Originally developed by Cavedog back in 1997, the rights eventually came into the hands of Atari who has given us permission to re-release it.
Stardock is handling the support for Total Annihilation directly and includes a new launcher that helps automatically configure the game for modern systems, streamlines getting multiplayer games going and includes easy access to tips and tricks for getting the most out of it.
As part of Stardock's support for the game, it will be releasing subsequent updates (with Atari's permission) to further streamline multiplayer, incorporate Impulse Reactor and work with fan sites to incorporate new content into the "official" release. It will also be further enhancing the release to prepare it for eventual availability on other digital distributors.
In other words, we’re treating Total Annihilation similarly to a newly released title with ongoing updates wherever possible.
The package includes Total Annihilation + Core Contingency as a single integrated package.
What makes Total Annihilation particularly special is that (depending on your modern setup and trouble shooting skills) you can get the game playing at crazy high resolutions and the game runs fine.
Total Annihilation at 2500x1600
Now, a word of warning – if you’re a PC novice, Total Annihilation won’t be for you. It’s a serious RTS and, depending on your setup, we are talking about a game developed 14 years ago when DirectX 3 was state of the art. Running it in a window has had good success for me on my Windows 7 64-bit desktop.
If you try to run it full-screen at a very high resolution you can end up with a goofy color mess of it. Anything beyond 1024x768 in full screen can be a crap shoot but if you run it windowed, you can go nuts. Back in 1997, anything beyond 1024x768 probably seemed like science fiction. The fact it will run at 2500x1600 is just…wow.
To get it, go here:
http://bit.ly/amPYVd
Battle Tactics is now in.
Talking to modders now.
Awesome
How would stardock/impulse plan to include modded content though? Optional add-ons in a folder or something (hopefully a mod-manager too)?
What an awesome salvage project. TA was my first PC game! More than anything else the music is what made it such a memorable experience. Chris Taylor was a personal hero of mine for a while, sadly I can no longer be his friend after SupCom2.
Anyways, the next epic achievement would be to do a similar thing to the old Bullfrog title Dungeon Keeper 2. Fav game of all time, yet sadly hasn't run on my machines since 2004.
adante, I HAVE successfully installed dungeon keeper 2 in xp 32 bit, and even dungeon keeper 1 but it wants nvidia cards, BUT DK1 will not install on w7 64bit due to the old 16 bit installer and dk2 does install on w7 64bit and even runs, and I also followed chris taylor until supcom2 and enjoyed most of his work, I also enjoyed most of the old bullfrog games
harpo
Ah this is brilliant stuff! TA was the first game I ever bought on the strength of a demo on a coverdisc. I was just blown away. I know a lot of people won't "get" what's so great about it now, but I'm sure after a few good games they'll change their minds :]
Really looking forward to development being picked up on this again as well. New units, maps, AI tweaks etc.
One question I do have, is this: what compatibility issues are there between 3rd party downloads/hacks/etc., and updates released officially via Impulse? Will official updates rely on the structure of the game directory being in a certain way to work properly?
Anyway, great stuff again guys.
Hello there.
A member of TA3D development team is here
Frogboy - if you guys are interested, we can provide full set of TA CC + BT units with more detailed models. Of course with the permission of developers (The guys who made Evolva models for TA)
All you`ll have to do is simply replace units resources with the new ones and the game will look much better without any perfomance loss.
Another one ready-to-use graphical stuff is the set of high-detailed explosions, made by famouse TA modder Wotan for TA:Escalation. There should be no problems to ask him about permission to include it.
There are many other ways to make TA play&look better, I`ll gladly post them once I`ll know what do you think about posted suggestions or if you provide some information conserning your next work plans on TA.
That sounds like a cool option, no offense though I think that the main product should come pure and be modded only if desired by the customer.
Which is why a mod manager from Stardock would be fantastic.
Thank you making TA available under a more recent version of Windows... I have a Win95 machine set up, but it gets tempermental every so often, and getting TA under XP is great!
Now if you'd just arrange to get Alpha Centauri running smoothly under TA I'd be happy as a clam (assuming clams are happy...)
However, among the various TA maps I brought is one called "Atlantean States" which says it needs the MetalZone_MAX data in the feature files. I have this map running normally under Win95, but cannot locate the resource file needed to get it running under WinXP.
Does anyone know which file is actually necessary? Since it works under Win95 I assume I have it, but darned if I can locate it...
Any assistance would be appreciated!
Edward Lipsett
Fukuoka, Japan
elipsett, I have been able to install ta,cc & bt from the original cd's onto xp without any difficulties, bUT windows 7 64bit is another story.
regarding the particular feature sets, I suggest looking in the *.ufo files in your win95 box, and copying the files that are not in your xp box to the xp box.
I thought I had copied all the UFO files... Twice.
Well, let me go have another look.
Thanks!
Just copied them again... no joy.
All the HPI files in Win95 are also present in the Stardock app folder.
Well, I'm running this on a Japanese-native system, and that causes problems with a lot of games. Like Alpha Centauri, for example... it is possible that Atlantean States is just trying to use somebody else's memory space.
Thanks.
it could well be the base language on the windows that is causeing the issues.
I only have english versions of windows, so can not confirm the problem, sorry.
we occasionally play on LAN, but since there have been no good RTS for a looong time i wanted to start some online TA gaming.
so what is the most popular client to play TA online nowadays???
love to see the community is still robust
will surely drop $10 to support impulse
The only thing stopping me from buying is the lack of third-party units, which Frogboy said would be added.
Any plans to get Total Annihilation: Kingdoms on Impulse? I realize it's another game entirely
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