Annihilation/Commander Series v2: Aeon? Who gives a shit about the Aeon?

[S'Arais]

OP stolen from last thread without remorse.

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[TD]Do you like robots? Do you like robots blowing the shit out of each other with lasers? Do you like [I]nuclear fucking bombs?![/I] Then you'll love the Annihilation and Commander lineage of games, started by Chris Taylor way back in the golden age of the 90's. Here's the idea: One giant commander mech gets deployed anytime, anywhere, any distance. He then harvests the resources around him into pure forms of mass and energy, converting them into an unstoppable army of automated destruction. He then lays waste to everything around him, or has the courtesy inflicted upon him.[/TD]
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[TD][URL="http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/total_anihilation_commander_pack"][IMG]http://s17.postimage.org/kv7okj89r/total_annihilation_logo.png[/IMG][/URL][/TD]
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[TD]Created by Chris Taylor and Cavedog Entertainment, and released in 1997, Total Annihilation was completely unique among strategy games of the time. With full-3D unit models and and strange "streaming" resource system that emphasized both pooling [I]and[/I] income rates, TA blew people away with its massive numbers of robotic units blowing the crap out of each other over land, sea, and air. The units, being relatively simple robotic 3D models, were open to the community to mod and add to their heart's content. Also, if you want to know the story of Total Annihilation, it's two factions of robots blowing the shit out of each other. Several expansions continued the story, with yet newer robots blowing the shit out of each other. Also, there was a medieval thing. Or something.[/TD]
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[TD][img_thumb]http://media.desura.com/images/groups/1/2/1233/TAESC_ARMSHIELD.png[/img_thumb]
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[video=youtube;2AmXwgl6S7s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AmXwgl6S7s[/video]

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[TD][URL="http://springrts.com/"][IMG]http://s16.postimage.org/iufe59xmt/Spring_Iconmk_II_resize.png[/IMG][/URL][/TD]
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[TD]In the early 00's, several years after the release of Total Annihilation, a skilled group of coders from a community called the Swedish Yankspankers began prototyping an engine that would at least partially imagine what TA might look like if all of its 3D units had a just-as-fantastic full-3D environment to play in. It soon escalated into a fully-featured C++ core and Lua-scripted game engine with terrain deformation, physics collisions, and multiplayer lobbies. And thus, Total Annihilation: Spring and the Spring Engine project matured. Many hundreds of multiplayer maps were crafted for the variety of RTS games made using the open-source engine, not the least of them being various re-balances and re-imaginings of the game that started it all, Total Annihilation.[/TD]
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[TD][img_thumb]http://images.six.betanews.com/screenshots/1133659411-1.jpg[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://i1-linux.softpedia-static.com/screenshots/TA-Spring_1.jpg[/img_thumb][/TD]
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[video=youtube;NBpZE9OGVOE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBpZE9OGVOE[/video]

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[TD][URL="http://store.steampowered.com/app/9350/?snr=1_7_suggest__13"][IMG]http://s16.postimage.org/svlipv5r9/Supreme_Commander.png[/IMG][/URL][/TD]
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[TD]Created by Chris Taylor and Dungeon Siege developers Gas Powered Games, and published by THQ, Supreme Commander was the "spiritual successor" to Total Annihilation, as Atari still held the rights to the TA name. Largely based on the "streaming" economy model and tiered tech of TA, it introduced Strategic Zoom, allowing one to view the game's EXTREMELY large maps from any distance, at any time, as well as a few mega-units known as experimentals, which could take upwards of an hour to build and were game-winningly devastating. It should be mentioned that the unit pathfinding is shit. Also, if you want to know the story of Supreme Commander, it's three factions with armies of robots blowing the shit out of each other.[/TD]
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[TD][img_thumb]http://oyster.ignimgs.com/ve3d/ve3d/image/article/727/727885/supreme-commander-screenshots-20060824054325893.jpg[/img_thumb]
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[video=youtube;cHothxZQoWo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHothxZQoWo[/video]

