Brass Tactics Arena, the free-to-play spin-off of Brass Tactics, is launching today on Oculus Home for the Oculus Rift with Touch and we got the chance to go hands-on with it prior to its release for some updated thoughts. We’ve tried Brass Tactics in the past a few times and got to learn how the team at Hidden Path Entertainment channeled their history with Age of Empires into this new made-for-VR RTS, but this was our first experience with the abbreviated Arena edition.
In the video below you can watch in wonder as I, UploadVR’s Games Editor, absolutely destroy Ian Hamilton, our Senior Editor. Things were close for a bit at the start as I settled on a strategy and fumbled with the Scout units, but I eventually overran him and he didn’t stand a chance.
For the match Ian was rolling with the standard “Balanced” loadout, but I picked the “Aggressive” loadout to try and catch him off-guard. My strategy seemed to work.
The flow of a match in Brass Tactics is generally split into two phases that repeat endlessly: preparation and conquest (I just made up both of those terms just now, let me know what you think).
The objective is simple: wipe out your enemy. So during the preparation phase each player is occupied back at their base building towers that can spawn units, summoning defense turrets, and planning out their approach. Then you set out on your course (the conquest phase) and start capturing other towers to summon more units and collect more resources.
Brass Tactics is unique in that to move around the map you simply grab it using the grip buttons and pull or push yourself along the surface. You can even raise or lower the war table to get a better view of the action.
You’ll start out with your standard three unit types, such as Archers, Warriors, and Scout units, before eventually unlocking Rocketeers, Tanks, Dragons, and more. The flow of a match then bounces back and forth between preparation and conquest as the maps evolve and you push down the different lanes of action.
In the video above you can see where I drastically over-calculated the effectiveness of Scouts and suffered a lot of early losses, but was able to bounce back by doubling down on my towers farther away from my main base.
Not having to have an HQ anchoring all of my unit spawns like a lot of more traditional RTS games make you do was refreshing and it expanded the theaters of war by a great deal. One of my other favorite features is that you can visibly see what each user is looking at and doing at any given time. If Ian slid his avatar to my side of the map I knew he was looking at my base, trying to decide his next move. You can’t hide behind a floating camera angle any longer.
One thing I learned from playing Brass Tactics Arena is that the game is deceptively complex, even in this semi-demo version. Arena packs an unlimited amount of competitive, co-op, and single player action on the one single map you see above. A free demo that includes multiplayer is certainly a boon for the VR market.
When the full game releases next week on February 22nd there will be a “six-hour” long campaign, dozens of units to upgrade and customize, over 20 maps, and more difficulty options. Naturally, it’s a greatly expanded game.
Until then, Brass Tactics Arena will just have to do. You can check it out for free over on Oculus Home and here’s the official website with more details.
Let us know what you think down in the comments below!
Nachdem der ursprüngliche Termin am 19. Oktober 2017 verschoben wurde, nähert sich nun der Echtzeit-Strategietitel Brass Tactis der Veröffentlichung. Am 22. Februar soll es so weit sein, das Spiel für die Oculus Rift lässt sich mit einem kräftigen Rabatt vorbestellen. Zuvor erscheint aber der Free-to-Play-Ableger Brass Tactics Arena, der in die Welt des Strategiespiels einführen und am 15. Februar das Licht der VR-Displays erblicken soll.
Brass Tactics und Brass Tactics Arena für Oculus Rift
Mit Brass Tactics erscheint ein waschechtes Echtzeit-Strategiespiel für die Oculus Rift – die Entwickler von Hiddenpath hatten sich wie berichtet etwas mehr Zeit genommen, um das Spiel zu erweitern. Eigentlich war auch eine offene Multiplayer-Betaphase für den Januar angekündigt, stattdessen scheint der Publisher sich für einen Spin-off entschieden zu haben. Der heißt Brass Tactics Arena und ist Free-to-Play. Auf der Webseite des Entwicklerstudios kann man sich für den Early Access des Multiplayer-VR-Spiels registrieren, sofern man 13 Jahre oder älter ist. Der Beschreibung nach zu urteilen steht bei Arena lediglich eine Karte und eine gegnerische AI zur Verfügung, dafür gibt es diverse Multiplayer-Modi.
