View source for Starsiege: Tribes

{{overhaul}}
{{Infobox VG
|title = Starsiege: Tribes
|image = [[Image:StarsiegeTribesBox.jpg|256px]]
|developer = [[Dynamix]]
|publisher = Sierra On-Line
|designer = Scott Youngblood
|license = Freeware
|engine = [[Darkstar]]
|released = November 30, 1998<br />2004 (freeware)
|version = 1.11
|genre = First-person shooter
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
|ratings = ESRB: Teen (T)<br />ELSPA: 12+
|platforms = Microsoft Windows
|media = CD-ROM
|requirements = 
* Windows 95/98/NT 
* 166 MHz Pentium or equivalent
* 32 MB RAM 
* 3D accelerator video card
* 4x CD-ROM
* DirectX compatible sound card
* mouse and keyboard
}}
[[Image:Sshot0028.png|thumb|256px|right|Starsiege: Tribes screenshot]]
'''''Starsiege: Tribes''''' (commonly referred to simply as '''''Tribes''''') is a sci-fi first-person shooter video game. It is the first of the [[Tribes_(series)|Tribes]] video game series and follows the story from [[Metaltech:_Earthsiege|Earthsiege]] and [[Starsiege]]. It was developed by [[Dynamix]] and published by the company now known as Sierra Entertainment in 1998.

''Tribes'' was one of the first online-only games of its kind and sported several multiplayer features that other games have only recently included (32+ player support, 128 players max, troop transport vehicles, several different player classes).  Most of the standard maps were outdoors in a variety of climates, from sunshine to snow and hail. In general, bases were scattered throughout the map depending on the gametype.  The outdoor environments were and still are relatively huge, extending for several kilometers in any direction, but "jetting" and "skiing" gave ''Tribes'' a fast-paced feel.

On July 16, 2007, Sierra Entertainment announced that they would cease online support of Tribes starting on August 16, 2007. However, the master server was still active after this date.  As of November 2007, the Sierra Master Server is no longer active, and has been replaced by a community-run master server.

March 17, 2009, GarageGames announced<ref>http://blog.instantaction.com/2009/03/tribes-and-instantaction.html</ref> they have purchased the IP and source code for Starsiege: Tribes and will be releasing an update through the browser based game service, InstantAction.  It was announced on May 14th, 2009, that they would soon be accepting email addresses for beta invites. [[PlayTribes]] was available for play during the 2009 Penny Arcade Expo at InstantAction's display in the expo hall.<ref>{{cite_web| url=http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/09/05/pax-2009-instantaction-tribes-hands-on-impressions/| title=PAX 2009: InstantAction Tribes hands-on impressions| author=John Callaham| date=5 September 2009| publisher=[http://news.bigdownload.com/ Big Download]}}</ref>

On October 23, 2010, it was announced that Hi-Rez Studios were the new owners of the Tribes franchise, thus canceling development on PlayTribes.<ref>[http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/10/24/hi-rez-announce-tribes-universe/ Hi-Rez Announce Tribes Universe]</ref> Thus began the development of [[Tribes Universe]], a planned MMO, and [[Tribes: Ascend]], a new FPS.

=== How to Play in 2024 ===
After the official Starsiege; Tribes game servers were shut down in 2009, the game is still available for download on [https://playt1.com/ Play T1.com] The site has a download to the freeware version of Starsiege: Tribes with several different configuration settings, as well as an [https://playt1.com/install install guide] for advanced options that may be required on a modern computer. 

