Players shape the world to their wishes in Perimeter, a real-time strategy game that revolves around competitive terraforming. Traditionally, RTS games involve two basic activities: fighting battles and managing resources. While many have focused on the warfare side of play, Perimeter emphasizes more defensive, developmental strategies. It does so by allowing players to alter the landscape itself, to benefit themselves or limit their competitors. Provided they have enough energy and the required technologies, players can transform terrain to provide more resources for their faction, create tactical advantages for themselves at key locations, and minimize an enemy’s capacity for production or defense.
Energy extracted from terraformed land is a primary power source for most buildings and units, so carefully managing this energy is crucial to the player’s survival. When enough is available, nearly impenetrable force fields can be raised over important structures, protecting them well and allowing the player to focus attention on more ambitious conquests. If energy flow is mismanaged, however, and the force fields falter, buildings become highly vulnerable to capture or destruction. The ability to raise, lower, and otherwise sculpt the landscape relies on special units. Adding to the challenge, many units in the game can themselves be altered to perform different tasks, even in the heat of battle. Strategically developing the best units, for the most important tasks, at the right time, can be the difference between victory and defeat.
