I’ve played some RTS games in my day but admittedly I’m not very good at them. There are a lot of very good RTS games and they all require concentration and careful planning. Of course, there are games where you have to make decisions on the fly when something unexpected happens.
HARDWARE: Shipbreakers is an RTS game developed by veteran RTS game development studio Blackbird Interactive. Blackbird is a private, independent game studio located in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 2007 video game industry veterans founded Blackbird. Blackbird Interactive is releasing a pre-sale of a VIP Package of HARDWARE: Shipbreakers.
The First Wave VIP package includes the following:
- HARDWARE: Shipbeakers Closed Beta
- Prospector’s Guide
- In-fiction Manual
- Unreleased high-res game concept art from Aaron Kambeitz, Rob Cunningham and Cody Kenworthy
- Official Soundtrack by Paul Ruskay (when available)
- FIRST WAVE VIP “ask me anything” moderated web-chat with core team members where non-public information will be discussed
- Special Feedback Forum because player input is very important
- Stake Your Claim: Land naming rights to the first 2,000 people who purchase the FIRST WAVE VIP Packages
The Prospectors Guide includes:
- Getting Acquainted: The History of Long March Industries, LMI and You, What It Takes To Succeed, Your First 72 Hours, Known Shipwreck Manifests and Coordinates
- Equipment Catalog: Military Ground Support, Aerial Support and Attack Strategies
- Operator’s Manual: Baserunner Model, Packages, Options & Accessories, Capabilities and Best Uses
The In-Fiction Manual will inform players about planet LM-27. It will also contain back stories of each of the characters, map interest points, unit specifications, and secret contract locations that are hidden. Purchasing the companion also allows players to access non-fiction items like the Gameplay Guide and HARDWARE concept art from Art Director Aaron Kambeitz and CEO Rob Cunningham.
This whole package is a pretty good deal. Just remember that even though they are accepting Beta applications for the game, the only way to make sure you gain access to HARDWARE: Shipbreakers Closed Beta is to purchase the First Wave VIP Package. You can click here to purchase it: First Wave VIP Package.
Dan Irish, who is he Executive Producer of Blackbird Interactive, Inc had this to say about the pre-sale, “We are pleased to announce this pre-sale campaign to open the doors to all the fans who are interested in supporting our efforts and want to enter a new era of RTS gameplay and deep fiction. As we move forward with this project, we feel that players will receive a huge value from participating in the Pre-sale – particularly the ongoing release of HARDWARE: Shipbreakers content via the Prospector’s Handbook.”
Only 10,000 First Wave VIP packages were made available. At this time, a little under 200 have been purchased. The cost of purchasing the First Wave VIP Package plus the Prospector’s Guide is $99.99. The Prospector’s Guide alone is $49.99. You can pay with credit card or with PayPal.
Brian Martel, Executive Vice President of Gearbox Software states, “The team at BBI are a team of true entertainment craftsmen who have inspired our entire industry with their works. With the Pre-sale campaign now public gamers and developers alike should jump at the chance to support the creators at BBI. HARDWARE: Shipbreakers looks amazing.”
It does look amazing. By looking at the images on Blackbird Interactive’s site you can tell home much time and effort it must have taken to create this game. The attention to detail is really impressive.
For those who haven’t heard of the game HARDWARE, it is the newest free RTS game that takes place on the planet LM-27. Development of this game started in 2010. You get to fight for wealth while retrieving cargo and technology from space-wrecks found around the planet’s landscapes. Harsh storms, deadly heat and poisonous dust all stand between you and your fortune.
For more information on HARDWARE: Shipbreakers and Blackbird Interactive please click on the links below:
