At a time when the real-time strategy (RTS) genre is gradually waning in popularity, *Infinite Fantasy Frontline*—the first new title to blend anime aesthetics with sci-fi and fantasy elements—launched in Early Access on Steam in mid-February.Crafted with great dedication by a small development team, this title not only streamlines the traditional RTS framework to lower the entry barrier but also offers players a refreshing experience through diverse factions, all-domain combat across land, sea, and air, and a unique cooperative character-building system.
Recently, we conducted an exclusive interview with the producer of *Infinite Fantasy Frontline*, delving into the game’s original vision, development journey, design innovations, as well as its iteration plans and future roadmap during the Steam Early Access phase.
I. Original Motivation for the Project: Using Passion as a Spark to Fill the Gap in the Anime-Themed RTS Market
When asked about what inspired the creation of *Infinite Fantasy Frontline*, the producer’s answer was simple and straightforward. “I’ve always loved playing games, and I’ve always enjoyed creating world-building, characters, and stories, so ever since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of making my own game. Making games is basically doing the work I love.”
When it comes to choosing a game genre, the producer has a clear understanding of the market. “I play a wide variety of game genres, but I’ve been playing real-time strategy and MOBA games for a long time and play them frequently. I’m quite familiar with these genres and enjoy playing them, so I want to develop games in these genres.” He added, “Currently, there are relatively few companies developing games in this genre, and not many titles remain on the market. So it’s a genre that still has a market and isn’t as competitive.”
Described by its developers as a “diverse real-time strategy game with an anime-inspired art style,” this title’s core vision is to create a battlefield where players of all types can find enjoyment.“Featuring traditional yet streamlined real-time strategy gameplay, along with a variety of interesting factions and heroes, the game offers multiple PvP and PvE modes for players to experience. Whether you’re a competitive or casual player, you’ll find a game mode here that suits you.”
II. Core Design: A Fusion of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, Redefining the Anime-Style RTS Experience
Core Battlefield Scenarios
Core Battlefield Scenarios
"Infinite Fantasy Frontline" builds a vast world where science fiction and fantasy coexist, with battlefields stretching from bustling cities to the vast expanse of space, offering limitless possibilities for innovative gameplay.At launch, the game introduced two factions with distinctly different styles: the “Earth Defense Force,” representing human civilization, which possesses a full range of mechanized vehicles from tanks to mechs; and “Atlantis,” hailing from the depths of the ocean,a special force composed of the princess’s personal guard that seamlessly blends high technology with magic. All of its units possess amphibious combat capabilities and feature a unique shield mechanism.
“Shortly after the launch of the initial version, we’ll also be introducing a third faction—one that’s darker, more terrifying, and more distinctive. It will be an evil, Cthulhu Mythos-inspired faction of malevolent deities,” the producer revealed, hinting at exciting upcoming content.
To strike a balance between strategic depth and accessibility, the game has undergone key streamlining innovations in its core gameplay. “Resource acquisition in this game does not rely heavily on workers; most resources are automatically gathered by constructed buildings, so players need to compete for resource points on the map.” This design allows new players to focus more on tactical planning and army command.
In-game combat screenshots
While retaining the core “build, produce, fight” loop of traditional RTS games, the game introduces interactive elements such as hero units, neutral monsters, and map shops, greatly enriching the strategic depth of each match.At the same time, to address the challenge of distinguishing between friendly and enemy units in high-definition models, the development team innovated the “faction color differentiation system,” ensuring that players can make quick decisions on complex battlefields.
Faced with players’ polarized preferences regarding game difficulty, the production team opted for a “mode segmentation” solution. “Our game features PvP—that is, player-versus-player combat—as well as PvE, where players face off against AI, and special cooperative player modes.” The producer explained, “Whether you’re a casual player, someone who isn’t very skilled, or a hardcore competitive player, you can find a mode you enjoy—rather than forcing a certain type of player to play a mode they don’t like.”
Among these features, the “Cooperative Progression Mode”—which operates independently of the standard mode—is a standout feature tailored specifically for casual players. Two or four players can team up to complete missions; by earning experience, they can raise their faction’s cooperative level to unlock new content and bonuses. This design ensures that the fun of RTS games is no longer limited to high-intensity competition.
In terms of art style, the game maintains a 2D fantasy aesthetic, but the producer has candidly acknowledged its current shortcomings: ““There are inconsistencies in our art style, with variations in the styles of different model textures. We are currently working hard to unify the style, aiming for an art style similar to that of anime-style mobile games like *Genshin Impact* and *Tidehunter*, to ensure that we are truly a game with an anime-style art direction.”
