tactical
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Breach and Clear follow-up sets a deadline for this fall
Mighty Rabbit Studios announced a follow-up to its tactical military action game Breach and Clear today. Going by the name Breach and Clear: Deadline, the game will arrive on Steam's Early Access service for PC, Mac and Linux this fall for $19.99 (£12.99). Unlike the first game, which began on mobile devices before breaching Steam's walls via Greenlight, publisher Gun Media did not list mobile platforms among Deadline's destinations. Deadline adds to Breach and Clear's warfaring gameplay by introducing real-time strategy elements to the series. Players will boss their squad around with new Command Mode tools, giving orders on-the-fly during battle. The game is set in the "urban expanse of Harbor City," in which players must find the source of a parasitic infection that's causing the city's inhabitants to turn into monsters. They'll also level up their team along the way and complete side quests to earn "rare ammo, weapons and gear." [Image: Gun Media]
Sci-fi RTS Salvaged takes two screens to play on PC, tablet
Opposable Games recently showed off Salvaged, a real-time strategy game that requires a bit of multitasking from its players. The tactical sci-fi game is played using two screens, one on any iOS or Android tablet or smartphone (as the controller) and the other being a monitor via PC, Mac or Linux. In Salvaged, players act as one of many operators for a Remote Interstellar Salvage Crew (RISC), boarding wrecked ships to locate loot and retrieve each ship's black box recorders. The touchscreen in players' hands offers a top-down view of the frantic, squad-based action, allowing players to issue commands to their team and assess alien threats as well as interact with the wrecked ships themselves by hacking terminals, downloading data and restoring power and lighting. The second screen on players' PCs shows the operation in real-time through the squad's shoulder-mounted cameras. The UK developer cited classic games like Captive and the 1993 version of Space Hulk as well both the original XCOM and XCOM: Enemy Unkown as inspirations for the game, though players may recall FTL: Faster Than Light and Spelunky when it comes to the game's replayability. Salvaged's crew, environments, enemies and spoils are all procedurally generated, and like the aforementioned roguelikes, once a crewmember dies, they will be gone forever. The developer is seeking $125,000 by Thursday, May 15 to fund the game, of which it is just scratching the $10,000 mark as of this writing. [Image: Opposable Games]
Dragon Fin Soup brings retro RPG flair to a dragon-turtle's back
Indie developer Grimm Bros opted for a retro, SNES-inspired style for its debut game, Dragon Fin Soup. The developer recently achieved its $24,000 goal on Kickstarter to bring the RPG to PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS3 and Vita. Sporting turn-based movement and a classic 2D top-down visual style, Dragon Fin Soup is an action RPG with roguelike qualities set in the world of Asura, which rests on the back of a giant "dragon-turtle." Players can learn more about the world through a blend of scripted events and quests as well as procedurally-generated content in the game's story mode, led by Dragon Fin Soup's first playable character, Red Robin. It also features a survival mode marked by permanent death in which players are dropped into a dangerous forest with limited supplies, fighting their way through generated dungeons that increase in difficulty. Dragon Fin Soup still has roughly three weeks to go before its crowdfunding campaign ends, and is seeking stretch goals to fund expansions and port the game to the Sony platforms. It was among the 75 games recently approved for Steam distribution via Greenlight. Grimm Bros was founded by former Human Head COO Ash Monif and artist Randis Albion in March 2013. [Image: Grimm Bros]
Reus dev's Renowned Explorers is tactical 1800s exploration
Abbey Games, the studio behind colossus god game Reus, is working on its next project, a turn-based, ever-changing exploration game called Renowned Explorers – International Society. It follows a team of explorers in the 19th century as they attempt to find legendary treasures before the World Expo begins. As the captain, players gather a team of explorers and follow a series of leads to find specific treasures. Once a treasure is found, the game becomes turn-based as the team explores the location, encounters enemies and allies, and digs up resources. Abbey cites Jules Verne, Indiana Jones, XCOM: Enemy Unknown and Fire Emblem as inspirations. "To grant you a new unexplored world every game, Renowned Explorers will generate and pose new mysteries, challenges, characters and combinations every time you start," Abbey says. "Our new game is built to train you in the art of exploration, and it will reward you with deeper mysteries and rare treasure."
