Starter Pack V1 Release Pending

We are currently putting the finishing touches to the final version of the Starter pack. We think we've finally got all the bugs out...well the big ones anyway and most of the medium sized one to. We've also address the balancing issues that dealt with in the second beta; things like the overpowered wookie and Repeater trooper, lots of other smaller tweaks too. You can also expect a snappy new AI from Quitchy, which was missing from the second beta.

To coincide with the release of the Final version of the Starter Pack, we will be releasing two new units as well. Something to look forward too.

Also we will 'soon' be publishing a list of units in the next pack, so keep your eyes peeled for that too :o).

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Clans a no go...

Unfortunately it has become apparent that there isn't really enough interest, for the official clans to take off. Although I technically received enough applicant for clan lead that was all just two people. Maybe there will be enough people for a single clan, but at the moment it doesn't look like the idea will me going anywhere.


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We're back!

Just in case you we're worried that we'd dissapeared forever. It was just TAU migrating to a diferent server.

Well here's a little pic to keep you salavating. These are probably the update units you will see before the next pack is released.

From left to right: Rebel T1-B, Imperial CAV, Rebel ULAV and the Imperial AAT. The AAT and ULAV were origninal included in the Starter pack but both had slightly dodgy scripts so we're recalled in order to get the pack out quicker; just so you have an idea of how close thse units actually are.

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Bit of this and bit of that.

Well that last patch by Han seemed to kill off the good majority of the bugs and adressed the major balancing issue of the rocket troopers. A couple of bugs manged to slip past that patch though. We're working on fixing those; but they are really nothing major to worry about. Time to start cracking on with the next pack and some of those addon units I guess.

While having a bit of a browse around TAMEC a found a map by Padington that I thought was kind of Tattoine like, really need more dunes then hills but never the less here's a link for it (1MB). So while we're on the subject of 3rd party maps I'll answer the question a few of you are beginning to ask "Why don't my 3rd party maps work?" This is because we have basically we disabled SWTA from reading *.ufo files. Instead SWTA reads *.swx files so when you downoad this map you'll have to change the file extension from bordu.ufo ---> bordu.swx. And you can do this with any of your other maps. Anyone that knows a bit about using HPI tools, should consider putting all their map files into one ccx or hpi file so TA and SWTA can both use them.

The first applicants for SWTA clan leaders are trickling in, if you think your up to the job read the post made on the 26th of January and email me.

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AI Update

if you are using the Second BETA posted below, I would recommend using this new AI.
Download it and Unzip the contents into your Cavedog\Totala\AI folder (making one if necessary).

AI is now included with the update

HANSOLO

Second BETA Arrives!

I have fixed up the so far reported problems in the first BETA. That is the footprints of the Stormies and the firing of the Rocket guys. Head over to the download page to get it.
Rocket Troops are now AA only. See how this goes...we are thinking about adding a weapon that will fire against ground units too. The Trackata Tank should work fine now that I have fixed up it's dodgy script.

There are still a couple of problems with the AI; more so now that it pumps out LOADS of near-useless AA troops.
This pack should hopefully be the final BETA. Unless there are any major problems we should be able to release a final Starter Pack soon.

Make sure to head over to the boards to submit any problems you have and we can try and fix them up ASAP.

HANSOLO

PS: If anyone can figure out why the Rebel Vehicle Plant isn't leaving a corpse, I would be very greatful if you could help us out :o)

First SWTA demo recording

Well last night I found in my mailbox the first recording of SWTA, and what turned out to be quite a good game between neoStratoS and MangyMaggotMan. You can download the game for yourselves here (400kb) and see what you think. Note: when loading the recorder do so exactly as normal, but do not click the last 'Start TA' button, instead run the SWTA.exe and join the game as if playing multi-player.
Although the prize for first demo recording sent in now taken you can still win for sending in the best recording before the 6th of February.

Also I am quite eager to get these official SWTA clans up and running, it is a bit hard to keep track of everything in a BB thread so I think I'll take a different approach. If anyone is interested in being clan leader, they should email me a.s.a.p. Applicants should meet these requirements:

• Free time in order organise their clan

• Basic html experience for updating their clan page

• A fair knowledge of the Star Wars universe, must know the difference between a gimmer stick and light-sabre

• Be pretty decent at SWTA

For clan leader we are not looking for the best player, but someone who is good at organising and can put in a reasonable amount of time in for their clan.
If you are interested and think you meet those requirements email me, with your name, which side you want to be leader for (not "which ever" as you obviously aren't loyal) and a few sentences about what you can offer and why you should lead.
However if you just want to join one of the clans, you don't need to email me just yet.