==Storyline==
{{Main|Tribes Timeline}}
The 29th century saw humanity fighting the third and last war against the [[Cybrid]]s, a sentient robotic race it had created. 400 years later, having hunted down the remaining Cybrids across the stars, humans discovered the first Interstellar Transfer Conduit (dubbed "[[jumpgate]]"), a teleportation device or phenomenon (not clearly specified). A more powerful "meta-jumpgate", which covered much more distance, was later discovered and realized to be part of a vast network of them. Many people traveled through the jumpgates and settled across the galaxies; this movement was known as the Diaspora. Isolated from the Great Human Empire, these people developed a sense of pride and started referring to themselves as a "tribe", the [[Children of the Phoenix]], named after Harabec "Phoenix" Weathers, a legendary hero of the Cybrid wars. In response, the Empire sent a great force of Imperial Knights, the [[Blood Eagle|Blood Eagles]], to "subdue" the tribe. Both factions sank into a perpetual state of war and many small "splinter" tribes were formed in the process (the Children of the Phoenix and Blood Eagle being the most powerful among them) by renegades from both sides. The Blood Eagles eventually began to consider themselves a tribe as well after being isolated from their homes for such a long time and adopting the tribal style of warfare, favoring personal powered armor over their traditional and "impossible to maintain" [[HERCs]] (biped walking tanks central to the Earthsiege and Starsiege stories).

The Children of the Phoenix try to keep the peace and have created a convention of "[[Society_and_culture#The_Tenets_of_Harabec|tenets]]" for tribes to abide by, such as one forbidding war waged using ecocidal weapons, which is a somewhat more modern rules of engagement and Geneva Convention. They also hold regular [[Firetruce]]s, in which the tribes meet to discuss peace, stability, and hold games, much like our Olympics. However, in a few generations, it rapidly became a cause for political intrigue and competition.

Unfortunately, conflict between the tribes has raged on across the centuries and the number of blood feuds has grown exponentially. The Blood Eagle and [[Starwolf]] despise each other the most; a bitter marriage between members of their leading families ended up in betrayal, intense conflict, and Oaths of Vengeance. The game takes place roughly in the year 3940, when hundreds of small tribes have allied or made non-aggression pacts with the Blood Eagle and Starwolf, who have prepared for total war. The player assumes the role of a warrior loyal to one of the four major tribes battling in the front lines of the conflict.


==Gameplay==
{{See also|Starsiege:_Tribes/Armor_Classes|label 1=Armor Classes}}
Each player has armor, the amount depending on armor type. When damage is dealt to the player (by falling or being hurt by a weapon), armor is lost.  Loss of all armor results in the player's death. After dying, the player "respawns" at the team's base (or somewhere in the field).  Players also have an energy cell, which is drawn on for jetting, firing some kinds of weapons, and activating packs. Mods have expanded these basic capabilities by adding various features that did not come with the basic game. An example of basic functionality that has been built upon is the turret. The basic turret that came with the game was easily destroyable, and only deployable in the upright position. There was only one turret that was available with the original "base mod". With the addition of mods to the Tribes community an almost innumerable number of turrets have been added. These turrets ranging in functions such as targeting incoming enemies, deployable in any position, various sizes & functions, some remain hidden underground or cloaked until a player comes near.

Inventory stations are used to equip the player with new armor, weapons, packs, etc... Ammo stations can be used to refill health and ammunition quickly. These stations do require that the base's generators be online in order for them to function.

A very important aspect of ''Tribes'' is the ability to wear "packs", which alter the abilities of the player. Only one can be worn at a time, so it is important to know what advantage the player will need in order to succeed. Packs can be dropped and recovered by other players on the field.

''Tribes'' was one of the first games with team-oriented vehicles. They normally are not the focus of the game (unlike the sequel), but just a convenient feature.  It is possible to use the vehicles in kamikaze fashion often to great effect, although this is looked down upon by many players. The scout, a one-man vehicle, while initially overlooked due to its stiff flying controls, was reborn with Writer's scout sensitivity script.  This allowed for switching of mouse sensitivity in-game, providing a super-sensitive setting for flying. There were numerous bugs related to scouts, and the most famous "skipping flag" bug was never completely corrected.

{{See also|Starsiege: Tribes/Mods/base|label 1=Base mod}}
{{See also|Starsiege: Tribes/Items|label 1=Items}}

==Base equipment==
In some gametypes and on certain maps, bases include various defense mechanisms and other tools to assist the team.

