Hi folks, guess necroing a topic is fitting for a zombie TBS like ours, so here's a quick update on
Urban Strife since last time:
- We kept the turn-based combat component everyone loved (by everyone we mean the hundred or so people who found us last year @Gamescom and played the demo).
- We completely scrapped the old simple mission system, which we replaced with a full fledged RPG layer, added character backstories with a lot of weight on the actual gameplay, branching dialogue, the whole deal...
- We completely scrapped the 2 D shelter management system and replaced the whole thing with a system of event triggered sub-level loading system that alters the actual game map according to your actions - pretty overkill for a TBS but hey... it we were able to do it why not
- On the above-mentioned sublevel system we are building a survival industry you will be in charge of, from simple stuff like a water pump to managing a greenhouse, rat farms, hydrophonics and an moonshine still, to mention just a few...
- The weapons have been redesigned and re-modeled to take a FPS like attachment system, basically all the fun one can legally have with Picatinny rails.
So a summary of the new gameplay would go like this:
You're rescued from a car crash that left you amnesic by the kind folks of Urban Shelter, one of the few isles of humanity still alive. The country is ravaged by a brain bug that turned most of the population into brain feeding zombies. The nice folks of Urban give you medical treatment, a bed to sleep, food to fill your belly and a job. Since these are mostly old retired folks, a strong man like you will fit the shoes of deputy sheriff perfectly. Deputy because they have a sheriff - a drooling idiot you will soon meet. And sheriff because they desperately need adequate protection and law-enforcement - because zombies and a growing number of refugees flooding their shelter.
So playing Urban Strife will involve both dealing with zombie hordes and angry locals in combat and producing resources that keep the shelter population happy. You will have to balance the needs of the constant influx of refugees with the wants of the local residents who of course won't be that happy with the "dirty uncivilized hordes" who soil their pretty town. And while you handle that, in your tiny corner of civilization, the rest of the town is engulfed in a power struggle between three factions - a garrison of military deserters, the local biker charter and a cult of religious fanatics. And it's entirely up to you who you make friends with and who you make a sworn enemy.
PS: We will hopefully post more frequent updates now, since most of the heavy stuff has been coded in. We're on the final stage of development (famous last words), hopefully resulting in something as tangible as a public demo this year. Until then, I am afraid, pics as these below will have to do.
Speaking of Dead State, yes, we've played it, we loved but we are trying to avoid all the mistakes they admitted doing (there's a very extensive Gamasutra article by Brian Mitsoda, the game's creator, on the subject). Trying to keep plans realistic, under control and resources allocated properly where they will make the biggest and most beneficial impact is a constant challenge.
Soldiers of the Urban Army Garrison showing they mean business
Fully upgraded water pump and filter model
Modular weapon system (hand-guns shown)
OUR DEV BLOG:
http://www.urbanstrifegame.com/blog/
OUR FB PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/urbanstrifegame
