If you ever wanted to design historical tanks your way, or if you ever thought a classic tank needed a bit of something to gain an edge over its enemies, you’re in luck: Arms Trade Tycoon: Tanks will let you do just that when it hits Steam’s Early Access on February 6. The early access purchase price will be announced at a later date, according to the developer.
Developed by Stockholm-based indie team FunGi (short for Fun Game Ideas) and published by MicroProse, Arms Trade Tycoon: Tanks is a fascinating combination of a tank design and a tycoon game. As the CEO of a budding arms trading company, you will be in charge of researching new tank designs and technologies. You will then use your knowledge and resources to either recreate classic tanks, improve existing designs, or create one from your imagination. Your design’s effectiveness will be tested on the battlefield, which will also determine your company’s success.
Here are the game’s key features:
- Tank Design – Recreate world-famous tank models or design your own unique fighting vehicles from a multitude of tank components. Adapt your tanks to new challenges and environments with the help of various improvements.
- Engineering – Fine-tune every single tank component with the help of modifications to match upcoming challenges. Acquire your opponent’s tank models and reverse-engineer them to gain access to rare tank components.
- Tank Schools – Embark on the path as a tank designer for different countries. Each country offers a different play style due to unique research trees, tank doctrines, political systems, and accessibility to various resources.
- Battlefield – Observe your tank’s performance in all major historical conflicts and world wars. See them succeed or fail and make your design decisions based on the provided battle reports.
- Company – Control various aspects of your corporation including raw resource procurement, logistics, and staff management. Gain access to different corporate advances ranging from building upgrades to new trade deals.
You can see the game in action below:
What to expect during the early access phase
Despite the game’s seemingly expansive content, Arms Trade Tycoon: Tanks will enter Early Access with only Britain’s World War I era tanks playable. According to the developer, all of the core mechanics such as tank design and testing are already implemented in the game, so players can sink their teeth into designing early British tanks. Other countries’ tanks (via Tank Schools) and further war periods will become available as development progresses. The game previously conducted its closed beta last year, so the developers had ample time to review and implement player feedback.
There’s currently no confirmed timeline as to when Arms Trade Tycoon: Tanks will exit Early Access, although FunGi has stated on Steam that they intend to release the game’s full version later this year. However, this is subject to change depending on how the game progresses in terms of development and content. They also stated that although they’re currently undecided, the game’s early access and full release price might differ.
