11bit studios, developers of the great Anomaly series of tower defense games, is getting into the publishing racket. The studio is creating the 11bit launchpad, and their first title, SPACECOM is looking to put the strategy back in real time strategy.
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The game is developed by Marek Ziemak, the former Gameplay Producer for The Witcher, and is a "a strategic-to-the-bone game of deception and cunning that emphasizes creative tactics over complex mechanics." The game was developed after hours by Flow Combine, which teamed up with 11 bit launchpad in early 2014 and began working with Ziemak to finish SPACECOM and bring it to Steam and other digital platforms.
"We were struck by how great SPACECOM works on a strategic level, and we were not surprised that the community quickly greenlit this game on Steam. Now, we're not so far away from the game being finished and delivered to strategy gamers." says Ziemak in the press release.
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In what I hope can only be a precursor to finding the greatest child commander in Earth's history, SPACECOM allows players to "use proven maneuvers learned from military legends or devise your own plans. Dominate your enemies in planetary systems with up to six players per campaign. Most of all, you'll need a bright mind, cunning, and sound tactics." The team wishes to eliminate random chance or luck and force the users to think creatively and spatially to earn victory. Might a Kobiyashi Maru sequence find its way onto the game eventually?
Fans of strict military strategy should be excited. I'm terrible at strategy and even I'm excited for SPACECOM. The game is due to drop on Steam and Games Republic in the second half of 2014 for all operating systems, as well as mobile. If you haven't had a chance to grab their fantastic Anomaly Defenders, do so now here.
Watch the game trailer below. It's an austere, minimalist thing of wonder, heavy on the Sun Tzu. I can't help but think that the master himself would be pleased with what he sees in SPACECOM.