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[TD][URL="http://store.steampowered.com/app/9420/?snr=1_7_suggest__13"][IMG]http://s12.postimage.org/myr5f41jx/forged_alliance_dock_icon_by_blakegedye_d41bop.png[/IMG][/URL][/TD]
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[TD]The expansion to the original Supreme Commander, Forged Alliance introduced a handful of new, gap-filling units, new experimentals, and an entirely new faction, the Seraphim. Featuring much-improved gameplay mechanics, including UI and information conveyance in strategic zoom mode, as well as a redesign of some of the core economic buildings for a couple of factions, Forged Alliance leveled the playing field and brought Supreme Commander to the pinnacle of its potential. Aside from the shit pathfinding code. That's still there. Also, if you want to know the story of Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance, it's four factions with armies of robots blowing the shit out of each other.[/TD]
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[TD][img_thumb]http://www.supcomtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/transport_or_gunship.jpg[/img_thumb]
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[video=youtube;Ftz9KyuaDfc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftz9KyuaDfc[/video]

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[TD][URL="http://store.steampowered.com/app/40100/?snr=1_7_suggest__13"][IMG]http://s16.postimage.org/ob8j2f0th/supreme_commander_2_icon_2_by_blakegedye_d41b0.png[/IMG][/URL][/TD]
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[TD]Again headed by Chris Taylor and Gas Powered Games, but this time published by Square Enix, this is the most contentious of this lineage of strategy games. It's generally seen as an entirely unworthy sequel to Supreme Commander, but a pretty damned good strategy game in its own right. Featuring flow-field pathfinding for grouped units, large unit formations were finally optimized and less taxing on CPUs. It also removed the "streaming" economy system in favor of a more traditional resource pool, still accumulated through the same means, however. It also removed the several tiers of buildings and units from previous games, instead introducing a research system in which points accumulated through battle or with specialized buildings could be spent to vastly upgrade a core collection of units. It also introduced droves of weaker low-tier experimentals that could be manufactured en-masse. The average game of SupCom2 can be finished within an hour. Also, if you want to know the story of Supreme Commander 2, it's three factions with armies of robots blowing the shit out of each other. And something about a wife.[/TD]
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[video=youtube;iUnLepZhmHI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUnLepZhmHI[/video]

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[TD][URL="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/659943965/planetary-annihilation-a-next-generation-rts"][IMG]http://s8.postimage.org/sf6oyonvp/temp_logo_2.png[/IMG][/URL][/TD]
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[TD]Created by Jon Mavor and Steve Thompson, and being developed by Cavedog/GPG veterans and Monday Night Combat developers Uber Entertainment, Planetary Annihilation seeks to adhere closer to the original Total Annihilation formula, while introducing the ability to annihilate planets. Without straying into the territory of outright space combat, PA games will take place across entire solar systems, with bases on planets, moons, and asteroids. And, at higher tech tiers, said asteroids can be used as weapons themselves. Not an attractive buy for a publisher, it's being crowd-funded through Kickstarter, and HAS MET ITS GOAL!!! And, fret not: Unlike most Kickstarters, Uber have a robust and expanding game engine and some eye-catching assets to sell in their trailer, demonstrating their dedication to the vision. Gameplay and UI has yet to be implemented, but they've got plenty to show. Also, if you want to know the story of Planetary Annihilation, it's two factions of robots blowing the shit out of each other.
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[video=youtube;FhEYvOYceNs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhEYvOYceNs[/video]

[URL="http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1206482"]V1[/URL]

[IMG]http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070327223839/supcom/images/2/2e/Cybran_icon.png[/IMG]
Cybran is best faction. Eat me UEF Pigs.

Anyone ever notice how SupCom is a shape war?
Cybran = Triangles
UEF = Squares
Aeon (PFFFFFT) = Circles

[Mastahamma]

Bash SC2 all you want, still my favourite game of the series

dat delicious pathfinding

[S'Arais]

[QUOTE=Mastahamma;40467843]Bash SC2 all you want, still my favourite game of the series

dat delicious pathfinding[/QUOTE]

Nothing's funnier than dropping 8 monkeylords ontop of some poor bugga's head and leave him scratching at it wondering where the hell his base went.

[Why485]

SC2 was different from the first, but it was still a great game all in its own right. I played both SC1:FA and SC2 back to back all the time. There's a lot to like about the second game, but it still undeniably missed the scale of the first one.