===Generators===
Generators provide power to systems. Destroying them can disable an entire team's defense by deactivating turrets and stations. They were also among the objectives in the game's "Defend & Destroy" gametype.
*Base generators - Large indoor generators, often heavily protected.
*Portable generators - Used on maps with smaller outpost type bases, often a deployable type item in various mods.
*Solar panels - Small outdoor generators, usually only given small responsibilities and light defense.

===Turrets===
There are five kinds of permanent turrets. They can all be destroyed by mortar shells, but their shields can block attacks from any other weapon- but are drained by the ELF gun.
*Plasma - Fires slow-moving balls of energy at enemy targets.
*Indoor - Fires fast-moving balls of energy at moving enemies. It is sensitive to motion instead of energy, so it can't be jammed. Players can move slowly to confuse it, though.
*Rocket - Fires energy-seeking missiles that track vehicles or players using their jetpacks.
*ELF (Electron flux gun) - Like the ELF gun, drains the energy of enemies. Also deals a small amount of damage.
*Mortar - Fires green mortar shells like the portable version only with greater distance.

===Stations===
These are where players get equipment or monitor the base.
*Inventory - "Invo" stations, as they're sometimes called, are the places for players to change armors and weapons.
*Ammo - Often placed near "invo" stations, these quickly recharge the armor and ammo of players.
*Vehicle - Used to spawn new vehicles on the accompanying vehicle pad.
*Command - Allows players to control turrets.

===Sensors===
Sensors are often overlooked in Tribes. They scan a radius for enemies and allow players to view troop movements in the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). There are large and small varieties.

==Jetpacks==
One of the defining elements of the ''Tribes'' series is the jetpack.  With a press of a button, the player is accelerated upwards (or in whatever direction is pressed), "jetting" into the air until the armor's energy is used up.  This ability is absent from nearly any other popular first-person shooter to date (with the notable exceptions of 1996's ''Duke Nukem 3D'' and April 1998's  ''Outwars'').  The incorporation of this third dimension gives some ''Tribes'' players the satisfaction of believing that they are playing one of the only truly 3D computer game.  Use of the jetpack is crucial to crossing large amounts of terrain when vehicles are scarce or unavailable.  Jumping an instant before firing the jetpack is crucial to getting the most height out of the boosted jump before the armor's energy is drained.  Without jumping, firing the jets with heavy armor will not even boost the player off the ground.

==Skiing==
During beta testing of ''Tribes'', several players seemed to cheat in order to slide down hills without slowing and picked up enormous speed.  The players had in fact discovered "skiing", the act of rapidly pressing the jump button to avoid friction. (Later on scripts were introduced that automated this action simply by holding down the jump button.)  This technique may have been adapted from Bunny hopping in Quake.

This was originally an unintended side effect of the physics system implementation that caused players to encounter less friction with the ground when going down hillsides than on level terrain. The reduced friction was put in to make it harder for snipers to take out enemies.  The reduction of friction was proportional to the slope of the hill; this meant that the steeper the terrain, the faster players could travel. Skiing allowed players to traverse ''Tribes''<nowiki>'</nowiki> massive game maps in under 15 seconds in some cases instead of minutes.

Skiing, although somewhat angering to new players and to purists (initially), has become an integral part of the game.  Both sequels (''[[Tribes 2]]'' and ''[[Tribes: Vengeance]]'') have made special arrangements to allow for easier skiing by modifying the physics and providing tutorials for new players. Skiing has also passed onto a few other multiplayer games; including Enemy Territory: Quake Wars [http://www.splashdamage.com/index.php?name=pnPHPbb2&file=viewtopic&t=15211].

==Other features==
''Tribes'' includes too many team-oriented features to number. These are buried deep within the game and are difficult to use.  In fact, most players can play without even realizing the entire command system (called the PDA or Personal Digital Assistant in game) exists.  The PDA is intended to provide information to commanders and give detailed information on the team's situation.  Among other things, players can issue commands to teammates, view equipment status,  monitor enemy activity (with sensors or hidden cameras), watch teammates in a miniature screen, and control turrets (although this must be done at a command station [Unless the Command Laptop is used. Thereby allowing the control of turrets on the field.]).

