Arcen Games

General Category => The Last Federation => : x4000 October 21, 2013, 09:53:05 AM

: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 21, 2013, 09:53:05 AM
Original: http://christophermpark.blogspot.com/2013/10/sneak-peek-last-federation.html


We're always keeping busy here at Arcen, and we want to show you a bit of what we're working on now.

The Last Federation is a space-based mix of strategy and tactics in which you control a small mercenary fleet on an unusual mission: the formation of the first and last solar federation.  Undertake mercenary contracts, fight pirates, customize ships, research technologies, and use your growing bargaining power to strong-arm planetary governments into doing your will.  Battles are quick and vicious, and, like Bionic Dues, the game is easy to pick up and play in quick bursts.

Yours is a very personal mission: not even your own crew knows your true intentions.

We're expecting a private alpha in about a month, and then a general release probably in January.  We look forward to sharing more about it with you soon!
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Penumbra October 21, 2013, 10:37:16 AM
And they just keep coming!   :D

Will this be real time or turn based?
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 21, 2013, 10:37:41 AM
Pauseable realtime. :)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Shrugging Khan October 21, 2013, 10:45:09 AM
And never was a better choice made. Real Time with Pause for the win!
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: chemical_art October 21, 2013, 12:14:07 PM
Alright, the most exciting concept yet.

I'm excited  :)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: nas1m October 21, 2013, 12:30:30 PM
Cool stuff! Looking forward to the alpha. Definitely sounds much better than *shudder* commerce to me ;D.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Shrugging Khan October 21, 2013, 12:41:45 PM
I'll just go ahead and ask about how to join the Alpha. I feel the need to contribute a little  :D
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Mick October 21, 2013, 12:58:14 PM
Am I the only one getting a dead link to this sub-forum's icon?
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: nas1m October 21, 2013, 01:16:52 PM
Am I the only one getting a dead link to this sub-forum's icon?
Nope.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Histidine October 21, 2013, 01:51:44 PM
SPACE!
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: chemical_art October 21, 2013, 01:55:23 PM
"strong arming?" would be neat to play a leader whose alignment is ambiguous
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Teal_Blue October 21, 2013, 02:04:18 PM
:)  WooHoo!!
Yes!!!!!!!

:)

-Teal   

(I like the 'Last Federation' moniker better than StarPort 28, i mean StarPort sounds cool, just not quite as cool as 'The Last Federation'!!  :)   Nice graphics!  I am looking forward to this one! Hopefully i can contribute more than i did for BD, which is really nice, but this is space!!!  :)

: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Billick October 21, 2013, 02:29:35 PM
I'm still trying to wrap my brain around what this is after reading the description.  Sounds potentially pretty cool though.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Volatar October 21, 2013, 04:17:41 PM
This sounds like something right up my alley (unlike well.. everything you guys have done since AI War, even though I bought it all). Chalk me up for an alpha tester when that is available.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Tridus October 21, 2013, 04:19:17 PM
Sounds interesting.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: tigersfan October 21, 2013, 04:43:12 PM
I'm still trying to wrap my brain around what this is after reading the description.  Sounds potentially pretty cool though.

Well, we don't want to get too specific, as the game is going to change a lot between now and alpha.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Greifenstein October 21, 2013, 04:49:00 PM
Quick question (maybe I just overlooked the info when i used the searched function, but whatever) - Is it possible to become alpha tester for this game and if that's so, how does one qualify / apply for it?
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Aklyon October 21, 2013, 05:23:42 PM
I'll just go ahead and ask about how to join the Alpha. I feel the need to contribute a little  :D
And I will second this notion.

We're always keeping busy here at Arcen
I think twice the forums that existed here last october is a bit more than just busy ;)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: doctorfrog October 21, 2013, 05:24:01 PM
You've got me intrigued Arcen!

Also, I can't help but bring back the old MST3K joke: "All right, fine, but this is the last Federation!"
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Breach October 21, 2013, 05:49:28 PM
Looks very ambitious! I eagerly anticipate seeing how it develops.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: bytestream October 21, 2013, 06:12:38 PM
Sounds promising, can't wait to learn more about it.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 21, 2013, 07:13:32 PM
Thanks folks. :)

To get on the alpha tester list, simply pm tigersfan. We'll have some questions for you about scheduling when the time gets closer, but you may as well just put your name in now.

