Space Gears is a sci-fi strategy game set on Mars and a war to compete for Martian terraforming resources. Players take on the role of pioneer and commander, mine resources, conduct terraforming research, and assemble mechs to terraform Mars and engage in intense PvE, PvP, and guild battles.

Set on Mars, players take on the role of pioneers, constructing bases and commanding armies of powerful mechs. The game encourages players to form alliances and compete against one another for control of limited resources. With its fluid, fast-paced PvE and PvP battles, Space Gears eliminates traditional build orders, resource management, and base expansions, concentrating instead on real-time play. This approach allows players to master well-timed and coordinated strikes against their adversaries, making every battle a thrilling experience.

Space Gears combines the best of both the RTS and MOBA genres, featuring back-to-back, action-packed battles. The game’s casual play controls focus on delivering intuitive and immersive gameplay, which makes the game much more accessible to players than a classic RTS. In addition to growth and progression, the game offers players the chance to collaborate and compete with each other through the game’s non-combat features including its terraforming system, mech assembly, upgrades, base expansions, and tech research.

To achieve more realistic gameplay, the game was developed with the Unity 2022 (HDRP) engine, which was used to implement high-quality graphics for the game’s martian background, bases, and mechs. Furthermore, a team of twenty artists from across the world worked together to create the game's intricate and visually stunning mech designs.

Pentapeak Studios, a subsidiary of 2bytes Corporation, revealed Space Gears’ cinematic trailer, introduced the game’s features, and announced upcoming global playtest dates.

During a showcase held at 2bytes Corporation HQ, CEO Ham Young-chul shared his vision for Space Gears stating, “Space Gears is an original sci-fi strategy game that's both easy and fun to play. We want it to resonate with fans of the RTS genre seeking new and fresh gameplay.

Ham continued to highlight Space Gears’ features by saying, “Space Gears’ RTS-style combat controls, focus on strategy, and back-to-back, action-packed battles make for a potent mix. The game combines the best of both the RTS and MOBA genres and has the potential to become a trendsetter in the industry.”

Lead Producer Inwon said, “Space Gears is the first game developed by Pentapeak Studios. It represents the team’s vision and determination to deliver a game with an original story and engaging content.”

He then went on to introduce the Space Gears development team by saying, “If there’s one thing in common about the 38 in-house developers and 20 artists across the globe working together to create the game, it’s that we’re all a bunch of science fiction nerds.”

Regarding the combat system, Lee further remarked, “Remember those end-game battles in Starcraft? Imagine skipping the build up and going straight to the battles. That’s what we have in mind for Space Gears.”

Producer Shin Haesung dove into the specifics of Space Gears’ features. He began by stressing the game’s focus on graphics by saying, “The game was developed on Unity HDRP to give it that crisp, high-fidelity look.”

He then went on to present the game’s combat features by saying, “Units are controllable in squads, not individual units. Each squad has a skill casting leader and different deployable formations. The key to success in battle will depend on well-timed and coordinated skill deployment and strategic maneuvering of formations during battle.”

Important milestones were also announced during the showcase. Space Gears' first global playtest will be held from June 2 to 5, 2023. The playtest will be accessible by anyone with a Steam account. Thereafter, Space Gears will be featured in Steam Next Fest (June 19 - 26, 2023) and begin Early Access on Steam in Q3 this year.

Play Test Access Schedule:

• Available for 12 hours on Fri, June 2 and Mon, June 5
• Available for 24 hours on Sat, June 3 and Sun, June 4

Key Features:

• Camp (Mars terraforming base): Camp is where players build their base and facilities for terraforming. Players collect resources by constructing and upgrading facilities such as mining platforms, refineries, water extractors, air conversion facilities, and soil conversion facilities. Resources can be exchanged for items by delivering them to Martian Union NPCs or spent to assemble mechs. Resources during this process are subject to looting by other players.
• Homebase: Homebase is a type of spacecraft capable of both space and atmospheric flight. Under the guidance of an android assistant dispatched from Mars Union, players strengthen their mechs and conduct research to advance their technologies. Players can upgrade their mechs by consuming resources and enhancement items, which will raise a mech’s size and status. Upgrades beyond a certain level require special materials. Mining and metallurgical technologies lead to better production, and construction technologies open next-tier buildings and reduce time taken to grow.
• Real-Time Battles: Combat in Space Gears is done in real-time and in various modes, including PvE, PvP, and RvR. Players will have to deploy sound strategies by mixing up different formations available for each of their mech squads. Victory will come to those who are mindful of their combat meta during battle. Because of the game’s focus on mech growth, the game’s PvP system will match players against other players at similar skill levels. This will happen through tiered leagues for ranked matches. The game aims to balance gameplay so that victory or defeat is determined by a player's strategy and control skills, rather than just having a strong mech.
• Casual game controls for highly intuitive and immersive gameplay
• Terraforming Missions: Players must traverse the Martian landscape to complete terraforming missions under the guidance of Mars Union. They must construct various terraforming facilities and operate them to transform the surface and atmosphere of Mars. These facilities are also needed to extract water buried deep below the surface, which is needed to form rivers and oceans that cover the arid surface of Mars.
• Mechs: Players will have the chance to assemble a variety of mechs each having their own unique features and appearances. Players must actively play the game to acquire mechs that have desired stats and skills.

Space Gears is coming to PC (Steam Early Access) in Q3 2023.