AirMech is coming to Steam!
They will be giving away keys on their Google+ and Facebook accounts in the near future for the closed Steam beta, before the beta is released publicly to everyone on Steam at an unknown date.
Quick FAQ about this game, since it appears it does not have much exposure, especially on GAF:
What is AirMech?
Airmech is an free-to-play action-RTS by the developers of Fat Princess where you pilot one of many flying vehicles that can also transform into a ground mech whenever you wish. The game works like a mixture of LoL and an RTS, and is very much inspired by Herzog Zwei. In the primary competitive mode, your teams objective is to destroy the other team's base through use of your creeps, units you choose to produce, and the damage you deal with your AirMech itself. The game also has co-op, survival, and challenge modes, although the game currently lacks friends lists, and your forced to make private rooms if you want to play with friends guaranteed (but will support Steam friends and integration when released on Steam).
There's a lot to the game that I feel is better shown than described, so I suggest watching this tutorial. You can also watch the GiantBomb Quicklook, but it's less informative. The game also has a tutorial that will teach you the basics.
Free-to-play? What's the catch?
Anything that can give you a competitive advantage (new units for your loadout, new AirMechs, new pilots, etc.) can be bought with the in-game currency earned from playing games, Kudos. The only things that can only be bought with real money directly, or through purchases of their premium currency, Diamonds, are cosmetically different models of the AirMechs and XP/Kudos boosts (boosts for your persistent progression, not within matches). Diamonds or real money can also be used to purchase new units for your loadout.
Can I play this game now?
Currently, the game is in alpha and you can play this game in two ways:
- Google Chrome app client - Runs in your browser and very smoothly, gets updated less often. And by that I mean every weekish instead of multiple times per week. Only real benefit to the Chrome app is an exclusive Chrome logo flying saucer that you can only buy in the Chrome app, but carries over to other clients.
- PC Client - Only accessible if your account has been granted entry via their forums or the current Alienware Beta key giveaway, of which, there are (as of writing this post) over 8000 keys still remaining. I posted this in the last AirMech thread weeks ago and there were 9000+ available then. The Beta key gets you into the alpha currently, and your account will be auto-accepted into when it goes into Beta, which appears to be simultaneous with the Steam release. Additionally, the beta key also gives you 1000 free Diamonds.
Where do I sign up?
You can sign up through www.carbongames.com or link your Google account when you use the Chrome web app for the first time. And if you like me, once signed up and in-game you can go to the codes sub-menu under settings and input my referral code: 643C-X5CB-4MQD-WTAX . Even they don't know what referrals will net you yet though, but they promise something.
If there are any other questions, or anything I missed, let me know. Here is the official FAQ, which you may also wish to consult.