Longtime Square Enix artist Akihiko Yoshida joins Unsung Story team
Unsung Story: Tale of the Guardians, the tactical RPG from Level-5 and Square Enix veteran Yasumi Matsuno, will feature the character artwork of Akihiko Yoshida. The news comes from an update on the project's Kickstarter page, which revealed an excerpt of the game's story as well. Yoshida departed Square Enix in December after an 18-year stint during which he provided art and character designs for games like Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story alongside Matsuno, as well as Tactics Ogre, Final Fantasy XII and Bravely Default. Unsung Story is seeking $600,000 on Kickstarter by February 14 in order to continue development. With 16 days left to hit its goal, more than 10,000 people have pitched in $438,947 to the project, which has multiple $1 million-plus stretch goals to reach platforms like Vita, PS4 and 3DS.
SOCOM spiritual successor H-Hour gets pre-alpha trailer
Pre-alpha action for H-Hour: World's Elite was shown off in trailer form today. The developer, SOF Studios, stressed that the tactical shooter hasn't been tuned or polished yet, so the smaller details seen in the teaser video are best viewed in a more forgiving light. The game comes from former SOCOM Creative Director David Sears, who earned $252,662 on Kickstarter in July 2013 to develop what he called a "spiritual successor" to the series. H-Hour: World's Elite is a team-based PC and PS4 game, and as such it will feature community and clan management support. The multiplayer shooter is currently aiming to enter its beta program in July 2014, launching in full on PC in January 2015, according to the reward tiers on its Kickstarter page.
Captain's Log: More Star Trek Online new user tips - bridge officers
Before I dive into the next installment of my new player tips, I'd like to let everyone know that the Star Trek Online site has issued a few new dev blogs hinting at some of the cool news about the upcoming Season Eight: The Sphere. There are some great new blogs featuring the concept art of the new Dyson Sphere space adventure zone, too. But back to the original topic. Last week's column that provided a basic outline to the Star Trek Online user interface proved to be surprisingly popular and generated far more emails from readers than I had anticipated. Many of the readers have asked that I continue on with the new user tips and I think it's a great idea. So if you've always wondered about the very basics of STO Bridge Officers, join me past the jump to learn more!
Syndicate Wars successor Satellite Reign heads to Kickstarter
As expected, real-time strategy game Satellite Reign recently began its Kickstarter project, and will need £350,000 ($532,455) by July 28 to become a reality. Satellite Reign is a real-time strategy game that draws inspiration from Syndicate Wars, another tactical game developed in 1996 for PlayStation and DOS by 5 Lives lead Mike Diskett. The project boasts emergent gameplay within a "living metropolis," along with tactical combat driven by different character classes, weapons and augmentations. Satellite Reign's crowdfunding campaign is already off to a great start, as it has raised £95,474 ($145,244) thanks to 3,355 backers so far. The developer is looking to bring the game to Steam and GOG for PC, Mac and Linux, with DRM-free options being made available to all backers.
Element Case Sector 5 Black Ops Elite: The tactical case for your iPhone 5
Element Case is one of the few iPhone case manufacturers we talk to on a regular basis that continues to innovate with impressive designs that are entirely different from the mainstream. Whether it's their wood, aluminum and leather Ronin or the original Sector 5 case, you can be certain that an Element Case is going to be something that stands out from the crowd. Today we're taking a look at the Element Case Sector 5 Black Ops Elite (US$219.95), which is the perfect case for the Navy SEAL, SWAT team member, or tactical team wannabe in your life. We're giving our review case away, so stick around until the end of the review. Design To get the amazing look of this design, Element Case worked alongside Hogue, a manufacturer of handgun grips, rifle stocks, knives and holsters. Hogue's G10 material is used for the back plate of the case and the knurled side grips as well. G10 is described by Element Case as "a high-pressure thermoset plastic laminate consisting of multiple layers of woven fiberglass mesh cloth impregnated with an epoxy resin binder." In other words, this stuff is tough! %Gallery-189215% As usual, the frame of the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite is made of ultrathin CNC machined aluminum for light weight and strength. There's a clip on the back of the case, but a tactical holster is also included for extra protection. Speaking of protection, you can make sure that your SWAT team buddies aren't able to see the incoming FaceTime call from your girlfriend since a Stealth privacy screen protector is included. What else is included? You're going to need to know how to field strip this case in the dark with your eyes closed (just kidding), so Element Case throws in a little speed wrench to help in installation and removal. The case comes in four different finishes. There's a black case with black G10 inserts, a black case with OD Green G10, a Desert Tan case with black G10, and Desert Tan with Dark Earth G10. Our review case came in the black and OD Green scheme, which looks extra sexy in my personal opinion. Functionality Like all Element Cases, the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite has a little bit of assembly required. You