About NC Gaming

The Studio

NC Gaming is an independent game studio founded in 2024 by Norberto Gonçalves da Cruz, based in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. The studio's debut project is Ezekiel: Noa and the Automaton Urbis, the first installment of a planned five-game saga set in a steampunk-cyberpunk universe that has been in creative development for over 30 years.

NC Gaming is supported by technology partners Yacooba Labs and Fourt.io, and is a member of the eGames Lab consortium, through which the game has been showcased at major international events including Gamescom and Tokyo Game Show.

The Founder

Norberto Gonçalves da Cruz is the founder and creative director of NC Gaming. With a professional background spanning music, opera, and theatre, he brings a distinctive creative perspective to game development. The Ezekiel universe (its world, characters, factions, and overarching saga) emerged from three decades of continuous creative development, making it one of the longest-gestated indie game projects in development today.

His interdisciplinary background directly shapes the game's design: the atmospheric soundtrack blends orchestral and electronic elements, the narrative structure draws from theatrical storytelling traditions, and the moral choice system reflects a deep interest in human nature and the consequences of our decisions.

The Vision

Ezekiel: Noa and the Automaton Urbis tells the story of Noa, a father who must cross the militarized border between Humanópolis and Automaton Urbis to rescue his kidnapped daughter. The game explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the relationship between humans and machines through a deeply personal lens.

The five-game saga spans over 100 years of in-game history, with each installment telling a self-contained story while contributing to a larger narrative arc about the evolving conflict and coexistence of human and machine civilizations.

Partners & Recognition

• Yacooba Labs - Technology and development support
• Fourt.io - Technology partnership
• eGames Lab - EU consortium for game development; facilitated showcases at Gamescom and Tokyo Game Show
• PocketGamer.biz - Featured in-depth interview on the game's 30-year development journey and five-game saga vision

Company Information

Connect

• Discord Community
• LinkedIn