Naturgemäß umfangreicher wird das kostenpflichtige Hauptspiel. Brass Tactics bietet beispielsweise über 20 Karten und einen Story-Modus, der über sechs Stunden Spielzeit verspricht. Damit kommen auch Single-Player zu ihrem Vergnügen. Derzeit lässt sich Brass Tactics im Oculus Store mit einem ordentlichen Rabatt vorbestellen und kostet bis zur Veröffentlichung am 22. Februar 25 Euro. Danach steigt der Preis auf 40 Euro. Wer erst in den Titel hineinschnuppern will, sollte Brass Tactics Arena ab dem 15. Februar kostenlos ausprobieren können, um danach über den Kauf zu entscheiden.
Tabletop real-time strategy game Brass Tactics, which launches on February 22nd, is now available for preorder on the Oculus Store at a promotional price of $24.99. A free-to-play version of the game called Brass Tactics Arena is also open for Early Access registration, and is slated for a February release.
A new post on developer Hidden Path’s blog explains the free-to-play Brass Tactics Arena will feature “unlimited cooperative, competitive, and vs AI play on a single hand-detailed map,” whereas the full version of Brass Tactics will feature “20+ uniquely crafted, hand-detailed maps” and a “6+ hour story campaign.” Registration for Early Access to Brass Tactics Arena, which will go into Early Access at a still indeterminate time in February, is now open via this web page.
Brass Tactics is a highly-anticipated VR title from the creator of RTS classic Age of Empires II (1999). Hidden Path aims to bring the spirit of Age of Empires to VR by presenting it in the style of the opening credits of Game of Thrones. We took an early hands-on with the title at GDC last year.
Still not sure if Hidden Path Entertainment’s Rift-exclusive real-time strategy (RTS) game, Brass Tactics, is for you? You’ll soon be able to find out at no extra cost.
Hidden Path today announced that the game, which was delayed from last 2017 into 2018, will be getting a free version called Brass Tactics Arena. In this version, you’ll be able to play unlimited online and single-player matches on one of the game’s maps with a handful of the units available in the full version. You can play competitive and cooperative modes on this map to your heart’s content and then, if you like what you play, you can unlock more by picking up the full version.
The full edition of Brass Tactics will boast over 20 maps, more units and a six-hour campaign to play through as well as a suite of online options. Brass Tactics Arena will launch on February 15th for those that register over here, giving players a week to hone their skills before the entire game launches on February 22nd.
Brass Tactics was first revealed back at GDC 2017 and we were big fans of it. The game presents its brand of warfare as a tabletop diorama that you can explore to your heart’s content, capturing defense points and advancing on the enemy base. We’re hoping it will set the bar for RTS games in VR going forward.
Pre-orders for the full game open today at a discounted price of $24.99. When the game launches it’ll cost $39.99.
Virtual reality (VR) gamers that love a bit of real-time strategy (RTS) action will be happy to hear that Brass Tactics is finally getting some new confirmed details. We’ve got information on the price, length, gameplay modes and more – in addition to the announcement of a free introduction to the game, Brass Tactics Arena.
Hidden Path Entertainment’s Brass Tactics has 6+ hours of story campaign, more than 20 maps and three gameplay modes. You’ll hear your opponent’s taunts as you direct the flow of battle with your hands.
Pre-orders for the game are open now at $24.99, and the game will launch on February 22nd for $39.99. You’ll be able to customise your units and army to play the story campaign, with dozens on unit types and upgrades to use.
Other gameplay modes include a single player vs AI mode, an online competitive mode, and an online coop mode. The game will have more than 20 maps to play across its variety of modes, keeping the scenery fresh for a long time.
Brass Tactics Arena has also been announced, which will be completely free for players. It will allow players to play unlimited online competitive, cooperative or vs AI modes on a single map, and still offers dozens of units and upgrades to customise your army.
Brass Tactics Arena will act as an excellent introductory demo to get players interested in the videogame, but can also provide hours of entertainment, as long as you’re satisfied with a single map and no story mode.
