Indie RTS D.O.R.F. gets Command & Conquer-style physics – motorcycles fly over hills
A three-person indie studio unveiled a major update for their real-time strategy game D.O.R.F. Real-Time Strategic Conflict. The developers completely overhauled the unit movement system, implementing a physics engine instead of grid-based pathfinding. The result impressed the community – vehicles now realistically react to terrain, bounce over bumps, and launch off hills, evoking the wild chases from Mad Max.
The new system frees units from the grid-based movement characteristic of classic RTS games. Every car, tank, and motorcycle received a simple suspension simulation that fundamentally changes how combat feels. In the released footage, motorcycles at speed launch off elevations, trucks sway when driving over uneven ground, and monowheels and hovercrafts demonstrate unique physics for their vehicle types.
The game draws inspiration from the golden era of 90s isometric strategy games – Command & Conquer, Tiberian Sun, and Red Alert. The visual style combines retro sprite-based aesthetics with modern capabilities. Particularly impressive is the technical aspect – all units remain 2D sprites, but thanks to physics, they look like full 3D models. The developers use a modified OpenRA engine, originally created to recreate classic Westwood strategy games.
The project is being developed by a team of three people who fund the game from their own resources with support through Patreon. D.O.R.F. promises three unique factions with ground, air, and naval forces. The Yellow faction showcases particularly striking design – monster trucks, motorcycles, buggies, and giant monowheels create a post-apocalyptic racing atmosphere.
Community reaction has been enthusiastic. Players note the "Westwood magic" in a modern execution and compare the physics to the cult classic C&C Generals Zero Hour, where GLA motorcycles became legendary units.
The physics opens up new gameplay possibilities. Light vehicles gain maneuverability advantages on rough terrain, heavy tanks climb slopes more slowly, and fast motorcycles can use terrain for spectacular maneuvers. The developers showed scenes where artillery fires on the move while descending a mountain, and vehicle convoys kick up dust clouds when moving over hills.
Some players suggested making the system more complex by adding the influence of mass, inertia, and torque on vehicles' ability to overcome steep climbs or escape from craters. Others are asking for a cover mechanic so units in low ground receive protection from fire from higher elevations. The developers haven't commented on these ideas yet, but judging by the pace of improvements, the studio actively listens to feedback.
There's no release date for D.O.R.F. yet, but there is a Steam page.