Posted Tue 26 Jul, 2016 2:59 PM –
Last edited by JCarrill0; Sat 03 Mar, 2018 8:06 PM.
DUM VITA EST SPES EST WHILE THERE'S LIFE, THERE'S HOPE
Greetings UFP,
I have been seeing some interest in some Armada 2 & 3 Activity pick up more recently. I have also started to notice there is some small interest in Armada 1 within the fleet.
Some may know, while others may not, I have always been BIG fan of Armada 1. I even joined UFP way back when because they had an armada interest and have stayed ever since.
I am creating this thread as an Unofficial UFP Guide for those wanting to relive the game that started the great RTS for Star Trek - Armada!
Install Armada 1 by putting in your CD. (install.exe should autorun)
Install 1.2 Patch (this updates to the last official update)
Star Trek: Armada 1.2 Patch
This patch updates Star Trek Armada 1.0 or 1.1 to version 1.2. We recommend all Armada players install this patch if they have not done so already as it increases stability and performance of the game. Here are some changes:
Pathing Improved – Ships will have less trouble moving in groups or navigating in areas with lots of objects.
Rally Point Improved – Ships will not try to occupy the same location when they exit the shipyards.
Strategic AI in Instant Action and Multiplayer has been given better handicaps on medium and hard difficulty. Including sped up build time and reduced cost.
In Instant Action/Multiplayer games the AI will now cloak ships if it can; more often on medium, and most of the time on hard.
The Chain Reaction Pulsar weapon has been modified so that it will not be able to hit cloaked ships and has been balanced to be less powerful.
In standard Multiplayer games each team will begin with a starbase, 2 construction ships, and a scout vessel.
Implemented Instant Action save functionality.
Improved game stability with issues related to [ESC] key being depressed.
Fixed several weapons related crashes.
Fixed crash related to Corbromite Reflector and saved games. If the Corbromite Reflector was active prior to saving the game it could cause a crash on loading of the saved game.
We have developed Fleet Operations as a modification with intent on continuing the spirit which made Armada 1 that awesome game for Star Trek fans back then. This is why we often try to go 'back to the roots' and look at what Star Trek and Star Trek Armada was and was about at this time. This of course also includes looking at Armada 1 itself, so we never lose focus on what we are trying to achieve with Fleet Operations.
Anyway - long story made short, Armada 1 has problems running on newer systems. FO was unable to run it at all so they begun debugging and fixed some of these problems. As it'd be silly to keep that all for me - here you go.
Besides bug fixing the patch has two new features for Armada 1. The first is widescreen (all resolutions) support. This is a very basic implementation. While you can now use Armada 1 in your native monitor resolution, the GUI is still going to be stretched. This could be fixed by modders by creating new interface files. Another problem is that some resolutions seem to just not work. The game crashes as soon as you try to start the game. FO is not sure why this occurs. It seems that Armada is unable to create a 'device' for some resolutions. The cause may be that DirectX 7 implementation used by Armada is not exactly state of the art anymore.
The second feature allows to activate the map editor mode in a 'live' game (similar to Armada 2). This can be useful for debugging purposes (modding) and of course people who ever wanted to command a fleet of Enterprise Ds in their skirmish games. This feature requires the map editor files to be installed and of course only works in singleplayer modes. Open the ingame chat and type 'edit' to switch between game and editor mode.
There are other problems that exist with Armada 1 like flickering graphic or distorted sound. These are not fixed with this patch and i currently do not intent to. Fleet Operations still has upmost priority.
To install, Star Trek Armada 1 with Patch 1.2 is required
Game would not start on some systems with more than 2GB of memory
Game could crash on systems with a very long PATH environment variable
Known bugs
Some screen resolutions may crash the game
Graphic options selection looks a bit off due to increased number of selectable resolutions
Utilities
Armada Map Editor - Download
The Star Trek: Armada Map Editor is released as an unsupported beta tool to allow users
to create their own maps for Star Trek: Armada.