==HUDs, Scripts==
HUDs, or ''head-up displays'', and their associated scripts have added additional features that were not available with the original game. The above screen shot shows a Flag caps hud, and a simple stats hud showing the number of mines and grenades the player has left. Huds and scripting can also be used maliciously; there have been several huds/scripts released that allow players to cheat in various ways.

Some scripts change the look and feel of the game.  Unlike mods which are server side and usually makes changes to gameplay, scripts are client side and allow players to perform a variety of tasks such as bunny-hopping. Voice packs allow players to execute additional sounds with optional animations that were not included with the game. Voice Packs usually include custom sounds from a variety of sources such as movies, music, television, or even recorded audio.

==Skins==
The use of skins allows players the ability to change the appearance of their player, weapons, etc. A player is not able to change the skin of other players, but is able to view the skins that others are wearing if they have the skin installed.
{{See also|Starsiege:_Tribes/Skinning|label 1=Starsiege: Tribes - Skinning Tutorial}}

==Guides==
Guides can be found [[Starsiege:_Tribes/Guides|here]]

==Community Support==
Since the initial release of ''Tribes'', and even more so since the closing of Dynamix, the many members of the community have made mods, maps, scripts, HUDs, new interfaces, and external programs to support the game and provide various other useful functions. Programs like Hudbot<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.team5150.com/~andrew/project.hudbot/ |title=HudBot Website |accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref> give Tribes support for 8/24/32-bit TGA textures, a substantial improvement over the game's existing texture color limit. (''In the area of 128 colors per texture'') Another program, Tribes Live<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tribeslive.com |title=TribesLive Website |accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref>, provides players a way of supplementing ''Tribes'' with updates provided by the community.

===Master Servers===
When the master servers were taken down in November 2007, the community stepped up and created their own. The new master server addresses are:
*Kigen's: t1m1.kigen.co:28000
*or001: t1m1.masters.tribesmasterserver.com:28000
*bugs_: t1m1.pu.net:28000 
*Plasmatic: t1m1.tribes0.com:28000
*SKB: skbmaster.kigen.co:28000

To use the new masters, open Tribes and open the console (press tilde, ~) and paste this line:
<pre>$Server::MasterAddressN0 = "t1m1.masters.dynamix.com:28000 t1m1.kigen.co:28000 t1m1.masters.tribesmasterserver.com:28000 t1m1.pu.net:28000 t1m1.tribes0.com:28000 skbmaster.kigen.co:28000";</pre>
Press Enter, then close and restart Tribes.

==Competition==
CTF gained great popularity in both public recreational servers and competitive servers. Dynamix ran several servers located in New Jersey and California. WON.net operated "east" and "west" servers as well. Since broadband was in its early stages in the US, players tended to play on servers that offered them the best ping times. As a result, tribes tended to have members who were located in the same timezone. Players sought to compete in a ladder environment, and in the first year, the clear ladder of choice was OGL.org. There were roughly 100 active tribes on the OGL from all over the country, with a few overseas tribes as well. One tribe's primary playerbase hailed from Hawaii. Match scheduling was a touchy subject for many reasons. Lower pings and minimal packetloss made a significant difference in gameplay. Logistics of organizing teams of 10 players on opposing coastlines meant that matches could start at 9 pm EST/6 pm PST and end anywhere from 2-4hours later. After about a year of competitive play, the Tribes playerbase had outgrown OGL.org and OGL's servers were going through a streak of unreliability. A new ladder emerged from Teamplay.net. This ladder would later be replaced by Tribalwar.com. Today's (9/2007) Teamplay.net and Tribalwar.com do not resemble their predecessors.

Due to the anonymity of the Tribes engine, "smurfing" was hard to detect and likely prevalent in match play. Smurfing is when one player plays as another. Tribes allowed players to create as many character profiles as they desired. High profile players would often play under a number of different callsigns, and some would even play for other tribes in competitive matches. Ladder competition was fierce, and for a while, it was all that the community desired. After some time, the community developed individual player ranks based on server records and fantasy draft leagues.

