Engine: CloakNT

CloakNT Engine is a lightweight, custom-built videogame engine created by indie studio Skobbejak Games, best known for powering the cult-favorite PC shooter Murder Miners. Designed with efficiency and multiplayer performance in mind, CloakNT focuses on fast iteration, low system requirements, and rock-solid networking rather than cutting-edge visuals—making it a great example of an indie engine built to serve gameplay first. 💻🎮

  • Custom proprietary engine developed specifically for Murder Miners

  • Optimized for fast-paced multiplayer and LAN-style gameplay

  • Emphasis on performance, low overhead, and mod-friendly design

  • Built to scale from small indie experiments to full commercial PC releases

One of the most notable PC games built on CloakNT is Murder Miners, a first-person shooter that blends classic arena combat with sandbox-style block destruction reminiscent of Minecraft. What makes the game special is how smoothly it handles large multiplayer matches, user-generated maps, and real-time terrain modification—all without demanding modern hardware. CloakNT’s efficient rendering and networking systems allow Murder Miners to run well even on modest PCs, which helped it gain a dedicated following on Steam.

Another standout is Murder Miners Arena, which refines the original formula with tighter competitive balance and improved multiplayer features. The CloakNT engine shines here by delivering responsive gunplay, stable online performance, and quick load times, reinforcing its reputation as an engine built for fun, replayability, and community-driven content rather than cinematic spectacle. ⚡

Additional strengths of the CloakNT engine include:

  • Highly efficient netcode for online and local multiplayer

  • Simple but flexible level and map handling

  • Strong support for destructible environments

  • Indie-focused development pipeline with rapid iteration

Overall, the CloakNT Engine represents the spirit of indie PC game development—custom tools built to solve specific design goals rather than appeal to mass licensing. While it may not compete visually with Unreal or Unity, its success with Murder Miners proves that a focused engine can deliver memorable gameplay, strong multiplayer experiences, and long-term community engagement on PC. 🚀