Stormgate: Breaking the RTS Barrier
Why It’s a Game Changer
Real‑time strategy (RTS) games are notoriously tough to master—yet the ex‑Blizzard team behind Frost Giant Studios just dropped a fresh title that promises to open the genre to everyone, casual fans and pros alike.
What’s the Hook?
Stormgate’s story lands us in a twisted future: A science experiment goes haywire, unleashing demons through “storm gates” and sparking a battle for Earth. Classic sci‑fi vibes, but with a twist.
The Engine & Inspiration
- Built on Unreal Engine 5 – glossy graphics, smooth gameplay.
- Heavily inspired by Blizzard’s StarCraft, but with a fresh digital thumbprint from the studio’s new crew.
How It Plays
Say goodbye to the 10‑hour learning curve:
- Competitive Mode – up to 3 players per team, just like a typical RTS showdown.
- But here’s the real kicker: the campaign mode lets you team up with two friends—yes, two—and tackle the story together.
- Feeling competitive? The client becomes a battle arena: signups, live‑match viewing, and even esports events for everyone.
- Want a chill vibe? The cooperative PvE offer a “Rock‑Solid Endgame” that’s as engaging as the rivalry.
Quotes from the Crew
Production Director Tim Morten said: “We’re making the esports part super friendly.”
Co‑op Designer Kevin Dong added: “PvE isn’t just a sidekick—it’s a full‑blown contender for the win.”
One Concern Still Stalks RTS
Even with all that polish, the genre’s stubborn learning curve remains a hurdle. But if Stormgate can slingshot its way into your gaming repertoire, you’ll probably forget how hard beginning RTS setups used to be.
Ryan Schutter’s Game‑Changing Hack: Making RTSs New‑Bie Friendly
Why Swift Simplicity Beats Puzzle‑House Interfaces
Real‑time strategy games used to feel like a Complexity Cursed walled garden – overwhelming menus, mind‑boggling mechanics, and a steep learning curve that left fresh players drifting into the void. Ryan Schutter, the mastermind behind the UX glow‑up, says it’s time to rewrite the rulebook.
Three Secrets Ryan Shares to Keep New Players Happy
- Clean, Context‑Sensitive UI – “Picture a dashboard that shows only what you need right now,” Ryan explains. That means ditching the clutter and offering on‑the‑fly help so beginners feel guided, not lost.
- Intuitive Gameplay Loops – Think of it as turning the “you must manage armies, resources, economies, and more” into a simple, bite‑size routine. Ryan’s team simplifies mechanics into easy, relatable actions that feel like a “teach‑you‑to‑play internet” setup.
- Guided, Rewards‑Driven Onboarding – New players receive mini‑quests and instant wins. This builds confidence and makes the game feel rewarding rather than “Why am I even here?”
The Impact? New Players No Longer Feel Like Lost Souls
When you remove the noise, you keep the excitement. Ryan’s approach turns a potentially intimidating genre into a friendly playground. In the end, “RTS—There’s no room for a dull moment with players staying longer,” he says, and the community is buzzing with both veterans and first‑timers alike.
Automated control groups
Cheers to Fancy New Auto‑Groups in RTS!
In the past, if you wanted a posse of units to obey your fancy commands, you’d spend a good chunk of time manually marking them, assigning a hot‑key, and then pressing Control + a number to get them all moving. Imagine the headache when your HQ suddenly lost a few soldiers, you’d have to redo the whole dance.
What’s Changed?
- Auto‑control groups are now in the picture. One click of a number key does the magic.
- Whenever a fresh unit is born—say, a new squad of cavalry—it auto‑joins its parent’s group, so you don’t have to shuffle them again.
- Less micromanagement, more battlefield swagger.
Think of it as a group auto‑maker that’s doing the heavy lifting for you. No more “scratching” through lists or fumbling with the Control key. Just hit a number and let the crowd of your troops do their thing!
Quick macro
Stormgate’s Quick Macro: The Game‑Changing Glitch
Why it Matters
Think of Stormgate’s Quick Macro as the cheat code that turns a chaotic RTS grind into a smooth, automated ballet. Gone are the days of clicking through endless menus to build a unit, train troops, or upgrade tech. That’s right—one click and the whole process is handled automatically.
