Nuclear Dawn PC, X360 game

7 comments by MajorC4 on Feb 3rd, 2010 digg this super bookmark

In Nuclear Dawn, commanders are elected players whose task it is to manage and develop their faction’s war machine, from the home base to the outposts that guard important strategic elements, down to the supply routes that deliver key equipment to the troops in the field.

In order to carry out their tasks efficiently, they have at their disposal a wide range of different building types and structures, each of which can be upgraded in various ways, or powered up with special annexes that extend base functionality, to better bring pain to their enemies. For peace, of course.

Without a doubt, the most important building in a faction’s base is the Bunker. Heavily armoured and connected with flying nano cameras that give the a floating bird’s eye view of the battlefield, the Bunker is the one building that cannot be replaced or built anywhere else, which makes it the primary goal of every Nuclear Dawn battle.

Command Bunker from the Consortium of Free States

Control of a faction’s resources is granted by physically entering the Bunker, and sitting at the control station. Only the faction commander is provided with the keys to access the AI coprocessors and sophisticated management software that allow to commission the building of new structures, the research of new technologies, and control over all machine constructs, such as battle drones, construction vehicles, and artillery batteries.

Finally, the Bunker’s secondary generator is a minimal power source that can, in case of terminal power loss, keep essential systems going. To lose the Bunker is to lose the game.

Command Bunker from the People's Empire

Next up in order of importance, and resource costs, are the construction facilities. The Empire and Consortium technological paradigms are very different in what they produce, and how they do it, but the main function of this hulking, expensive, difficult to place tribute to industrial power is to practically build every other structure in the game.

Failing to adequately protect or duplicate your faction’s construction facility on time does not spell immediate disaster, but it does mean that you’ll be faced with an uphill battle against a better equipped enemy. Building a secondary factory or assembler early on in the game is a wise tactical choice.

We’ve talked about how to build, control, and power up structures in Nuclear Dawn, and it’s time to put up some defensive systems to protect them from the equally intelligent, determined enemy that’s going to try to blow them to pieces. Turrets are the most basic defensive structure in Nuclear Dawn, and their relatively cheap, fast deployment makes them ideal structures to maintain perimeters and keep those pesky assault platoons away from your base.

Turrets come in a variety of shapes, each with different advantages and disadvantages, but all perform their basic function equally well. Bringing pain to your enemies in a stubborn shell of thick armour never looked as good, efficient, or self-contained as these wonderful little toys. Is the best defence a strong offense? You bet.

That concludes a first look into the basic Nuclear Dawn base structures - stay tuned for more base talk next week!

Igor Raffaele, Lead Game Designer

(3D Art once again the work of Alan Van Ryzin)

For the latest news, including blogs, media and feature updates, keep your eye on www.nucleardawnthegame.com!

Follow us on: