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Site Questions & Governance: The Citadel Quarter => Archived boards May 2017 => Site Archive => Questions and Suggestions - The High Court => The Generals' Tent - 0 A.D. Discussion => Topic started by: debux on January 09, 2011, 05:46:55 AM

Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 16 Patañjali)
Post by: debux on January 09, 2011, 05:46:55 AM
This is the main thread for updates and discussion of 0AD.

The latest version of 0 A.D. is Alpha 16, and can be downloaded here. (http://play0ad.com)

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So basically, 0 A.D. is an RTS developed by Wildfire Games, a modding community that got together, starting with their project "Rome at War", a mod for Age of Kings (AoE II anyone?), which added the roman civilization to the game, with new units, building and all that. This mod became quite successful, and soon the team started working out on a total conversion. But the limitations of the engine, together with the abandonment of interest of the original game (with new titles coming out), rang a toll on the project. However, another branch of Wildfire Games, that was developing a fantasy game based on J.R.R. Tolkien's Arda, suggested the possibility of creating their own engine, starting work and hope anew.

Now, after over 7 years of development, this project is starting to get to the final phase. Throughout the years, the developers have kept their fan base interested with concept art, historical articles and screenshots (which I must say are beautiful). Much time has passed, and the progress has been great. Today, one can download their "advanced" alpha version (second patch), and see the game oneself, free of charge. The goal for economic gains through their game isn't in their minds, as they only intend to enjoy and learn from this experience.

So I suggest you, fellow members, to check this game out. Even if you're not interested in checking out an incomplete game, just to keep an eye on it's development. The game has had a lot of thought into it, and it's comparable to a game where the developers are paid.


To be completely honest, it has been hard to write this... I got quite into with the page itself. I've actually learned quite a bit from their historical articles, and by god the game is amazing, considering that it's made entirely by part-time modders that won't even ask for you to pay for their product.

So, without further delay, here (http://play0ad.com) is their homepage, together with their latest news, download links, screenshots, historical articles, etc. Enjoy, and post your feedback! (And maybe you could include some rep, if you have some leftover ones you haven't spent *whistles*)
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Jubal on January 09, 2011, 11:50:47 AM
Moved to general gaming

Looks really interesting - game creation projects and so on are always things I've wanted to look into more (I even have my own dear little crapfest, Raiders and Traders).

I'll leave trying it 'til after my exams though.  :P
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on January 09, 2011, 08:07:20 PM
Wow, had a hard time finding this thread. Never noticed it before.

Thanks for putting it where it belongs!
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Jubal on January 09, 2011, 08:15:29 PM
No worries, it's my job as a staffer after all.

(Ya know, we should have moderators to do this but I haven't seen either of ours in a while.)

Have you played 0AD? What do you think?
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on January 09, 2011, 09:53:24 PM
Well, it kind of sucks that it doesn't have an AI yet, so you kinda can check out the units, the buildings, the scenery, game mechanics and all that. Imagine it as a slightly improved AoM, as it seems that the models have more polys.

It seems there is multiplayer enabled, but I haven't tested it out. I'm scared to get my ass whooped by some pro, as I've only fooled around with the game.

To sum it up, the game has potential, there are a lot of features and the team has put a lot of thought into it. One has to be patient, that's all. Accordings to the dev team, this year will have more progress that the last, where they started with small, individual parts of the game being developed separately, to the third alpha release. Maybe by the end of this year we might see the beta, but it's hard to say.
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Jubal on January 09, 2011, 10:47:29 PM
Cool, sounds like the AI is the biggest thing it's waiting for then? I'll check it out after exams definitely.
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Silver Wolf on January 09, 2011, 11:07:46 PM
I've seen it and I think that I've posted a link in the Free games thread ...
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on January 10, 2011, 01:53:00 AM
Damn! You did. Although before the alpha.

Maybe you should update the list
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Jubal on January 13, 2011, 11:27:01 PM
I'll prolly take a look at this tomorrow.  :D
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Silver Wolf on January 13, 2011, 11:28:42 PM
I must say that it looks pretty... It somehow reminds me of Age of Mythology ...
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on January 14, 2011, 03:09:43 AM
Yeah, if you zoom in closer, you'll notice they have even more polys. At least they look better :P

I played it the other day, got a CTD xD. Was having a bit of fun though
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Jubal on January 14, 2011, 11:47:56 PM
Just had a look; it plays and looks good if a little buggy. Can't wait to actually have a proper game on it!
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on January 15, 2011, 12:12:22 AM
Did you check out the webpage? I'll actually use a lot of their articles for history related things
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Marcus on January 22, 2011, 05:23:09 PM
Me and Jubal had a game, and for the most part he was a lot better. If he didn't get bored, he would have creamed me. :P
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Jubal on January 22, 2011, 05:31:04 PM
Moved to new 0AD subforum
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on January 22, 2011, 07:34:11 PM
Lol, feel semi-honoured
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Marcus on January 22, 2011, 08:08:40 PM
Besides AI and more factions, the next thing that needs sorting is pathfinding. It's pretty bad atm especially with siege weapons. But I'm sure that will improve over time.
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on January 23, 2011, 06:06:56 AM
Factions will be six, although they will have expansion packs, that will reach further into the factions we see in RTW:BI. It"s kinda lame only to be able to play with Greeks and Gauls for now.

