Battle Buddies (line drawing tactical combat game by Supercell)

[arta]

http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Multi...ws.asp?c=36141

Freemium title Battle Buddies puts you in control of a team of six customisable cartoon soldiers in a battle of wits using tactical combat-based line drawing over a variety of topdown maps.

Think Little Big Planet's Sackboy loaded to the eyeballs with Ratchet and Clank-esque weaponry and packing a multiplayer mode reminiscent of Words with Friends's asynchronous multi game mode, plus the points-based advancement enjoyed in a 'modern' FPS, and you're on the right track.

We were even told that it is possible to live the dream and pit a team of pirates against a team of space marines.

Destroyable environments and weapons such as the Wrecking Ball Launcher emphasise the playful approach Supercell is taking.

The game will be free to play on iOS from early 2012, with an Android release to follow suit.

We're also promised crossplay compatibility, so iPad owners can pwn Android-owning noobs (or vice versa) regardless of what OS they're using. The game will also support various social networks, including Apple's Game Center.

There'll be a smattering of content available through in-game purchases, though we are assured by Supercell that these will be 'encouraged' not 'forced' transactions.

[Jdragoon19]

Looks awesome! Thx for the thread, arta.

[hapaninja]

this looks fantastic! Nice work, anxious to see more.

[jumpman475]

...wow

[undeadcow]

Yes! Freemium, blah... How can I change my setting to ignore this thread?

Edit: Thanks to arta for posting; it's not your fault this is freemium.

[LOLavi]

Looks awesome Thanks Arta.

[SCJone]

Good morning, I'm the product lead of Battle Buddies here at Supercell and wanted to say hi. Hi!

Just a few words on the game that weren't covered in the original post: the game has been inspired by such classics as Laser Squad or X-Com: UFO Defense, but everything has been designed from the ground up for the touch devices (iPhone, iPad, and later also Android phones and tablets). There's single player and there's multiplayer content, you can battle against your friends or anyone, but also take part in "friendlier" social gaming, meaning for example, hiring a team leader from your friend's squad.

I don't want to spam, but if you want to follow the development, you can do it at www.facebook.com/battlebuddiesgame - I plan to hang around here too, but as we're a small team (me and 5 other guys/gals), I'm afraid of running out time if I try to post in too many places at the same time, that's why we're in Facebook.

If you have questions, I'm happy to answer.

-Jouni

PS. No need to be suspicious of the fact that it's "free to play" - we're developing it with a guideline that the game is fun as is - is you want to spend a dollar on two to speed up your progress, that's your decision, we won't make you. Also, the multiplayer will be balanced so that it's not "pay to win", i.e. we love the gamers who don't pay a cent as much as everyone else.

[LOLavi]

I understand why you chose freemium - the future, but I still hope things change in the following year and freemium will gradually turn into premium...

[LookingForGames]

Looks promising! I don't really mind if it's freemium, as long as it's, as you stated, no must to pay to continue enjoying the game

[SCJone]

Hullo!

Just wanted to let you know that we're releasing weekly guerrilla videos showing the game as it develops. Three are already out, and you can check them here:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video....50412876804998
http://www.facebook.com/video/video....50425275479998
http://www.facebook.com/video/video....50443274034998

(You don't need to be logged into Facebook to view those. When we have a sec, we'll also upload these to YouTube for more convenient access.)