This is a fairly focused project in the same sense that Bionic is, so rather than "ambitious" in the sense of Valley I would rather hope to see it as "tight and polished" like Bionic. So far heading that way. :)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Teal_Blue October 21, 2013, 07:54:02 PM
Is it sort of like an AI War lite?
I like the mention of customizable ships, diplomacy, research... pirates! :)

-Teal

: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: madcow October 21, 2013, 08:19:44 PM
Part of me hopes for some escape velocity inspiration here.

Another part says that's probably not quite what you're going for, and that I should just place SPAZ already if I want a more modern EV game ;)

It sounds neat though, and as much as I like the DF-esque inspired game (albeit set in space), that's a genre that has some heavy competition popping up so probably a good idea to change it. Not just starbase df-9 but also prison architect, clockwork empire, and maia. Of course only two of those have a sci-fi theme to them, but that's still a lot with the same obvious DF inspiration. Not that I think any of them will be out before mid 2014.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Endless Rain October 21, 2013, 08:52:05 PM
Will there be a public beta like with Valley 2, or just a private alpha like with Bionic Dues? (Why did BD go straight from alpha to release and skip beta completely?) I'd like to alpha/beta test The Last Federation, but I might be too busy alpha/beta testing Worlds of Magic, depending on the release date of the two alphas. I'll wait to PM tigersfan until it gets closer to the alpha release date. The game sounds really cool and I can't wait to play it :D.

P.S. How big will the game worlds be? You said "solar federation", so does this game take place in a single large solar system, kind of like Firefly's setting?

P.S.S. The game got featured on Space Game Junkie: http://www.spacegamejunkie.com/news/federation-arcen-games-incoming/
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Teal_Blue October 21, 2013, 09:50:28 PM
Will there be a public beta like with Valley 2, or just a private alpha like with Bionic Dues? (Why did BD go straight from alpha to release and skip beta completely?) I'd like to alpha/beta test The Last Federation, but I might be too busy alpha/beta testing Worlds of Magic, depending on the release date of the two alphas. I'll wait to PM tigersfan until it gets closer to the alpha release date. The game sounds really cool and I can't wait to play it :D.

P.S. How big will the game worlds be? You said "solar federation", so does this game take place in a single large solar system, kind of like Firefly's setting?

P.S.S. The game got featured on Space Game Junkie: http://www.spacegamejunkie.com/news/federation-arcen-games-incoming/


:)   Really cool seeing the game get some early attention, hope it just picks up speed from here.  :)

-Teal

: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Aquohn October 22, 2013, 12:31:28 AM
Well, that was fast XD Sounds interesting. Keep up the great work, guys!
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: mrhanman October 22, 2013, 12:49:23 AM
Wow, when do you guys sleep?  :o

This looks awesome! I can't wait to play it!
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 22, 2013, 07:27:05 AM
Whew, to the questions:

1. This really isn't like AI War at all. It is realtime, but it is not an RTS.

2. I think the games that are broadly similar to this will become clear when you see it, but EV nor AI War nor SPAZ are among them. I'd rather not start comparing the game to other games just yet, though, as that starts to set expectations certain ways, etc, etc.

3. It is indeed a solar system, right now with 8 planets and a few dozen space installations. The overall play area is not incredibly large in the sense of how you scroll around, but this is important because you have to react to things around the map, and your interactions with each planet are a lot more than cursory. Too many planets would be... incredibly overwhelming to manage.

4. Awesome on space game junky!
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: chemical_art October 22, 2013, 10:22:46 AM
As already demonstrated, Arcen will have an wage in advertising this because Arcen already is on the among map for a successful space strategy game. So news of another one should help a lot.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Wingflier October 22, 2013, 02:08:55 PM
Ooooh ooooh, sounds super exciting!

I hope it has multiplayer!