==Game Types==
There are five distinct "default" gametypes:
* Capture the flag (CTF) - Each team (up to eight, normally less than three on any given mission) has one or more bases and a single flag. Each team tries to take an opposing team's flag and touch it to their own, which "captures" the flag and awards the capturing team a point. If a flag carrier is killed, the flag is dropped; the flag can be picked up by a teammate to finish the capture, instantly returned to its base by a member of the flag's team, or returned after a certain interval of time. Stalemates often occur when multiple teams' flags are taken at the same time; a team's flag must be at its base to accomplish a "cap". Games have been known to last hours until one of the flags is returned. Server time limits can be set to avoid these prolonged games.
* Deathmatch (DM) - It can be played with or without teams; in both cases players must get the highest number of kills to win.
* Capture and hold (C&H) - Teams must seek out capturable bases or other assets, sometimes complete with turrets and stations, throughout the map. Points are given based on the amount of time an asset is "owned".
* Defend and destroy (D&D) - Players on a team must destroy certain items in an enemy's base before the enemy does the same to their base. Subsequent team-based First-person shooter games, however, did use variations of the concept (such as with Unreal Tournament and its "assault" game type).
* Find and retrieve (F&R) - A number of flags are scattered across the mission area. Team members must find and bring them back to their base. The flags can be captured from the enemy as well. The team to capture all the flags wins.
* Practice (Practice) - These types of maps have some of the most creative themes and gameplay which are often linked with teleports to get to various areas of these maps. A practice map can range from the fun to play where there is no specific objective. An example of such a map is VV-3Three which is known for its obstacle course. It is about 2&nbsp;km high (measurable by an in-game weapon called a target laser). Climbing this course can take an experienced player hours (literally) depending on what armor that is used. Another such example is a map called BotPracticeMKiV which has various areas for a player using a sniper class weapon to hone their sniping skills. BotPractiveMKiV also includes an indoor free for all area, and some duel area set high in the sky. Other such examples are Duel maps that are more frequently falling into this category because they include other areas that include bots and other things to do.
* Arena - These usually start the two teams in an enclosed area. The teams fight and when a player dies they are forced into observer mode. The teams fight until there are no players left on one of the teams. When this happens, the team who still has players left wins. This type of map is very exciting and forces teams to try different strategies.

Note that ''Tribes'' features a scripting language that allows creation of customized mission types. Dozens of new mission types have been released by players. Arena is a good example of this. ''Tribes'' also features an internal mission editor that allows anyone with a desire to make their own playable mission or modify an existing mission.

==AI / Offline Gameplay==
Tribes was one of the first games to cater exclusively to online multiplayer gameplay. As such, there are only a handful of offline training missions available. This made the game much less enticing for players without internet connectivity. One of the first community-based AI opponents was Spoonbot<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playspoon.com/wiki/index.php?title=Spoonbot |title=Spoonbot |accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref>, which is a Bot capable of using most of the game's weapons and vehicles. However, since it has been written entirely in the game's scripting language and hence has to work within several technical limits, this bot is no real substitute for human opponents. It is possible to enrich online multiplayer games with a number of AI opponents. Spoonbot reached v1.0 in 2001<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribalwar.com/viewnews.php?newsid=2278 |title=Spoonbot 1.0 news on Tribalwar.com |date=2001-06-02}}</ref>, the last version was released in 2003. The Spoonbot codebase can also be found within several other gameplay mods.

==Official Art==
<gallery>
File:Be.jpg|Blood Eagle
File:Beartg.jpg|Blood Eagle
File:Cotp.jpg|Children of the Phoenix
File:Cotpart.jpg|Children of the Phoenix
File:Diamondsword.jpg|Diamond Sword
File:Dsart.jpg|Diamond Sword
File:Starwolf.jpg|Starwolf
File:Swart.jpg|Starwolf
</gallery>

