Over the past few years the RTS as I knew it back in the mid 1990s has shifted dramatically from base building, army hoarding destruction derby into more of a tactical, squad based precision strike game. Look no further than the transition from Dawn of War 1 to Dawn of War 2 for a prime example of this. But that’s not to say these new types of RTS games are worse, just look at Reckless Squad as a great example of a unique RTS.

The first thing that peaked my interest in Reckless Squad is the fact that it’s a convoy based RTS. What this means is that, in each level, you’re tasked with getting your convoy from one point to another in one piece. Along the way the computer will throw all kinds of baddies at you and you’ll have to figure out the best way to deal with them based on the resources you have. To say the least, it looks satisfyingly challenging.

Additionally, the game has a unique simplistic style that reminds me of the older RTS games, and, being the retro-loving personality that I am, I couldn’t help but be smitten with game.

Reckless Squad is still under development with no solid release date or price. We are putting in word with the developer right now and we’ll update with any additional information as we get it.

Trailer

Unknown Worlds has released the first update for the alpha phase of its FPS/RTS game Natural Selection 2, now available for those who are participating.

The patch brings a list of technical and gameplay improvements, additions and bug fixes to the title. Some of the new items include rally points for Hives and Command Stations, dedicated server files for the Steam release and now when the Command Station closes, anyone inside besides the Commander is killed. Here’s what the developer had to say on it:

“Our priority in this patch was addressing the issues that are preventing people from connecting to servers. The next order of business is addressing any issues running or maintaining dedicated servers along with issues that make the game feel “laggy” or otherwise unplayable.”

The file can be downloaded automatically via Steam. From the change log:

Technical

• Fixed bug where a client would continue to try and connect after the server reported that it was full or the client was using the wrong protocol
• Fixed bug where clients could only connect to servers on the default port
• Fixed bug where the port was removed when connecting via console command
• Fixed bug on multi-monitor systems that resulted in a graphics reset loop
• Fixed window border when switching from fullscreen to windowed
• Fixed bug where key events outside of the game’s focus window would sometimes be processed by the game
• Fixed bug where the dedicated server could not be run without Steam running
• Fixed duplicate attack/fire key bindings that caused mismatches
• Fixed voice chat to use in-game sound volume on playback
• Fixed bug where where clients could timeout while alt-tabbed from the game in fullscreen mode
• Fixed bug where binding a game server to an IP would cause it to not be displayed in the server browser
• Added client-side timeouts when attempting to connect to a server
• Added support for closing a dedicated server by pressing ctrl+break
• Added alt-enter to toggle between fullscreen and windowed mode
• Added dedicated server files to the Steam release
• Added Toggle Console binding to UI settings

Game

• Fixed bug where MACs were free (now they cost 2 plasma)
• Fixed bug with armory playing extra sounds when players were nearby
• Added rally points for Hives and Command Stations
• Fixed many vent physics objects so they can be entered
• Fixed hitching animation problems while sprinting as marine
• Logging into a Command Station no longer freezes you but it will open again if the logging in player leaves
• When the Command Station closes, anyone inside besides the Commander is killed
• Aliens become Commander instantly when +using the hive
• Fixed bug where Extractors or Harvesters couldn’t be built on a nozzle that had one previously
• Added welding effect to MAC
• Added new marine commander icon artwork
• Improve marine running and jumping animations
• Updated shell ejection effect for the rifle, pistol, and grenade launcher
• New docking_walltech environment props

Unknown Worlds has released sci-fi FPS-RTS game Natural Selection 2′s first alpha build on Steam for those who pre-ordered the now extinct $39.95 version of the game. For those who purchased the game prior to today check your email, if you don’t have a code and some instructions waiting for you go here to fast-track the situation.

The special edition is now no longer available and pre-orders for the regular edition of the game have increased in price from $20 to $35. Though not super special anymore, pre-orders still get access to the beta, whenever it arrives. The dev also warns that there website (which I’ll spare them of linking of) is”currently under assault by rabid fans and may not be up for the next couple of days. Please bear with us!”

