Empires, one of my favorite mods of all time have just released its port to the source 2013 engine.
Changelog wrote:Added:
+ Ported to Source 2013 Engine (All launch problems resolved).
+ Only download required to play is the base Empires download (Source 2007/2013 base files no longer needed).
+ Added shift build for commanders (Shift can now be held to drop multiple buildings of the same type).
+ Doing a melee attack whilst playing as infantry will interrupt reloading.
+ Vehicle weapons now have reload sounds. (Audible both within and outside the vehicle).
+ Vehicle canons will now quickly reload whilst close to an ammo box/armoury/repair pad.
+ Vehicle and armour damage gradually changes colour depending on damage levels.
+ More controls have been bound by default for new players.
+ New names and descriptions for infantry weapons.
+ New map descriptions (Arid, Canyon, Crossroads, Cyclopean and Isle).
+ Empires specific tray icon when game is minimised.
Fixed:
* Fission Engine overheat bug.
* Fixed some incorrect skill descriptions.
* Fixed missing bushes on emp_midbridge.
* emp_sv_wait_phase_time now updates dynamically (Used on conquest maps to set delay before map start).
Modified:
/ Updated Empires quickstart guide and manual.
/ Changed default scout skill from hide to enhanced senses to promote teamplay.
/ Reduced resource income on streetsoffire (-10%), duststorm (-5%), slaughtered (-5%) and canyon (+5%)
/ Stamina upgrade now doubles class adjusted stamina regeneration instead of base stamina regeneration.
Script Changes:
/ Buildings: Resistance vs Explosive Damage Type 85% -> 90% (Will affect HE CN, GL and UGL) - These weapons were never meant to be anti-building. *EXCLUDES TURRETS, CAMERAS, RADARS & WALLS*
Vehicle Armour:
/ Absorbant Armour: Cost 10 -> 5
/ Composite Armour: Regeneration 0.03 -> 0.02, Health 80 -> 75
/ Regenerative Armour: Regeneration 0.1 -> 0.08
Vehicle Engines:
/ 3phase Engine:
Meds: Max Speed 50 -> 45
Heavies/Artillery: Max Speed 45 -> 40
All Vehicles: Passive Heat output while moving 2 -> 3
/ Fission Engine:
Fixed overheat bug
/ Gas Turbine Engine:
Updated description: "This engine excels in raw horsepower, gaining more as the vehicle becomes more damaged. It is much lighter and cheaper than other engines."
Vehicle Weapons:
/ STD MG: Damage 30 -> 35, Projectile Spread 0.02 -> 0.015, Clip Size 50 -> 60, Reload Time 5.0 -> 3.5
/ CG: Damage 19 -> 22, Weight 60 -> 50
/ MCG: Damage 29 -> 33
/ HEMG: Damage 20 -> 24, Projectile Spread 0.015 -> 0.01, Clip Size 30 -> 40
/ Standard Canon : Damage 40 -> 50, Inertia 2.0 -> 1.5 *TEMP CHANGE* Clip Size 30 -> 10, Total Ammo Clips 0 -> 4
/ Extended Range Canon: Inertia 1.0 -> 0.5
/ High Explosive Canon: Damage 75 -> 65, Explosion Radius 400 -> 450, Inertia 2.5 -> 3.0
/ STD ML: Damage 40 -> 50
/ UML: Speed 1800 -> 2500, Clip Size 6 -> 7, Total Ammo Clips 6 -> 7
/ BIO ML: Player Bio Damage 10 -> 5, Player Bio Time 15 -> 30
/ Salvo: Total Ammo Clips 6 -> 10, Clip Size 4 -> 5
/ Guided ML: Damage 50 -> 60
/ Salvo Homing: Damage 43 -> 50
/ UGL: Clip Size 12 -> 8
Vehicle Chassis:
/ APC Base Cost: 50 -> 20
/ APC Base Weight: 30 -> 10
/ LT/AFV/Med/Heavy/Arty Base Cost: 70 -> 30
/ LT/AFV/Med/Heavy/Arty Base Weight: 30 -> 10
/ AFV: Base Cost 150 -> 100
/ LT: Base Cost 200 -> 150
/ NF Med Tank: Max armour plates per side: 4 -> 5, Base Weight 712 -> 632, Base Cost 300 -> 200
/ NF Heavy Tank: Max armour plates per side: 6 -> 7, Base Weight 926 -> 846, Base Cost 900 -> 800
To explain it very quickly, think of a mix of Battlefield meets a real-time strategy games with each team having their own commander, but with all the units (up to 64 per server) being commanded by players, who are able to purchase their own tanks for the team's money and gain rank when completing objectives which they can spend on passive abilites. Add in a research system that allows the commanders to research items for the tanks to use (different armors, weapons, engines) and the ability to drop buildings anywhere on the map and you have a pretty crazy game.
The learning curve can be quite high in the beginning but once you step over it it's one of the best games out there in terms of teamplay.
Now is the time to test it out
