They Are Billions

They Are Billions
Developer(s) Numantian Games
Publisher(s) Numantian Games
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release December 13, 2017 (Steam Early Access)
Genre(s) Real-time strategy, survival
Mode(s) Single-player

They Are Billions is a post-apocalyptic real-time strategy survival video game developed and published by Numantian Games. Available exclusively on Microsoft Windows, it was released onto Steam's Early Access program in December 2017.

Gameplay

They Are Billions pits the player in a randomly generated steampunk themed, zombie-infested world.[1] The player's goal is to build a base to protect themselves, by planning the layout and defenses, exploring the map, collecting resources and expanding while fighting the local zombie population at the same time. Infected villages, called Villages of Doom, can be pillaged for resources, although a backlash of zombie swarms can result. There are eight resources that the player must manage: gold, food, workers, wood, stone, iron, oil, and energy. Structures and units, many of different variations and following a tech-tree, will require different materials to be made.[2] Though zombies will attack at erratic, but slow times, at certain intervals throughout the game, large hordes of zombies will attack, focusing on one side of the base until a final wave coming from all directions (and in massive numbers). The player must keep zombies from breaching base defenses and infecting non-defensive structures, especially in tight or overdeveloped areas where a domino effect outbreak can occur. Much like the player has access to different unit types, zombie types are also varied, ranging between slow, decrepit ones, extremely fast zombies called "Harpies", highly-resistant ones known as "Butchers" and others, requiring the player to not only have a strong defensive perimeter (with walls, turrets, towers and traps), but also adapt tactics accordingly.[2][3] While it is a real-time strategy game, players can pause at any time (Except in multiplayer games) in order to plan future actions and give simultaneous orders.[4]

Setting

The teaser trailer[5] sets the date for They Are Billions in the late 22nd century, following a world-wide rabies-like infection which has triggered a zombie apocalypse, especially in the world's megacities.[6] While initially the survivors attempt to establish villages and even fortresses to stave off the zombie hordes, eventually these fall, their technology failing them. However, a few thousand humans survive, united under General Quintus Crane, and begin to rebuild civilization amidst the infection. This apocalypse has caused a severe technological regression, so technology is now at a 19th century level.

The upcoming campaign will see the player as a colony administrator and commander under Quintus, who desires to create a new human empire. He plans to conquer new territory by building well-managed fortified colonies, all connected by a railway network.[7] Across the campaign, the player will build a personal army composed of mercenaries, renegades, and even convicted criminals[8] to handle the zombie swarms. At the same time they will recover technologies and gradually learn about the origins of the infection. The player will meet new characters, some considerably more insane than others, but all with special and relevant information.

Development

They Are Billions was announced by Numantian Games on May 30, 2017.[9] It was released on December 13, 2017 on Steam's Early Access program.[10] The game quickly rose to the top selling charts on both Steam and the Humble Bundle storefront.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "One Of Steam's Hottest Games Is A Zombie RTS". January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "They Are Billions Mixes Starcraft and Left 4 Dead to Make a Survival RTS [Early Access Preview] - GameRevolution". Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  3. ↑ Brown, Fraser (January 3, 2018). "Premature Evaluation: They Are Billions". Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  4. ↑ O'Connor, Alice (December 18, 2017). "They Are Billions strategises in a steampunk zombie apocalypse". Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  5. ↑ "They Are Billions - Official Trailer". GameSpot Trailers. June 1, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  6. ↑ "They Are Billions - Plot, Campaign and More". July 5, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  7. ↑ "They Are Billions - Campaign and the Old Human Fortresses". August 7, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  8. ↑ "They Are Billions - Units Update Part 1". July 15, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Lords of Xulima dev reveals steampunk strategy game They Are Billions". Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  10. ↑ "How zombie plague RTS They Are Billions went viral". Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  11. ↑ "PC download charts: 'They Are Billions' mingles with year's bestsellers 'PUBG', 'GTA V'". Retrieved January 11, 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.