Stormgate offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the RTS genre, prioritizing grassroots esports. (Image: Frost Giant Studios)

Stormgate, a recently launched real-time strategy game available for free, strives to become the next sensation in the world of RTS esports. Developed by Frost Giant Studios, it's a spiritual successor to classic RTS games like Warcraft and StarCraft. The game is set in a science fantasy universe where humanity survives an invasion by demonic aliens. 

Featuring three unique factions, Stormgate focuses on four main ways to play:

• Campaign
• Co-operative
• Competitive
• Custom Games

After successful alpha testing, Stormgate had its first esports event, the Stormgate Showdown at Dreamhack Atlanta where top RTS professionals competed without issues. The developers are adopting a community-driven strategy for esports, backing grassroots tournaments to enhance the game's accessibility. Their goal is to refrain from imposing a rigid structure on the esports scene, prioritizing inclusivity instead.

To make Stormgate more approachable, the developers are innovating with cooperative modes and interface improvements without compromising the high skill ceiling for competitive play. The business model is yet to be disclosed but a partnership with ESL FACEIT Group signals a commitment to esports. There's a focus on improving the game's watch ability for spectators.

A $10,000 prize pool is announced for the first Stormgate EgC Open, scheduled during the first open beta of the game. Stormgate's design philosophy is to give players more of what they love, emphasizing 3-player co-op vs. AI as a primary mode. The developers aim to release new content regularly including an advanced RTS editor. With a free-to-play model and ongoing support, Stormgate aims to revitalize the RTS genre making it more accessible and exciting for players of all levels.