Explore, Expand and Extract: A New Strategy Adventure Game for Ant Lovers

Empire of the Ants is a new strategy adventure game that puts players in control of an army of ants.
Empire of the Ants will be released on PC, Mac, Linux, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch in Q3 2024.
Explore, Expand and Extract: A New Strategy Adventure Game for Ant Lovers
Players can command their ant armies from ground level with simple and intuitive orders that are fully modeled and simulated down to every individual ant.
The game is based on the novels by Bernard Werber and allows players to explore, expand, and extract resources in a large, near-photorealistic world that looks like it could be in someone's backyard.
The game takes some cues from 2017’s Empires of the Undergrowth but feels smoother, more intuitive, and cleaner. It is undoubtedly one of the best-looking RTS games I have played in years and one of the most exciting new prospects for 2024.
Explore, Expand and Extract: A New Strategy Adventure Game for Ant Lovers

Empire of the Ants is a new strategy adventure game that puts players in control of an army of ants. The game is based on the novels by Bernard Werber and allows players to explore, expand, and extract resources in a large, near-photorealistic world that looks like it could be in someone's backyard. Players can command their ant armies from ground level with simple and intuitive orders that are fully modeled and simulated down to every individual ant. The game takes some cues from 2017's Empires of the Undergrowth but feels smoother, more intuitive, and cleaner. It is undoubtedly one of the best-looking RTS games I have played in years and one of the most exciting new prospects for 2024.



Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • Has Bernard Werber endorsed or influenced the development of the game?
  • How realistic is the simulation of individual ants?
  • Is the game based on accurate information about ants and their behavior?
  • Will the game appeal to a wide audience beyond ant lovers?

Sources

80%

  • Unique Points
    • The game is based on the novels by Bernard Werber and puts the player in the role of an ordinary ant who must navigate the insect hierarchy of an ant colony nestled in woods.
    • Playing as an ant allows for nearly anything to be done in the game. It was fun to explore areas around their colony but had to be mindful of bodies of water that can kill ants entering them.
    • The focus on the ant perspective is really engaging and gives it something like a Watership Down-like surrealist perspective from Insect world.
  • Accuracy
    • Playing as an ant allows for nearly anything to be done in the game. It was fun to explore areas but had to be mindful of bodies of water that can kill ants entering them.
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it claims that the game is based on Bernard Werber's novels but does not mention any of his work specifically or how closely the game follows them. Secondly, it states that Empire of the Ants takes a grand strategy approach but then describes a narrative adventure game with ground-level strategy action. This contradicts itself and creates confusion for readers who may be interested in one type of gameplay over another. Thirdly, while the article mentions that players can explore as an ant, it does not mention any limitations on exploration or how difficult it is to navigate the world from such a small perspective.
    • The article claims that Empire of the Ants takes a grand strategy approach but then describes a narrative adventure game with ground-level strategy action. This contradicts itself and creates confusion for readers who may be interested in one type of gameplay over another.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (80%)
    The article is biased towards the game Empire of the Ants. The author uses language that dehumanizes humans and makes them seem like a threat to ants. They also use examples from previous games in the series to make it seem like this new version will be just as good or better than its predecessors, which could lead readers to have unrealistic expectations for the game.
    • The woodland area looks almost alien
      • This focus on the ant perspective is really engaging and gives it something of a Watership Down-like surrealist perspective from the Insect world.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      80%

