Skies Above: The Great War [Developer Showcase]

The journey of Didi from Puntigames is one of rekindled passion, creative determination, and an unyielding desire to bring dreams to life through games. It begins in a small room, with a teenage Didi poring over the drag-and-drop applications from Clickteam. In those early days, the thrill of building tiny worlds was tempered by the limitations of the tools, and so, many ideas that once took flight in thought, never quite made it to the screen. Two decades would pass before fate intervened, reuniting the joy of game creation, this time with the power of the Godot engine.

Rediscovering the craft was not without its challenges, but took to learning with the fervour of someone who had been patiently waiting for the right moment. Udemy courses and countless YouTube tutorials became the foundation, while the spark of passion lit the way forward. At the time, Didi lived in Puntigam, a district of Graz, and thus the name “Puntigames” became synonymous with a rekindled creative journey.

In early 2022, this journey bore fruit with the release of Roma Invicta on Steam. Built in two years alongside a regular job, it was meant to be a foray into understanding the complexities of releasing a game. What came next was entirely unforeseen, a wave of enthusiasm from players that propelled Didi to make a life-changing decision. Game development, once a rediscovered hobby, became a full-time pursuit.

The next chapter of the story took to the skies, literally! Skies Above: The Great War became a labour of love, blending the thrill of action with the strategic depth of a grand strategy sandbox. Set on the Western Front during the First World War, the game invites players to lead the air forces of either the Allies or Germany, orchestrating battles and strategies across a meticulously detailed, real-time simulated world spanning 10,000 square kilometres.

But this is not merely a strategy game. You can leave the map behind at any moment and jump directly into the cockpit of a fully simulated aircraft. With every plane rendered in exquisite detail, from its damage model to its handling, players are thrust into thrilling dogfights that test skill and nerve. Prefer to guide from above? Let the AI take the reins and focus on commanding your forces. The choice is entirely yours.

The strategic layer unfolds as you provide your airfields with machines and pilots, assigning missions that complement your overarching war strategy. Each mission – whether it’s reconnaissance, front patrolling, strategic bombing, or the dangerous task of balloon hunting, contributes to the greater whole. Resources are limited, and managing them wisely becomes the cornerstone of success.

Skies Above: The Great War doesn’t just stop at warfare. The game offers a rich management experience. Players can hire manufacturers like Fokker or Sopwith to produce aircraft and even commission the development of new designs to keep pace with enemy advancements. Airfields and squadrons become living entities under your control, customisable to the smallest detail. Paint your planes, design squadron insignias, and see your unique touches take flight.

The human element is equally profound. Pilots are more than numbers on a roster; they are individuals with portraits, talents, and potential. Train them, assign them carefully, and watch as they grow into the role, or tragically fall in the line of duty. Among their ranks, keen-eyed players might even spot a few names that echo from history.

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of this game is its flexibility. Love micromanagement? Dive into every detail. Prefer to focus on one aspect of the experience? Hand the rest over to the AI. The game bends to your style, offering a personalised yet cohesive experience.

Didi from Puntigames’ tale is not just about the games themselves but the spirit behind them. It’s about rediscovering passion, pushing boundaries, and creating worlds where players can immerse themselves. With Skies Above: The Great War, the developer offers more than a game, it’s a piece of history brought to life, where the skies hold countless stories waiting to be told.

Features

Dynamic Gameplay Modes: Command the skies through strategic planning or take to the air in first- or third-person perspectives. Switch between action-packed dogfights and broader strategic management at any time.
Massive Real-Time Game World: Explore a 10,000 square kilometre persistent game map of the Western Front, meticulously simulated in real time. Every aircraft, mission, and battle dynamically unfolds across the war-torn skies.
Realistic Aircraft Simulation: Take control of fully simulated planes with detailed handling and damage models. Engage in accessible yet challenging aerial combat with AI or other players.
Comprehensive War Strategy: Provide airfields with planes and pilots, assigning missions such as reconnaissance, bombing, or balloon hunting. Balance resources carefully to support your overall war efforts.
Aircraft Development and Customisation: Partner with iconic manufacturers like Fokker or Sopwith to produce and develop new aircraft models. Customise individual planes with unique paint schemes and insignias to make your squadrons stand out.
Detailed Squadron Management: Manage airfields and squadrons, assigning pilots and machines to optimise effectiveness. Train pilots with individual talents to improve their skills, creating elite units. Encounter historically inspired figures among the ranks of your pilots.
Flexible Playstyles: Control the depth of your involvement. Focus on your favourite aspects of gameplay and delegate other tasks to AI. Whether you enjoy micromanagement or hands-on combat, the game adapts to your preferences.