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Feedback is good.

Much to our delight most people are very please with the pack. Although true to human nature not everyone was completely satisfied, there are three main points that kept arising:

• Where are the rest of the units?

• Better Path-finding

• Small Ai fixes

Point one we kind of expected, although it has been repeatedly stated that this was the 'starter pack' and numerous screenshots of what would be included. Yet people where still found asking why they could only build level one units.
The path-finding for some units is a problem and it is at the top of our list for fixing.
The AI seems to have a few quirks, this possibly linked to the path-finding issue. People are also complaining that the AI is too tough :o)...oh well.

I'd also like to mention that the prize for the first demo recording is still up for grabs in our competition, if you have a SWTA recording send it in pronto to: . If you are wondering what on earth a recording is and how you make one…head over the Yankspanker's website.

I'd just like to thank everyone for getting us up to the number 2 spot in the TA top 100 yesterday we haven't been there in years (litrally), and now I'll leave you with a few fan quotes about the pack.

Sir David - "IMPRESSIVE, MOST IMPRESSIVE! Thanks guys"

Dengar79 - "Definitely worth the wait. Best TA mod I've played to date. Give your selfs a pat on the back, and go selebrate a job well done."

Locust99 - "Well done, people it was amazing, thank you all."

ChicagoJedi - "That is shweeeeeet! and its just the starter pack! sweet jesus, this is gonna be great! thank you, SWTA crew! you did not disappoint!"

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This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning

It's finally here, the first fruits of our labor.  Thirty eight units all Star Wars orientated, are unleashed for you gaming pleasure.

At around 22:09 GMT history was made the spBETA1 was released on IRC. On which note I'd like to congratulate Blackbird on being the first member of the public to get his mits on a copy.

Now we realise there will be a fair few people who want to provide feedback, which we love.  Can we ask though that you direct it towards the bulletin board.  That way everyone in the group and memebrs of the public can reply and discuss your point.

I'd also like to mention we are having a small competition, to see who can send in the first SWTA demo recording. As well as a prize for the first recording we will also give one fore the best recording sent in over the first two weeks. The prize is still being discussed, but it will probably be access to a new unit before anyone else.

You can expect daily updates from now as the feedback drips in. Well that's about it for tonight so...On behalf of everyone here at SWTA, we hope you enjoy playing.  

EnJoY
(Non TA:M)

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One day to go...

The pack will be available from tomorrow at around 10PM (GMT) 5PM (EST).
We would also really like it if as many of you guys could come and have a chat with us on IRC before and after the release.
(irc.tauniverse.com | #swta). Also if your on IRC at the time you will know exactly when the pack is available.

Sleep well tonight because a have a feeling you won't be tomorrow.

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The wait is over...the date is set.

Tuesday January 23^rd 2001

Details to follow

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In case you missed them on TAU: Rebels | Imperials

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Today I took the Spaceport pack offline nearly exactly 18 months after it's release. Although it has been our only major release other then the odd few units back in the old days, the rest or the members and I feel it is very dated now and doesn't really reflect what we are capable of.
It's a case of cutting away the old wood to make room for the new, as the starter pack is looming ever closer.
I think a special mention for cheese is needed at this point for all the hard work he put into the "Cheese's spaceport pack" ;o), well done man.
Sadly though Han is not longer working on Starter Pack :o(. He's decided that bigger and better things are out there for him...Yes he has started working on the the second pack! :o) Woohoo. I told you the pack was close. Just some balancing and AI issues to deal with and we are good to go.

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Well that was all an adequate waste of time, there was a bit of mis-information going around the group which confused the issue. Anyway we will be releasing two version of the game, one to be compatible with TA:M and the other the stand alone version.

What I suggest you do now is download yourself a copy of TA: Mutator and familiarize yourself with the set up for when the pack is released. There are lots of things to be playing round with in there and a great way to add a bit of extra life to your TA, there are some really call quirks in there...mutators that give all construction units the ability to resurrect instead of reclaim, double units speed, exaggerate statistics so Core units have more armour and Arm ones are faster.

Get TA:M here (400kb)

Visit Immerman's official TA: Mutation site.

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Currently there is a small division within the group about wether we should release SWTA as a TA:M (TA: Mutation) conversion. For those of you who don't use or know what TA:M is you can read this to find out a little more.

<<Poll finished>>

As you can we see we're on a new news page, so you can find anything you've missed in the archive section...also the links page has been updated.

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