Creating this board game has been one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever worked on — and it’s a game deeply shaped by the things I love most about sci-fi and tabletop gaming.
Fast-Paced Mech Battles and Custom Loadouts
One of my biggest inspirations was Armoured Core 6. I was hooked by its fast-paced, high-intensity battles, where split-second decisions and precise movements decide everything. But what really stuck with me was the satisfying, almost meditative process of building the perfect loadout in the garage before battle. Tweaking your mech, adjusting weapons, testing different builds — that feeling of preparation is something I wanted to capture in my game.
Tactical Depth from Classic Games
I also drew a lot of influence from BattleTech, with its deep sense of tactical action and strategic thinking. Every move, every terrain advantage, and every choice of weapon matters in BattleTech, and I knew I wanted my board game to have that same thoughtful, tense decision-making baked into every encounter.
The Weight and Glory of Big Battles
Of course, I’ve always loved Warhammer, especially the feeling of massive, lumbering units clashing in chaotic, unpredictable battles. That visual of giant mechs and monsters slogging it out on dusty asteroid fields, huge gothic battlefields, or abandoned space stations became a huge part of the combat vibe in my game. I also loved the idea that even the good guys were still bad in some way in the grim dark future!
A Sci-Fi World on the Brink
The story itself came together through a collection of smaller ideas. I’ve always been fascinated by dystopian futures, but I wanted to do something a little different. Instead of a world already fully controlled by mega-corporations, my setting is caught in a constant power struggle.
In this future:
- The impoverished colonies of the asteroid belts fight to survive.
- The Terran government and military try to maintain order from their powerful inner-orbit strongholds.
- Massive mega-corporations battle over the rich mineral fields of the outer orbits.
- And above them all, the construction of a Dyson Sphere looms — a symbol of both humanity’s greatest achievement and the terrifying possibility of one faction gaining control over everything.
To add a little extra spice, I introduced a Guild Faction — a rogue trading network operating in the shadows, moving between the cracks of the major powers, and offering unpredictable opportunities to mercenaries and traders alike.
Final Thoughts
This game is a blend of everything I love about science fiction — the speed, the strategy, the tension of battle, and the complexity of a world always on the edge of collapse. It’s been an awesome journey so far, and I’m excited to keep bringing this universe to life.
Iron Horizon: Mercenaries 