need to install the aluminum frame first, then install the back plate. The clip on the back plate can be oriented in one of two positions -- once again, you'll need to remove and then replace a pair of Torx screws and some spacers to do so. For the purposes of giving the review case away, I did not install the "rash guards" that are used to prevent scratching of the iPhone 5's frame, nor did I install the screen protector. The adhesive on the back plate is designed for removal. Removing the upper right screw on the case with the included wrench took only a few moments, and then the case opened up like a watch band to wrap around the iPhone 5. There's a bit of what looks like neoprene padding in several key areas, keeping the aluminum frame from directly transmitting shocks from drops and bumps to the aluminum frame of the iPhone 5. Of course, not that long ago Element changed the design of the Sector 5 cases to include small amber plastic pieces that allow for more flexibility of the frame in case it is dropped onto a corner. Once the frame is installed, it's time to clean the back of the iPhone 5 with the included alcohol-soaked cleaning wipe. When the back of the iPhone is completely dry, you remove the backing on the G10 back plate and then press the back plate onto the phone. The adhesive for the back plate doesn't cover the bottom half-inch or so, providing a small area to pry off the back if you want to remove it. I liked the feel of the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite -- it's extremely rigid and solid. The belt clip grips well but is easy to install and remove from a belt, and the included tactical holster wouldn't look out of place on the equipment belt of any SWAT team member. The look of the case is amazing as well; Element Case made the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite look futuristic, while the Ronin it shares lineage with looks surprisingly steampunk. The use of Hogue G10 material on the case is pure genius. The material is used for Hogue's line of handgun grips, rifle stocks, and knives (in the handles) and it is not only strong, but has a completely unique look to it. The price of the case definitely puts it into the luxury category, but as the old adage goes, "You get what you pay for." Here's a case that should keep your iPhone 5 protected and lookin' good for years to come. Conclusion It's not the case for everyone, but Element Case has another winner on their hands with the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite. If your tastes tend toward the tactical, you'll love this case. Pros The combination of machined aluminum and Hogue CNC machined G10 make this a strong yet lightweight case One-of-a-kind tactical accessory look Included tactical belt holster adds even more protection Element Case's redesign of the Sector 5 case includes more flexibility in corners for better drop protection Cons A bit expensive, but who's worried about the price tag? Who is it for? The iPhone 5 owner who wants something strong and unique protecting his or her investment Giveaway So, does this case have you drooling yet? One TUAW reader is going to get to take our review unit out into the field -- it could be you! Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before May 26, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Element Case Sector 5 Black Ops Elite iPhone 5 case valued at $220 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
UFO Online lands in open beta today
It's been a little while since we've heard about about UFO Online; the last time we checked in, open beta was slated for August 2012. But whatever hurdles Gamigo's alien-invasion title faced to get to the open beta point have apparently been surmounted as the doors are being thrown open today for all to join in. Launch is expected to follow shortly. During the extended course of closed beta testing, the studio reworked and added quite a bit. On top of a comprehensive tutorial to introduce the game, UFO Online has new task and mission systems, expanded research and upgrade systems, an improved UI, and improved effects graphics. The turn-based game also offers more tactical depth to giving hit zones varying degrees of armor. To jump in on the open-beta fun, just visit the official site (but be sure to have Google translator ready!). [Source: Gamigo press release]
Robert Bowling producing Breach and Clear, coming to iOS
Robert Bowling is the former "creative strategist" at Infinity Ward, the developer studio that original created the enormously popular Call of Duty series over on the major consoles. A little while ago, he left that company (after some turmoil between the founders and publisher Activision) to start up his own endeavor, called Robotoki, which is working on a game set to arrive on mobile platforms like iOS called Human Element. But apparently that's not all Bowling's up to: He's also working with a publisher named Gun on an upcoming iOS game called Breach and Clear. We don't know a lot about this one yet, but it does look very impressive: It's a tactical, Special Operations shooter that's set to be free to play and feature a lot of customization and even real world gear. The game is set up a series of scenarios, where you'll be able to pick a loadout and team, and then go in and tactically take an opposing team of terrorists down. Sounds fun. Bowling is apparently producing this one, though it doesn't seem to be associated with his Robotoki studio. At any rate, we shouldn't have long to wait for this one: Breach and Clear is due out sometime later on this spring. As soon as we get to see some gameplay (or an exact release date), we'll let you know.
