Episode 25: Tempest Rising with Brandon Casteel

With the release of Tempest Rising just around the corner, Tim and Al sat down with Brandon Casteel, the game’s lead designer, to talk about the past, present, and future of this throwback real-time strategy title.

Are We in an RTS Revival?
Brandon pushes back on the idea of an RTS revival. While the genre has had flurries of attention, it tends to be cyclical. He points out that multiple indie developers and publishers are keeping the genre alive, like MicroProse with titles such as Dying Breed, Strategos, and Moduwar. But he stops short of calling it a true resurgence.

Development History
Brandon joined as part of a focus group in 2019 before becoming lead designer. He walked into a partially built game and helped shape it into its final form. Originally backed by THQ Nordic, Tempest Rising went through multiple ownership changes before landing with 3D Realms and Saber Interactive. Despite the chaos, Brandon credits the team’s passion for getting it to release.

Retro-Future Aesthetic & Lore
Set in an alternate future where the Cuban Missile Crisis triggered World War III, the game features a plant called Tempest that grows from nuclear craters and provides infinite energy. Two major factions form: the Global Defense Force (GDF) and the Tempest Dynasty. The game leans heavily into retro-futurism and ‘cassette futurism’ in its design.

Design Pillars and Faction Asymmetry
Brandon focused on strong “throughput” — ensuring that story, mechanics, and aesthetics all reinforce each other. Tempest, the resource, isn’t just lore; it directly affects combat, with mechanics like Tempest Charge adding tactical complexity. The game leans heavily into asymmetry. GDF and Dynasty play very differently, and the third faction, the Vetti, will bring even more variety.

The Role of Infantry
A major design goal was making infantry relevant throughout the game. Infantry deal proportionally more damage for their cost than tanks, can’t be crushed easily in some cases, and can hide in Tempest fields, which debuff vehicles. Systems like veterancy, modifiers, and special countermeasures make infantry a key part of the mid and late game.

Specialists and Doctrines
Rather than a single Commando unit, Tempest Rising uses Specialists — support units that blend elements of heroes and classic special forces. Each faction has multiple options, like the Machinist who disables enemy buildings and repairs allies. Doctrines act as persistent upgrades across missions in campaign or selectable tech trees in skirmish and multiplayer. These systems allow meaningful customization and replayability.

Combat Systems and Balance Philosophy
Brandon’s approach emphasizes hard counters and meaningful trade-offs, but not to the point of removing player agency. Buffs, debuffs, limited ammo, and environmental effects like Tempest Charge provide layers of interaction. The design avoids making anything fire-and-forget or obsolete too quickly.

Economy and Resource Management
Tempest Rising features a streamlined but meaningful economy. Tempest fields regrow over time like plants. Players must balance overharvesting with long-term resource control. The design keeps economic mechanics lightweight but strategically significant.

Single-Player Focus
The game includes two full campaigns with 11 missions each, featuring difficulty levels up to “Insane.” Requisition points earned in missions can be spent on equipment loadouts, adding another layer of customization. Replayability is encouraged through doctrine choices, mission achievements, and different Specialist lineups.

The Veti
The third faction, the Veti, will be fully playable post-launch. Inspired by mythological and ancient alien imagery, they consider humans livestock and re-enter the scene to reclaim Earth. Expect flying fortresses, angelic designs, and high-concept late-game units.

Closing Thoughts
Tempest Rising isn’t trying to reinvent RTS. It’s deliberately classic, filled with polish, personality, and player respect. As Brandon says, the team made the game they wanted to play — and it shows.

Tempest Rising launches April 24. You can wishlist or pre-purchase the game on Steam.

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