely solo. Along the way, a small squadron of artists, voice actors, and technical contributors joined the mission. Voice actor Jimmy Dean lends the titular Jet his voice, while Kevin Rodrigues, Kyra Peralta, and others round out the diverse cast. For instance, music from Christopher Cathbad, André Buttler, adds punch to the interstellar tension.
The Gunslinger of the Stars
Jet Scalawag doesn’t glide; he struts. Controls are snappy and reminiscent of FPS titles, eschewing traditional yaw-and-pitch spaceship physics for something closer to DOOM; in space. Weapons are loud and unapologetically arcade in feel. And combat? It’s fast, furious, and designed to feel in-your-face.
The story? We only have glimpses so far. However, it’s shaping up to be an epic. Jet is just the beginning. Furthermore, Ultimedia plans to expand this universe into other genres; racing games, fighting games, perhaps even dating sims (okay, maybe not). Thus, this is a hero-in-the-making, and his journey spans galaxies.
Watch the gameplay showcase in action:
A Game for the Dreamers
This is a story of vision; and refusal to compromise. When you’re an indie developer going up against giants like EA or Ubisoft, you either play it safe or swing for the stars. As a result, Patrick chose the latter. And thanks to open communities like OpenGameArt and generous contributors from around the globe, Jet Scalawag became more than just a solo gig; it became a global effort.
Jet Scalawag doesn’t glide; he struts. Controls are snappy and reminiscent of FPS titles, eschewing traditional yaw-and-pitch spaceship physics for something closer to DOOM — in space. Weapons are loud and unapologetically arcade in feel. And combat? It’s fast, furious, and designed to feel in-your-face.
But here’s where it gets wild: Patrick’s bringing back the absurd, over-the-top arsenal that made old-school shmups legendary. Expect weaponry straight out of R-Type, Gradius, and the like — giant lasers, orbiting satellites, multi-phase projectiles, and bizarre alien tech. It’s the kind of creativity that’s sorely lacking in today’s more “realistic” space games. Jet Scalawag is here to blow that door open again.
And Patrick’s daughter? She’s the marketing department.
“My daughter is posting on Reddit, Facebook, X, etc. because I’m making a game and can’t be bothered to do social media…”
Patrick jokes in our interview. That’s the kind of raw honesty we love from indie creators.
But Jet Scalawag’s journey wasn’t entirely solo. Along the way, a small squadron of ultra-talented contributors joined the mission and a few deserve the spotlight more than most. Mehmet Pinarci and Tyler Gibbons helped bring Jet’s iconic ship to life with detailed 3D models; Chris Cathbad and Zack Fitzgerald delivered hard-hitting, cinematic music tracks; and voice acting powerhouses Jimmy Dean and Kevin Rodrigues gave Jet and The Forth their unforgettable sound. These collaborators aren’t just credits; they’re the heartbeat of the experience. Of course, many others helped shape Jet Scalawag into what it is as well, Patrick mentions he is reluctant to call himself 100% solo dev.
Where to Follow Jet Scalawag’s Galactic Rise
You’ll want to keep your targeting computer locked on Ultimedia’s orbit. Here are all the key channels:
- Steam Page: Jet Scalawag: The King of Shooters
- YouTube: @ultimediaproductionsPH
- Facebook: UltimediaProductionsPH
- X (Twitter): @UltimediaProdPH
- Instagram: @ultimedia_productions_ph
- TikTok: @ultimedia_productions
- Support on Ko-fi: Ultimedia Ko-fi
Final Thoughts
Jet Scalawag: The King of Shooters is more than an indie game; it’s a defiant scream into the vacuum of space. It’s proof that big dreams, bold aesthetics, and a refusal to give up can take a small project to interstellar heights. Finally, whether you’re a space sim veteran or someone who just misses the explosive joy of rail shooters, Jet Scalawag is a name you won’t forget soon.
Now all that’s left is to wait for the launch. And trust us; we’ll be watching the skies.
