I’ll be honest: when I saw the phrase “lane strategy” I honestly thought it implied MOBA, so I was super excited to read up this story. Turns out that’s now what I thought it meant at all.
Eutechnyx have announced today that it will be bringing out a 40K lane strategy game some time in early 2014 for both PC and mobile devices. Which is…strange…compared to what it has recently released and what the studio is known for (racing games). However, it’s not exactly the studio that will be working in this title, it’ll be its new mobile division! I’ll let you know about my thoughts on that in a moment.
Set in a pivotal moment of the 40K universe, Storm of Vengeance takes places on the battle-scarred and war-torn planet of Piscina IV during the Third War for Armageddon, a period of time near the end of 40K’s canonical timeline. Featuring Belial, Grand Master of the 3rd Company of the Dark Angels chapter of Space Marines, and Ork Warlord Ghazghkull Thraka, Storm of Vengeance offers players the chance to command great armies to either defend Piscina IV with only 100 Dark Angels, or utterly annihilate the planet with a grand Ork WAAAGH!, the likes of which that haven’t been unleashed unto the Imperium of Man, which is to say is the largest WAAAGH! ever known to the Imperium.
“Storm of Vengeance sees Eutechnyx working with one of the most established brands in gaming” said Eutechnyx CEO, Darren Jobling. “I am very excited that our new partnership with Games Workshop will allow us to bring the world of Warhammer 40,000 to dedicated fans around the world via our new mobile division.”
The studio got its 40K license from building upon the success of its TIGA nominated strategy game Ninja Cats vs Samurai Dogs .
“Eutechnyx are an extremely professional established developer with a proven track record of successful licensed products,” said Jon Gillard Head of Licensing for Games Workshop. “The game they’re creating based on this iconic conflict from the Warhammer 40,000 mythos is another great example of talented developers applying their passion for the IP in a compelling and imaginative game design.”
Now, here’s my thoughts. Whilst I am glad that the 40K franchise is spreading further into the gaming industry, I can’t help but think that this iteration of a fairly lore-important point in 40K’s canon will be…dumbed down, as it were. Not “dumbed down” as in “readily accessible to anyone and everyone,” but “dumbed down” as in “the nitty-gritty aesthetic and expectation of what I’ve come to know as the 40K Universe may be significantly lost in this title”. Chances are that it may very well be the nitty-gritty game that I’d like to say. I’m ribbing on this game, yes, but I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt in the meantime.
Would be awesome if there was a 40K MOBA though.
Source: Eutechnyx.com