The alpha build of the game brings one main map plus many small test maps, the Marine playable character with several weapons, three playable aliens and more. Expect the Alpha test to go on for a while, with with new content arriving through updates in the coming weeks and months. They treatin’ the loyal right.

Riot Games has announced that they will be bringing their multiplayer free-to-play action-RTS game League of Legends to Mac, revealing that the fantasy themed title will become available for the OS this summer.

The great news is that Mac players will be able to play with/against their PC buddies as the game will be cross compatible for multiplayer. The port will be handled by Transgaming’s Cider engine tools.

LoL is also expected to launch its official competitive phase this summer, urging both Mac and PC players to participate if their stuff is good enough. From the full press release:

Riot Games and TransGaming to Launch “League of Legends” for Mac

Acclaimed Indie Video Game Developer and Publisher to Bring Its Award-Winning Online Multiplayer to Millions of Mac Gamers This Summer

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA and TORONTO, ONTARIO — May 27, 2010 Riot Games, a leading independent developer and publisher of premium online video games, announced that they are working with TransGaming Inc. (TSX-V: TNG) to expand their debut title, League of Legends™, and releasing a version for the Mac that will be available for download this summer. The new Mac version of the online multiplayer strategy game, powered by TransGaming’s Cider™ Portability Engine, will bring millions of Mac owners the same fast-paced gaming action that more than one million PC gamers have enjoyed since the game launched in October, 2009.

“Millions of gamers across the world are accessing their gaming content on Macs but until now they have not been able to play League of Legends,” said Brandon Beck, co-founder and CEO of Riot Games. “The first competitive phase of the game will be kicking off this summer, and we’re excited that Mac gamers will also be able to participate and have a chance to vie for top prizes.”

With TransGaming’s Cider Engine, the Mac version of League of Legends will have all the same game features as its award-winning PC counterpart. Players can download the game for free from www.leagueoflegends.com and, after a short installation, begin playing instantly. Artwork, graphics, in-game items and controls will remain the same in the Mac version, giving both PC and Mac gamers equal opportunity to compete in the game at high levels for free.

“League of Legends is an outstanding game and one that will be thoroughly enjoyed by Mac gamers everywhere who have been waiting for a premium free-to-play release,” commented Vikas Gupta, CEO & President of TransGaming Inc. “League of Legends represents TransGaming’s commitment to bring a breadth of exceptional video gaming entertainment to the Mac community.”

League of Legends, Riot Games’ debut title, launched on Oct. 27, 2009 in North America and Europe. It is a session-based, multiplayer online game where rival teams compete for victory. Built by a veteran development team and the original creators of Defense of the Ancients, one of the world’s most popular player-made mods, League of Legends combines elements of the role-playing and strategy genres with addictive competitive action.

League of Legends is rated “T” for Teen and now available for free via download at www.leagueoflegends.com.

For more information about League of Legends, visit www.leagueoflegends.com.

Elder Games has released the latest version of its distant-future RTS with RPG elements Arcan, now available for download. Arcan takes place at some point far into the future where human numbers have been reduced to the hundreds, though no one readily understands what happened to make it so. To protect themselves from the barren wastelands that is now Earth, the surviving humans construct Arcan Central to hide from the outer world. Inside The Council, an organization that ensures the survival of the structure and its inhabitants, is formed.

This is where you come in. As The Controller, elected by the people, you must prevent any of the council members from gaining too much power by commanding a Droid army constructed by the very Council that is to be contained by it. A very interesting and creative setting that you’re now up to speed with.

The update brings the game to v1.6.1.7 brining a variety of balance changes and bug fixes to the title. Both the full client and the patch are available now via ModDB, the title is free to download so have it Hoss.

