Alpha 26 Feature Freeze Update

Alpha 26 Feature Freeze Update

 

The date of the 6th of March 2022 at 23.59 CET was the beginning of the 0 A.D. Alpha 26 Feature Freeze, a major precursor to the actual release of the new alpha version of the game. Since then we have been trying to get the new release ready for your hands.

What is the Feature Freeze?

The Feature Freeze is the point at which new features cease to be added to the new alpha version and the development team focus solidly on final preparations and bugfixes to facilitate the release.

What happened after the 6th of March?

We currently have seven release blockers tickets on the milestone. As their name suggest those bugs or issues prevent the release. As long as they are not fixed we cannot release another version. You can find more information about them here:

  • #6440 fast clicking makes formations walk in slow motion
  • #6444 Survival of the fittest and the Regicide game mode are broken
  • #6451 Crash in the replay menu
  • #6487 Out of Sync
  • #6506 Mouse cursor issue on 4K screens
  • #6513 Crash when running the game in non-visual mode or running the reinforcement learning interface.
  • #6494 Rectangular texture glitch on water when dying

Once those are fixed, we are going to release the first release candidate test bundle to make sure there are no more outstanding bugs.

When Will Alpha 26 Officially be Released?

Until the release blockers are fixed, we cannot provide a date.

Want to help?

As the current version is currently unstable, we will not release pre built bundles. You can however still install the development version and test it extensively.

You can also help by fixing the bugs or offering programming advice, or reaching out to people you know that might be able to help.

If you have a M1 Mac you can also test the Alpha 25b test bundle. See this thread. If the tests are conclusive, we might be able to provide a version for A26.

What can I expect from Alpha 26?

If you are not afraid of spoilers and can’t wait to see what new things are coming in the latest version check out this page

How can I update my mod to be ready for the release?

See wiki:Port A25 to A26 and download the development version.

Re-release of 0 A.D. Alpha 25: Yaunā

Wildfire Games, an international group of volunteer game developers, is happy to announce the re-release of 0 A.D. Alpha 25 “Yaunā”, the twenty-fifth alpha version of 0 A.D., a free, open-source real-time strategy game of ancient warfare.

This version is a maintenance release. Gameplay remains untouched and both versions of Alpha 25 remain multiplayer-compatible. We strongly advise you however to upgrade to benefit of the following fixes:

  • Ranked matches did not longer grant points in the lobby.
  • Mod installation no longer require restart.
  • Mod installation no longer prints errors when installing mods by double-clicking
  • Mod installation now overwrites the existing mods to allow for easier updates.
  • Fishes are now easier to spot on lowest settings with the addition of seagulls.

The team wishes to apologize for the inconvenience and hopes you will be enjoying your time playing 0 A.D: Empires Ascendant.

Easy download and install

Download and installation instructions are available for Windows, Linux and macOS.

0 A.D. is free software. This means you are free to download, redistribute, modify and contribute to the application under the same licences: GNU Public Licence version 2 (GPL v2) for code and Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 (CC-BY-SA 3.0) for artwork.

Although you might find some people selling copies of 0 A.D., either over the internet or on physical media, you will always have the option to download 0 A.D. completely gratis, directly from the developers. No “freemium” model, no in-game advertising, no catch.

How to Download 0 A.D. Instructions for Windows Instructions for Linux Instructions for OS X

 

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For press/media inquiries, please DM @play0ad on Twitter.

New Release: 0 A.D. Alpha 25: Yaunā

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Wildfire Games proudly announces the release of 0AD Alpha 25: “Yaunā,” the twenty-fifth alpha version of 0 A.D., a free, open-source real-time strategy game of ancient warfare. Yaunā is an old Persian word for Ionians (Greeks).

Trailers

YouTube:


PeerTube:


New Features in Alpha 25

  • Pathfinding And Netcode Improvements – Improved Pathfinding, Performance And Reduced Game Lag
  • Order Restructuring – Players Can Now Push New Orders To The Front Of Their Production Queues
  • Improved Unit AI
  • New Biomes Incorporating New 2k Textures And Normal/Specular Maps
  • Initial Implementation Of Single Player Campaigns
  • GUI Improvements
  • Extended Graphics Options
  • Improved Mod Support And Game Filtering In The Multiplayer Lobby
  • Ongoing Civilization Balancing
  • Various Other Game Stability Bug Fixes And Speedups

Easy download and install

Download and installation instructions are available for Windows, Linux and macOS.

0 A.D. is free software. This means you are free to download, redistribute, modify and contribute to the application under the same licences: GNU Public Licence version 2 (GPL v2) for code and Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 (CC-BY-SA 3.0) for artwork.

Although you might find some people selling copies of 0 A.D., either over the internet or on physical media, you will always have the option to download 0 A.D. completely gratis, directly from the developers. No “freemium” model, no in-game advertising, no catch.

How to Download 0 A.D. Instructions for Windows Instructions for Linux Instructions for OS X

 

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RSS0 A.D. Facebook0 A.D. Twitter0 A.D. on ModDBmod.io For press/media inquiries, please DM @play0ad on Twitter.

0 A.D. Alpha 25 Feature Freeze Update

The date of 6th June 2021 at 23.59 CET has been confirmed for the 0 A.D. Alpha 25 Feature Freeze, a major precursor to the actual release of the new alpha version of the game.

What is the Feature Freeze?

The Feature Freeze is the point at which new features cease to be added to the new alpha version and the development team focus solidly on final preparations and bugfixes to facilitate the release.

What Happens After 6th June?

  • From June 7th to June 13th there will a period of intense testing and bug fixing.
  • June 13th at 23.59 CET – Commit and String Freeze. This is the point where all further changes are suspended, and release candidate versions of Alpha 25 are created and distributed for testing in a controlled environment. This is the final opportunity to discover and resolve any release blocking bugs or issues.

