Greetings Everyone!
Let’s Talk Splash Damage
Some features don’t come from code or spreadsheets. They come from a single question: "Wouldn’t it be cool if..." That’s exactly how Splash Damage was born.
In Apes Warfare, Splash Damage is a special attack mechanic used by more advanced indirect units. Think of it as the result of a massive shell hitting the ground, sending out a shockwave of destruction around the target. It’s chaotic, cinematic, and adds a new layer of tactical risk.
Let’s be clear. We’re not trying to reinvent Advance Wars. That game is a legend. Many of us started learning strategy games because of it. And yes, we still go back and replay it when we’re unsure about balance or mechanics. It’s a masterclass. But that doesn’t mean we can’t explore new ideas on top of it.
Splash Damage was originally proposed by one of the developers. He imagined that big explosions should feel big, not just a hit on a single tile, but something that leaves a mark. That led to some interesting design questions. Should Splash Damage hurt only enemies? Or also allies? Should terrain be affected?
We’re still testing how far it should reach and how powerful the effect should be. Right now, the main tile takes 100 percent damage, while the surrounding tiles get less. But how much less? 50 percent? 30 percent? That’s where playtesting and your feedback come in.
These kinds of mechanics are what make development so exciting. You’re not just building a system. You’re building a moment players will remember. And they raise the question: what are the advantages of indie game development? Which is actually my next point!
What are the advantages of indie game development? Is it that a small group of developers can freely create what they want without restrictions? The speed of communication and decision-making is fast, and developers are always happy working on what they make. Danny and I spent nearly 15 years working on Call of Duty, contributing to more than eight titles since Call of Duty 2. While those were great years filled with many lessons, working at a large studio requires a lot of energy to apply personal styles and ideas.
So what about the downsides of indie development? There are so many things to do that I could probably write about them for days. Haha. What do you think about indie game development? Do you believe a team of five can create a military turn-based strategy game like Advance Wars?
Here are the units we have added over the past four months. Quite a lot, right? I work on modeling, texturing, animation, and VFX while Danny handles design and audio. He also does the level work. The reason a small team like ours can achieve so much in a short time is that we both really enjoy developing Apes Warfare. Are you interested in indie game development?
Up Next
In our next Dev Log, we’ll share how Splash Damage is visually represented and how its impact changes the flow of a match in unexpected ways.