Aphelion Defense
Aphelion Defense is a multiplayer space-themed Real Time Strategy game where players strategically manage resources, deploy units, and conquer planets in a dynamic solar system to outsmart their opponents and conquer their territory.
Welcome to the interstellar battlefield, where the fate of entire solar systems rests in your hands. In this thrilling real-time strategy game set in the vast expanse of outer space, your role as a game designer has brought to life the dream of becoming a space commander with ambitions as grand as the galaxy itself. As you embark on this cosmic conquest, your mission is clear: expand your newly multi-planetary civilization across the cosmos, one solar system at a time.
Unveiling the Cosmic Vision
At the heart of our game lies the dream to satisfy the longing for interstellar supremacy. You'll step into the shoes of a space commander, driven by the relentless desire to conquer the galaxy, one solar system at a time. To achieve this, you'll engage in strategic battles against formidable AI factions, all vying for control of the universe. This game is tailor-made for those who relish the challenge of devising ingenious strategies, adapting to the unique quirks and challenges posed by each solar system.
Unveiling the Cosmic Vision
At the heart of our game lies the dream to satisfy the longing for interstellar supremacy. You'll step into the shoes of a space commander, driven by the relentless desire to conquer the galaxy, one solar system at a time. To achieve this, you'll engage in strategic battles against formidable AI factions, all vying for control of the universe. This game is tailor-made for those who relish the challenge of devising ingenious strategies, adapting to the unique quirks and challenges posed by each solar system.
Drawing inspiration from gaming classics like State.io, Risk, ICE - Minimalistic Strategy, and Auralux, our game brings together the best of the real-time strategy genre. Much like State.io and Risk, our game features territories that must be captured through the deployment of troops. Thematically, it aligns with the simplicity and elegance of Auralux and ICE, as it revolves around planet-based real-time strategy gameplay. These inspirations are characterized by their fast-paced and minimalistic approach, a core aspect that our game aims to emulate.
What sets our game apart from its inspirations is the dynamic nature of the planets within the solar systems. Planets constantly orbit a central sun, making them moveable nodes in our real-time strategy universe. This means you can't move your units at will; instead, strategic planning and anticipation are key. The proximity to the sun also influences resource acquisition and unit abilities, forcing players to devise innovative strategies to thrive in this ever-changing cosmic arena.
The Cosmic Objective
In this stellar adventure, your primary objective is crystal clear: conquer all the planets within a solar system within a specific timeframe. The galaxy teems with enemy AI players controlling rival planets, creating formidable obstacles to your conquest. You begin with a handful of planets, including a base planet, under your command. Your victory hinges on capturing all enemy-controlled planets. Fail to do so within the allotted time, or lose your base planet to enemy forces, and your cosmic aspirations crumble. Be prepared, as enemy AI may start on equal footing or with superior advantages, making the conquest all the more challenging.
Imagine yourself on a solar system map, with just one planet under your control. Your mission: conquer an enemy planet. This is where our core mechanic comes into play. Your planet generates a crucial resource, "sunlight," passively over time, with production inversely related to its distance from the sun. Closer proximity to the sun yields more "sunlight." Simultaneously, your planet also generates "troops" for claiming planets and defending your own.
To overcome the challenges posed by enemies and resource scarcity, you must employ the attack mechanic. This involves directing troops to launch assaults on enemy planets. These troops come in two types: high-damage, short-distance travelers, and low-damage, long-distance travelers. For an attack to occur, planets must be in close enough orbit proximity for your chosen troop type to reach the enemy planet. If not, the mechanics will fail.
Once the conditions are met, troops depart your planet, engaging in automatic pathfinding and battles upon reaching the enemy planet. The battle's outcome is determined by the number and type of troops sent by you and those stationed by the enemy. Your strategic prowess will be put to the test in these cosmic clashes.
Prepare to embark on an epic journey through the cosmos, where strategic brilliance, cosmic conquest, and celestial challenges await. As a game designer, you've crafted a universe where the dream of becoming a space commander is within reach. The galaxy beckons, and the stars are yours to command.
Special thanks to all team members: Aidan Campbell, Brandon Diaz, Changyuan Lin, Daniel Zhan, Haotian Ma, Jinmo Huang, Lirong Yao, Paul Sachs, Zhaojiahong Zhu.