EarthBreakers – Quick Start Guide (How to Play)

Welcome to Earthbreakers! In Earthbreakers, we simulate an RTS base versus base struggle in an FPS environment. This early prototype is a very limited slice of what is planned for a final launch, but all of the basic aspects of gameplay are included. Please note that none of the art, balance or gameplay is in a final state. While you can just jump in and start shooting, here are a few things that will help you understand how the game works and how to win.

Quick Start Guide for New Players

Please note: all credit goes to PG_Ren!

System Requirements

Note: The estimated recommended and minimum specs are listed below, but will likely change as the game is further developed.

Recommended

  • OS: Windows 10
  • Processor: 3.8 Ghz Processor (4 cores or greater)
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: GeForce GTX 1070 / Radeon RX 590 or equivalent
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 10 GB available space
  • Sound Card: Windows Compatible Sound Device

Minimum Spec

  • OS: Windows 7
  • Processor: 3.2 Ghz Processor (dual core)
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • GTX 960 or equivalent
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 10 GB available space
  • Sound Card: Windows Compatible Sound Device

Project Status

This project is in the very early prototype stage. While every attempt has been made to produce a stable and fun experience, some bugs and balance issues are inevitable. For an ideal experience, we recommend at least 10 players (5 per team) and a max player count of 24 (12 per team). The game has dedicated servers available.

How to Win

The goal of the game is to destroy all of the enemy team’s structures. This includes the HQ, Refinery and Factory. The HQ controls all structure building, so if the HQ is destroyed you can no longer rebuild any structures. You will receive resource money from the harvester each time it completes a trip. Use these resources to purchase vehicles and upgrades for your class and team.

Starting the Game

  • From the main menu, click the PLAY GAME button. You will see a list of dedicated servers with the current number of players.
  • Select the server you wish to join and click the JOIN SERVER button.
  • Once you connect, you will be presented with the class selection screen. Choose the class you wish to play (you can always switch later) then click the ENTER BATTLE button.
  • If you want to be on a specific team, you can click the CHANGE TEAM button before entering the battle.

The Classes And Controls

The current game has five classes available (we plan on adding more for the final game):.

Assault Rifle – You are a medium-range anti-infantry character. You cannot damage structures and have only limited usefulness against vehicles.

Flamethrower – You are a close-range anti-infantry and anti-turret character. The flames burn over time and can linger even after your target leaves the stream of fire.

Sniper Rifle – You are a long-range anti-infantry character with moderate anti-vehicle and low anti-structure capability. You have little-to-no close range combat ability.

Rocket Launcher – You are a vehicle killer, but you can do fair damage against structures. Your anti-infantry capability is weak.

Repair Gun – You are a support class who can repair structures, vehicles and infantry armor. You cannot heal health. While the repair gun can also damage enemies, it is very weak. You can also removed “Buster Bombs” from attached surfaces.

All classes have armor (the blue bar) and health (the green bar).

Controls

Basic FPS controls apply:

  • WASD – Movement
  • E – Interact with objects
  • Left CTRL – Crouch
  • Left Mouse – Fire
  • Right Mouse – Zoom (if available, per weapon)
  • Mouse Wheel – Weapon Swap (pistol)
  • SHIFT – Sprint (limited by stamina)
  • BACKSPACE – View tech tree/build order
  • G – Throw grenade (purchased consumable, when unlocked)
  • H– Place Buster Bomb (purchased consumable, when unlocked)
  • Q – Use Health Pack (purchased consumable, when unlocked)
  • V – Use Stim Pack (purchased consumable, when unlocked)

Your Base

Your base begins with nothing but the HQ. In true RTS fashion, your structures will build automatically one at a time (Refinery first, then Factory). The enemy’s base will be just over the hill on the other side of the map.

You will notice floating screens scattered around the base. There are a few different types:

Build Walls/Turrets (Multiple locations in the base) – You can pay a flat fee to construct a wall or turret at these locations.

Donate/Rebuild Structure (Located outside the Refinery and Factory) – These panels have two purposes. First, while a building is under construction, you can donate credits to speed up the build time. Second, if your structure is destroyed, you can pay to rebuild it (the HQ must be intact to rebuild).

Upgrades (Located in HQ) – Upgrades are bonuses that get applied to you or your team. At first only a few are available, but more will unlock over time. You can also use this console to donate toward tech research and to buy consumable items.

Class Change (Located in HQ) – You can change your class for a fee.

Purchase Tanks (Located inside the Factory) – You can purchase a tank once the factory has completed construction. Note that there will eventually be many more vehicles to choose from.

Health and Damage

Infantry classes have health and armor. Armor is always depleted first, then health. If you are damaged to zero health, you die and will respawn back at the HQ. The Engineer (repair gun) can repair armor for infantry, health can only be healed by using a Health Pack (purchased in the HQ). Vehicles do not have armor, and instead have large health pools. Engineers can repair vehicles directly.

Structure health is broken into segments. Engineers can health structure health in a segment as long as it has at least one health left in it. If a segment is completely emptied by damage, then it can never be repaired again. The only way to completely repair a structure to full is to let it be destroyed and then rebuild it. Remember: The HQ controls are structure building; without it, you can no longer rebuild any structure.

Map Overview

Build Order

Strategy

Here are a few tips to help destroy your enemies.

Stick to Your Class’ Strengths

Each class has a strength; trying to destroy structures with an assault rifle won’t get you anywhere, but protecting your rocket troops and tanks while they destroy structures will keep you all alive longer.

Always check for new upgrades!

Initially only a few upgrades are available; more unlock when the factory completes construction, and on the completion of tech 1 and tech 2 research. Upgrades can drastically improve your survivability and damage output.

Hit Your Opponents in the Wallet

Destroying the Refinery knocks out the primary income of the base. If you can’t get to the Refinery, try destroying the Harvester instead.

Tanks are the Primary Structure Killer

Tanks are your best weapon against structures and have the longest firing range. They are vulnerable to rockets and turrets, however, so back them up with Engineers if you can.

Don’t be Afraid to Switch Classes

If you are protecting the base as an Assault Rifle troop and tanks roll in, you can switch to the Engineer and repair structures as the tank fires. You can switch classes in the HQ.

Coordinate with your Team Mates

A well-coordinated team can make all the difference. Call out when you have incoming tanks or hidden snipers. Let your team know when you plan to plant a Buster Bomb so they can cause a distraction. Plan tank assaults from multiple directions.

Volodymyr Azimoff
About Volodymyr Azimoff 15057 Articles
I love games and I live games. Video games are my passion, my hobby and my job. My experience with games started back in 1994 with the Metal Mutant game on ZX Spectrum computer. And since then, I’ve been playing on anything from consoles, to mobile devices.

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