Finalizing linux install
Finalizing installation
Now you have Spring installed along with SpringLobby, and some maps. All that is left is to add the data directories and a mod and you're ready to play either online or in single player.
Data Directories
Do this to create your per-user data directories. You will be downloading maps and mods into these directories later. Paste the following into the terminal:
mkdir ~/.spring ~/.spring/base ~/.spring/maps ~/.spring/mods
Mods
Since Spring itself is only an engine, just like maps, you need to download the mods for it. All of the sites above host mods too, so you can get some from there, and save them under ~/.spring/mods.
BA (Balanced Annihilation)
A popular mod to get started with is Balanced Annihilation (BA) 6.21. Please note that before you can run it though, you'll need to download the OTA content - read the section below on how to get that.
CA (Complete Annihilation)
A new mod with better models, graphical effects, and a different take on gameplay is the CA mod - get it here.
OTA Content
If you want to play mods based on Total Annihilation, for example XTA, AA, BA, then you have to do the following:
wget http://ipxserver.dyndns.org/games/spring/mods/xta/base-ota-content.zip
unzip -d ~/.spring/base base-ota-content.zip
Note that you need to own a copy of Total Annihilation, to download this file legally.
Mods that do not require this file are at least NanoBlobs and Kernel Panic. The CA mod is also working on phasing out the need for OTA content by re-doing the models.
Lobby Client
To setup online games, you need a lobby client. There are several options to choose from. On Ubuntu your all set, the SpringLobby was already installed as a dependency of the spring package.
You can also use a lobby client to setup single player matches against the AI. TODO more information about setting up tasclient to play against AI.
Recommended lobby client for linux is either SpringLobby or AFLobby. You can use them in windows and mac too.
SpringLobby
SpringLobby is for (at least) Windows, Linux and Mac. It's now in a usable state and has a feature set close to that of TASClient for windows. Try it out! Bug reports and feature requests are very much welcome.
If you're on Ubuntu, then you have installed it already. Otherwise, visit http://springlobby.info for download information and all things SpringLobby.
AFLobby
This project is very promising, and is usable for online multi player. Its the oldest lobby still actively maintained.
Official webpage for the project is http://www.darkstars.co.uk which should always have the latest release for download.
Maps
There are many maps not found in the repository that can be downloaded from several easy to use websites - here are some:
Pick any of those sites, download a map, and save it under ~/.spring/maps/ (if the folder doesn't exist - see the Data Directories section above on how to make one). Don't unpack the file in any way though, just download and save it.
Hint: If you know the map name you want, there is a Search function provided in those websites. Just write a part of the name, like one word, and you'll easily find the map you were looking for - this is helpful later on.
That's it! You're now good to play Spring. Launch SpringLobby to either play single player vs AI's, or online at the lobby server.