III. Early Access: The Framework Is in Place—Building a Content Ecosystem Together with Players
Screenshot of the Steam Store page interface
Currently, *Infinite Fantasy Frontline* is in the Steam Early Access phase, and the game’s overall framework and core gameplay have largely been finalized. “The overall framework and gameplay are complete, but there isn’t much content yet; we’ll continue to release new content in the future.” The producer stated that the game’s core gameplay will only undergo minor tweaks in the future, and the team’s primary focus will be on adding and expanding content.
According to the plan, the update schedule during the Early Access period will be very frequent. In addition to quickly launching the third Cthulhu-style Evil God faction, the team will also continue to add new heroes, as well as maps for competitive and cooperative modes.“The new faction introduced in the first update will be given to players through an event, and the first new hero will also be available for free through an event. Other future content will be available for purchase through events or in-game purchases.”
Regarding the game’s current difficulty and gameplay flow, the producer expressed overall satisfaction and stated that optimizations will be made through future updates. “There may be some balance adjustments in this area in the future, as well as game optimizations—which we will definitely implement—to enhance the player experience. Future updates will focus more on adding new content than on optimizations and bug fixes.”
IV. Development Iterations: Striking the Right Balance Between What to Keep and What to Let Go, and Staying True to Our Original Passion
In-game combat screenshots
Behind the creation of a game often lie countless trade-offs and challenges. During development, some content is indeed temporarily set aside due to design adjustments or time constraints. “For example, we had planned to design a specific gameplay feature in the PVE co-op mode that would allow players to focus solely on playing their heroes. We didn’t have enough time to implement it this time, but we’ll definitely add it in a future update,” the producer promised.
As a small team developing a game for the first time, the production process for *Infinite Fantasy Frontline* was fraught with challenges. “In the early stages of development, we took a lot of detours because we lacked experience, and on top of that, we had to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it very difficult to hire staff.” The producer recalled, “Later, as the pandemic ended and things gradually improved, we were able to expand our team and bring on experienced staff, slowly getting back on track step by step.”
Limited funding and the gap in team capabilities compared to major studios had also led the producer to consider giving up on multiple occasions. “Sometimes I’d compare our game to the blockbusters from major studios—which, of course, was completely the wrong approach—and that would put a lot of pressure on me.” But in the end, his original creative vision, the team’s perseverance, and the support of family and friends pulled him back into the fray. “Once I found the right place for our game, reflected on my original vision, and remembered everyone’s support, I found the motivation to keep going.”
V. Team Beliefs: Family as a Shield, Passion as a Spear—A Small Team’s Path to Breaking Through
When asked about the support he’s received along the way, the producer expressed deep gratitude. “My family, friends, and partner have all been very supportive,” he shared. “Although my family may have had some reservations—wondering whether the game could actually turn a profit—they’ve still stood by me the whole time and hope I’ll succeed in my entrepreneurial venture.My friends and partner, on the other hand, understood the game from the very beginning and often helped me out; I wouldn’t have made it this far without them.”
It is precisely this solid support that has allowed this small team to stay focused on refining its product amid a fast-paced market and remain true to its original mission of “creating a great game.” From its early days of inexperience to its steady progress today, every step of the team’s growth has been fueled by its passion for gaming.
VI. Long-Term Outlook: We Don’t Just Sell Numbers—We’re Building the “Infinite Fantasy Frontline” IP Universe Together
Game Character Posters
The producer has a clear and long-term vision for the game’s future. When it comes to monetization, the team is sticking to its principles: “We will not sell in-game stats; for a game like this, it’s unnecessary and would be highly detrimental to the game.” According to the team, in-game purchases will focus on annual passes, new factions, new heroes, and various cosmetic items and skins; none of the paid content will affect the game’s fairness.
“As long as the game is still in operation, we’ll keep updating it—not just with balance adjustments, but by continuously adding new content.” The producer’s promise has put all players’ minds at ease. In the future, the game will also introduce a ranked match system and more cosmetic items to continue enriching the game’s ecosystem.
In addition to updates to the game itself, plans for IP expansion are also in the works. “After the official launch, if the game’s popularity gradually grows, I’d be happy to produce various character-themed merchandise, such as mugs, clothing, mouse pads, as well as plush toys and action figures.” At the same time, the producer expressed his enthusiasm for brand collaborations: “As a small company, it’s not always easy for us to partner with others, but I’d really like to collaborate with other games and anime—after all, I’m a big fan of both myself.”
From a childhood dream to an Early Access title on Steam, *Infinite Fantasy Frontline* has taken every step with determination and strength. In this strategic world where science fiction and fantasy converge, we’ve witnessed the dedication of a small team and the boundless potential of anime-style RTS games.As the producer noted, the game’s growth would not have been possible without player support. Moving forward, this passionate team will continue to work alongside players to jointly shape *Infinite Fantasy Frontline* into a true masterpiece.
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