A new free-to-play MMO shooter called Steel Aces has entered early access on its proprietary platform and is set to launch on Steam sometime in the first half of November. Steel Aces features 30-player PvP matches, as well as an upcoming co-op PvE mode where players team up to fight CPU-controlled enemies. In terms of gameplay loop, Steel Aces can be compared to some other MMO games on Steam, such as World of Tanks.
In Steel Aces, players control military tanks inspired by vehicles used over a 100-year span, from those of the Interwar Period to modern-day models. German developer Armative Studios, which consists of only three devs, has worked closely with several war museums to ensure Steel Aces‘ tanks are as realistic as possible. The early-access version of the game features more than 150 famous models from multiple nations, including the United States.
How to Play Steel Aces for Free
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Image via Armative Studios -
Image via Armative Studios -
Image via Armative Studios
As of October 30, players can visit the official Steel Aces website and download the game’s launcher to start playing. According to Armative Studios, the Steam version is still awaiting Valve’s final review and is expected to launch before November 15. Steel Aces is joining Steam’s lineup of free-to-play MMO games and plans to remain F2P after its full 1.0 release. The developer has also assured players that the game will offer no aggressive monetization or unfair advantages. Currently, monetization is limited to “collector’s vehicles, a subscription for progression, and cosmetics like paintjobs and decals.”
One feature that could set Steel Aces apart from other historically accurate wargames is its matchmaking system, which divides battles into two eras. Lower-ranked players can use tanks from 1916 to 1950, while higher-ranked users can access vehicles from 1950 to the present. Armative Studios says, “Matchmaking keeps eras separate to prevent balance issues like late WW2 heavy tanks facing Cold War munitions.” This two-era system also reveals the game’s main progression loop. Players must grind for points and EXP to rank up and unlock more advanced military tanks.
Armative Studios has an ambitious plan to add more than 1,800 unique tanks to the game.
Steel Aces also follows a “no artillery, no aircraft” policy. Unlike some other large-scale war simulators, Steel Aces limits players to tanks, keeping combat focused on line-of-sight and ground-based encounters. To make up for this, developer Armative Studios has an ambitious plan to add more than 1,800 unique tanks to the game, each with its own class and specialization. Currently, the United States faction alone features 50 different models, ranging from light and heavy tanks to modern MBTs and fire-support vehicles.
One piece of good news for fans of MMO games with tank combat is that Steel Aces has already completed a playtest and received a major update based on players’ feedback ahead of its early-access release. Commenting on the launch, studio CEO Michael Schmotz said, “This is a major milestone for our team, and we can’t wait for players to experience what we’ve been building and put their strategic skills to the test.” It remains to be seen whether Steel Aces, developed by a relatively small team, can compete with major names in the genre, including Wargaming Group’s World of Tanks.