Military hunting smartphone safety to hold off enemy bugs, spooks
Ah, smartphones -- the delightful little slates carry our contacts, our content -- even our cash, and they still fit right in our pockets. No surprise then, that a lost or stolen phone can be a minor disaster -- or a major security risk (just ask the President). Now that soldiers are packing them to send GPS coordinates or situational images in the field -- on top of using them at home -- DARPA has enlisted security company Invincea to fortify the devices. Its first effort, encrypting OS files and filling the memory of a lost phone with worthless data, has already been deployed to 3,000 troops in Afghanistan. Its next target is to cloister apps into virtual rooms within the OS, locking off access to sensitive parts of the phone like its GPS or contact lists. That would keep any nasty bits of malware from potentially gaining root privileges so soldiers can fight, and Facebook, without compromise.
IED attack simulator prepares US soldiers prior to Afghan deployment
A new simulation exercise is now in place for US troops at the Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center near Edinburgh, Indiana. Built primarily from off-the-shelf components, the system is designed to better prepare soldiers for the physical and psychological challenges of IED attacks, which are currently the number one threat to military personnel stationed in Afghanistan. Situated inside a mounted vehicle and positioned in front of a large screen, service members are exposed to jarring explosions, smoke, noise and poor visibility -- all common occurrences of IED assaults. The system records the entire nightmarish scenario, which allows participants to review their performance and learn from their mistakes. For soldiers who've never been to Afghanistan, the simulator will also be used to familiarize troops with the war zone terrain and other situations they may encounter along the way. Just how realistic is the IED simulation? According to Spc. Darren J. Ganier-Slotterbeck, "I deployed in 2005, 2007 and 2008 with the Marines. I've been blown up multiple times, and it definitely brought back memories. I was a little shaky when I got out of that thing. I'm not going to lie." He went on to say, "If we'd had the ability to go through training like this at the time, those deployments would have been a lot different." Sounds scary. We're not going to lie.
Wakfu unveils the nation of Sufokia
Players of the upcoming tactical MMORPG Wakfu will be able to visit all sorts of interesting, exotic places. One such location is the freshly announced Sufokia. The paradisiacal archipelago is not all sunshine and shining seas; it holds its fair share of dangers, like the irritable Albatrocious and the deadly Zordfish. Sufokia will be available for players to experience in the next beta patch. If you're not in the closed beta and would like to jump in and see what the big deal about this uniquely strategic MMO is, just head on over to the official site and register for an account. [Source: Ankama Games press release]
Giant tablet lets commanders control war with the swipe of a finger
America's armed forces have added some major tech to their arsenal lately, from smartphones for soldiers to giant surveillance blimps. And now, AAI has unveiled a new tool for battlefield commanders in the form of giant touchscreen tablet. Its screen is three feet by two feet and employs surveillance information to give those in charge an overhead view of a war zone that shows the position of both good guys and bad. Icons represent troops, air support, and spy drones, which are then deployed by tapping and dragging them on the touchscreen. Such input doesn't actually control battlefield assets, but it does send orders to the appropriate personnel so they can be executed, and soldiers confirm receipt of the order via instant message. The company's still trying to sell the system to the Army, but we'd imagine that such drag and drop warfare will appeal to Uncle Sam. Who knows, perhaps all those hours spent honing your Starcraft skills can soon be put to good use defending the country. [Image credit: Spencer Ackerman]
Magic Campus beta a success, gamigo announces
gamigo's new Magic Campus MMO has "passed the beta stage" according to the company's latest press release. The title is a tactical browser-based affair, and gamigo says that players will take on the roles of magicians in training and beast tamers bent on capturing the hundreds of critters that populate the "colorful anime world." The game boasts six classes, turn-based battles against both monsters and other players, and guild and crafting systems designed to offer an alternative to combat. Magic Campus is free-to-play, and you can find out more about it, as well as download the client, at the official website. [Source: gamigo press release]
Captain's Log: Class spotlight - Tactical
Captain's Log, Stardate 65168.1... Hello, computer (and players)! Welcome to Captain's Log and the second installment in a three-part series focusing on the classes within Star Trek Online. After exploring some of the amazing powers available to those who roll a Science captain, we shift our focus away from support and healing this week to dive into the realm of DPS. While this realm can be filled with members of all three classes, Tactical captains, if specced correctly, take the trophy each and every time. Ever since the game launched early last year, my main toon has always been a Tactical captain. During the time I leveled up, I tested out different types of ships at each rank. While flying a science ship as a Tactical captain was fun during the early stages of leveling, I would definitely suggest flying an escort, or if you must, a cruiser, when you first make it to Rear Admiral. I am sure there are some Tacticals out there flying Science classes, but I feel that the Bridge Officer stations equipped on escorts allow the best Tactical abilities to come into play. But enough about telling you what to do -- let's move onto talking about some of the best attack powers in the game. Ensign, warp 10! It's time to help our reads unload some DPS on their next enemy...