Brass Tactics Arena will launch ahead of the main videogame on February 15th, but players can register for it on February 12th.
We’re glad to finally be getting some concrete details on the videogame after the delay. When VRFocus previewed the game, we said; “Brass Tactics is set to feature a single-player campaign and co-op, alongside the shown one-on-one multiplayer which should add enough scope for a good replay factor. As long as Hidden Path can added enough maps and in-depth upgrade options, the title should satisfy the demands of even the most die hard of RTS players when it arrives this year.”
Stay on VRFocus for all of the latest news on VR videogames and more.
The end of a year is a good point to take a look back and see what worthy contenders have emerged from the world of virtual reality (VR) to impress the world, which is what VRFocus have been doing with its features on Best PlayStation VR titles as well as the Best Games you’ve Never Played series. With 2018 just begun, though, it’s time to look forward and see what exciting properties are due to appear.
The Oculus Rift was arguably the device that kicked off the entire modern era of VR, and as such has its own dedicated fans as well as some new owners who might have picked one up over the holidays. So here are some upcoming experiences that Oculus Rift users can look forward to.
Megaton Rainfall – Pentadimensional Games
Previously released on PlayStation VR, Megaton Rainfall lets the player take the role of a superhero trying to save the city from an alien invasion. As any comic reader knows, however, with great power comes great responsibility, and you need to ensure you don’t inadvertently destroy the city you are trying to save.
Megaton Rainfall is already on Steam, with Oculus Rift support expected to arrive sometime in 2018.
Brass Tactics – Hidden Path Entertainment
Using a range of inspiration including classic table-top wargames and the clockwork opening credits to Game of Thrones, Brass Tactics wears its love of the clockpunk and steampunk aesthetic on its sleeve as it allows players to control toy soldiers, multi-legged tanks and clockwork wasps in fast-paces RTS gameplay
Brass Tactics is due to launch as an Oculus Rift exclusive on February 28th, 2018.
ARK Park – Snail Games
ARK Park is a VR spin-off of the successful ARK: Survival Evolved. The title puts the player on a lost island full of dinosaurs. Players will need to create a home base, gather resources and learn how to tame the dinosaurs and co-operate with them in order to survive. The experience is designed to combine education about dinosaurs with the action-based gameplay.
ARK Park will be heading to Oculus Rift along with HTC Vive and Playstation VR in Spring 2018.
Stifled – Gattai Games
Stifled offers a truly unique gameplay experience. Trapped in the dark with dangerous creatures all around you, the only way to find your way is trough sound. Utilising a microphone, Stifled picks up the sounds you make and uses an ‘echolocation’ effect to show your surroundings – but beware, for enough sound can also draw the enemies towards you.
Stifled will be available on Oculus Rift sometime 2018.
Pixel Ripped 1989 – Pixel Ripped Inc.
This title has a troubled history, failing a Kickstarter back in 2015 before re-surfacing with a new publisher in ARVORE Immersive. 80’s nostalgia and its distinctive retro stylings make it compelling, as players are cast in the role of a vidoegame-obsessed girl who must try and complete a game on her handheld without getting caught.
A firm release date for Pixel Ripped 1989 has not been set, but it is expected sometime in 2018.
Beat Saber – Hyperbolic Magnestism
While there are a few rhythm-based titles in VR, there are few that really stand out. The developer behind Beat Saber is trying to change that, by offering a style of gameplay that has been described as ‘Fruit Ninja meets Guitar Hero‘. Users need to slash the music beats, represented by cubes, in time to the music, whilst simultaneously dodging obstacles.
Beat Saber is expected to launch on Oculus Rift in Q1 of 2018.
Transference – Ubisoft
Transference aims to explore the depths of the human experience in a dark psychological thriller that lets the player look into the minds of the members of a broken family. Players can wander around a dream-like representation of the family home to collect secrets, and see if it is possible to repair the damage that separates them.
Transference will be heading to Oculus Rift in Spring 2018.
Marvel Powers United VR – Sanzaru Games
The successful Marvel cinematic universe has meant a big boom in interest in superheroes, and Marvel are keen to take advantage of it by offering players the chance to step into the shoes of Marvel heroes like Rocket Racoon, Thor and The Hulk. Several characters from the Marvel comics stable heave been revealed, including lesser-known figures such as Black Bolt and Crystal, with more yet to come.