Can't wait Arcen!
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 22, 2013, 02:55:58 PM
Right now... looking like our second single player game.  Some designs just don't lend themselves well to multiplayer unfortunately.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: chemical_art October 22, 2013, 04:37:51 PM
For the combat, while it occurs, does the grand strategy part stop or does it occurs on the gs map? Or is that not known yet?
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 22, 2013, 04:48:31 PM
There is a separate gameplay mode entirely for during combat, and the realtime grand strategic bits pause while you are in the realtime combat.  This is actually the chief reason multiplayer wouldn't work here.  Combat is always 1v1 in terms of ships, although you control a small fleet.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: orzelek October 22, 2013, 04:52:41 PM
*pulls out worn out patience card*

Time for another long wait :D
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 22, 2013, 04:53:45 PM
 ;D
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: chemical_art October 22, 2013, 06:14:35 PM
There is a separate gameplay mode entirely for during combat, and the realtime grand strategic bits pause while you are in the realtime combat.  This is actually the chief reason multiplayer wouldn't work here.  Combat is always 1v1 in terms of ships, although you control a small fleet.

when you mentionwd that mp simply wouldn't work, the above was precisely the reason what i thought
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 22, 2013, 08:39:38 PM
Yep, you lot have always been sharp. :)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: khadgar October 22, 2013, 08:42:15 PM
How exciting. Space is one of my favorite above-orbit places to be. Easily in my top 10.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 23, 2013, 08:37:19 AM
Mario is my favorite game featuring a plumber and turtles that fly.

Also, I hear that InnerTrode is hiring.  You might be interested: they want a guy named Bill who drives a red 2008 lexus, who is precisely 5 ft 8 in, has silver hair, and a masculine, executive sort of handshake.  The position is senior mail clerk.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Billick October 23, 2013, 08:47:36 AM
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i9gjbiGZZF4/TzGWsVZnYuI/AAAAAAAAEws/MqPWmNUCfg4/s320/spaaace.jpg)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: GrimerX October 24, 2013, 09:05:59 PM
Looking forward to this one :-)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Volatar October 28, 2013, 12:19:18 PM
There is a separate gameplay mode entirely for during combat, and the realtime grand strategic bits pause while you are in the realtime combat.  This is actually the chief reason multiplayer wouldn't work here.  Combat is always 1v1 in terms of ships, although you control a small fleet.

(http://obsoletegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/UrQuanMastersBattle.jpg)

Hmmmmmm... ;)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Aklyon October 28, 2013, 05:51:22 PM
I can't tell if thats a linux port or a mac one.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Conir October 29, 2013, 08:05:37 AM
I can't tell if thats a linux port or a mac one.

looks like mac to me :)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Histidine October 29, 2013, 12:13:22 PM
Random question: Why is it the last federation?
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 29, 2013, 01:07:29 PM
It's basically the government to end all governments and bring lasting peace. They think. ;)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: madcow October 29, 2013, 01:13:34 PM
Oh good, that absolutely never goes wrong.


(Prequel to AI wars then?)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 29, 2013, 02:24:21 PM
Haha.  It's a separate solar system to any used in AI War, but I suppose you could read it as a prequel to a number of alien races not yet encountered in AI War.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: doctorfrog October 29, 2013, 05:01:21 PM
There is a separate gameplay mode entirely for during combat, and the realtime grand strategic bits pause while you are in the realtime combat.  This is actually the chief reason multiplayer wouldn't work here.  Combat is always 1v1 in terms of ships, although you control a small fleet.

(http://obsoletegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/UrQuanMastersBattle.jpg)

Hmmmmmm... ;)

I don't aim to sway anything in development at the moment, but I'd love to see a more tactical approach to Weird Worlds' style of combat:

(http://i.imgur.com/ztE6Gpy.jpg)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 29, 2013, 06:54:52 PM
Never have played that one, but what we're doing is definitely very different. It's really fun and tense, and not something I've ever seen done before. We kind of invented it by accident in some ways.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Sounds October 29, 2013, 08:34:42 PM
Never have played that one, but what we're doing is definitely very different. It's really fun and tense, and not something I've ever seen done before. We kind of invented it by accident in some ways.

Argh! Now I'm really intrigued.  :D

When can we get access to this?
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 29, 2013, 08:39:11 PM
Should be in November for those who want into the alpha!
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: keith.lamothe October 30, 2013, 02:08:10 PM
Oh good, that absolutely never goes wrong.
Which is good, because we definitely never make games where things go unexpectedly, dramatically, horribly wrong.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Penumbra October 30, 2013, 02:08:47 PM
We kind of invented it by accident in some ways.

