Uncapped Games are coming at the real-time strategy scene from a very different angle. RTS games have often been seen as a domain of gamers who appreciate longer, more – well I guess the word I’m looking for is – strategic gameplay. Games of Supreme Commander can go on for an hour or more. Even Starcraft 2, know for its frenetic gameplay, has a typical game duration of between 15 to 20 minutes.
Battle Aces, in a bold attempt to redefine the mechanics of RTS gameplay, limits games to 10 minutes. Announced at the Summer Game Fest, Battle Aces promises to deliver fast-paced, action-packed battles that are both accessible and profoundly – what was the word? – strategic.
Or certainly tactical. Battle Aces emerges as a response to the common frustrations of traditional RTS games, notably the steep learning curve, long match times and intensive micromanagement. David Kim, the senior game director at Uncapped Games, said:
What we’ve seen in our testing so far is that players new to RTS or less familiar with the genre have been able to learn Battle Aces and grow in skill more quickly than any RTS our team has ever worked on before.
By reducing match durations to just ten minutes, Battle Aces ensures that players can enjoy multiple sessions without feeling overwhelmed by the commitment typically required by games like Company of Heroes 2.
Battles in the 26th Century
The future of Battle Aces has seen humankind spread throughout the cosmos, engaging in fierce conflicts for dwindling resources and territorial domination. Teleportation technology has revolutionized warfare. Battles are conducted by robotic drones under the command of elite mercenary leaders known as Battle Aces.
In this universe, every skirmish is a high-stakes struggle for survival and supremacy. The mercenary commanders, or Battle Aces, are at the heart of this conflict, directing their robotic armies in large-scale, rapid-deployment, explosive battles. Every battle is a chapter in the ongoing saga of human expansion and conflict across the stars.
Teleportation technology has transformed the universe into one where traditional logistics and supply lines are replaced by instantaneous unit deployment. This innovation allows for a unique gameplay experience focusing on immediate tactical decisions rather than the slow build up typical of traditional real-time strategy titles.
Innovations
The most obvious innovation which Battle Aces is bringing to real-time strategy is the heavy restriction on game length. Games are limited to ten minutes. This is a focus on rapid action and streamlined mechanics. Resource gathering, which is typically the most micro-managed and time-consuming of RTS games is automated, meaning players can focus on the battlefield. Units are instantly spawned, and players can pre-select expansions and unit compositions before matches, emphasizing strategic preparation over in-game micromanagement.
Unit management is also innovatively simplified. Players draw troops from customizable unit decks, akin to a card game, enabling them to tailor their strategies to their playstyle. This system not only enhances replayability but also ensures that each match feels unique and engaging.
Speaking of units, Battle Aces’ units are imaginative and diverse, with creations such as the King Crab, a melee unit with saws for arms, and the Katbus, a metallic, cat-shaped vehicle. The units each have a vibrant and colourful aesthetic; mechanoid drones engaging in visually striking combat across industrial-themed battlefields. Charming and cute on the surface, these units pack a punch in the heat of battle, adding a layer of unexpected ferocity to their playful, almost cartoony, designs.
Uncapped Games has made it clear that Battle Aces is designed to be inclusive and accessible. According to David Kim, early testing indicates that players new to the RTS genre can quickly grasp the game’s mechanics and improve their skills, making it one of the most approachable RTS games the team has developed. When we consider this alongside new studio Good Trouble Games’ mission to revolutionise the RTS genre, could this be a seismic shift in real-time strategy towards a more welcoming and fast-paced gaming experience that appeals to both veterans and newcomers alike? Its certainly indicative of positive moves.
Innovation is not without risk or challenge. What Uncapped are working on flies in the face of tradition and logic. RTS games may not have the mass appeal they once had, and many developers are being risk averse. Take, Tempest Rising, for example. Tempest Rising takes the established mechanics of Command and Conquer and adds a modern twist. The in-development Sanctuary: Shattered Sun is hailed as the spiritual successor of the games created at Gas Powered Games. RTS developers, in an industry where success is not guaranteed, as sticking to tried and tested mechanics. Uncapped are bucking that trend.
The shift towards faster, shorter matches might alienate purists who enjoy the traditional, more methodical pace of classic RTS games. These players often appreciate the depth and complexity that longer matches offer, allowing for detailed strategic planning and execution. By moving away from this style, Battle Aces risks losing a segment of the RTS community that values extensive base-building and resource management over rapid, action-oriented gameplay.
Additionally, the free-to-play model is often maligned as pay-to-win. There is always a risk that paid content (micro-transations) can unfairly benefit players with deep pockets. Uncapped Games will need to ensure that paid content does not confer significant advantages over free-to-play options to maintain a level playing field.
Battle Aces offers a fresh take that balances speed, accessibility, and strategic depth. Its streamlined mechanics, vibrant visuals, and innovative gameplay systems make it a promising addition to the real-time strategy landscape. By addressing common pain points and embracing modern gaming trends, Uncapped Games aims to attract a broad audience and potentially set new standards for what RTS games can achieve.
Battle Aces is currently listed as ‘coming soon’ on Steam. You can wishlist it here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2682180/Battle_Aces/
Battle Aces invites you to experience the future of real-time strategy gaming. Sign up for beta access here: https://www.playbattleaces.com/signup
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