Without any major VR hardware releases on the radar for this year, 2018 is shaping up to be a time for content to shine. We’ve rounded up a list of 20-something VR games launching in 2018 that we’re excited about, covering all three major VR systems: PSVR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
Ace Combat 7
Platform: PSVR (2018)
While Bandai Namco’s Ace Combat 7 is advertising “exclusive VR features” instead of straight VR support (meaning the campaign isn’t playable in VR), we’re still excited to strap into either Osean or Erusean jets as the two fictional superpowers duke it out in the skies. Who knows, maybe it’ll be wildly awesome?
ARK Park is a multiplayer adventure game based on the world of ARK:Survival Evolved (2017). While it may have been delayed by the China-based Snail Games from the previously slated late 2017 release, the mix of dinosaur-themed factual and fictional elements has certainly tickled our curiosity. Also: you can ride a dinosaur.
The world needs more fighting babies. To provide this insatiable need for post-natal, pre-toddler carnage, the immensely capable VR studio Kite & Lightning are developing a VR melee party brawler that puts ridiculously dressed infants into kart-based Smash Bros-style combat. We haven’t had a hands-on yet, but the studio has promised a 2018 release, so we’re sure to get one soon enough.
Brass Tactics
Platform: Rift (February 28, 2018)
This VR multiplayer/singleplayer real-time strategy game comes from Hidden Path Entertainment, the minds behind Defense Grid 2: Enhanced VR Edition (2016) and Age of Empires II: HD Edition (2013).Who hasn’t dreamt about bringing their favorite tabletop game to life, and ordering armies of miniature soldiers to ultimate victory?
This online 2-player co-op strategic shooter will force you to take cover as you make your way across a war-torn fictional Eastern European city. While you won’t get the free-wheeling locomotion options like many shooters, instead giving you a sort of ‘on-rails’ point-to-point automatic movement, the strength and amount of enemies will make you think twice before selecting a cover position for fear or getting shot to bits by a machine gun-welding baddies.
Budget Cuts
Platform: Rift, Vive (2018)
Already offering a wildly successful demo the ninja assassin-style Budget Cuts puts heavy emphasis on stealth combat. Set to release sometime in 2018, indie studio Neat Corporation surely picked up some important pointers when they were invited to collaborate with Valve last year—the results of which we can’t wait to see. Seriously. Play the demo now if you haven’t already.
Echo Combat
Platform: Rift (2018)
As if Ready at Dawn’s singleplayer adventure Lone Echo (2017) and free multiplayer sports game Echo Arena (2017) weren’t cool enough, the studio is also bringing out a combat-focused, zero-G game in 2018. Demos aren’t in the wild yet, but if it’s coming from the studio that produced Road to VR’s Best Rift Game of 2017, we’ll be mashing F5 on Oculus’ blog in anticipation of seeing and hearing more.
Firewall: Zero Hours VR
Platform: PSVR (2018)
Revealed at PSX 2017 recently, Firewall Zero Hour is a team-based, tactical multiplayer FPS coming exclusively to PSVR this year. The game is said to support both DualShock and PS Aim, although the developers haven’t made mention of PS Move controllers yet. Either way, this attack/defend shooter looks to fuse VR with some classic assault-style games like Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six.
Golem
Platform: PSVR (2018)
Originally teased at PSX 2015 with a slated release for an October 2016, High Wire Games’Golem is finally coming to PSVR. In Golem, you play as an adventurous kid who has been seriously injured. You are stuck at home in your bed, dreaming of exploring the outside world. The minds behind the game are ex-Bungie staffers, including Halo composer Marty O’Donnell.
Although it’s been a while since we played, and things have surely changed, check out 6 minutes of gameplay here.
Marvel Powers United VR
Platform: Rift (2018)
Created by Oculus and Sanzaru Games (behind titles like VR Sports Challenge and Ripcoil), there’s plenty of ways to battle in this Marvel-themed arena brawler. Turn into the Hulk, Rocket Raccoon, Captain Marvel, Deadpool, and many more as you battle enemies in online multiplayer arena battles that let you wield real super powers.
