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Uncapped Games has unveiled gameplay for Battle Aces, its new action real-time strategy (RTS) title aimed at the PC platform, and is set to launch a new closed beta test.
The studio aims to capture the essential enjoyment of RTS games for a broader audience. Recently, I had the opportunity to engage in a preview match against AI opponents, with a larger closed beta starting on November 7.
According to David Kim, the senior game director at Uncapped Games, the objective is to develop a game design that is straightforward for players to grasp yet challenging to master, even within the complexities of high-tech armies clashing in battle. Since its inception in 2021, a team of approximately 40 individuals has dedicated about 3.5 years to shaping this project.
The Sci-Fi Setting
Set in the 26th century, Battle Aces illustrates a future marked by interplanetary conflict as humanity grapples with scarce resources. Players, assuming the role of mercenary commanders or Battle Aces, lead high-tech drones into intense and large-scale combat.
Departing from conventional RTS designs, Battle Aces allows players to tailor their army combinations and play styles through customizable Unit Decks. With over 50 units available at launch, the game promises a diverse array of strategies and potential matchups, providing rich opportunities for pre-battle planning.
The gameplay introduces innovative features such as automated resource gathering and instant unit spawning, allowing players to remain focused on controlling vast armies during battles. This design reduces distractions typically associated with managing resource production, enabling more engaging real-time strategic decisions, such as timing for base expansions and tech upgrades for enhanced units.
Players can seamlessly transition between unit production and army management without needing to return to their base. Such user interface advancements facilitate a more immersive battle experience, ensuring that players can concentrate on the high-stakes engagements typical of 1v1 or 2v2 encounters.
With round durations capped at 10 minutes, matches provide a quick and exhilarating experience. Players can adjust their strategy between fights by swapping Unit Decks, appealing to both experienced MOBA enthusiasts and RTS newcomers, including veterans seeking next-level skill expression.
Previously, Uncapped Games conducted a closed beta shortly after exhibiting the game at the Summer Game Fest last June. The upcoming beta will introduce four significant new units into the gameplay mix, and Kim anticipates that continuous updates will further innovate strategies available to players through newly introduced units. Players will also have the option to customize their character and unit appearances through cosmetic additions.
A tutorial mode will introduce players to combat against AI in a one-on-one setting, while the playable modes will also support human-versus-AI matches and traditional 1v1 and 2v2 player matchups.
The game’s full release is anticipated in 2025.
The Preview Experience
In my limited time playing the preview, I encountered an AI that effectively countered my unit selections, teaching me the importance of prompt army development. Following my gameplay experience, I had a chance to speak with Kim.
Having contributed nearly a decade to StarCraft II at Blizzard Entertainment, Kim shared insights into the design philosophy behind Battle Aces. The company’s recruitment of RTS experts aims to redefine the genre for modern audiences, leading to a robust development team that has grown to 40 members.
During his time with StarCraft II, Kim noted that beginners often struggled with fundamental tasks like resource management, which detracted from the enjoyment of engaging in strategic battles. As a solution, the development approach for Battle Aces emphasizes the fun elements of gameplay, allowing players to engage in exciting combat decisions without getting bogged down by repetitive tasks.
“For Battle Aces, our primary aim is to amplify the enjoyable aspects,” Kim articulated. “We want players to immerse themselves in their strategic thought process as the chief commander of their forces.”
The design focus is on intuitive strategy, where players can visually assess their opponents’ unit compositions. The game encourages countering strategies based on the types of units deployed, fostering an engaging layer of tactical decision-making.
Unit Variety
Battle Aces introduces a rock-paper-scissors dynamic regarding unit engagement. Each gaming season aims to bring fresh units that can influence overall strategies and gameplay styles.
The game’s “intelligence bar” allows players to track the enemy’s unit types and current builds, enabling informed decisions to counter them. By hovering over enemy units, players can quickly ascertain the optimal units to construct for a successful counter-attack.
“This is a significant departure from traditional RTS titles,” Kim explained. “We’re focused on transparency in gameplay, enabling players to make strategic choices.”
While some games favor randomness to level the playing field, Kim argues for a balance between skill-based gameplay, akin to StarCraft II, and elements of chance, striving for a blend that enhances competitive integrity.
More Time for Strategic Thinking
In terms of strategic depth, players will face decisions about resource acquisition and how best to maximize unit production while defending against potential enemy incursions. By controlling resource points on the map, players can ensure a steady inflow of units, allowing for both offensive and defensive strategies.
To succeed, players must also evaluate the alignment between their unit compositions and those of their adversaries, recognizing the interplay of advantages and disadvantages that each unit type brings to a conflict. As players balance resource management and army development against the ticking clock, the emphasis shifts to having the optimal unit mix rather than sheer numerical superiority.
“It’s not simply about overwhelming your opponent with numbers,” Kim remarked. “It’s about strategizing to harness the right combinations.”
As a high-level player, Kim noted that previous RTS formats often confined players to a singular focus on unit production, limiting their ability to engage dynamically in battles. The new design offers more flexibility, allowing players to execute complex maneuvers that were previously impractical.
With a strategic architecture where unit type interaction forms a comprehensive cycle—small units countering larger ones, big units targeting artillery, and splash damage units addressing smaller troop formations—Battle Aces fosters a tactical landscape rich with possibilities and layered decision-making.
Source
venturebeat.com