GUNROX - online squad-based tactics [BETA]

[berserker]

We have launched open beta of our most ambitious project to date. This is online squad turn-based tactics, kinda like X-com, Jagged Alliance 2, Fallout Tactics, but dumbed down and casualized so that more people not very familiar with turn-based tactics could play.

A huge step from traditional shareware to multiplayer online for us. Please try it and let me know what you think!

Game description:
Create your squad of soldiers and battle with live players around the world in head to head or coop battles in this massively multiplayer online tactical game.
GUNROX features randomly generated maps in vibrant and colorful game world. Fight with others for dominance and train your squad to get powerful weapons and useful skills.

Screenshots:
1 (http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/shot01.jpg) 2 (http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/shot02.jpg) 3 (http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/shot03.jpg) 4 (http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/shot04.jpg) 5 (http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/shot05.jpg) 6 (http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/shot06.jpg) 7 (http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/shot07.jpg) 8 (http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/shot08.jpg) 9 (http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/shot09.jpg)

Download:
here (http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/download/?from=indiegamer) (8.3 mb)

Game page:
http://www.gunrox.com/
or here:
http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/ (http://www.enkord.com/games/gunrox/?from=indiegamer)

P.S. Since the game is multiplayer it requires at least 2 players to start the battle. I will try to stay online as much as possible to duel with any of you who decides to try it out :) My nickname there is the same.

[Jack Norton]

WOW screenshots look awesome! and it's really a game I'm interested in trying.

Going to download it now, count me in for some testing :D

FYI download was very slow, 16kB/s (I can download at 70kB/s usually). Maybe too much traffic ?

[berserker]

Sorry Jack, game server is currently on one of our office machines so download updates will be quite slow. It's still early beta so I haven't ordered a dedicated server for this game yet. And debugging is easier on local PC too :)

[Jack Norton]

I registered but when I try to login I get a standard msgbox with the text "I/O error 32" :(

[berserker]

Please try again several times

[Jack Norton]

Ah now worked, probably because I didn't click on the confirmation link :)

[berserker]

Confirmation shouldn't do a thing at this moment, probably some random connection bug, it happens from time to time.

[wazoo]

I had no problems connecting, and so far I like it a lot..

Getting my a$$ handed to me, but I'll get better :)

[chanon]

This is lots of fun.
Played 3 games and got my ass kicked in all of them. But at least I killed a few.

The biggest problem is the wait times between turns. I don't know if it is possible to implement some kind of concurrent turns.

Also, the walking speed could be faster, and most of the time the units walk only 2 steps at a time (even when there weren't new things coming in to view) and I have to keep clicking to make them walk further. This in addition to the wait times makes everything feel slow.

I think the graphics are very appropriate for this kind of game.

I was also impressed by your autoupdate/login system.

Overall I really enjoy it!

[berserker]

Thanks everyone for positive feedback!


The biggest problem is the wait times between turns. I don't know if it is possible to implement some kind of concurrent turns.


Unfortunately no because the game was built this way. But you can chat with other players while waiting. We probably add some funny animated cutscenes later to illustrate game events when playing massive free for all battle (i.e. someone killed someone else etc.) to make the wait more fun.


Also, the walking speed could be faster, and most of the time the units walk only 2 steps at a time (even when there weren't new things coming in to view) and I have to keep clicking to make them walk further. This in addition to the wait times makes everything feel slow.


This probably happens due to lags. Normally character only stops when saw enemy or box.

[Nexic]

I loved the game but agree with pretty much everything channon said. Wait time between turns was a little annoying and I would be much more inclinded to play if the avatars were less cartoony. I'm not sure casual graphics+hardcore gameplay will fit but I could be wrong.

[berserker]

Nexic,
Speaking about look and feel our #1 inspiration was Maple Story with 70+ million of users which has expactly same formula. Maybe it not fit this game mechanic as good but we felt there are too many dark and complicated hardcore games. We decided to make something more light and simple. Only time will tell if it was the right decision.

[Nexic]

I never played Maplestory before, so please correct me if I'm wrong. But, isn't it an anime fantasy RPG? With fantasy I think you can completely forget realism and have any kind of art style without damaging the gameplay.

Worms is the only similar thing I can think of off the top of my head. That worked for me because the whole thing felt unserious and funny. I don't know why, but GUNROX feels like a serious game at it's heart, with a cute cartoon exterior which is where the mismatch occurs.

[berserker]

So if characters have guns it makes the game utterly realistic?

[Nexic]

No, but when you have a game with real-world guns, where there's no magic or other fantasy/sci-fi material, in people's heads they will expect it to be fairly realistic.

I'm not saying the game won't be successful, I'm just trying to explain why it doesn't capture *my* interest especially well.

[berserker]

I'm not saying the game won't be successful, I'm just trying to explain why it doesn't capture *my* interest especially well.

Well... no wonder considering type of game you are now working on...:)

[nino_rajacic]

Nice game! I don't mind cartoony graphic. It gives me some relaxed feeling instead of dark, realistic shooters. Although this is more strategy game that requires lot of strategic thinking and with RPG elements. Are the SFX/Music done or in progress? That aspect (no wonder :) ) seemed to me like unfinished.

I'm surely going to test it a bit in next few days. See you there, my nick is CTPuBOP.

[berserker]

Thanks Nino,
Speaking of SFX they are final except gun shots. As for music - there is no music yet, we have not decided yet what kind of music we want to be in this game.

[berserker]

Rolled up significant update. List of changes:

+ added world map and new location for level 5+ players.
+ added censor check for character name
+ hitpoints grow automatically when you level up (+1 per level, +2 every 5 levels, +3 every 10 levels). Also every 10 level there is additional perk point.
+ creating game without names is prohibited now
+ fixed: bug with merging of pregame and location screens
+ fixed: calculation of online players number.
+ starup weapons receive regular ammo packs instead of cut-down ones.
+ added stacking of ammo packs
+ fixed: bug with locked perks
+ fixed: missing weapon attachments (hopefully)
+ added shooting area for grenade launcher
+ censor filter improved
+ empowered weapons: baseball bat, shotgun, M61 grenade launcher.
+ land mines added to the game
+ land mines will be triggered when placed in door and door closes
+ +5% to spawn rare items
+ exit and options buttons moved to the top left corner
+ input text history (to scroll press up/down in chat)
+ fixed: situation when player interacting with inventory and other payer quits
+ fixed: graphics for tombstone
+ fixed: shift+enter now works in game creation screen and trade screen

...and a lot of other changes :) please take a look