Nuclear Thronewas recently announced for Xbox Game Pass and is set to appear on September 9. The post-apocalyptic roguelike was originally released in 2015 and was a huge success thanks to its tight controls, variety of weapons, and punishing difficulty. However,Nuclear Thronealso has an interesting history that often gets overlooked.
Nuclear Thronedeveloper Vlambeer originally put prototypes of the game on Steam’s Early Access program back in 2013 when the feature was still new. Vlambeer also chose to livestream the development of the game on Twitch where fans would be able to follow the process, build a community, and playtest. Although its appearance onXbox Game Passisn’t surprising, it’s interesting to see how far the game has come over the years.
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Nuclear Throne’s Development History
Nuclear Thronewas originally part of Steam’s Early Accessprogram during its earliest stages in 2013. Although Vlambeer wasn’t quite as well-known as they are today, their previous work onSuper Crate Box, Luftrausers,and theSerious Samfranchise was well-regarded by indie fans. TheNuclear Throneprototype was a result of a 72-hour game jam, and since Vlambeer streamed the development of the prototype, it was decided that the development of the full game would feature a similar format. Since the game was already in the public’s eye, continuing the development through streaming seemed natural.
As a result,Vlambeer used Twitch for regular four-hour livestreams, showcasing the development ofNuclear Throneduring its time in Steam Early Access. This allowed the game to build an organic community with fans being able to playtest and give feedback. It also helped show transparency. Vlambeer noted that development was a lot more productive with fans watching the actual process, and although it was exhausting, it helpedNuclear Thronebecome the game it is today.
Nuclear Thronehas obviously been influential onthe roguelike genreas a whole, but the unique development process showcased how developers could interact with their communities and helped change the perception of Steam Early Access titles. With the popularity of indie titles in the 2010s, more developers began using Early Access as a way for fans to playtest, voice their opinions, and build a general sense of community around the games.
What Makes Nuclear Throne Special
Of course, the success ofNuclear Thronewas also a result of offering a unique roguelike experience that differed from many of the titles at the time. As a top-down shooter, the game combined elements of bullet hell together with the looping difficulty of roguelikes in randomly generated levels. Each character has a special ability, and the diverse weapons scale with the difficulty of the enemies.Nuclear Thronealso features an exceptionally tight control and movement system which helps give a faster pace than itsroguelike contemporaries likeBinding of Isaac.
Over the years,Nuclear Thronewould influence a number of indie roguelike titles,most notablyEnter The Gungeon.Featuring similar gunplay and mechanics, the two games would draw many comparisons from fans and critics alike. WhileEnter The Gungeondidn’t stream its development or release any prototypes through early access, the concept of building a community around the game was heavily emphasized throughout its updates over the years.
Nuclear Thronewasn’t the first game to livestream its development process or use Early Access in a different way, but it helped show that building a community is vital to an indie game’s success. AsNuclear Thronereleases on Xbox Game Pass in the coming week, new players will undoubtedly enjoy the game for its addicting gameplay loop and diverse range of weapons. At the same time, though, it’s important to note howNuclear Throne’sinteresting development history played a key role in its success.
Nuclear Thronewill be available on Xbox Game Pass on September 9.
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