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About ICBM
ICBM is a real‑time strategy game centered on nuclear warfare. Players command a continent, research 44 technologies, and build a mix of 20 unit types and 12 nuclear weapons to strike enemy cities while shielding their own population.
The title supports single‑player and multiplayer matches for up to eight participants, offering free‑for‑all, fixed‑team and co‑op modes. Players can adjust game speed, use a strike planner, and share diplomacy, technology or nuclear locations with allies.
01 / THE GUIDE
Research and Technology
ICBM provides 44 distinct technologies that can be researched, influencing the development of 20 unit types and 12 nuclear weapon types. Deciding between unlocking new capabilities or mass‑producing existing designs shapes the balance of your force.
Research choices directly affect how you counter varied enemy tactics, from missile swarms to bomber raids, and determine whether you can field advanced units or rely on sheer production volume.
- Map out a research path that aligns with your preferred attack method before the match begins.
- Consider mixing new tech unlocks with production upgrades to keep both variety and quantity in play.
02 / THE GUIDE
Unit Variety
The game features 20 unit types, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, bombers, submarines, and surface ships, each capable of delivering nuclear payloads in different contexts.
Choosing a blend of air and sea units lets you strike from unexpected locations or overwhelm defenses with concentrated firepower, expanding strategic options.
- Experiment with combinations of missiles, bombers and submarines to discover effective synergies.
- Match unit selection to the terrain and enemy defensive layout you anticipate.

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Game Speed and Pacing
Players can adjust overall game speed, which changes how quickly contamination spreads and how fast battles progress. Faster speeds produce swift, decisive conflicts, while slower speeds extend the war into a prolonged scenario.
Modifying speed lets you tailor the match to your preferred tempo, whether you enjoy rapid nuking or a drawn‑out strategic contest with more diplomatic maneuvering.
- Start with normal speed to gauge balance, then raise or lower it for the desired intensity.
- Use slower speeds when you want more time for diplomatic negotiations and detailed planning.
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Multiplayer and Diplomacy
Matches support up to seven additional players in free‑for‑all, fixed‑team or co‑op configurations, with ELO tracking for leaderboard progression. Diplomacy allows sharing information, technologies or nuclear locations with allies.
Alliances are not permanent; former friends can become adversaries, adding a social layer that influences attack timing and strategic choices.
- Form temporary pacts to eliminate stronger opponents before turning on your partners.
- Monitor shared intel closely; it can become a liability if alliances shift.
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Modding Support
ICBM includes full modding support out of the box, allowing players to add or change maps, units, technologies, rules and graphics. Community‑created content can dramatically alter the strategic landscape.
Modders can introduce new challenges, adjust balance, or simply refresh visual aesthetics, keeping the game experience dynamic beyond the base offering.
- Browse the Steam Workshop for community maps that test new tactical scenarios.
- Create a custom technology tree to explore alternative progression strategies.





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