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Codies unveils Maelstrom

KDV-dev'd post-apoc RTS.

Codemasters is teaming up KDV Games (formerly K-D LAB) to produce a brand new science-fiction-themed strategy game called Maelstrom.

Due out in Q3 2006 on PC, Maelstrom is based on Codies' original concept and sees players take on the role of one of three factions - two human, one alien - that are fighting for control of a post-apocalyptic earth setting.

The game builds on KDV's existing engine - presumably the one used for their other Codies-colab', Perimeter - and features upgradeable units, huge "weapons of maelstromic destruction", and genre-fave destructible environments - and, interestingly, the most valuable of resources is actually just plain water.

The factions are The Remnants, low-tech resistance fighters with great numbers and guerrilla battle tactics; The Ascension, a more high-tech, logic-driven outfit with entertaining transform-o-robot technology (origin spookily unknown); and The Aliens, who are looking for a new planet to inhabit, and have mastered bio-engineering so they can build huge beasts to kick the crap out of the others with.

As you can see from the screenshots, it's all a bit Day After Tomorrow (although hopefully not, since we were after a quiet Saturday) and splendidly detailed. Expect more info from Codemasters in the nearish future.