== Concept Art by Shawn Sharp ==
<gallery>
File:Alien concept.jpg|Alien concept
File:Alien magic.jpg|Alien casting magic
File:Alien race.jpg|Alien race
File:Armor designs.jpg|Armor designs
File:CotP cyborg.jpg|Children of the Phoenix Cyborg
File:CotP warrior.jpg|Children of the Phoenix Warrior
File:Environment concept.jpg|Environmental concept
File:Environment study.jpg|Environmental study
File:Imperial Escort.jpg|Imperial escort
File:Indoors.jpg|Indoors
File:Initial armor design.jpg|Initial armor design
File:Monsters concept Art.jpg|Monsters
File:Throne room.jpg|Throne room
File:On the run.jpg|On the run
</gallery>


==Mods==
Starsiege: Tribes comes with built-in mod support.  While the game has never been directly packaged with any kind of SDK, a number of websites offer or have offered downloadable tools to modify existing game scripts, textures and models.  A Tribes server can be set to run a mod simply by adding an extra parameter to the command line.

The most common type of mod for Tribes is the "server-side" mod: a mod which requires no content download on the part of the connecting player.  These mods can dramatically alter gameplay elements without forcing the mod to lose "server-side" status.  Mods can add, remove or alter weapons, turrets, armors, deployables, gameplay mechanics, station behaviors, jetpack energy, even the very game rules themselves and still remain "server-side".  It is only with the addition of new models, textures, sounds or other such resources to a mod that the player is required to download anything in order to successfully connect to a server running it.

A number of the mods for Tribes were created by members of the Tribes development team. The Flag Hunters mod was created by game dev ''Kidney Thief'', and was sufficiently well-received that the Hunter gametype was included in the release of [[Tribes 2]].  The Base++ mod, created by game dev Mark Frohnmayer (alias ''Got Milk?''), included a number of additional features, bug fixes, weapon adjustments, and controversially a significant limit on skiing speed.  While the Base++ mod was not explicitly included as part of Tribes 2, many of its features and "adjustments" can be found in the game's "Base" mod.

{{See also|Starsiege:_Tribes/List_of_mods|label 1=List of Starsiege: Tribes Mods}}

Few client-side total-conversion have been released for Tribes. One of the few examples is the Star Wars Mod, which featured custom vehicles, weapons and deployables set in the Star Wars universe. Such mods never gathered a significant playerbase. A Tribes  2 conversion pack<ref>[http://library.theexiled.pwnageservers.com/file.php?id=415 Makaze Mod - T2 conversion pack]</ref> was released by PhantomStranger, which featured custom vehicles, weapons, and armors, set in the Tribes 2 universe. Much later, a Tribes: Vengeance conversion pack<ref>[http://theexiled.pwnageservers.com/tvconversionpack.php Tribes: Vengeance conversion pack]</ref> was released by TE-Krogoth, which featured custom vehicles, weapons, armors, and deployables, set in the Tribes: Vengeance universe. Recently, a Tribes: Ascend conversion<ref>[http://theexiled.pwnageservers.com/taconversionpack.php Tribes: Ascend conversion pack]</ref> was released by TE-Krogoth, which featured custom vehicles, weapons, armors, and deployables from the upcoming game Tribes: Ascend. TE-Krogoth also released a Halo conversion pack<ref>[http://theexiled.pwnageservers.com/haloconversionpack.php Halo conversion pack]</ref>, which featured weapons from the Halo universe.

The sequel to Tribes, [[Tribes 2]], includes mod support similar to that of Tribes, though some types of gameplay modifications are much more difficult to accomplish than in its predecessor, while the subsequent game, [[Tribes: Vengeance]], has no official mod support.

== Tribes RPG ==
Tribes is a very moddable game, as evidenced by mods such as Tribes RPG. Tribes RPG is a mod that completely remade Tribes into a hack and slash multiplayer adventure game, in which players could create one of several player classes and level up gaining new skills, armor, and magic. The Tribes RPG mod also included a feature known as "Remorting" by which a player at level 100-110 could begin again as a level one character with more power than possible on the first playthrough and access to the "Uber Dungeon." Tribes RPG was such a successful mod that it was also modded, creating entirely different worlds, character classes, enemies, and leveling systems depending on the server.

