You remember those times when Rob or Nate said “but we can’t tell you about that game”? Well, we can finally tell you about one of them!
Amplitude Studios announced Humankind today, a historical 4X game that looks like a challenge to Firaxis’ throne. The developers of the lauded Endless Legend and Endless Space series take their talent to the historical realm and GOOD GOD does it look exciting.
Here’s more from their official Steam page and be sure to check out their new website – https://humankind.game/ – for more info and to follow them on social media:
HOW FAR WILL YOU PUSH HUMANKIND?
HUMANKIND is Amplitude Studios’ magnum opus, a Historical Turn-Based Strategy game where YOU will re-write the entire narrative of humankind – a convergence of culture, history, and values that allows you to create a civilization that is as unique as you are.
One Million Civilizations
Create your own civilization by combining 60 historical cultures from the Bronze to the Modern Age. Begin as Ancient Egypt, then evolve into the Romans, the Khmers, or perhaps the Vikings. Each culture brings its own special gameplay layer, leading to near-endless outcomes.
What civilization will you shape?
In the Eyes of Posterity
The journey matters more than destination. Fame is a new and unifying victory condition. Every great deed you accomplish, every moral choice you make, every battle won will build your fame and leave a lasting impact on the world. The player with the most fame will win the game.
Will you be the one to leave the deepest mark on the world?
More than History, it is your Story
Face historical events, lead renowned figures of humankind, and make scientific breakthroughs. Discover the natural wonders of the world or build the most remarkable creations of humankind. Each game element is historically authentic. Combine them to build your own vision of the world.
How will you Change the Course of HUMANKIND?
A Tactical World
Show off your tactical skills by mastering terrain elevation with city-building and full tactical battles. Keep one step ahead of other civilizations through trade and subtle diplomacy. Call upon your allies to transform an epic battle into a full-scale eight-player world war!
What strategy will you mastermind?
These are just some of the amazing things you will be able to do in HUMANKIND.
More to be revealed soon!
We will wrangle in our French friends for more information as soon as we can, but Nate and Rob are just happy to finally have to stop tip-toeing around about this one. It was far too exciting to keep their mouth shut about!
Finally…
Looking forward to hearing you guys go a bit more in depth about this one! Just the teaser has me slavering for more.
yumi yumi !!!!
OH WOW! A historical strategy game?!?!?!? How amaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing! We don’t have many of those on the market. I mean. Unless you count the Total War series, or the Civilization series, or the Age of Empires series, or the Anno series, or even smaller historical games like Rise of Nations or 10 Crowns or Aggressors or Oriental Empires or EU4 or CK2 or Imperator, or…. Hey. Wait a second. The market is choked with historical games. Why do we need another?
Consider me thoroughly underwhelmed by this. Endless Steampunk or Endless Horror or Endless Cyberpunk or anything other than a genre done to death already. At least Endless Legend 2 would have had the distinction of being a Science-Fantasy blend of a game. Good thing Humankind’s graphics don’t look exactly like Civ6. Anyway, I predict this will be the worst performing of Amplitude’s titles. I cannot even begin to describe how extremely indifferent I am to this.
(cross-posting this in the forums)
I’ll take that bet. I see it as the first game that they make that will make it really, really big. Definitely has more mainstream appeal.
Plus, they’re doing things much differently.
I agree that I’d like to see a more unique setting, but Amplitude can do this right, I’m sure.
Well, depends on just how “differently” they do things. The trailer doesn’t exactly give us heaps of information, but it does strike me as another boardgame-like 4X, which is what Civ is as well. I’ve always felt that a game that hopes to compete with Civ should focus more on the simulation aspect of things, to set itself apart. As such, my attitude toward Mankind remains reserved until I see something that really sells me on it.
There’s only one other historical 4X too, by the way…
All of those other games aren’t on the same scale or in our beloved genre.
Indeed. Historical 4x are practically non-existing. What does make me a little sad is that this game isn’t that either. And yet, even historical fiction is a rarity in 4x, so this announcement must be celebrated. On the other hand, Amplitude has been consistent in their ability to deliver great games. I am all pumped for this.
Coming from someone who didn’t buy Civ VI because I didn’t want to pay for the same game twice: Amplitude has me excited. Here’s to hoping this foray into a new IP brings us many good things, including innovative design into the problems that plague the genre.
I agree with you on all of this except your penultimate sentence.
I suspect this game will sell gangbusters because it is:
“Civ, but better.”
“Civ but better” is the very thing that will hold it back. There couldn’t be a worse marketing strategy than that.
Who said that was the marketing strategy?
Andrew. But I hope Amplitude is smarter than that, and works hard to stamp out any comparisons to Civ.
Be interesting to see how/if they can improve upon the game systems of Civ VI + AOW:Planetfall
Historical turn-based civ builders? They only one worth mentioning is Civ. And it is LONG overdue for some serious competition. Amplitude is doing just the right thing here. Yes, the endless games are fun but we really need a rest from them. And this has the potential to be absolutely huge. I cannot wait. Shut up and take my money.
I agree with you on all of this except your penultimate sentence.
I suspect this game will sell gangbusters because it is:
“Civ, but better.”
I am confident in Amplitude shaping this game towards one of the best “historical” 4Xs. Even if it takes a year or two of updates (based on player feedback) and a DLC or two. With their existing games they prove to be able to support them beyond the expected “lifetime” of a given title. And this might in turn help them fund furhter 4X (or non-4X) games in the future, which can only be good. Let’s see what Alpha- and Beta-testing shows us!
The VIPs are already playing the alpha. As soon as I can discuss things that aren’t already public knowledge at this point, I’ll divulge it all 😉
Wow I’m surprised. I was hoping for Endless Legend 2 but this is like the 2nd best thing. I guess its good for Amplitude to diversify more. It’s nice for Civ to finally have some direct competition from another major studio.
Agreed. EL2 will happen, but this feels like a fantastic direction for them in the mean time.
It happened