Armada ODF Files - Download
These files contain certain design, programming and processing utilities, tools,
assets and other resources for use with the Star Trek: Armada ODF files that allow you to create customized
objects and other related game materials for personal use in Star Trek: Armada.
MODS
Millenium Project
The Millenium Project added so much to Armada 1; new models, textures, maps etc. AND remained single player compatible. In fact, some of the models in this mod are actually what you can see today in current mods! Whilst I have no intention of not speaking up for all the modders involved, to give you some idea of the team it included (and certainly not limited to) Deemon, P81 and MaP. This is a dream team mod!
This is modding at its finest, regardless of the game. Really, what ARE you waiting for? Armada 1 players, download now if you don't already have it and run the .exe's contained within...and play.
Posted Tue 26 Jul, 2016 3:54 PM –
Last edited by JCarrill0; Sat 10 Sep, 2016 2:05 PM.
FAQ
Q: This Game is old, how will it work on newer PCs?
A: I know it works for XP, Vista, Win7. I am in the process of Win8/Win10 (I can confirm is working on 1 PC for Win10)
Q: Does it have MAC support?
A: I do not know anything about MAC osX. I can try if the need arises, but as of right now. I don't know of any.
Q: Can we play this via Multiplayer?
A: YES! Tunngle has support for it, but I need to test this further to guarantee.
Q: Is this game supported by UFP Tactical?
A: No, it has not been supported ever in UFP, only Armada 2.
Q: Can we use mods for multiplayer?
A: Yes, but MP SE seems a bit unbalanced. I would need test with more mods to guarantee.
So far I got one player who I know that can run it via Win10 over Tunngle, and I know I can run it. I have seen3 other (random people) in Tunngle (Star Trek Armada 1 channel) who also been running games, although I can't verify who they are, nor what PC OS they are running
Would you recommend downloading the millennium pack as well as the others? And do the multiplayer servers still operate?
I would, however I Recommend keeping your original version as well.
You can copy the entire armada 1 folder, then rename it "Star Trek Armada - Millenium Project" if you like. Then install the MOD into THAT folder!
I am currently on Tunngle in the armada 1 channel getting some games going. I don't know what PCs they are using, but its nice to randomly find people playing armada 1, despite hearing no one really plays.
I'm definitely down for some multiplayer matches in this if that pans out.
I got some multiplayer games working, I got it done through Tunngle, if you got armada 1 working and running, please PM me and lets get some games going!
Sadly, I did try installing and running on my Windows 10, on my Mac, and it didn't load. Tried multiple troubleshooting methods (run as admin, compatibility mode, fixing the resolution to a small size), sadly with no effect. I will attempt on my PC as well.
Sadly, I did try installing and running on my Windows 10, on my Mac, and it didn't load. Tried multiple troubleshooting methods (run as admin, compatibility mode, fixing the resolution to a small size), sadly with no effect. I will attempt on my PC as well.
Yeah as I mentioned above, Mac isn't currently supported. However I did get some peeps on Win10 working. the more I have, the better I can make a better guide troubleshooting.
I got it to work on my Windows 10 Mac, following the bottom link in the troubleshooting section, the only sad thing is the menu is a little screwy, but I can play it regardless!
I got it to work on my Windows 10 Mac, following the bottom link in the troubleshooting section, the only sad thing is the menu is a little screwy, but I can play it regardless!
I knew it could work! I had no idea you have win10 on a Mac by the way, that's cool!
I will look more into having high resolution fixes in the future!
I have 2 projects I am currently working on to further push this guide to be caught up for all current OS for WIndows. I should have some more updates in the next coming days. I went ahead an updated the 1.3 unofficial patch stuff with FO Page edits.
Wait this works on win 10? I have had quite a bit of trouble getting it to work on my win 10 computers. If you could give me a better guide I would be so happy I might cry. (Just kidding about crying)
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