Empire of the Ants: a photoreal RTS about a warrior ant and its growing colony
Microids and the studio Tower Five released a trailer for Empire of the Ants, a photorealistic ant simulation presented as a third‑person real‑time strategy. The trailer showcases lifelike colonies navigating intricate terrains, with visuals designed to highlight resource management, nest building, and tactical maneuvering. On Steam, players expressed mostly positive sentiment, with a 73% user rating noted around the time of release. Pre-orders were open for the Digital Deluxe Edition, granting early access and extra content for fans looking to dive in sooner.
The showcase video accompanies the launch push, offering a close look at how miniature ecosystems unfold under pressure and how strategic decisions shape the outcome of each expedition into enemy territory. A viewer can expect scenes of foraging, resource gathering, and the delicate balance between defense and expansion, all rendered with attention to detail that underscores the game’s realism. The clips serve as both tutorial guidance and a taste of the strategic depth players will encounter in campaign and multiplayer battles.
In Empire of the Ants, players command an ant colony that must be shielded from hostile forces and environmental disasters while expanding its network of nests, forage routes, and storage capabilities. The game emphasizes careful planning, swarm tactics, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions on the ground, underground, and on the surface. Strategy emerges from micro-management at the colony level and macro decisions about territory control and long‑term sustainability, as described in official materials and previews.
There is both a single‑player campaign and online multiplayer. In single‑player, players experience a narrative arc across varied habitats, from dim underground warrens to sunlit forest floors, where every decision affects resource streams and colony morale. Online, colonies confront each other across maps, testing diplomacy, siege tactics, and rapid response to threats, with persistent progress that rewards cunning planning and teamwork.
“You play as 103,683, a curious warrior ant,” the description notes, highlighting a protagonist from the warrior caste who leads explorations, defends the colony, and pushes into new frontiers. The premise centers on curiosity driving discovery, while the broader narrative weaves through the Ant Union as players gain influence, form alliances among fellow insects, and conquer new territories through strategic strikes and well‑timed defenses.
You can purchase Empire of the Ants on Steam for RUB 1,999. The title is also slated for release on the Epic Games Store, GOG, the PlayStation Store, and the Xbox Store, with a demo available for hands‑on trials. The plan to offer multiple storefronts helps broaden access for players across Canada and the United States, making it simpler to compare versions, access pre‑order bonuses, and follow updates from official channels. This multi‑platform approach also supports cross‑play ideas and community events as the game evolves.
Industry observers note Empire of the Ants as a standout among upcoming strategy titles, with emphasis on its visual fidelity and its scale of creature‑level control. The game aspires to merge cinematic presentation with tight, responsive controls, so that players feel the weight of each decision—from foraging routes to defensive formations—and the thrill of expansion, all inside a living, simulated micro‑world that rewards careful planning and bold action.