From Disruptive Games comes a multiplayer action-packed hero shooter that transforms you into a titan, letting you use your massive size and firepower to compete with others in a quest to become a god. The game is said to come with free locomotion, destructible environments, and put heavy emphasis on strategic gameplay.
Moss
Platform: PSVR (February 2018)
A charming third-person action-adventure puzzle game from Polyarc, Moss gives you control of the small but fierce mouse named Quill. With a tiny sword in hand, you vanquish pint-sized enemies as you solve large puzzles. There’s a free demo available already on the second PSVR demo disc, so there’s no reason not to fall in love with little Quill already.
The result of a successful Kickstarter in 2015, Pixel Ripped has been in development well before consumer headsets released. Heavy on nostalgia, the game tosses you into the world of 1989 as Nicola. Going ‘one level deeper’ into the virtual world, you incarnate a heroine named Dot who is on a quest to return the magical rock that contains the soul of Dot’s world, Adventureland, which has been stolen by the Cyblin Master. Cyblin has other plans though as he tries to break into the Nicola’s ‘real’ world.
Space Junkies
Platform: Rift, Vive (Spring 2018)
From Ubisoft Montpelier, Space Junkies is an upcoming zero-G multiplayer shooter that puts straight into team-based or deathmatch-style combat. Yes, there are light sabers, but the focus is ultimately on the game’s impressive assortment of guns. Visuals are really polished, and from what we’ve played, so is the overall deathmatch concept.
Sprint Vector is a racing game that has integrated a unique locomotion arm-swinging locomotion style that moves you forward through a Mario Kart-style race course. Hailing from Raw Data developer Survios, we had a lot of fun in trying out the fast-paced, nausea-free racer.
From Playful Corp comes another third-person platformer, albeit less boisterous and family-oriented than the studio’s last VR game, Lucky’s Tale (2016). With some puzzles thrown in for good measure, you guide a mysterious traveler on her way through a subterranean landscape. She soon discovers advanced alien technology, is stalked by an ominous beast lurking in the shadows, and finally has a very close encounter with a giant being of unknown origin.
The Inpatient
Platform: PSVR (2018)
Originally expected for Q4 2017 release, Supermassive Games standalone prequel to Until Dawn: Rush of Blood (2016) has been delayed until 2018. When we first demoed the psychological horror game, the level of realism was remarkable thanks to some very well-tuned facial motion capture. We can’t wait to see more soon.
From Ubisoft Montreal and Elijah Wood’s studio Spectrevision, Transference is a physiological thriller that blends movie and reality in what promises to be a disquieting experience. Popping into the memories of people suffering from PTSD and reliving their nightmare-fuel pasts sounds pretty disquieting to me.
Vacation Simulator
Platform: PSVR, Rift & Vive (2018)
Announced at this year’s Game Awards, Owlchemy Labs’ Vacation Simulator is following in the footsteps of its breakout multi-platform success Job Simulator (2016). While it’s unsure if the tongue-in-check simulator style will find the same level of launch day success its spiritual predecessor, we’ll be there ready to play to see if it tickles our collective funny bones.
Windlands 2
Windlands (2016), the high-flying exploration game from Psytec Games, is getting a sequel this year that’s looking to alter its predecessor’s formula with the addition of co-op adventuring as well as combat. Combat has altered the zen-like nature of the game somewhat, which could be good or bad depending on how you look at it. Multiplayer adventuring is a net positive though, so we can’t wait to see what Windlands 2 will serve up.
While Valve is still mum on its three games originally confirmed back in February 2017, Dan O’Brien, Vive general manager for the Americas, revealed to The Rolling Stone that Valve was still “very committed” to the promise of delivering its three VR games. Valve has produced The Lab (2016) and plenty of content for the SteamVR Home space. We’re itching to see any game with the level of fit and finish we see in both productions.
Blood And Truth
Platform: PSVR (TBA)
Sony’s London Studio first released Blood and Truth’s spiritual predecessor with the first PSVR demo disk; London Heist. The demo’s Guy Ritchie-style Cockney crime theme is an awesome backdrop to the demo’s shooting sequences, so the thought of having a full game where you’re essentially an action hero looking for revenge, well, it sounds pretty badass.
