Black Iron Spine Studios approved logoBLACK IRON SPINESTUDIOS Contact studio ↗
Unreal Engine systems · Built for creators

Forge the world.
We’ll build its backbone.

A small independent studio building practical Unreal Engine tools. Today, RPG systems. Tomorrow, more of what game creators need to build their worlds.

RPG Action Bar and Inventory System promotional previewFeatured · Action Bar + Inventory
6 products on FabUnreal Engine toolsCharacter equipment availableGet Your BIS
The product line

Start with the essentials.

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Maps and compass product thumbnail
Navigation

Maps & Compass

World map, minimap, waypoints, marker filters, and optional fog of war.

Explore maps on Fab ↗
RPG Character and Equipment Fab cover showing the character sheet and promotional armored figure
Character & equipment kit

RPG Character & Equipment Kit

A character sheet, equipment slots, and a live pawn preview, with starter Spine Armor for the included stock-body variants. Check the Fab listing for exact contents and compatibility.

Explore the kit on Fab ↗
On the forge

A connected BIS UI suite.

Our next focus is building out the UI ecosystem, with a full Gameplay Ability System planned as its gameplay foundation. Standalone Spine Armor is also being prepared.

See the planned roadmap ↗

Every product has its own requirements, media, and included-content details on Fab. Check the listing before you buy.

Browse all six products ↗
What’s coming next

Building the whole RPG backbone.

Our first priority is a connected BIS UI suite. The planned full Gameplay Ability System (GAS) would provide a foundation for later abilities and combat work. These are future products and integrations—not features included in today’s Action Bar, Inventory, or Character & Equipment purchases.

01 · UI foundation

BIS Menu Essentials

A common home for menus and navigation across the BIS suite. We currently hope to offer this one free; final scope and pricing are not set.

02 · Gameplay foundation

Full Gameplay Ability System

Planned GAS-based ability, attribute, and effect infrastructure before we build the deeper spellbook and combat integrations.

03 · Abilities

Abilities & Spellbook

Player-facing ability selection and management, designed around the planned gameplay foundation.

04 · Combat

Targeting & Combat

Target selection and combat-facing UI, with gameplay integration scoped against the ability system.

05 · World interaction

Dialogue & Interaction

Conversation and interaction flows for characters and objects in the game world.

06 · Progression

Quests & Objectives

Interfaces for tracking goals, quest state, and player progress.

07 · Community

Chat & Social

Player communication and social UI, with any online service requirements to be defined before release.

In parallel · 3D gear

Spine Armor

The standalone set and individual pieces are being prepared for Fab. Each still needs its own package, fit, documentation, and media checks.

This is a direction of work, not a release schedule or promise of included features. Order, scope, pricing, and availability may change. See each live Fab listing for what is actually supplied today.

Action bar and inventory running together in the BIS UI demoActual in-game UI · BIS UI demo
See the systems in motion

Built to work together.
Ready to stand alone.

See the Action Bar and Inventory working in a live Unreal scene. Each Fab listing shows its own screenshots, previews, requirements, and included content so you can choose the right piece for your project.

Explore the integrated kit ↗
About Black Iron Spine Studios

A workshop for game creators.

We're a small independent studio building practical tools for Unreal Engine developers. Our first releases cover action bars, inventory, navigation, loot, vendors, and the connections between them.

Our long-term ambition is a hardware store for game development: a growing catalog of gameplay systems, character gear, 3D assets, and modular building pieces. We're building it one useful release at a time.

Available nowGameplay systems

Explore six current RPG tools and integrated kits on Fab.

Available nowCharacter & equipment

The RPG Character & Equipment Kit is live; check its Fab listing for supported bodies and exact contents.

Future catalog3D assets & modular builds

We aim to add game-ready props and flexible building pieces over time.

Help shape the workshop

What should we build next?

Have an idea for an Unreal Engine plugin? Tell us what slows you down and what would make the job easier. We read suggestions when planning future tools, though sending an idea does not guarantee it will be built.

Send us your idea
  • The problem you want to solve
  • What the plugin should do
  • Your Unreal Engine version
Email a plugin suggestion →Opens your email app with a short outline. No account needed.
Custom Unreal Engine development

Hire BIS to build your plugin.

Need a system made for your game? Tell us what you have in mind. We review each request for fit and availability, then quote the work before any payment or production slot is reserved.

  1. Send a brief

    Describe the goal, key features, Unreal Engine version, timeline, and budget range.

  2. Review a proposal

    We agree on scope, deliverables, price, timing, ownership, and support in writing.

  3. Reserve a slot

    Accept the proposal and pay the agreed deposit to schedule work. If we're full, you can ask to join the inquiry queue.

Commissioned work stays private and is not listed on Fab unless we separately agree with you in writing. Sending a brief is free and does not place an order. Open the starter brief below, then email it to the studio for a written quote.

Request a project quote →

Your project brief

Fill in what you know, then copy the brief and email it to support.blackironspine@proton.me with the subject Hire BIS — Custom Unreal plugin inquiry. The email button uses your device's mail handler; if nothing opens, use the copy button and your usual email or webmail.

Open email app
Support independent development

Help keep the forge lit.

Like what we're building? A voluntary tip can help our small studio make more tools. Our paid products will always be the clearest way to support the work.

Support the studio

One-time, voluntary tips. Choose an amount that works for you; no membership or perks required.

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Leave a one-time tip →Secure checkout on Stripe. CA$10 suggested; choose any amount from CA$5 to CA$250. No product or charitable tax receipt is included.
Black Iron Spine—the backbone of your games.Explore the systems, see them in action, and help shape what comes next.
Visit our Fab store →

Questions about a BIS product? Ask Ember first. If she cannot help, email our studio directly.

support.blackironspine@proton.me ↗