US Army runs smartphone trial, could see 'limited deployment' later this year
Sure, the US Army could continue to develop expensive proprietary gadgets for use in the field, or they could make the switch to (relatively) inexpensive off-the-shelf smartphones. It's a change that's been considered for some time, and the Army is now at the tail end of a six-week trial of more than 300 Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone devices for military use. The results have been promising, according to program director Michael McCarthy, stating that younger soldiers who grew up with smartphones and handhelds are very comfortable using them for military purposes. Soldiers in the field can text GPS coordinates, send pictures of their surroundings, or file common reports directly from their phone. Despite positive results, the Army still has some hurdles to jump before taking the plunge -- some of the phones had OS bugs, others (specifically, iPhones running on AT&T) couldn't get signal in the New Mexico and Texas testing areas, and none of the devices were secure enough for use in overseas operations. The Army is considering tying the phones to tactical radios to help encrypt transmissions, and are testing self contained "cell tower in a suitcase" equipment to ensure coverage in sensitive locations. The Military hopes to push out limited deployment this year, and Army program director Ed Mazzanti has stated that they expect to select two mobile operating systems for official use, noting that "iPhone and Android have been very well received." Sure, using multiple platforms may help protect soldiers against cyber attacks, but we can't be the only ones worried the Army is unintentionally breeding a generation of fanboys with guns, can we?
Captain's Log: The lower decks
Captain's Log, Stardate 64977.3... Spock, Riker, Kira, Worf, Chakotay, and T'Pol. What do they all have in common? They are the notable men and women who served under their Captains as First Officer. Joret, Sito, Alyssa, Taurik, Sam and Geniveve. What do they all have in common? No one knows who the heck they are. In the world of Star Trek, these "unknowns" are the members of the lower decks, people whose work goes unnoticed, whose accomplishments are unacknowledged, and who are often killed off at the end of the episode when you finally do get to know them. While the ships in Star Trek Online currently seem to be manned only by the Captain, his or her Bridge Officers (BOff), and some random crewmen walking around the ship, this is about to change. In the next couple months, get ready to welcome new members to your ship's lower decks. The Duty Officer (DOff) system will be adding a new form of gameplay to STO and give players even more ways to level characters and become immersed in the universe surrounding them. While there are a ton of random pieces of information about it floating out there, I think that Captain's Log is the perfect place to put it all together and give you a more concise picture of how it will work. Ensign, warp 10! It's time to attend your new favorite class, DOffs 101...
Apple and Android get drafted, soldier-centric Army apps coming soon
If we referred to an Apple or Android army, you might assume we're talking about a legion of brand-loyal fanboys, with which most Engadget commenters are intimately familiar. Defense contractors, however, are trying to turn the US Army into a lethal Apple / Android force with soldier-centric apps. Harris Corp. has a tablet app in the works that allows soldiers to control IP cameras on UAVs for more pertinent intel on the ground while simultaneously sending that information to command centers anywhere in the world. Meanwhile, Intelligent Software Solutions aims to bring mapping mashups to the battlefield (no purpose-built device needed) with an app that combines smartphones' geolocation with historical data to show troops what's been going down in the area -- from IED explosions to insurgent arrests. Best of all, these apps lower training costs since most warriors are already fluent in Android or iOS and the consumer handhelds can be cheaply ruggedized to replace the more robust $10,000 units in the field today. Should protective measures fail, the devices' (relatively) low replacement cost makes them "almost disposable."