Oculus Rift is undoubtedly a great bit of kit, but for some there are some essential titles that really need to make the jump and become available for the virtual reality (VR) gadget. Some of the ‘most wanted’ that we have compiled here, for your reading pleasure, are more obvious than others while some will make you think “ooooh, yeah!”. This is not a wish list, by the way, these titles are coming for Oculus either as official releases or by way of ‘mods’, as are the following 7 most wanted compiled by the team at VR Hire company VRE:
Others may not list this one first, mostly because of its unofficial status, but HL remains a cult classic and changed the genre the genre and the way FPS titles went about their business – Half-Life was the first FPS game to introduce physics based play. With Half-Life 3 never coming (sorry), a VR experience is the next best thing as far as many are concerned. Half-Life 2 lends itself to the technology, visually at least, much more than the original ever could and so here we are. Updated effects & textures, a redesigned UI and HDR lighting await.
Transference
Live action video games are something of a niche, with only a small handful of titles taking that approach. Transference is a psychological thriller from SpectreVision, in partnership with Ubisoft. Players delve into the memories of an obsessed, self destructive man. Working through these memories you try to solve the riddle of a troubled family and attempt to escape the maze like house, solving its mysteries as you progress. Slated for a release in 2018, around spring time, Transference is expected to support all three major VR platforms.
Oculus has donned their cape and teamed up with Marvel and Disney to bring VR fans another quality title. The development of the game is being handled by Sanzaru Games, who have worked with Oculus before. The game itself looks pretty impressive, and we can only guess what it will feel like to hulk out on your front room while you throw bad guys around. Everybody wants to be a superhero, and now they can.
ARK Park
If you are familiar with ARK: Survival Evolved, then you will have some idea of what ARK Park is about if I said it’s akin to a safari park. This rather unique VR experience is based on ARK: Survival Evolved, and allows players to get up close and personal with the dinosaurs that inhabit the world of ARK. As well as being able to take a closer look at the animals, you can learn more about them and also explore the habits that they call home, too; from tropical rainforests to mountain ranges and plains. Developed by Snail Games Peacock Studio, ARK Park is available on Steam and PS4.
Available for the HTC Vive, The VR Case Files answers a lot of rumours surrounding L.A. Noire and VR. A lot speculation was made as to whether the original game, from Rockstar games, would make the transition to VR – the answer is no, it won’t. Instead, The VR Case Files is a game specifically designed for virtual reality, to take advantage of everything the tech. has to offer, rather than retrofitting an existing title. Smart move, if you think about it. Seven cases from the original were chosen for the VR version, to properly showcase the game and the technology.
Brass Tactics
Expected early 2018, the RTS Brass Tactics brings a 5 mission solo campaign as well as co-op play and a full fledged online RTS experience. Starting off as commander, you take control of units around your base, bringing your hands into the world so that you can pick up and move your units around the game world. Immersive titles like this, with a top down view of the world, are expected to become more commonplace as time goes by. Hidden Path Entertainment aim to bring more unit types and progression trees into the game before final release, toward the end of February 2018.
Budget Cuts
Budget Cuts has probably generated as much hype as Watch_Dogs did in the run up to its release, first debuting as an incredible demo, in 2016, and nothing has been seen since for over a year. One of the best VR experiences available, at that point, the demo for Budget Cuts simply wowed everybody that it came into contact with it. While Neat Corporation have been busy, and annoyingly quietly, working away on the game, the hype train keeps on chugging. The problem now is, can Budget Cuts live up to expectations? All we can do right now is wait, and find out for ourselves.
Due for release this month as an exclusive to Oculus Rift, Brass Tactics has now been delayed by several months until early 2018.
Developer Hidden Path Entertainment made the announcement via the Oculus Blog today, saying that with the extra development time it plans on adding new units and more tech tree options.
