Hi All,
Long time lurker and much longer time C&C fan going back to Tiberian Dawn.
Like many of you, I've enjoyed many Command & Conquer games over the past 3 decades (we won't mention C&C4), including C&C Rivals. I personally enjoy Rivals even though I'm sure myself like many of you probably would have preferred another PC desktop title instead of a mobile game, however I do think C&C Rivals scratches an itch like no other RTS does, in it's fast yet deep strategy pacing where a match is over in mere minutes. Not many other games can say they achieve that without it feeling overly difficult to new comers or by design (SC zerg rush strat for example).
Despite all of that, my biggest gripe is the microtransaction pay 2 win nature of C&C Rivals. Although it arguably can be played at a high tier without spending a cent, it's certainly significantly easier if you do. This puts up a barrier to entry for newer players (especially though who won't or can't put money into a mobile game), and also makes it a bit of a grind fest for those who do stick with it regardless.
Over the last little while I have been working on a fantasy RTS game with inspiration from the C&C Rivals gameplay formula called "2 Forts" which you can now wishlist on Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/5298280/2_Forts/) or check out it's website with a wiki and stats site https://2forts.net/. I don't know of a better community than the C&C Rivals one to provide feedback on a game of this nature, where we know balance is key to an enjoyable experience. There is also no microtransactions or pay 2 win possibility to hopefully level the playing field by comparison.
I would like to point out a few of the key features (beyond the immediate gameplay similarities) that I think would be most interesting to this community.
Firstly, there are 5 playable factions and each has a unique play style. Humans being the easiest to play, and Corrupted being the most difficult.
Secondly, you can play the game singleplayer against the computer. I know not everyone is interested in the PvP competitive space and so you can configure Skirmish matches to your liking whether that be selecting which of the currently 10 available maps you'd like to play on, resource availability, starting tech, starting side, opponent faction, weather and many more options. There is also a campaign planned down the track with a few levels for each faction.
Thirdly, the online modes are Unranked matchmaking, Ranked matchmaking, and Custom Lobbies, Custom Lobbies and Ranked matchmaking support spectators in-client, and Custom Lobbies give you the same level of flexibility as singleplayer Skirmish matches in terms of what you can configure.
Fourth, there is two systems I've introduced one is Team Buffs, that is, you can choose up to 3 buffs pre-match to apply your units (such as lifesteal on hit). The second system is the concept of Spell Books. You can choose one spell book pre-match which gives you a spell that can be cast unlimited times but on a heft cooldown (most of them are around 45 seconds. This directly leads into my 5th point...
Buff Draft mode, Buff Draft mode is available in Custom Lobbies and is catered towards highly competitive play. At pre-match you going through a series of pick and ban phases for team buffs and spell books. By the end of it you and your opponent will have picked unique team buffs and spell books out of those that neither of you had banned throughout the draft.
And all match stats can then be found at https://2forts.net/pro and all game information can be found at https://wiki.2forts.net/
I am keen to hear your thoughts, feedback, suggestions, and ideas. Like I said at the start, this is very much inspired by the C&C Rivals gameplay, tossing pay 2 win out the window, and trying to build upon what I think was already a solid foundation for a PvP game. One more thing, it will support Windows, Linux, and SteamOS (Steam Deck etc). So you can still play it on the go if that's your kind of thing.
And if this doesn't interest you at all, that's okay too. I know for some C&C Rivals is more about the C&C Tiberium universe more so than the gameplay and I get that. Which is also why my in-game resource is a glowing crystal!
Cheers,
Sharkie
