Subterfuge (video game)

Subterfuge is a real-time strategy video game developed by Ron Carmel and Noel Llopis. It was loosely based on the strategic board game Diplomacy.

The game took place in an underwater world where players used diplomacy and tactics to defeat their opponents. It featured minimalist art, except for the specialist portraits, which were drawn by Shane Nakamura.

Gameplay
Subterfuge took place in real time to allow for diplomacy; an average game lasted for about a week but could be longer or shorter. Despite taking a week to play, the developers claimed the game was still "short". A game supported anywhere from 2 to 10 players. Diplomacy was highly encouraged in Subterfuge, and players only communicated via in-game messages. This allowed for the negotiation of strategy and teamwork which was vital for players to win. To win a normal game, a player must gain 200 neptunium through mines which could be constructed by combat units. Over the course of a game, players must fight over outposts spread across the map in an attempt to increase production capacity and rate for combat units. "Dominion rules" were also available where the goal was to control a certain amount of outposts instead.

Time machine
Due to the 24 hour nature of the game, Subterfuge did not require a player to be in the game to issue moves (orders): players could plan orders in advance using the time machine feature, allowing complex maneuvers to be performed. The time machine also allowed the viewing of past events and a prediction of the future based on player knowledge. The time machine worked by letting players go to the time they wished to have the order executed; they then played the game as if it were in the present. When the set amount of time had passed, the order would be carried out, even if the player was not present. Developer Ron Carmel said that he implemented this feature based on previous experience playing Neptune's Pride, which lacked this feature, leading to inconvenience. While most players could only schedule four moves using the time machine, players who have bought the full game could issue an unlimited amount of future orders. The time machine also moved forward when you launched a submarine, which showed the player what the map will look like when the sub arrives.

Reception
Subterfuge has been met with mostly positive reception; it has been praised for having simplicity and tactical depth. Pocket Tactics gave it the award for the best multiplayer game of 2015. Three weeks after launch, Subterfuge had been installed 113,000 times on Android and 107,000 times on iOS; it earned $23,000 in the three-week period.