==Game Firsts ==

Mods to the original game made Tribes one of the most innovative games for years to come.  Most of the mods done to the game would be copied later on by other software titles.  Some of the most memorable mods would give users items that were mimicked later by other software titles:

*Grav Gun- Made popular by Half Life 2 and thought of as revolutionary, yet was created in Tribes many years earlier

*Ability to build bases and place base items- A first for a 1st person shooter game. Players can deploy things like doors, wall, force fields, turrets, inventory stations, supply stations, sensors, missile launchers, turret control stations, teleporters, jails, amongst many other items.

*The SEX Mod had machine guns that launched self deploying laser turrets, allowing the user to deploy hundreds of automated turrets anywhere on the map, even while fighting

*The original Warzone mod would let the players build their base from scratch (building, turrets, and stations) and then let the players play with their custom bases.

*T-Mail- A serverside mail system which automatically gave connected players a MailBox/InBox/OutBox/SentBox/Contact List/SaveBox  and many other options that popular e-mail systems have all within the games Score TAB Menu.

*Demo Drop- Feature that allowed the game to record a first person game play with an automated format type to save it, convert it, store it, watch through the Tribes gaming client, but moreso it made it to where Fraps, or Gamecam or any third party screen capture were not needed to record games. The feature also did not diminish fps or gameplay, making it very easy to run and perform on all systems.

==Piracy==

Tribes was subject to rampant piracy shortly after release. The game lacked strong authentication for online play, allowing pirated clients to join and participate alongside legitimate users. Creating illegal copies or distributions of the game for this purpose was an almost trivial matter, as the game also lacked any real form of copy protection.

One of the most widely used illegal distributions was dubbed ''DaJackal''. New players with this release (who had neglected to properly configure the game before going online) could be easily identified by the altered default player name "DaJackal".  A few mods (notably Shifter and sub-variants) even included code which would automatically kick any player with this name attempting to connect to a server running the mod.  Similar code was included in one of the later official game patches, which would kick the player and then send the following message: "The FBI has been notified.  You better buy a legit copy before they get to your house."

The game's developer clearly learned from this experience: Tribes 2 is noted for its integration of authentication for online play.

==Sequels==
Although sales figures were relatively poor, ''Tribes'' established a large cult following. Dynamix decided to try to make the gameplay more easily accessible and improve upon the game's graphics, releasing ''Tribes 2'' in March 2001.  Together, sales totaled almost one million copies.

Since Dynamix was shut down shortly after ''Tribes 2'' was released, Sierra licensed the franchise to Irrational Games for a third installment; ''Tribes: Vengeance'' was released in October 2004. Tentatively referred to as ''Tribes: Story'' during development, this sequel promised a full single-player campaign as well as a full-featured multiplayer experience. By March 2005, however, Irrational had abandoned plans for further work on ''Tribes: Vengeance'' at Vivendi's behest in favor of future projects, such as the tactical shooter ''SWAT 4''. A combination of poor sales and a gameplay style that did not please hardcore Tribes fans led to the release of only one patch that fixed minor bugs. Retail copies of the game have since been liquidated and the game retains many gameplay balance issues and bugs. In the Fall of 2011, ''Tribes: Ascend'' went into Beta.

==Re-release==
On April 9, 2004, Vivendi Universal announced that they would release ''Tribes'' and ''Tribes 2'' for free on May 4, 2004 on a DVD-ROM with ''Computer Gaming World'' magazine and on [http://fileplanet.com/ FilePlanet.com].  This was to promote the release of the upcoming sequel, ''Tribes: Vengeance''. It can also be downloaded directly from Vivendi Universal's web-site.  However, the installed version of the game is only patched to 1.8, not the most current version, 1.11.  The patch can be found in varying locations online, including the official website<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ftp.sierra.com/sierra/tribes/updates/tribes18to111.exe |title=Tribes Patch 1.8 to 1.11 from Vivendi Universal |accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref> and FilePlanet<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fileplanet.com/filelist.aspx?s=30272&v=0 |title=Tribes Patch 1.8 to 1.11 from FilePlanet |accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref>, though the patch program has been known to fail completely on certain systems.  There also exists an unofficial "1.30 Last Hope" patch<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.team5150.com/~andrew/project.lasthope/ |title=v1.30 LastHope Patch |accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref> which makes the game compatible with all 1.11 (''and previous'') servers, as well as special "Last Hope" servers which employ certain anti-cheat measures.  Since the "patch" is simply a replacement of the Tribes executable it can be used in instances where the official patch fails.

