IT IS FINALLY HERE!
The Fully Functional demo of ASTRUM ERUS: STARLORD ALPHA
(i call it a demo because it doesn't include quite all the graphical
features and shipsets, but it is in "program anouncements" because
it is a complete and playable game.)
and thanks to nagging from previous lesser releases, there are now
in game help files!
just hit [F1] for specific help on most screens,
and [F2] for a list of hotkeys and controls.
http://astrumgames.com/downloads/AESLA_DEMO.zip
it is a 6MB zip file, requiring all the usual DBP hubub, like DX9,etc.
This is the GALAXY MAP, the main screen you use to get around in the
game. it displays the stars in a fully 3D environment, and the planets, ships, and colonies at those stars.
HELP FILES for almost every screen are now included and accessible
from within the game.
There is also a 30 page instruction book, but you can now play the
game without reading it, because of the help files.
This game is the cultivation of 10 months of work, from conception
and research,to programming and graphics work. And Yet, it was just a test.
This game was always meant to be a teaser; a preview of what's to come from the much more detailed game,
ASTRUM ERUS: STARLORD OMEGA
"OMEGA" will be every bit as good as (and hopefully better! than) any other 4X (or 5X) game ever made.
But enough about that, let's see what we've got right now with the alpha version.
Here are some things you would do in a common turn in ASTRUM ERUS: STARLORD ALPHA
-Research new technology
-Build new facilities on planets
-Build new spaceships
-Upgrade old ships to new tech specs
-Colonize a new planet
-Discover an alien technology on your new colony
-Transport people from overpopulated worlds to your new colonies
-Send ships to unexplored stars
-Encounter a new alien race
-Read reports from your explorers and warships
-Send an attack fleet against your worst enemy
-Load soldiers on to transports to send with your attack fleet
-Negotiate a new treaty with another race
-Make sure you have enough resources to run your industry
-Make sure you have enough food for your people
-End the turn by clicking the green check mark
The graphics are still not as good as they could be in some areas,
but great improvements have been made, and OMEGA is much more
important. All further non-cosmetic advancements will be made
towards the OMEGA version.
(the only limitation on this version of the game is that there are
only 4 shipsets included, though there are 12 available)
This is an old screenshot of real-time space combat,
before the ships were textured, before animated explosions,
and before the beautiful new background.
enjoy,
bob
