VGSources / Games / Reality Pump Studios
real-time strategy
World War III: Black Gold
By Reality Pump Studios, released 1 Jan 2001
- Microsoft Windows
- macOS
What it is
World War III: Black Gold is a real-time strategy game from Reality Pump Studios. Its near-future setting begins with a political crisis and dwindling oil reserves, followed by worldwide unrest and a declared war. The campaign spans the US, Russia and Iraq across 30 missions, and the game also offers modes for beginners and experts. Battles use 3D terrain and units, with day-night cycles and changing weather affecting play. Players can research weapons through a technology tree, alter terrain by flattening it or digging defenses, and use tunnels, trenches, electronic warfare, camouflage and jamming systems. Listed defenses and weapons include missile defense, decoys, anti-aircraft and anti-tank systems. Multiplayer supports up to eight players over LAN and EarthNet, and Steam lists multiplayer, PvP, co-op and cross-platform multiplayer, as well as a level editor and Steam Cloud. The game is available for Windows and macOS; its Steam release is dated September 27, 2013, and its original year is 2001.
What players like, and what they don't
- Three campaigns span the US, Russia and Iraq.
- Thirty missions and beginner and expert modes.
- Terrain modification and underground defenses are listed.
- Steam lists a level editor and cross-platform multiplayer.
- The listed multiplayer mode supports up to eight players.
- Steam release is dated 2013, after the original 2001 release.
Who it suits
It suits strategy players interested in campaigns across several regions, terrain modification and technology research. Communities looking for multiplayer can consider its listed PvP, co-op and cross-platform multiplayer features.
Black Gold combines a multi-region campaign with terrain, weather and research systems that affect strategy. Its Steam listing includes multiplayer and a level editor, alongside single-player.
