David Kim, a veteran game developer who previously worked on the iconic StarCraft 2 at Blizzard Entertainment, has a vision: to create a real-time strategy (RTS) game that’s accessible and engaging, devoid of the tedious mechanics that often turn players away. This ambition has led him to create Battle Aces, a fresh take on the RTS genre that’s set to revolutionize the way we experience these fast-paced, strategic games.
Kim’s journey towards Battle Aces began during the development of StarCraft 2’s Legacy of the Void expansion. He envisioned a streamlined RTS that discarded the complexities and focused on the heart of the genre: strategic decision-making and exhilarating combat. While that idea was ultimately shelved for the sake of staying true to StarCraft 2’s core design, the vision remained.
After leaving Blizzard, Kim’s pursuit of his vision led him to establish Uncapped Games, where he’s leading the development of Battle Aces. This ambitious project aims to distill the essence of competitive RTS into 10-minute, bite-sized matches, removing the barriers to entry that often deter new players.
At its core, Battle Aces is all about stripping away the complexities of the RTS genre. It does away with the need for managing workers, production buildings, and supply depots, shifting the focus to resource management and strategic unit deployment. Players are automatically generating resources and have the freedom to invest them wisely in their units, leading to engaging confrontations.
While simplifying the core mechanics, Battle Aces retains the depth and excitement of the RTS genre. Players must construct decks of units, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, and deploy them strategically to exploit their advantages. The game revolves around a rock-paper-scissors-like system, where units excel against certain types and struggle against others, demanding careful planning and adaptability.
Kim’s vision for Battle Aces is to make the genre accessible to a wider audience. The game is designed to be pick-up-and-play, allowing even newcomers to grasp the core concepts quickly and enjoy the thrill of tactical combat. By simplifying the mechanics without sacrificing the core gameplay elements, Battle Aces aims to be the most fun and accessible RTS experience available.
The next closed beta for Battle Aces is set to begin on November 7th for PC. If you’re interested in experiencing the future of RTS gaming, mark your calendars and prepare for an exciting journey into the world of Battle Aces.