      • Unique Points
        • The principal gimmick of Empire of the Ants is that you play as and command a burgeoning colony of ants.
        • Rather than a top-down view, you command your insect brethren from ground level. Orders are simple and intuitive, and every single unit down to every individual ant is fully modeled and simulated.
        • Combat in Empire of the Ants looks incredible with insects wrapping around one another and tumbling across the ground when they clash.
        • The game takes some cues from 2017's Empires of the Undergrowth but mechanically it feels a lot smoother, more intuitive, and cleaner.
        • Empire of the Ants is undoubtedly one of the best-looking RTS games I've played in years and one of the most exciting new prospects for 2024.
      • Accuracy
        • Empire of the Ants is based on French novels about ants.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (80%)
        The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Command and Conquer is a masterpiece in brutal, dehumanizing warfare without providing any evidence or reasoning for this claim. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by suggesting that Empire of the Ants is either just an RTS game with insects or has much more depth and substance. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric when describing the horror of RTS and strategy games at both a macro level and microscopic level.
        • Command and Conquer is a masterpiece in brutal, dehumanizing warfare.
      • Bias (80%)
        The article is biased towards the new RTS game Empire of the Ants. The author uses language that dehumanizes and glorifies violence in warfare, such as 'brutal satire' and 'omniscient, usually malevolent deity'. They also use hyperbole to describe the game's graphics and mechanics, saying it is 'incredible', has a vibrant new rival to Homeworld 3 or C&C games. The author uses language that creates an emotional response in the reader by describing Empire of the Ants as visceral and drawn out, with dozens dying for inches of forest space. This bias is further reinforced by using phrases such as 'best-looking RTS game' and 'one to watch'.
        • The principal gimmick, of course, is that you play as and command a burgeoning colony of the titular insects,
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
          The article by Ed Smith has multiple examples of conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The author is an employee at Westwood Studios and therefore may have a financial stake in promoting their own game.
          • directionless, queenless workers
            • Westwood's genre-defining opus
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
              The author of the article has a financial tie to an ant colony simulation game company that may compromise his objectivity. He also seems to have a personal interest in insects as he uses terms like 'ant brethren' and 'queenless workers'. He does not disclose these conflicts of interest in the article.
              • The author describes the objective of the game as defeating and overthrowing a collective of termites that has taken up residence close to our own nest. This is an example of personal relationship as he may have friends or family who are fans of insects or enemies of termites, affecting his coverage of the topic.
                • The author says that in this new RTS game, you are an omniscient, usually malevolent deity of war, killing and causing people to be killed with cold indifference. This is a clear example of ideological bias as he compares the game to Westwood's genre-defining opus which was known for its dark and violent themes.
                  • The author uses terms like 'directionless, queenless workers' and 'stone' to describe the ant colony in the game. These are examples of professional affiliation as he may belong to an organization that has a vested interest in promoting or supporting insect-related topics.

                  66%

                  • Unique Points
                    • The game is based on the novels by Bernard Werber and puts you in the role of an ordinary ant who must navigate the insect hierarchy of an ant colony nestled in woods.
                    • Playing as an ant allows for nearly anything to be done in the game. It was fun to explore a strange, small world and experience commanding an army of ants attack opposing forces.
                  • Accuracy
                    • Empire of the Ants is a real-time strategy game.
                    • The player controls an ant in the game and explores a Unreal Engine 5-rendered park, directing infantry units to attack and secure ant hills.
                  • Deception (30%)
                    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims to have played Empire of the Ants at GDC last week but does not provide any evidence or details about this claim. Secondly, the author uses sensational language such as 'I was enjoying walking upside down too much' and 'As an ant, I explored a realistic Unreal Engine 5-rendered park', which is misleading because it implies that the gameplay experience of Empire of the Ants is unique and innovative when in fact it seems to be similar to other RTS games. Thirdly, the author uses selective reporting by only mentioning positive aspects of the game such as 'I was struck by a new appreciation for the vastness of an ant's multi-plane domain' while ignoring any negative aspects or criticisms. Finally, the article is not disclosing sources which makes it difficult to verify its claims.
                    • The author claims to have played Empire of the Ants at GDC last week but does not provide any evidence or details about this claim.
                  • Fallacies (70%)
                    The article contains several informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the game is based on a series of French novels without providing any evidence or context for this claim. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing how they enjoyed walking upside down and exploring as an ant in the game.
                    • The article states that Empire of the Ants is based on a series of French novels without providing any evidence or context for this claim.
                  • Bias (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                    Tyler Wilde has a financial interest in the game as he is an employee of Microids and also disclosed his hobbies which include playing Rocket League. He may have personal relationships with people involved in the development or promotion of this game.
                    • (Image credit: Microids)
                      • Tyler's hobbies include amateur boxing and adding to his 1200+ hours in Rocket League
                        • Unreal Engine 5-rendered park