I had a really awesome scale mod for the SC2 I used to use that made all the units half-size. It effectively doubled the size of the maps and really helped to give the best of both worlds.

[Zackin5]

Total Annihilation was amazing back in the day, A friend introduced me to it and we'd play multiplayer late into the night. Then one year I introduced it to my family and we started having these big LAN parties, sometimes with visiting friends or relatives.

[Why485]

[QUOTE=Zackin5;40467912]Total Annihilation was amazing back in the day, A friend introduced me to it and we'd play multiplayer late into the night. Then one year I introduced it to my family and we started having these big LAN parties, sometimes with visiting friends or relatives.[/QUOTE]

It still is. I used to play it so much. I was always butthurt that Starcraft was the popular one when Total Annihilation felt so much better to me. Total Annihilation is still one of my favorite games of all time. It's why I'm so happy that the series lives on (with a new name, again) in Planetary Annihilation.

[MegaJohnny]

My brain has always been too slow and clunky to play these games competently but it's still my favourite series/franchise.

Honestly after playing Supreme Commander I fail to understand why every RTS doesn't have the full zooming out.

[Deunan]

[QUOTE=MegaJohnny;40468106]My brain has always been too slow and clunky to play these games competently but it's still my favourite series/franchise.

Honestly after playing Supreme Commander I fail to understand why every RTS doesn't have the full zooming out.[/QUOTE]

Most RTS engines just can't handle it. And they crawl to a stop.

[b]===============[/b]

Let's put together a facepunch Forged alliance tourney :)

[S'Arais]

[QUOTE=wraithcat;40468222]Most RTS engines just can't handle it. And they crawl to a stop.

[b]===============[/b]

Let's put together a facepunch Forged alliance tourney :)[/QUOTE]

Sounds fun. I'm rusty as hell though.

[LowlyKommrad]

I loved being useless and just going on huge Battle of Britian style bombing runs with the light bombers supported by jets. That was coolest shit ever. It also made me realize I had a thing for forward bases that could suport your Air Force with enough fuel to get home.

[Catastrio]

I remember an FPer gifted me Supreme Commander and Forged Alliance and I had a blast playing it. I'd love to get back into it, but I think my skills are rusty.

I'd also love to have some people to play TASpring with.

[Mmrnmhrm]

[QUOTE=wraithcat;40468222]Most RTS engines just can't handle it. And they crawl to a stop.

[b]===============[/b]

Let's put together a facepunch Forged alliance tourney :)[/QUOTE]

I'd totally participate in an FP tournament.

[Highmist]

I didn't think SC2 was all that terrible. Some of the stuff they added, like the Unit Cannon and the Unit Converter, were pretty awesome. I also liked how it flowed, as units were upgraded rather than being piles of scrap in 15 minutes.
But for size and scope in general, the original SupCom embodies that. I like the fact that experimental units were extremely expensive super units, and not just "Lets pump twenty of these out to weaken them" type things they were for SC2.

[Deunan]

[QUOTE=Highmist;40470623]I didn't think SC2 was all that terrible. Some of the stuff they added, like the Unit Cannon and the Unit Converter, were pretty awesome. I also liked how it flowed, as units were upgraded rather than being piles of scrap in 15 minutes.
But for size and scope in general, the original SupCom embodies that. I like the fact that experimental units were extremely expensive super units, and not just "Lets pump twenty of these out to weaken them" type things they were for SC2.[/QUOTE]

Some of the ideas in SC2 were nice and could have worked quite well in a sequel. The biggest issues were kinda these.

a) removing unique economy
b) aeon names - seriously willfindya, supriser, buh from below in really weird english
c) the cybrasaurus
d) lack of seraphim
e) smaller scale

[BloodShot12]

I fucking love TA. I used to play Starcraft and C&C all the time until I found the TA disc packed away, played it and now TA (and spring) have become my most played RTS.

Can't wait for PA

[Axelius]

Spring is great, nothing like making 200 bombers and then bombing a base to shit in 1 run.

[S'Arais]

I would really like a list of RTS games with game-changer units

So far I know of:
Supcom Series

C&C3:KW (abeit to a lesser extent and still needs support)

[Morbo!!!]