Want To Be Involved in Pre-Release Testing?

If you’d like to be a part of the critical testing versions of Alpha 25 then please check the thread here; 

https://wildfiregames.com/forum/topic/41264-alpha-25-pre-releaserelease-candidate-build-testing/

When Will Alpha 25 Officially be Released?

A provisional date range has been decided upon with June 20th being slated as the earliest possible release date and June 30th. Please be aware this is still provisional at this stage and is entirely reliant on a smooth transition through phases described above, with no major release blocking issues being present in the final tested release candidate.

Final confirmation of the release date will be announced in advance of launch – ideally 3 days to a week prior, as will any postponement and revised timescales in the event of a major issue being discovered.

What Will Alpha 25 Be Named?

A final decision on the naming of the new alpha will be made during the Feature Freeze period, but you still have time to get involved.

Every new iteration of 0 A.D. gets a name and this is your chance to contribute your suggestions. The Alpha 25 Name Suggestions thread on the 0 A.D. Community Forum has been open since January 2021, but there is still time to vote for your favourite and put forward your own suggestions.

0 A.D. release names start with the letter of the alphabet that corresponds to the release version. Alpha 22 was Venustas, Alpha 23 was Ken Wood, Alpha 24 was Xšayaṛša, and Alpha 25 will start with a ‘Y’.

Check out the thread here;

https://wildfiregames.com/forum/topic/35736-alpha-25-name-suggestions/

 

Sneak Peek of 0 A.D. Alpha 25

A provisional date of June 2021 has been proposed for the ‘Feature Freeze’ – the point at which new features for the upcoming Alpha version of 0 A.D. stop being added and the development team focus solidly on bugfixes. This is not the release date. The feature freeze is one of the precursors to release, with the specific launch date to follow. You can find more information here.

First Impressions of Alpha 25

Be sure to tune into the Tom0AD live stream on YouTube on Friday 7th May 2021 at 9pm CET to see a preview of the latest development version of Alpha 25 in action. The broadcast will feature Tom and fellow YouTubers, Alistair Findlay, and Jim Cogan (0AD Newbie Rush) putting the dev version through its paces live on air. And there will also be a live Q&A session with 0 A.D. Developer, Stan`.

New Features

Following closely on the heels of Alpha 24, this latest iteration of 0 A.D. will look to further build on functionality and further expand the existing feature set while also fixing existing  bugs. With a shorter planned gap between alpha releases this time around, most of the proposed additions are subtle and geared toward small improvements in the current and future player experience rather than headline features. But there are a few notable things to look out for.

  • Single Player Campaign Support:
    The ability for 0 A.D modders to create their own single player campaigns will be added. Alpha 25 will only include the base functionality for this with full campaigns scheduled to be added in later iterations.
  • Improved Multiplayer Responsiveness
    A technical improvement that players may ‘feel’ rather than see, this is another progressive improvement step to smoothing out multiplayer gameplay and enhancing unit pathfinding. Before commands in multiplayer were processed twice per second, now five times like in single player.
  • Ongoing Balancing Changes
    Numerous changes to balance of the game by way of micro adjustments to various civilisations, buildings, and units.

For a full list of all proposed features/changes visit the Alpha 25 Wiki page.

Get Involved! Your Chance to Name the New Alpha

Every new iteration of 0 A.D. gets a name, and this is your chance to contribute your suggestions. The Alpha 25 Name Suggestions thread on the 0 A.D. Community Forum has been open since January 2021, but there is still time to vote for your favourite and put forward your own suggestions.
0 A.D. release names start with the letter of the alphabet that corresponds to the release version. Alpha 22 was Venustas, Alpha 23 was Ken Wood, Alpha 24 was Xšayāršā, and Alpha 25 will start with a ‘Y’.
Check out the thread here.

New Release: 0 A.D. Alpha 24: Xšayāršā

Wildfire Games, an international group of volunteer game developers, proudly announces the release of 0 A.D. Alpha 24: “Xšayāršā” (pronounced: Khsha-ya-ṛsha), the twenty-fourth alpha version of 0 A.D., a free, open-source real-time strategy game of ancient warfare. The release is named after Xerxes the Great, ruler of the  Achaemenid Empire from 485 to 465 BC.

Youtube:

PeerTube:

Easy download and install

Download and installation instructions are available for Windows, Linux and macOS.

0 A.D. is free software. This means you are free to download, redistribute, modify and contribute to the application under the same licences: GNU Public Licence version 2 (GPL v2) for code and Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 (CC-BY-SA 3.0) for artwork.

Although you might find some people selling copies of 0 A.D., either over the internet or on physical media, you will always have the option to download 0 A.D. completely gratis, directly from the developers. No “freemium” model, no in-game advertising, no catch.

How to Download 0 A.D. Instructions for Windows Instructions for Linux Instructions for OS X

 

Top new features

  • Balancing adjustments
  • Building snapping
  • Renderer improvements
  • Hotkey editor
  • Formation improvements
  • Status effects (and modifiers)
  • World population setting
  • Lobby improvements
  • In-game user interface (GUI) improvements
  • Unit behaviour improvements
  • Reinforcement-learning interface
  • Art: new models
  • New Skirmish maps
  • Under the hood

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0 A.D. Development Report: September 2019 – May 2020

Wildfire Games, the international group of volunteers developing 0 A.D. : Empires Ascendant, is happy to present its latest development report.

If you want to find out more about the development of this open-source, cross-platform real-time strategy game or if you are interested in game development in general, it might provide an interesting read. 

If you want to be part of this project, feel free to visit our forums and join our active community, or just grab a task from our list of open tickets and get right to it. We are currently looking for Programmers, Translators, Historians, MapMakers, Animators and Artists

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