Raw Metal

In the industrial context, raw metal refers to metallic materials that have been extracted and processed into basic, standardized forms but have not yet been shaped, fabricated, or machined for a final application. It is the core input for manufacturing across virtually every sector, from construction and aerospace to electronics and consumer goods.

From Ore to Ingot

The process begins with metal ore, which is mined from the earth. Since most metals exist as compounds (like oxides or sulfides), the ore must undergo significant processing:

1. Mining and Beneficiation: Ore is extracted, and initial impurities (gangue) are removed.

2. Smelting or Electrolysis: This crucial step uses high heat (smelting) or electrical current (electrolysis) to chemically separate the pure base metal (like iron, copper, or aluminum) from the remaining chemical compounds.

3. Refining: Further purification removes residual contaminants.

The result is often cast into basic stock shapes—such as ingots, billets, slabs, rods, or bars—which constitute the raw metal material. Examples include raw aluminum 6061 rods, raw stainless steel 304 bars, or pure copper wire.

The Role of Alloys

Few applications use a single pure metal, as most are too soft, brittle, or chemically reactive. The vast majority of industrial materials are alloys—mixtures of two or more elements, with at least one being a metal. Raw materials like pure iron are alloyed with carbon to create steel, or with chromium and nickel to create stainless steel, significantly enhancing properties like hardness, ductility, or corrosion resistance for their intended use.

Raw Metal: The Sci-Fi Stealth-Action Game

Raw Metal is also the title of a stylish 2024 sci-fi action-adventure game developed by Team Crucible. The game is a blend of top-down stealth and third-person beat 'em up combat, creating a unique, high-stakes experience.

Gameplay and Setting

The player takes on the role of a lone scavenger infiltrating the depths of Katabase 6, a massive mining facility on the exoplanet Charybdis, controlled by the corrupt megacorporation, Orpheus Tech.

• Stealth Focus: The core challenge involves using clever gadgets—like taser darts, noisemakers, and concussion grenades—to manipulate the environment and enemies, slipping past guards in high-stakes stealth sections. The perspective here is top-down, emphasizing tactical movement and observation.

• Breakneck Combat: If stealth fails, the game seamlessly transitions into punishing, fast-paced combat. The player is physically weaker than the heavily armored guards, requiring the use of a freeform combo system that rewards aggression, improvisation, and precise timing. The combat is designed to be a desperate struggle for survival, a high-risk-high-reward scenario.

• Gear and Extraction: A core mechanic is the risk-vs.-reward system. Players find and upgrade over 50 unique gear pieces that customize their look and playstyle. However, losing a fight results in the confiscation of all accumulated gear. Players must choose whether to extract with their loot or push deeper into the facility for better rewards, adding tension to every run.

With its distinctive visual style and demanding gameplay that requires mastery of two distinct genres, Raw Metal stands out as a memorable indie title that perfectly marries cunning infiltration with brutal, martial arts-inspired brawling.