Maelstrom: The Battle for Earth Begins is a real-time strategy game developed by KD-Vision in Russia and published by Codemasters. Maelstrom: The Battle for Earth Begins is set in 2050 in a post-apocalyptic future following an ecological disaster which results in much of the planet's submersion as well as the subsequent nuclear holocaust over the remaining resources. Most of humankind has taken refuge beneath the surface taking shelter from a long-standing war between the guerilla-warfare Remnants and the hi-tech Ascension. In the midst of this war an alien race facing extinction known as the Hai-Genti appear quickly flooding the land and slaughtering Remnants and Ascension alike.