A lot of TA mods had them. Some mods were fucking awesome with the number of new units they added. What I liked about TA is a small horde of tech 1 mechs could still do a lot of damage, especially if they're supporting higher tier ones. Depending on what weapons you're up against it could be more effective to just spam them constantly at an enemy.

[Why485]

Tech 2 units tended to be more specialized versions of units rather than outright better. The gap between them just wasn't as big as it was in Supreme Commander, so you would still see T1 units even late game.

[Electrocuter]

If you like these games then you should try Zero-K

[url]http://zero-k.info/[/url]

It's free, based on the Spring engine posted in the OP, it features a clan system and a global campaign where clans can fight over planets, has customizable commanders, stats, a replay system, tutorials and AI to get newbies ready for the multiplayer, also has a kind of survival mode where various players have to survive against waves of alien creatures.

Here, have some images from one of my old replays:

[t]http://i.imgur.com/INi7DqE.jpg[/t]
[t]http://i.imgur.com/1Z7IAdx.jpg[/t]
[t]http://i.imgur.com/YU4NTKO.jpg[/t]
[t]http://i.imgur.com/LoMUekl.jpg[/t]

[editline]30th April 2013[/editline]

Argh imgur raped the images

[tark!]

[QUOTE=Electrocuter;40473065]If you like these games then you should try Zero-K

[url]http://zero-k.info/[/url]

It's free, based on the Spring engine posted in the OP, it features a clan system and a global campaign where clans can fight over planets, has customizable commanders, stats, a replay system, tutorials and AI to get newbies ready for the multiplayer, also has a kind of survival mode where various players have to survive against waves of alien creatures.

Here, have some images from one of my old replays:

[editline]30th April 2013[/editline]

Argh imgur raped the images[/QUOTE]

I played this for quite a while. I'm like level 17 or something, but the community is just as impossible to get into, if not moreso than FAF. It's also got a skill curve of a square.
Really fun though if you're going to be playing with friends! Just, you're going to get fucking wrecked by absolutely everyone online for the first couple months.

[Deunan]

So who everyone would be willing to get into some sort of small FP tourney just for fun?

[Gufu]

UEF faction is best faction, because UEF aren't a bunch of fanatics and terrorists.

[SailorDave]

[QUOTE=Electrocuter;40473065]If you like these games then you should try Zero-K

[URL]http://zero-k.info/[/URL]

It's free, based on the Spring engine posted in the OP, it features a clan system and a global campaign where clans can fight over planets, has customizable commanders, stats, a replay system, tutorials and AI to get newbies ready for the multiplayer, also has a kind of survival mode where various players have to survive against waves of alien creatures.

Here, have some images from one of my old replays:

[editline]30th April 2013[/editline]

Argh imgur raped the images[/QUOTE]

What map is this, and where can I find more like it? Almost all the maps I see in the maps list are just terrain, but this one has interesting structures.

Nevermind, I found it. Industrial Revolution. Still don't know where I can find more interesting maps like this, though.

[S'Arais]

[QUOTE=gufu;40475513]UEF faction is best faction, because UEF aren't a bunch of fanatics and terrorists.[/QUOTE]

You just described the Aeon twice.

Also you're the ones who caused them to act this way. Stupid UEF pigs.

How's that LIBERATION MATRIX taste for you?

[Zeriga]

[QUOTE=wraithcat;40475495]So who everyone would be willing to get into some sort of small FP tourney just for fun?[/QUOTE]

I'd be willing. But... Which game? Personally I think FA.

[Deunan]

[QUOTE=Zeriga;40491126]I'd be willing. But... Which game? Personally I think FA.[/QUOTE]

I'd also go for FA, FAF in a pinch (would help those people who have either the steam or the nonsteam version I guess), since it would finally force me to actually go and install FAF :D

[S'Arais]

I'd like a compilation of every time Gustaf Brackman has said "Oh Yes."

[CaelReader]

[video=youtube;9KIjMMK6UBA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KIjMMK6UBA[/video]

Information about [URL="http://www.faforever.com/"]FAF[/URL] is needed in the OP.

[theseltsamone]

What's that, Cybran scum? I can't hear you over my [B]Shielded Rock-Heads[/B]