Hello, Engineers!
Since our Warfare 3 reveal, we’ve received a lot of questions, many along the same lines: How will all of this actually work?
We sat down with Space Engineers Lead Designer Ryan Keel to pick his brain - this week, we’re talking about new EMP weapons!
You mentioned EMP weaponry in our Warfare 3 announcement – can you tell us more about how it will work?
The Prototech Microwave Emitter will be available for both large and small grids. It works almost like a specialized warhead – once activated, it charges for roughly 2-3 minutes before releasing a burst of radiation and EMP from the center of the explosion.
The emitter burns itself out when it fires, although it can be repaired and used again. Grids caught in the EMP will lose power for around 4-12 seconds. Once power returns, they receive 10 seconds of EMP immunity to prevent stun locking, with that immunity clearly displayed on the HUD.
There is also a counterplay. If you power down your grid before the discharge hits, you can avoid the EMP effect completely. That creates some really interesting decisions when you know an emitter is about to go off.
It is also the first Prototech block designed without requiring a frame. We want it to be expensive, but not so expensive that players are discouraged from using it in their own weapons. Torpedoes, mines, and other custom delivery systems are exactly the kind of things we hope Engineers will experiment with.
Some of my favorite moments from our playtests have come from using it at exactly the right time – stopping someone from jumping away, disabling guided weapons and watching them spin off on completely unpredictable trajectories, or deliberately powering down to survive an EMP before dropping mines and creating an opening for a devastating counterattack.
It is a very strategic weapon, but not necessarily an easy one to use well. That is exactly what I like about it. It rewards timing, creativity, and clever engineering, and I think players are going to find possibilities for it that we have not even considered yet.
All of this and more is coming in the free game update, and you can wishlist the Warfare 3 Pack on Steam right now!
Laser Antenna Type II
(1x L, 1x S)
Stay connected across the stars with this advanced communications array.
Can’t wait? Wishlist the Warfare 3 Pack on Steam now!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/5070970/Space_Engineers__Warfare_3_Pack/
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