Tribes Extreme
Tribes Extreme | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Dynamix |
Publisher(s) | Sierra On-Line |
Designer(s) | Scott "Captain America" Rudi |
Engine | Darkstar |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
Release date(s) | Canceled |
Genre(s) | First-person shooter |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) |
Tribes Extreme was a sci-fi first person shooter video game which was to be an expansion for Starsiege: Tribes, providing a multitude of offline and campaign missions. For backwards compatibility, it was built on the Darkstar engine, like its predecessor was. Players would have been in command of up to 7 other warriors in order to complete campaign objectives. For those who already owned Starsiege: Tribes, Tribes Extreme would have been available as an upgrade, so that a full priced standalone copy would not be necessary to purchase. Unfortunately, the game was cancelled on December 1, 1999, to move more resources to Tribes 2[1].
Storyline
Tribes Extreme introduces a new tribe, the Grievers, who are a collection of Tribesmen who have left the other major tribes. Unlike the Greater Tribes, the Grievers fight by their own rules and it is not uncommon for them to do dishonorable things. As such, they are viewed by the Greater Tribes as something akin to scavengers and pirates.
In the game's campaign, the "Bone Ripper" tribe of Grievers has completely wiped out the player's holdfast (a military/civilian homestead where tribesmembers live), killing almost everyone. In the Greater Tribes, this is completely taboo - battle is highly structured, even ceremonial - you never attack civilians. The player must first rid his holdfast and surrounding area of remaining Bone Rippers, then seek revenge.
Gameplay
A major focus had been put on offline gaming and there were to be 24 offline missions (12 training, 12 campaign). The online maps were to be a balanced collection of tournament maps and general multiplayer maps. Additionally, there were to be cooperative maps, where teams can play against an AI team or have AI players join the human teams. Having AI on the team would allow players to leave the base guarded while they were out attacking.
Game Mechanics
Due to the short development cycle, the mechanics of the game where not going to change. There were not going to be any new weapons or armors because of the amount of time needed to balance them. New building and skins were going to be created, but that was the extent of the changes in regards to new material. The greatest change would be the improved AI system that would allow for more advanced commands and even assigning roles (sniper, assault, etc...) to a bot.
Comic
To help build the storyline, a comic was created to go along with the game. Prior to the game's cancellation, the first 7 pages of the first episode called, "All the King's Horses was released." The first episode, is a suspenseful tale about the first casualties of the Bone Ripper invasion. Scavenger nomads Rudder and Talitha find themselves being stalked as they investigate the wreckage of a Starwolf dropship. As their investigation unfolds, they discover the last survivor of the Starwolf crew.[2]