If you won't tell us what it is yet, could you tell us what you were trying to do?
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 October 30, 2013, 03:43:23 PM
We kind of invented it by accident in some ways.

If you won't tell us what it is yet, could you tell us what you were trying to do?

Well, it's side view 1v1 ship combat.  We were trying to do that, and in particular model some things we liked from some other games.  Some recent, some not.  For a variety of reasons, the first models we tried really stunk.  We then sat down and writing out potential models, and an offhand comment from Keith about a monster from a fantasy game suddenly sparked a whole new model we never would have considered.  Completely unrelated to the earlier ones.

Vague enough?  Sorry about that, but I'd rather not mention any of the games in question, because I'd really rather this be taken on its own without that context.  The most core inspiration is not a connection I feel anyone is likely to make, and I don't want to encourage them to try.  Now that I just did.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: doctorfrog October 30, 2013, 04:31:59 PM
That certainly puts a few images in my mind, but I'll keep them there for now.  ;)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Misery November 05, 2013, 06:57:36 AM
.....when did this happen?

I was away for a brief time and suddenly a game transforms into a whole different one???  Just.....  what.

Granted, indie devs in general do that every now and then. Or more often they'll have a game mechanic turn into a whole different one.   Ah, the benefits of not having a giant evil publisher of doom to work under.


Should be in November for those who want into the alpha!

Consider me entered, naturally.

Do I even really need to say that anymore at this point?
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: tigersfan November 05, 2013, 07:21:29 AM
.....when did this happen?

I was away for a brief time and suddenly a game transforms into a whole different one???  Just.....  what.

Granted, indie devs in general do that every now and then. Or more often they'll have a game mechanic turn into a whole different one.   Ah, the benefits of not having a giant evil publisher of doom to work under.


Should be in November for those who want into the alpha!

Consider me entered, naturally.

Do I even really need to say that anymore at this point?

Just to make it official, please send me a PM, so that I have all that stuff in one place.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Misery November 05, 2013, 07:58:15 AM
Done and done.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: tigersfan November 05, 2013, 07:59:50 AM
Done and done.

Much appreciated. :)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: keith.lamothe November 05, 2013, 10:21:24 AM
I was away for a brief time and suddenly a game transforms into a whole different one???

Pretty much exactly my words, several times over the past few years :)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Volatar November 05, 2013, 12:13:14 PM
Done and done.

Much appreciated. :)

I think I sent you a PM back at the start of this, but I can't find it in my sent box...
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: tigersfan November 05, 2013, 01:22:07 PM
I got it. I'm not responding to them right now, but, I have them all. :)
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Professor Paul1290 November 07, 2013, 09:39:51 AM
Darn it, why do cool things like to happen when I'm not paying attention?

This is starting to sound like a Drox Operative meets Mount and Blade, which is funny because just yesterday I was thinking that I would love to have a game like that.  :P
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: tigersfan November 07, 2013, 10:27:03 AM
Darn it, why do cool things like to happen when I'm not paying attention?

This is starting to sound like a Drox Operative meets Mount and Blade, which is funny because just yesterday I was thinking that I would love to have a game like that.  :P

While I agree that might be a cool game, I'm not sure that's accurate with this one. I'm really not sure how the M&B connection really fits.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 November 07, 2013, 10:28:26 AM
Yeah, extremely different from Mount and Blade for sure, I think they could not really be more different.  But that would be cool!
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: keith.lamothe November 07, 2013, 11:06:48 AM
Actually I was thinking yesterday or the day before that there was a lot of M&B in the strategy layer.  Not in combat at all.  But in that you're a single group moving around interacting with different governments and with various other entities, and you can grow or shrink or gain or lose resources in the process.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: Professor Paul1290 November 07, 2013, 11:12:41 AM
Yeah I sort of had the M&B strategy layer in mind. I tend to associate that aspect more specifically with M&B due to the existence of War of the Roses, Chivalry, and the like.
: Re: Sneak Peek: The Last Federation
: x4000 November 07, 2013, 11:24:26 AM
Ah, gotcha.