Perimeter, the enthralling science fiction real-time strategy epic, is set to introduce groundbreaking gameplay tactics to RTS gaming when it's published by Codemasters this spring on PC.
Play is built on territory seizure and, in a first for RTS gaming, one of the key additions to strategic gameplay is the player's ability to terraform, drastically altering planetary landscapes, in order to extract vital energy resources from the planet surface.
Utilising the most advanced terrain engine in any RTS, Perimeter's terraforming tactics are revealed in a new movie, now available from www.codemasters.co.uk/perimeter
Rather than harvesting a resource from a particular location on a game map, in Perimeter energy can be extracted from anywhere on the map. The player who controls the most landscape controls the most energy. Energy is used to expand bases, transform units, increase territory and limit opponent's options.
However, energy extraction is only possible at zero ground level, so players need to terraform areas of the landscape's hills, mountains, valleys and craters to a flat level. All you have to do is select an area and your units automatically begin to terraform the planet's surface.
With up to four opponents competing for the limited surface and energy supply, further strategic elements come into play: where to terraform and the speed of terraforming through allocation of units. In order to win the player has to terraform the land quickly enough to grab energy and territory before opponents do, so terraforming low-level hills or craters in preparation for collecting energy is a prime objective.
The condition of the landscape can change drastically during play by other influences including explosions from underground weaponry, destruction caused by creatures living on the surface, and the planet's natural geological processes such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes creating additional craters or canyons. What was as a safe, flat, energy-rich area could change at any time!
Already building a strong following thanks to its theme and innovative play tactics in both single-player and online/LAN multiplayer games, Perimeter is developed by KD-LAB and will be published by Codemasters in spring 2004 for PC. See the new terraforming video online at www.codemasters.co.uk/perimeter