I've even wanted to try my luck modding there by adding crew members myself into siege weapons. Sea battles look very unfinished too, I did wrong by expecting them done.

Pathfinding has gone under further development in the last three releases. Although I never tested it myself before Cerberus.

After all it's still alpha :thumbs up:
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Marcus on January 23, 2011, 09:06:34 AM
Yeah, obviously it needs a lot more adding to it, but for an alpha, it is pretty good so far. And I never knew they had self propelled siege weapons back then, my god the Hellenes were advanced!  :sparta:
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on January 28, 2011, 03:08:52 AM
I think it was because they already expected the Spanish Inquisition... :hmmm:
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Marcus on February 12, 2011, 03:34:10 PM
Gah, Jubal beat me again, after I underestimated his forces, again.
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: comrade_general on February 12, 2011, 03:53:43 PM
I finally downloaded this  :$
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Marcus on February 12, 2011, 05:16:14 PM
Sorry comrade. :P
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on February 12, 2011, 05:25:02 PM
Can we add you to the multiplayer list?  :flashy:
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: comrade_general on February 12, 2011, 06:20:54 PM
yes, mr. double-poster
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Marcus on February 17, 2011, 02:25:21 PM
According to the dev boards, we might be looking at Alpha 4 in about 3 weeks.
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on February 18, 2011, 03:29:24 AM
True... as soon as I saw your post (but not the contents, saw your post from the main directory of the forum) I knew it had something to do with something new, in the dev sense  :P . Saw it myself in the main page before seeing what your post was about. Really exited about the AI.

For all those that want to find the page without google-ing, here (http://www.wildfiregames.com/0ad/) you go
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Valkar on April 02, 2011, 08:23:34 AM
I downloaded it. Its very nice!
I hope they will put a norse/germanic faction in it.
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on April 02, 2011, 03:28:47 PM
Do the celts fill that spot? :P

After all, both have a lot of facial hair and don't shower much :D
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Jubal on April 02, 2011, 03:43:54 PM
Ah, but the Germans also won against the Romans, which the Celts didn't.  :P
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Valkar on April 10, 2011, 08:01:08 PM
Quote from: "debux"
Do the celts fill that spot? :P

After all, both have a lot of facial hair and don't shower much :D
Actually, the Germanics took a bath every day :P

They said that there was going to be a Vandal/Goth faction and Norse/Suebi.
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on April 10, 2011, 09:41:57 PM
Yeah, but I think they are a few years away from that... first they have to finish the game, and it's not easy to start a faction from zero, I guess. I'd give them 1 and a half years, at least
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Jubal on April 30, 2011, 01:19:49 PM
New Alpha is looking fairly imminent, guys.  :D
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Marcus on April 30, 2011, 04:39:12 PM
Woo! =]
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: debux on April 30, 2011, 10:07:59 PM
Huzzah!
Title: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Marcus on May 04, 2011, 11:17:12 PM
Can't wait to get thrashed by Jubot. :P
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Son of the King on May 05, 2011, 11:37:30 PM
I really should dl the latest version sometime, but upcoming exams are limiting my gaming time now :( .
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS
Post by: Marcus on May 16, 2011, 06:59:48 PM
Alpha 5 be coming this Friday! (fingers crossed)
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 8)
Post by: Marcus on January 02, 2012, 08:02:27 PM
We can save our games now! w00t!
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 8)
Post by: debux on January 02, 2012, 09:12:07 PM
Can't play it on the PC I'm on >:( lags even at the main menu, and you still can't adjust graphical options.
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 8)
Post by: Marcus on January 06, 2012, 12:53:26 AM
I've noticed a little bit of lag compared to previous releases, but nothing major.
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 8)
Post by: Jubal on January 06, 2012, 05:04:39 PM
Heh, you should've seen some of the lag BETWEEN releases. That was quite something.
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 8)
Post by: Marcus on May 13, 2012, 01:46:55 AM
Btw, Alpha 9 is out, and has been for a while. Time to liven up this place. In a couple of days, I'll have a go at an AAR with Rome, and see how I do.
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 8)
Post by: Marcus on May 17, 2012, 02:03:09 PM
Alpha 10 has now been released. (http://www.wildfiregames.com/0ad/) If a mod could update the title that would be good, thanks. It has click and drag walls, technologies and other awesome things! w00t!
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 8)
Post by: Jubal on May 17, 2012, 04:24:43 PM
Crap, I need to update my darn AI. Curse you, examinations!
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 10)
Post by: Marcus on May 17, 2012, 04:59:51 PM
It seems that qBot has trouble with the new systems as well. I just played a game against it and it hadn't worked out upgrading to the town phase, so it didn't have much in the way of an army or economy. In short, I steamrollered it.
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 10)
Post by: Jubal on May 17, 2012, 05:12:17 PM
How bad is JuBot, dare I ask?  :P
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 10)
Post by: Marcus on May 17, 2012, 05:17:12 PM
I haven't tried it lately. Would you like me to? :P