From the change log:

Arcan v 1.6.1.7 – Release

BUG FIXES:

- Separated Arcan into two exe files: an Arcan_Eng.exe and an Arcan_Hun.exe

- Running Arcan_Eng.exe will no longer display “characters are too large or too many” if the user doesn’t have the full Arial character set

- The Droid Warrior’s Regeneration ability now works even if the Droid Warrior is owned by Player 1

- The Nova attack graphics will now properly appear when using it with a Droid Thane

BALANCE CHANGES:

- The Droid Warrior’s initial attack damage was reduced from 15 to 12.

- The Droid Warrior’s initial hit point count was reduced from 220 to 195.

- The Droid Warrior’s initial shield was increased from 50 to 65.

- The Droid Warrior’s regeneration levels were increased from 5%/10%/15%/20% to 10%/20%/30%/50%

- The Droid Warrior’s shield regeneration was increased from 5% to 25%

- The Serpent Watcher’s healing wave power was increased from 10 to 30

- The Serpent Watcher’s initial hit point count was decreased from 480 to 455

- The Droid Destroyer’s initial shield was decreased from 550 to 425

- The Droid Destroyer’s initial attack damage was increased from 40 to 45

- The damage of the Nova ability was increased from 10/20/30/40 to 15/30/45/60

- The Droid Lord’s initial hit point count was decreased from 350 to 325

- The Droid Lord’s initial shield was increased from 50 to 75

- Campaign level 3 became easier

We Are Colin’s RTS Cavemen Vs Aliens has arrived on the Xbox Live Marketplace via the Indie Games channel and is now available for purchase and download.

The player assumes the role of the cavemen who must ward off the “demonic” aliens who have an “evil” desire to take over your land of Gondwanaland, talk about cavemen propaganda!

As per the standard, a demo for the game is also available for download, the title itself runs 400 MS Points ($5). If you’re interested in learning more about the game you can check out the official site. From the description:

This game was classified by the community with the following category scores – Violence=1/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=1/3. Battle to success across the land of Gondwanaland against the demonic aliens; who have an evil desire to take over your land. With your cavemen and pterodactyls crush the aliens hopes and prevent your race from extinction in this easy to pick up and play real-time-strategy game. Fight today! Live tomorrow!

Arcen Games expansive space RTS AI War: Fleet Command has been slashed by 50% on Direct2Drive. Coincidentally it’s a pretty good time to pick up the game as AI War’s expansion The Zenith Remnant is set to arrive this month, adding a ton of new content to the strategy title.

AI War offers up to 8 player co-op and multiplayer modes and has had monthly DLC updates released since launch, a trend the dev hopes to continue for up to five years!

The title goes standard for $20 but can be had for only $10 through January 18 via IGN’s online service. The deal extends to UK residents as well.

CashCurtis has announced via press release its new project MetalMorphosis, an action packed sci-fi TPS with real-time strategy elements set for release on PC. The dev lays down a challenge to fans of hardcore first person shooter games to test their skills and abilities in the futuristic shooter.

While no release date was mentioned for the title, a preview version is available now to play through the developer’s website. Full press release after the break.

Last week, we began a countdown to the Independent Games Festival. The way this works is easy: we simply select and discuss games randomly from the lengthy (306 total) list of IGF submissions. For this week’s column, I played through the demos for both The Dream Machine, a point-and-click adventure and Broken Brothers Deluxe, a unique strategy title.

Before starting this I want to emphasize that this is only meant to give you my impressions and perhaps that extra kick to try out some of the IGF submissions, whether they be these or any of the other 306. I assure you, you will discover that there is something unique about each and every game. And hey, if you’re lucky, some of them are even playable for free! All right, without further ado, here are this week’s picks.

Arcen Games has announced an upcoming expansion for their large scale space RTS AI War: Fleet Command. Entitled The Zenith Remnant, the pack will bring nearly 100 new ships, four new map types and much more.

Set for full release either in December, or January of next year, the beta is available now for pre-order the title. The dev explains that the pre-orders not only help fund the game but also let the player community test and give feedback on the expansion prior to full release, as most should know by now it’s a game that is constantly adding new patches for fixes, additions and improvements.

Those who are interested in getting in on the action early can pre-purchase on the dev’s site for the game.