Here at Sanctuary: Shattered Sun, the development team has truly been listening to the community’s feedback and ideas. Developer Nine2 has shared some exciting confirmed features for the game, some that might surprise you and others you probably didn’t even know were in the works. Let’s dive in:
Infinite Terrain
“Our super genius art peoples have been hard at work delivering infinite terrain – there is no map border. Only part of the map is playable, after that it just keeps going off into the distance, no hard map edge.”
In contrast to Supreme Commander, which featured rigid and artificial-looking map borders that clearly defined the limits of play, Sanctuary: Shattered Sun adopts a far more immersive approach. Instead of abrupt edges, the maps gradually fade into the horizon, giving the impression of an endless world that stretches beyond the playable area. This subtle design choice enhances the sense of scale and makes the environments feel expansive and alive.
While this change may not directly alter gameplay mechanics, it represents a clear dedication to creating an immersive and visually cohesive experience. The seamless transition between the playable area and the infinite terrain adds to the atmosphere, pulling players deeper into the game’s universe.
This attention to detail isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade—it’s a reflection of the care and craftsmanship the development team is pouring into every aspect of Sanctuary: Shattered Sun. The result? A world that feels as vast and limitless as the strategies players will employ within it.
It. Will. Be. Stunning.
Commander Chassis System
“One of my favourite features is around all the commander upgrade stuff with the separate chassis system. Players will be able to transfer their commander into a completely different vehicle with completely different specs … like a bot turning into a tank instead, with slower movement and more HP, but with completely different upgrades. One of the reasons I like this is because it advertises the commander capabilities … like he is tank mode now so he could have the scary epic gun upgrade. Having the chassis change is like a big warning.”
This feature is a game-changer. Not only are the Kingpiece (not Commander!) units unique for each faction, but their customization options go even further with the ability to change their chassis.
Why does this matter? Each chassis unlocks a different set of abilities, such as offensive firepower, building capabilities, or intelligence gathering. Crucially, the chassis you choose acts as a visible indicator to your opponent of how you plan to use your Kingpiece.
In Supreme Commander, an ACU with a double-gun upgrade looked identical to one with a T3 engineering suite. In Sanctuary, you’ll know at a glance whether your opponent’s Kingpiece is in tank mode and ready for a fight or decked out as a builder. It’s a subtle but powerful addition that makes strategic planning and counterplay even more engaging.
Bridges
“Our pathfinding is designed to support bridges. Units can travel on top of or below bridges. Bridges can be destroyed which would damage the units above, who would take fall damage, and everything below, which would get crushed. Perhaps bridges can be repaired, who knows?”
Bridges bring both tactical opportunities and risks to the battlefield, adding a dynamic layer to the strategic gameplay in Sanctuary: Shattered Sun. The ability to build bridges allows players to traverse previously inaccessible terrain, opening up creative avenues to flank opponents, access resource-rich areas, or establish surprise attacks. However, bridges also represent a significant vulnerability. Their destructibility introduces high-stakes decisions—imagine the chaos of dropping a bridge with enemy units mid-crossing, causing them to plummet to their demise, or strategically denying access to critical areas by demolishing key routes.
While destructible bridges have been a hallmark of RTS games since the mid-90s, Sanctuary innovates on this classic feature by potentially allowing players to not only destroy but also build and repair bridges during gameplay. This raises fascinating tactical possibilities. Players can construct temporary pathways to quickly reinforce allies, create escape routes under fire, or even bait enemies into precarious positions for an ambush.
However, bridges may face competition as an option in a game where air-dropping units is also on the table. To ensure bridges remain a compelling choice, the developers could introduce unique incentives—perhaps by making certain terrain only accessible by bridges, offering resource bonuses for controlling key crossing points, or limiting air transport capacity to encourage their strategic use.
Ultimately, bridges represent more than just a path over an obstacle; they are a battleground of their own, where the decisions to build, defend, or destroy could turn the tide of a match. Their inclusion underscores the rich tactical depth Sanctuary: Shattered Sun aims to offer.
Second Wind
“One of the more controversial features we are talking about is a second wind feature – in team games, when your commander dies, he is downed for a bit, and your teammate can come over with his own commander and revive you. In other games, one of the frustrations is being sniped. You’ve played a game for 20 minutes and are doing well, then just suddenly die. Some people love it, some people hate it. Besides fixing an annoying issue, Second Wind will create lots of super exciting gaming moments, where the main player is doing really well, but he is downed! And then his teammates come to revive him! But then the area is nuked!”
In Sanctuary, the death of the Kingpiece doesn’t have to mean game over, at least if you enable the Second Wind option. This feature allows a team member to revive your downed Kingpiece within a limited timeframe, offering a second chance to stay in the fight.
The tactical decisions this introduces are fascinating. Do you risk your own Kingpiece to cross the battlefield and revive your ally, potentially turning the tide of the game? Or do you prioritize your own safety? The feature also adds drama to team games, where tense rescues and counter-strategies can make for thrilling moments.
For purists, the Second Wind mechanic can be disabled, preserving the high-stakes gameplay RTS veterans love.
Want to Get Involved?
These features are just a taste of what’s to come, and there’s still room to shape the future of Sanctuary: Shattered Sun. Have ideas or feedback? Head over to the Sanctuary: Shattered Sun Game Suggestions forum and share your thoughts.
This is a game built not just for the community, but with it. Let’s make it unforgettable.
