shutdown devlog #1: gameplay foundations and the main mechanic, live and tested

shutdown is a real-time strategy game of blocky machines with a retro feel, and I'm developing it on my own. It's built on the foundations of my childhood favourites: build a base, train your units, and micro them to victory. Of course, these get a modern coat: new mechanics, more complex missions and, hopefully, an enjoyable experience that takes you back to the early 2000s.

Mechanics

Cables and power. Buildings need power to keep working. Build close together, since touching buildings share power, or lay cables for more flexibility, at the risk of them being destroyed.

Maps that feel alive. Terrain and units got a first redesign pass with decals, ramps and props, and movement is smoothed out so units cross the terrain seamlessly.

The Glitch, and a new name. The Glitch is a virus your Operators have learnt to control, but it can backfire: infected machines grow stronger and turn hostile to everyone. The answer is to shut your machines down for a while, which keeps the virus at bay but leaves them defenceless while they reboot. That mechanic gave the game its name.

Gameplay

Single player. A basic AI lets me test build orders and balancing. There's a lot to do here, as the pacing isn't where I'd like it to be yet.

The campaign. It will explore the story of the Glitch, shutdown's main mechanic. The first two missions are in: Corbin Truss's escape from El Poena Colony Prison, and the run for the Ares-II Starport.

Online play. An EU-hosted server and the foundations of ladder matchmaking and a friends system are tested and playable. If there's interest, I'll be happy to open alpha and beta testing.

How I use AI

The art, story, balancing and design are made by hand. AI helped create the development and testing tools, the sound design and code.

What's next

The Steam page is coming soon, with wishlists open by early 2027 and a beta later in 2027. Until then, the shutdown Discord is where I post what's new and where you can sign up for testing. Every update is posted here, and shutdownrts.com shows the newest ones.