0 A.D. Open Source Historic RTS Releases Alpha 15 Osiris

Wildfire Games, an international group of volunteer game developers, proudly announces the release of "0 A.D. Alpha 15 Osiris", the fifteenth alpha version of 0 A.D., a free, open-source game of ancient warfare. This alpha features a multiplayer lobby, skirmish maps, auras and more!

This is quite a big update that will make playing with other people infinately easier with the new multiplayer lobby!

Trailer


I have long hailed this as a must-see project, I think an open source RTS game and engine of real quality is quite essential to have, not to mention fun to play!

Big New Features

wildfireMultiplayer Lobby: The new in-game multiplayer lobby is a place to meet other players and play games together. Meet the entire 0 A.D. community online and face the challenge of a multiplayer game!

Auras: Units get a bonus when they are in range of a special building, like a wonder, or another unit, such as a hero. This feature adds a new layer of strategy to the game. So far, in Alpha 15, temples regenerate health for nearby units, and most heroes have auras. This feature is set for expansion and further refinement over the next few alphas.
Debut of the Ptolemaic Egyptians: Alpha 15 debuts the Ptolemaic Egyptians as a new playable civilization. Some new buildings, units and unique gameplay features can already be tested, but it’s not finished yet and still contains a lot of placeholders. The Ptolemies will be completed in the next alpha releases.

Skirmish Maps: Skirmish maps are a new game mode in 0 A.D. They’re similar to scenarios, but can be easily changed according to your preferences. Like scenarios, these are hand-crafted maps in which the terrain, starting positions and positions of resources on the map remain constant every game. However, unlike scenarios, other aspects can be changed every time you set up a game, like starting resources, factions and teams.Also, in skirmish maps the map creator also placed some generic entities on the map, which will change according to the factions players choose as soon as the game starts, such as generic Civil Centers that will immediately transform into Civil Centers specific to the faction chosen. Skirmish maps are another option available to the player, on top of scenarios and random maps. (Try the first skirmish map, “Alpine Valleys”, bundled with Alpha 15!)

Those aren't the only new bits mind you, including new buttons for units like a guard button to order units to guard another, new music and sound effects, new textures and animations added, translation system started, more stability for playing with AI, better multiplayer, faster map generation and more!

These guys really do work hard and it shows, I cannot wait to play it when it becomes more stable, hell I am so excited about this project I may even play some of Alpha 15!

Download: http://play0ad.com/download/linux Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.