We hope you all enjoy the finished game. Launch is just one week away!
Will you defend the frontier?
Launch Trailer Released
We are very happy to announce that our launch trailer is now available. You can find it on the store page or check it out here:
https://youtu.be/LO5ulBnN5dU
Just a little more than a week until launch and we can't wait to share this game with all of you.
Will you defend the frontier?
Unit Preview: Pirate Smuggler
Pirate Smuggler
The Smuggler is well named, and often used for moving illicit cargo or breaking blockades. Surprisingly fast for her ship class the Smuggler is also well armed. Three ripper guns allow her to quickly dispatch fighter patrols that may try and stop her, and ion cannons and short burst quad auto cannons make short work of escorts. Long range sensors allow her to pick her battles, and the smuggler is likely to rely on her speed to outrun and avoid larger capital ships.
Smugglers are found in fair numbers in pirate fleets. Pirates threaten both the Federation and the Alliance, so you will be fighting them in both campaigns. The Smuggler is a versatile escort that can pose a threat to fighter squadrons or single escorts. Smugglers don't normally hold up well against capital ships, but they are fast with a good evasion for their ship class.
Will you defend the Frontier?
Unit Preview: Federation Battleship
HFSF Battleship
The Crusader class Battleship is the workhorse of the Federation fleet. The Battleship has an impressive array of weaponry and is protected by the advanced Ancile II shield system. Shield draining coil cannons are a mainstay backed up by twin ion cannons. Anti-fighter flak cannons, pulse laser turrets and cluster missiles allow her to deal with light targets and fighters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z373eESGY9I
The Battleship also has two fighter launch bays, typically carrying both a light and a heavy fighter wing for scouting and military engagements. The Battleship is tough with well rounded weaponry and elite fighter support. Even one battleship can control an engagement.
The Battleship is unlocked for purchase and deployment about one third of the way through the Federation campaign. They can be expensive to use in terms of fuel but can also be critical to success in intense battles.
Fleets of battleships ensure the continued dominance of Mars and the Federation throughout space.
Will you defend the Frontier?
Lore Preview - The Colonial Alliance
Colonial Alliance
The Colonial Alliance is one of the two main factions of the game. Formed from a union of hardened miners and colonists the Alliance is not a major military power. The Alliance works with the Federation to stop the Pirate forces from preying on the mining and shipping operations across the Frontier.
The Alliance uses older technology and weapons.
Treasures of Deep Space:
As mankind ventures out into the stars two discoveries have forever changed the course of history. The first of these is the rare material known as Hydrium. This metallic substance is incredibly strong, dense and resilient while also able to store massive amounts of energy. It's properties make it difficult to deal with in atmospheric conditions, but it is ideal for deep space construction. Hydruim quickly became the foundation for large scale projects including the hulls of space capital ships and space stations.
The second discovery was referred to as Proto-Energy. This bizarre substance broke all conventional wisdom as it was an energy source that was in a state of mass flux, and was able to be converted into various types of mass. While there were many applications to such an extraordinary phenomenon, the main one was the ability for humanity's far flung outposts to be able to create the materials they needed to survive without constant deliveries from the Core Worlds. Proto-Energy collection became the foundation of survival on the edges of space.
The Frontier:
Within the territory of the Core Worlds Hydrium was very rare, and Proto-Energy was non-existent. As civilization grew there was an increased need for Hydrium as the supply dwindled. Deep space probes and expeditions were sent to every corner of known space to try and locate more. A large concentration of Hydrium was eventually located at the far reaches of drive technology.
The Frontier, the region of space rich in Hydrium, had no suitable systems or planets for colonization. A series of orbital colonies, outposts, mining and refueling stations were built in this inhospitable environment. Before long a steady stream of freighters hauling Hydrium from the Frontier to the Core World shipyards was established. The Frontier was deadly and inhospitable without the comforts of civilized planets, but the Frontier was also a place where one could make a fortune.
At first only a few corporations tried to establish mining operations in the Frontier, mostly due to the cost of such expeditions. However, when Proto-Energy was also discovered in the Frontier the fringe space expanded considerably. No longer limited by supply lines from the Core Worlds, outposts on the frontier rapidly expanded as Proto-Energy harvesting developed.
Unit Preview: Gunship Heavy Fighter
Militia Gunship
One of the oldest, toughest fighter models ever designed. The gunship has found its way into almost every civilian and mercenary force. Standard loadouts feature twin Light Autocannons for ranged engagement, a Mini-Gun for short range dogfights, and a light torpedo for area damage. Gunships lack in mobility but excel in reliability with good armor and easy maintenence.
The gunship is one of the most popular designs ever manufactured by Icarus Industries. Despite recent advancement in weapons and shield technology the gunship remains a reliable favorite across the Frontier. The diverse weapons loadout and offensive focus makes these fighters the perfect compliment for a commander that is looking for firepower over speed.