                        60%

                        • Unique Points
                          • Empire of the Ants is a real-time strategy game based on a French science fiction novel.
                          • Players take control of one ant marching through the woods, though they command an entire colony with some clever controls.
                          • The ants are photorealistic to a degree that's sure to be sickening for those who find bugs creepy.
                        • Accuracy
                          • Empire of the Ants is a real-time strategy game.
                        • Deception (50%)
                          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article implies that it will be a review or analysis of Empire of the Ants when in fact it's just an introduction to what players can expect from this game. Secondly, there are no quotes from any sources disclosed which makes it difficult for readers to verify information presented in this article. Thirdly, some statements made by Giovanni Colantonio seem biased and not based on objective analysis of the game.
                          • The title implies that the article will be a review or analysis when in fact it's just an introduction.
                        • Fallacies (85%)
                          The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the game is based on a French science fiction novel without providing any evidence or context for why this makes it more credible. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing how creepy and scary bugs are in comparison to photorealistic ants. The article also contains several examples of dichotomous depictions, such as comparing the game's graphics to real-life ants and emphasizing their differences.
                          • The author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing how creepy and scary bugs are in comparison to photorealistic ants. For example: 'Since the camera is placed at a close third-person perspective behind my ant, I get to see every intricate detail as it trots around. The developers on hand note that they’ve gone for realism in almost every respect — even ones that seem invented for a video game.'
                          • The author uses dichotomous depictions when comparing the game's graphics to real-life ants and emphasizing their differences. For example: 'It’s like grounding Super Mario Odyssey’s core gimmick in natural realism.'
                        • Bias (85%)
                          The article is biased towards the game Empire of the Ants. The author uses language that dehumanizes ants and portrays them as a threat to humanity. This bias is evident in phrases such as 'I'm tasked with protecting the colony from invading bugs'. Additionally, there are multiple examples where the author describes how they were able to control ants using their controller, which reinforces the idea that humans can dominate and control nature.
                          • Multiple examples of the author describing how they were able to control ants using their controller
                            • The article uses language that dehumanizes ants
                              • The author portrays ants as a threat to humanity
                              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                                None Found At Time Of Publication
                              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                                None Found At Time Of Publication

                              58%

                              • Unique Points
                                • The game is based on the novels by Bernard Werber and puts you in the role of an ordinary ant who must navigate the insect hierarchy.
                                • Playing as an ant allows for nearly anything to be done in the game. It was fun to explore the area but had to be mindful of bodies of water that can kill ants entering them.
                                • The focus on ant perspective is really engaging and gives it something like a Watership Down-like surrealist perspective from Insect world.
                              • Accuracy
                                • The game is based on the novels by Bernard Werber and puts the player in the role of an ordinary ant who must navigate the insect hierarchy of an ant colony nestled in woods.
                                • Playing as an ant allows for nearly anything to be done in game. It was fun to explore the area but had to be mindful of bodies of water that can kill ants entering them.
                              • Deception (50%)
                                The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title and body of the article suggest that it will be a preview or review of Empire of the Ants game. However, upon reading further into the text it becomes clear that this is not actually a preview or review but rather an advertisement for IGN Nordic to get revenue from people who buy something related to Empire of the Ants.
                                • The title and body of the article suggest that it will be a preview or review, however upon reading further into the text it becomes clear that this is not actually a preview or review but rather an advertisement.
                              • Fallacies (75%)
                                None Found At Time Of Publication
                              • Bias (85%)
                                The article contains a lot of language that dehumanizes humans and portrays them as extreme or unreasonable. The author also uses the phrase 'lone ant' to describe the protagonist which is an example of disproportionate number of quotations reflecting a specific position.
                                • When you buy something from this article, IGN Nordic might get a part of the revenue.
                                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                                  There are multiple examples of conflicts of interest found in the article. The author is an employee of IGN Nordic and has a financial stake in their coverage as they own Tower Five.
                                  • The author's employer owns Tower Five which is mentioned in the article.
                                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                                    None Found At Time Of Publication