In late 2005, Codemasters recruited me to the production team for Maelstrom, a real-time strategy game set in a post-apocalypse science fiction future, to develop the characters, background world and script for this dynamic action title for the PC platform. Created by KD Labs, the design studio behind the ground-breaking Perimeter RTS, Maelstrom uses the environment itself as a key element in an ongoing game where flowing, motile water is the key resource for victory.

I was given the basic broad strokes of the Maelstrom world and from there I created background and a full history for each of the three player 'factions' - the rag-tag Remnants, the technocratic Ascension and the alien Hai-Genti invaders; a complete timeline of events from the present day to the dark future decades hence - a legacy of ecological catastrophe and global war; and backstories for the three lead characters in each of the warring factions.

After developing the source material, I went on to design mission concepts and write the scripts for the cutscenes and in-game elements; and later I was brought back to work with the team at Outsource Media to direct the performers cast for the voice acting roles - I even sneaked myself in to play a bit-role as a supporting trooper among the Ascension forces...

Maelstrom takes place on the devastated future Earth of 2040 where an alien invasion has triggered an apocalyptic ecological disaster.

In this savaged world water has become the most valuable of resources and divided the remaining humans into two factions - the Remnants, a tough band of renegades living among the ruins, and the Ascension, technocratic supremacists intent on global domination. But from the depths of interstellar space comes a new threat - the Hai-Genti, a race of alien refugees from a dead planet with plans to take Earth for themselves, no matter what the cost.

Now, the last human survivors must wage war against the invaders and each other in a desperate struggle for survival.

Victory means life; failure means extermination.

Advancing the innovative gameplay mechanics of Perimeter into a contemporary sci-fi game with action packed tactical gameplay and outstanding features, including upgradeable transforming units.

Depending on which of the three factions you choose to fight for, it's all-out destructive war as you battle for control of the entire planet against fearless aliens, an army of high-tech super soldiers and a rag tag crew of human survivors.

Maelstrom is an evolved RTS game - a stunning mix of action-packed missions set in totally destructible and immaculately realized environments.

Throughout the game, players will control three factions, each with unique identities and abilities, realized with graphically stunning models.

Modify the terrain and use the elements as a strategic weapon - create valleys, carve out lakes, freeze water, melt ice, create tornadoes and even control the wind.

Characters grow experience and level up with new abilities as you progress through the game Intense, addictive six player multiplayer gameplay, with different modes and online ranking.

The official Codemasters Maelstrom site is Here.

The game is available for order from Amazon.co.uk Here.

© J.Swallow, 2006. All images © their original copyright holders.

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