“Up until now, we’ve had a balanced set of eight standard units that everyone had access to in-game: archers, warriors, cavalry, tanks, mechanics, artillery, wasps, and the titan,” said Game Director Michael Austin. “We’re nearly doubling the number of choices and breaking the symmetry between players. You can easily choose one of the thematic sets we’ve created, or you can customize your own and pick the eight units that best represent the way you like to play.”
The studio will be holding an open multiplayer beta in January. Check out VRFocus’preview of Brass Tacticsfrom the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2017 or the interview with Hidden Path Entertainment’s CCO Mark Terrano.
“The best feeling in the world as a game developer is to take a great game and make it awesome,” Austin added. “Once you’re at that point where you’ve put in all the features, each day and week is transformative in making the game better—momentum really picks up. We’re going even farther down that path, ensuring the best possible experience for players at launch.”
Brass Tactics is now scheduled to launch on 22nd February, 2018. For any further updates, keep reading VRFocus.
[Update] Eigentlich sollte Brass Tactics am 19. Oktober kommen, nun soll laut Oculus das Echtzeit-Strategiespiel erst am 22. Februar 2018 erscheinen. Zuvor soll im Januar eine offene Multiplayer-Betaphase stattfinden, um noch Feintuning am Spiel vornehmen zu können. Die längere Zeit will der Entwickler Hidden Path dazu nutzen, das Spiel deutlich zu erweitern: So soll sich die Anzahl der zur Verfügung stehenden Truppen auf 16 verdoppeln. Spieler können sich acht Truppen wie beispielsweise Bogenschützen und Lufteinheiten frei aussuchen oder auf bestehende Sets zurückgreifen. Außerdem wird es weitere Optionen bei den Technik-Bäumen für die ausgewählten Truppen geben.
Originalmeldung:
Das Echtzeit-Strategiespiel Brass Tactics lässt sich ab sofort vorbestellen, am 19. Oktober soll es dann verfügbar sein. Wer jetzt zuschlägt, spart rund 15 Prozent. Hinter dem Spiel steckt Mark Terrano, der Kopf des Titels Age of Empires II: Age of Kings. Das schraubt die Erwartungen an Brass Tactics in die Höhe: Viele erwarten das erste große Strategiespiel für die virtuelle Realität. Tatsächlich steckt viel Arbeit in Brass Tactics und der Trailer macht nicht nur alten Strategie-Hasen den Mund wässrig.
Brass Tactics : Game of Empires trifft Game of Thrones
Das Echtzeit-Strategiespiel (abgekürzt RTS für Real Time Strategie) Brass Tactis soll am 19. Oktober erscheinen und lässt sich ab sofort im Oculus Store vorbestellen. Frühe Käufer erhalten laut Oculus einen Rabatt von 15 Prozent, der Preis sinkt demnach von zukünftig knapp 30 Euro auf jetzt 25 Euro. In bester Table-Top-Marnier schickt man seine Truppen in die Schlacht, wobei Spieler den Blickwinkel frei wählen können und mittendrin statt nur dabei sind. In der virtuellen Realität sollte das Gemetzel jedenfalls ziemlich beeindruckend aussehen.
Der CEO des Studios Hidden Path, das auch Defense Grid 2 für die Oculus Rift und Samsung Gear VR entwickelt hat, äußert sich auf dem Oculus-Blog über die Vorzüge der jüngsten VR-Entwicklung: Brass Tactics sei bahnbrechend für das Strategiespiel-Genre, denn der Spieler fühle sich mitten in der Schlacht und sähe, wie seine Strategie vor seinen Augen zum Leben erwacht. Das Ziel war es laut CEO Jeff Pobst, ein Spiel im Age-of-Empires-Stil mit Elementen des Vorspanns von Game of Thrones zu entwickeln. Außerdem habe man sich für eine physische Welt entschieden: Um Gebäude upzugraden, klicke man deshalb nicht bloß auf ein Icon, sondern greife nach „echten“ virtuellen Elementen und füge sie dem Königreich zu. Laut Pobst spricht das Spiel nicht nur Strategie-Experten an, sondern auch Einsteiger in das Genre. Es sei für sie so einfach zu spielen, wie mit einer kleinen Spielzeugarme, die man auf der Landkarte einsetzt.
Transference
Brass Tactics
