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| Spring is a project that was started by the [[SY|Swedish Yankspankers]] that aims to create a fully customizable 3D real time strategy game Engine.
| | #REDIRECT[[Read Me First]] |
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| TA Spring is the current project focus, which is supposed to port the original Cavedog game "Total Annihilation" to the still developing Spring engine. It uses formats and gameplay elements from the original game and, at this point, can display most [[Mods]] and [[Units]] designed for the orriginal game to different levels of playability.
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| The most important thing to note however is, '''YOU CAN ACTUALLY DOWNLOAD AND PLAY A WORKING VERSION OF THIS GAME RIGHT NOW AND PLAY ONLINE WITH OTHER PEOPLE'''.
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| =Getting To Your First Game=
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| ===STEP 1: Is your computer ready?===
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| Currently Spring is only compatible with Windows Operating systems. In theory, it's compatible with all 9x or later OSes, but since we're still beta, we'll call it "hit and miss".
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| There is a [[Linux|Linux Port]] in the works, and you can join the mailinglist if you would like to know how it's progressing.
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| You will need some kind of 3D hardware acceleration, it needs to have the latest OpenGL drivers (which means, providing the card is recent enough, the latest drivers from your cards manufacturer). You will also need [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx?url=/windows/directx/downloads/default.htm DirectX] installed.
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| ===STEP 2: Download the Current Installer===
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| [http://taspring.clan-sy.com/download.php Click Here] to go to the downloads page. Download the '''Regular installer''' option. Run it and install it somewhere on your computer. In theory if, at this point, you read the stuff in the "docs" folder, then you will know what to do next.
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| ===STEP 3(Optional): Make Sure the Engine Works on Your Computer===
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| Browse to the installation folder and double-click "spring.exe". Choose "yes" on the "do you want to be a server" dialog, choose the "Commanders" script with the arrow keys and enter, choose a map with the arrow keys and enter, press enter to force start the game.
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| Shift-Middle Click to change views, middle click activates free-look, arrows keys, moving your cursor to the edge and the scroll wheel controls your camera. If you've ever played Total Annihilation before in it's default control mode, you will know what to do next. Otherwise visit the Exaustive [[Using_Spring]] Page.
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| Don't bother going online until you figure out how to make your Commander build buildings and your buildings build units, and manage to find and kill the other Commander on the map and get the "You Win" message.
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| ===STEP 4: Playing Online - TASClient.exe===
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| Playing is quite simple. Just make sure you are connected to the internet, then double-click on the tasclient icon (it may have been put on your desktop, but it will definitely be in your start menu). Once you are in the client app, you will need to use the options button at the top of the window to set up an account. From there, just click the little button in the upper left section of the screen to connect to the server. Assuming your firewalls aren't excessively paranoid, it will make a noise and you will be put into the main discussion channel. You can then choose a game from the bottom pane, or chat in the top one.
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| ===STEP 5: Hosting Online - TASClient.exe===
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| In order to host a game, you must open the "Battle Window" by clicking on the "Battle Screen" button. Once there, you will need to click on the "Host battle" button. The bar at the top defines the ammount of players you can have (2-16), next is the game's name, followed by a dropdown box with a list of your currently installed mods, the port the server will host on, and if you wish to lock your server from outsiders- you can also add a password.
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| You've started your game, people joined, and you started it! Great! But, what if once you're ingame, everyone elses' name is stays red for several mins? That means they were unable to connect to your game. (oh noes) This normally means you have a firewall blocking access to your computer from the outside. Consult http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm if you need to know how to open ports on your router. Choose any game in the list, it doesn't matter, just be sure to use the port 8245, instead of what the game's listing says to use.
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