Ryan’s Real‑World Take
Even though this pallet of shortcuts feels like playing on a “lazy Sunday” setting, Ryan reminds us that the macro isn’t a silver bullet. When you hand‑control your workers, you’ll still hit a higher ceiling in efficiency. In other words, skilled pros will keep driving for the best, but the bar for entry is now a bit lower, making the game a tad easier for everyone.
What This Means for You
- Reduced Clutter – Say goodbye to the tedium of juggling multiple pop‑ups.
- Boosted Automation – A single macro does the heavy lifting; you can focus on strategy.
- Skill Balance – The floor lowers, the ceiling stays high—everyone’s welcome, but top‑tier players still have a level to climb.
Bottom Line
Stormgate’s Quick Macro is like a turbo‑charged, autopilot mode for your RTS flow. It keeps the grind less annoying while still rewarding mastery. Ready to jump in and let the machine do the dirty work? Your arena awaits!
Merged command cards
Command Cards: The Revolution Players Are Waiting For
Ever felt like your army was a secret vault and every time you clicked, you had to hunt down a hidden skill in a new tab?
The new merged command cards smash that frustration out of the park. No more superstar units swallowing all the glory. Every unit’s powers pop up together, letting you rally the whole squad with just a single swipe.
Why It Matters
- Instant Squad Insight: All abilities are right there, no more endless scrolling.
- Team Synergy: You can deploy every unit’s skill at once, unlocking combo plays that were previously impossible.
- Zero Click Fatigue: Forget the tiresome routine of hunting through each unit’s menu—click once, know everything.
Ready to Upgrade Your Battle Experience?
With command cards in the mix, strategizing feels less like a maze and more like a well‑orchestrated routine. It’s time to command your army like the maestro you are.
Stormgate Gets a Full Feature Refresh
What’s new? The latest update isn’t just a cosmetic facelift—it’s a clean‑up that puts everything into a tidy grid, lines up the costs and savings, and makes everything look super crisp.
- Default grid mode for command cards—no more messy card placement.
- Resource cost and savings now line up nicely, so you can see at a glance what you’re spending.
- Readable UI tweaks that keep your focus on the action, not the clutter.
Beyond the Interface: A World of Intrigue
Stormgate isn’t just about fighting; it’s also a storytelling powerhouse.
Game Director Tim Campbell says the narrative is going deep into “extreme and colourful territory” with “epic scope” and high stakes. Players will encounter:
- Demon Lords—because nothing says “powerful” like a towering beast that’s half‑human, half‑hell.
- Machine Gods—cybernetic deities that’ll make you question whether you’re playing a war game or a techno‑myth.
- Time Travel—yes, the tech is real. Watch the past and future collide, just in case you’re feeling nostalgic for the ’80s pixel art.
Bottom Line
All these changes mean you get a cleaner, more user‑friendly interface while diving into a story that’s as rich and bold as the gameplay itself. Get ready to fight, explore, and maybe even bend time—all while keeping your eyes on the prize and your fingers on the right keys.
Stormgate Storms In: A Layered Journey for Players
Ever felt like a video game is just a flat surface? Tim Campbell, the creative mind behind Stormgate, flips that idea on its head. “To keep the story fresh, we build our universe in layers,” he says, “so players have a whole horizon of experience beyond what’s visible right from the start.”
Beta Buzz – 2023’s Late‑Night Loot
- A closed beta is slated for 2023.
- Want a sneak peek? Sign up now or dig deeper at playstormgate.com.
- Hurry—these early slots are hotter than a dragon’s hoard!
PC Gamer’s Sneak‑Preview Slot
On Monday, June 13, at the ungainly 4am SGT, Frost Giant’s Stormgate will once again steal the spotlight during PC Gamer’s PC Gaming Show. Clock in before sunrise for a first‑hand taste of the battlefield.
Cross‑Faction Cheery‑Uplights
While storming through Stormgate’s layers, remember that World of Warcraft shadowlands also gets a fresh twist: cross‑faction play arrives for the first time. The blast from the south meets the north—because who doesn’t love a new level of chaos in the same sandbox?
Reach Out
Questions, concerns, or a game‑theory rant? Drop an email to [email protected] and get the inside scoop.
Game on—Stormgate style. Happy hunting, their langs, and let the layers keep you on edge!