So far, it's managed to build a barracks, which shows its managed to get to the Town Phase.
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 10)
Post by: Jubal on May 17, 2012, 09:30:42 PM
That's impressive, given I haven't added anything since they put phases in.  :P
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 10)
Post by: Marcus on May 17, 2012, 11:19:20 PM
Indeed, not sure why qBot can't do it.
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 10)
Post by: comrade_general on May 19, 2012, 02:16:03 AM
I have Alpha 10.
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 10)
Post by: Marcus on May 21, 2012, 04:52:36 PM
Well, although JuBot appeared to be able to get to the town phase, since it built a barracks, it still hasn't grasped territories or building resource dropoff points near distant resources.
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 10)
Post by: Jubal on May 23, 2012, 04:41:07 PM
It *should* work with territories, but I really need to improve the expansion logic. Gah. Just not enough time lately.  :(
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 13 Maghada)
Post by: Jubal on July 07, 2013, 04:44:01 PM
Updated first post.

Tested Maghada today but made the critical mistake of not using a population cap. The AI just made villagers until everything slowed to an impossible crawl.  :P

Otherwise good though.  :)
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 13 Maghada)
Post by: Silver Wolf on July 07, 2013, 05:47:21 PM
I'm tracking this game on MODdb, but I just can't find time to try new versions.
I've kind of lost interest for it, though.
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 13 Maghada)
Post by: Jubal on July 08, 2013, 10:43:51 PM
I might do more testing on it soon. I don't feel it's quite a stable enough platform to mod much at the moment and I'm too out of the loop to get back into AI stuff though...
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 13 Maghada)
Post by: debux on October 11, 2013, 06:15:51 PM
Yeah, I'm kind of on the same page... besides the fact that my current computer barely can run it, the fact it's still on alpha kind of turns me off with the performance issues, mostly the fact that it's still not ready. I can imagine how hard it should be for someone trying to mod or even contribute, since you have to be actively following the mod to keep up with the updates.

I'm still relatively proud that I (think) brought this game here :D

(I'm starting to take Khan's role as necroposter apparently)
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 13 Maghada)
Post by: Jubal on November 26, 2013, 06:39:48 PM
Apparently A15 will be out in early December, and will include a multiplayer lobby.  :)
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 14 Naukratis)
Post by: debux on December 08, 2013, 06:06:56 PM
I haven't been following it so closely, but that's darn cool. I guess the recurrent player base will expand with that. I might give it another try, especially since I'm with my gaming rig, and will be for the next 3 months
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 14 Naukratis)
Post by: Jubal on December 22, 2013, 11:36:30 PM
A recent tweet says the Alpha 15 release notes are being drafted :)
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 15 Osiris)
Post by: Jubal on December 29, 2013, 08:01:07 PM
Alpha 15 is out!

New features:

Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 15 Osiris)
Post by: debux on December 29, 2013, 09:45:39 PM
Just read this today, was confused by the memory of it being released already, saw the date of your post. "Ah (,so smart!)".

I refuse to try it until my gaming rig roars to life again (I'm missing the HDMI-VGA adapter to have a screen, using only HDMI made a horrible mess out of resolution and fine tuning)... I remember when I tried it out on my uni ultrabook... the lag... horrible.
Title: Re: 0 A.D.: a free historical-accurate RTS (Latest version: Alpha 15 Osiris)
Post by: Jubal on May 03, 2014, 10:25:46 PM
Just updated the SVN and had a rather enjoyable war of attrition against Macedon, eventually beating them by virtue of them running out of useful resources and still running men at my massive freakin' walls. Also picking all the hoplite bonuses for technologies so my basic infantry were insanely deadly.  :)