The re-release can easily be turned into a portable application by the user. After installation and application of the patch, the whole directory can then be moved or copied for use as a portable app without having to install the game on individual computers the game is played on.  Several individuals offered pre-packaged versions containing the game in this installed and patched form<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ayavaron.com/wordpress/index.php/program-downloads/ |title=Ayavaron's Portable Tribes |accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref>. Since Sierra Entertainment's master servers have been deactivated, players need to either manually update a configuration file with the new master server data, or download a ready-to-play<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playspoon.com/wiki/index.php?title=Tribes |title=Tribes Ready-To-Play |accessdate=2009-01-06}}</ref> game archive that already contains the new master server addresses to be able to play online.

==Shazbot==
One of the voicechat options in ''Tribes'' to voice frustration is "Shazbot!": which is an allusion to the situation comedy ''Mork & Mindy'', in which Mork says the expression during the opening credits.  The phrase carried over into the sequels, ''Tribes 2'' and ''Tribes: Vengeance''.  It is possible to chain up voice chats, if you selected them faster than the sample played.  This led to many interesting variants on the voice chat broadcast function such as the request "I need a shazbot" which was usually complied with by many players.

==Alvy Elna==
Scott Youngblood, the Lead Designer of Starsiege: Tribes, created a tribute to his grandparents, who died during the development of the game.  He put their names in the terrain of a game level called Broadside.  On a hillside it says "Alvy Elna." (This is most easily seen while flying.)

==Reception==
{{VG Reviews
| GSpot=8.6 out of 10<ref name="gamespot">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/starsiegetribes/review.html |title=Starsiege Tribes Review |author=Michael E. Ryan |publisher=GameSpot  |date=1999-01-22 |accessdate=2008-10-13| quote=Tribes is an ambitious game that successfully delivers a rich and addictive multiplayer gaming experience. Any team-minded action fan will love this game, and I suspect that more than a few freelance types will also.}}</ref>
| IGN=9.3 our of 10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/154/154005p1.html |title=Starsiege: Tribes Review |author=Trent C. Ward |publisher=IGN  |date=1999-01-15}}</ref>
| GamePro=8 out of 10<ref name="GameRankings"/>
| GameZone=9 out of 10<ref name="GameRankings"/>
| GR=84%<ref name="GameRankings">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/132861-starsiege-tribes/articles.html |title=Starsiege Tribes Reviews |publisher=Game Rankings |accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref>
}}
Gamespot awarded 8.6 out of 10, considering ''Tribes'' to be an almost perfect balance between gameplay, online connectivity and speedy performance. The multiplayer gameplay drew comparisons with NovaLogic's ''Delta Force'', with good visuals and customizable weapon loadouts. The maps were highlighted as being wonderfully rendered, with seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. Criticisms included the difficulty in conducting long-range combat, a lack of close-combat weapons and the queues that form at weapon consoles. It was felt that ''Tribes'' would have benefited from a stronger training mode and better handling of scores and statistics.<ref name="gamespot"/>
{{clear}}

== See Also ==
* [[Starsiege:_Tribes/Patches|Starsiege: Tribes Patch notes]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://library.theexiled.pwnageservers.com/file.php?id=2696 Download Tribes 1.11] from The Exiled's File Library
* [http://library.theexiled.pwnageservers.com/file.php?id=2701 Download Tribes 1.40] from The Exiled's File Library
* {{moby game|id=/starsiege-tribes}} - Game Archive and Review site documenting Credits, Shots and reviews
* [http://www.tribesmasterserver.com/ Tribes Master Server] - New Master Servers
* [http://tribesquery.toocrooked.com/ Online Tribes Master Server Query] - View detailed server listing online

{{Tribes series}}

[[Category:Tribes]]