Inspired by the likes of Battlestar Galactica and FTL, Oregon-based indie Jumpdrive Studios has submitted their space real-time strategy XO to the Square Enix Collective. It’s all about a rag-tag fleet on-the-run to save humanity.
We control a small fleet and must save as much of mankind as possible against a relentless foe. We’ll pick which worlds to jump to, and must race to secure more resources and try to keep in shape before jumping again.
We must always strive to evacuate as many refugees as possible, but eventually have to jump away as the enemy arrives with increasingly difficult waves. We can expand our fleet and even salvage derelicts or uncover new designs and technologies. XO focuses on ”fleet tactics, political conflict, and resource logistics” - with danger even lurking within our own ranks.
[center]<iframe width="640" height="360" data-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GX-762Xb_PA?rel=0&showinfo=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/center]
”XO is about survival; there’s no time to colonize planets, negotiate with alien races, or build an empire. You’re outnumbered, outgunned, and low on resources. Knowing when it’s time to fight or flee will be the key to saving the human race,” explains the Square Enix Collective page.
”Under the strain of battle, legendary figures will arise that require thoughtful leadership. Demands, urgent calls for help, and interesting opportunities will present themselves, often at your most trying moments. You must decide what is best: do you reassign that annoying complainer to damage control, throw them in the brig, or abandon them to their own fate? Do you risk the safety of the fleet to pursue a sudden opportunity?”
XO is a single-player RTS for PC, Mac and Linux currently in development. It’s pausable during the action to issue commands, with the focus on ”tactics, operations and big decisions” over micro-managing everything. Most of everything is procedurally generated.
Check out XO on the Square Enix Collective to learn more. Should it get enough votes then developer Jumpdrive stand a better chance at crowd-funding in the future. It’s 85% ‘Yes’ so far.