The gunship is especially deadly against Escort class vessels, making it the ideal counter to the more common system patrol boats. The port mounted torpedo tubes and high offensive output also allow the gunship to deal decent damage to larger capital ships. The gunship is more vulnerable to lightning quick hit and run tactics employed by lighter fighters.
The Gunship is one of the first units available to purchase in the Alliance campaign. Will you defend the frontier?
Official Launch Date Announced - September 21, 2017
We're very excited to announce that after two years of development our second title Ancient Frontier will launch on September 21, 2017.
We would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our fantastic community for all feedback, suggestions and ideas, because you helped to shape this game.
This will be the second game launched by our small studio. We have learned a lot since the release of Bladestar, and we hope both new and returning fans will be pleased with our first turn based strategy rpg.
Will you defend the frontier (on September 21st)?
Unit Preview: Manta Fighter
HFSF Manta
The Manta heavy fighter is an elite fighting craft and the pride of the Federation. Four forward mounted pulse lasers give the Manta a strong anti-fighter armament that can still pose a threat to larger craft. The Manta carries the heaviest shields of any one man craft. Starboard and aft mounted engines allow for unmatched agility at her weight class, in many ways giving her the feel of a light fighter.
The Manta is capable of limited sector to sector jumps and can operate independently. Mantas are also commonly deployed by Battleships, Carriers and Dreadnoughts at the first sign of trouble. The fighter escort makes these capital ships even more deadly.
Swarms of Manta fighters are the bread and butter of many Federation fleets. Tough, agile and deadly the Manta is versatile and can fill almost any role a commander needs. They make competent scouts, are great at intercepting and destroying enemy fighter craft, and in groups can even pose a threat to larger capital ships.
The Manta is a symbol of the dominant military power of the Federation. No pirate or outrigger fighter pilots willingly engage a Manta wing, and fewer still have lived through a dogfight. Larger ships equipped with missiles or torpedoes are well advised to focus down any Manta squadrons in range.
The Manta is one of the first units available to purchase in the Federation campaign.
Faction Preview: The Human Federation
Human Federation
The Federation is one of the two main factions of the game. The Federation is known for elite ships with good shields and weapons. The ships are well rounded and can perform well in a variety of situations.
The backbone of the Federation fleet is the top of the line fighter craft. Sabre light fighters and Manta heavy fighters are both arguably the best in their respective ship classes. The fighters provide excellent support and recon for the larger, well armed capital ships. Battleships, Destroyers and Frigates are the most common ships of the line of the Federation fleet, along with the occasional Carrier.
On the Frontier the Federation represents the forces of law and order.
Lore
Dawn of Humanity: History speaks of a dark and troubled time in the ancient past. Humans brought themselves to the brink of extinction. From this chaos emerged the Technocrats, a mystical order that revered technology. The inventions of the Technocrats helped humanity to be born anew on Mars. Under the care and leadership of the Technocrats humanity has flourished.
From their temples in the grand cities of Mars the Technocrats managed to conquer even the secrets of interstellar travel. The stars were now the new frontier, and humanity was eager to colonize their new homes. Worship of the Technocrats and their secret conclave was absolute. A new golden age of Man was born.
Core Worlds: The early days of humanity's expansion was limited only by the ability to find suitable worlds to colonize. Few systems contained planetoids with the same qualities as Mars, but those systems with such worlds became the footholds of future exploration. In total eleven other Mars-like worlds were found and colonized.
Including Mars humanity now ruled twelve planets throughout the stars. Each world became a sprawling civilization and centers for agriculture, manufacturing and research. And on each world the largest structure built was the world's temple to the Technocrats, for it was only through the ingenuity of the Technocrats that each planet was tamed.
Eventually humanity tried to colonize less suitable worlds or build massive space stations in more inhospitable systems. The fringe areas required constant resources and shipping from a planet to survive. Each of the twelve planets over time ended up supporting its own ecosystem of outlying colonies. As opposed to people from the twelve Core planets, citizens born at the farthest edge of humanity's reach became known as "Fringers".
HFSF: As the sprawling federation continued to grow it became harder to unify the various populations and keep the peace. The Technocrats foresaw a coming civil war and once again turned to their intellectual prowess. Massive shipyards were constructed over Mars and several other Core Worlds. From these shipyards the first interstellar warships were built.
The Human Federation Space Force was born. The finest ships ever constructed, the HFSF fleet is the pride of humanity. The ultimate military academy was founded on Mars where officers are groomed in strategy, tactics, and loyalty. With the backing of the HFSF fleet none of the Core Worlds, or even the fringe colonies, would dare to challenge the edicts of the high temple.
Designed by the Technocrats themselves, each ship class in the HFSF represents the pinnacle of technological achievement. The HFSF weaponry and shields far outclass those used by any local militias from a Core World. And through the constant vigilance of her loyal officers humanity has continued to thrive in peace.
Interview with Fair Weather Studios designer about Ancient Frontier
The great people over at Gamewatcher have posted a 17 minute interview with one of our designers. The interview covers a range of topics about the game as well as shows off a lot more footage of the game play. If you want to see even more of what is to come with Ancient Frontier give it a watch!
